Thursday 26th June
By SP2A Analysis
Newcastle 3.10 - Handicap - Class 2 - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 11 run - Standard
It is worth TRACKING Fantasy Believer forwards, this horse can and has run fresh but off a slightly inflated mark in this competitive race I think worth following today with a view to a bet next time out. Storm Catcher runs off top weight courtesy of a far higher mark on the AW than on Turf and will be a danger as will Royal Approval , a Course and Distance winner but out of form but one who could revive.
The most solid option looks to be PENZANCE who is 4lbs lower than a Class 2 Course and Distance placed run in March and this venue suits. If you wanted one at nice e/w odds to 4 places then the Tim Easterby trained HOSANNA POWER Looks very well handicapped and drawn to attack in the closing stages. (Northern / AW)
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Newcastle 6.05 - Handicap Chase - Class 6 - 1 mile - 14 run - Standard
At the top of the market both Caramento who is decent value at 3/1 and Pop Favourite have obvious chances but this is a Class 6 handicap where horses who are less consistent, but who can throw in an occasional strong effort are always worth finding!
Five Eyes is in good form but I'm not convinced a straight mile suits Crownthorpe lurks 20lbs below a once competitive winning mark but this 10 year old does seem to be terminally regressive, hopefully not one that is going to have a last hurrah here!. Martins Brig is an archetypal reliable Class 6 handicapper who lacks any sort of scope but who usually runs to a lowly mark.
My clear number 1 rated is CALCUTTA DREAM for Mick Easterby, a Course winner and a Distance winner off a mark of 46 who fits the ideal profile perfectly. With 14 runners and enhanced place odds, I then found it VERY difficult to split CLOUD FREE; My Honey B and Herkelos.
I just think that CLOUD FREE who has shown best form at a mile off a strong pace may be better suited here on the straight mile track than My Honey B who had a golden run in mid summer 2023 but has taken time to get back to a competitive mark but genuinely feared here and Herkelos who looks a likely pace angle and who could lead them all a long long way but who I fear could be running on fumes in the last 100 yards and possibly be a sitting duck, but could set the race up for CLOUD FREE (Northern/ AW)
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TRACKERS
Newmarket 4.10 Be Frank (see above)