20:38 Newcastle (AW) — Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap ratings & form
← racecardsLittle Beck Annie broke through at Carlisle last time, taking a handicap by one and a half lengths in first-time cheekpieces — those are retained today. She is effective at six furlongs and remains lightly tested in sprint handicaps; a trainer in good form adds confidence. The concern is a five-pound penalty for that win which demands more from her here.
Ridgemaster ran to his form when second in a classified race at Ayr last time, beaten two lengths — his best effort in some time. He has been racing freely when asked to go longer and is better at six to seven furlongs; the form has been erratic but his last two outings have been better. He is yet to score in his recent starts but the direction of travel is encouraging.
Jkr Cobbler has placed in four of his last six starts and ran to his current form at Carlisle last time, beaten a length off a fractionally higher mark. He handles any going over six and seven furlongs and has been consistent in placings; the main risk is that his first win in some time continues to elude him despite a mark now below his last winning level.
She's A Goldigger is a maiden who prefers a cut in the ground and acts on the all-weather, and her latest run at Nottingham brought a three-length third in a classified race — a fair effort. Her form has been inconsistent, and with a first-time hood she may benefit from more cover, but she requires another step forward to make an impact in handicap company.
Tommy McJohn has been in decent form before his latest start, when he was badly positioned in a race dominated by the front-runner at Southwell and never able to land a blow. He is effective at five to six furlongs on the all-weather and a sound surface, and our figures put him as the top-rated in this field; a more straightforward contest ought to see him perform to a higher level.
Angel Of England has been in terrible form for nearly three years without a win, and has been unplaced in a majority of his recent starts. His latest effort at Wetherby saw him go off too quickly and tire badly; he now wears first-time cheekpieces and handles the all-weather, and his penultimate run showed a brief glimmer of better form. He needs to reproduce that with interest.
Miners Gamble has been below form in recent starts, beaten six lengths at Doncaster last time, and now returns after 90 days off the track. He handles the all-weather and is effective over eight to ten furlongs; this six-furlong trip is likely to be inadequate for him, however, and it is hard to see him competitive at this distance on his current form.
Invincible Annice has lost form badly, finishing in the rear in five consecutive starts. She has course-and-distance form from better days and wears a first-time visor; the stable has been successful in this race previously. She is still too far below her previous level to recommend at present, however, and needs to find a great deal more.
Summer Rain has been in poor form for some time, beaten seven lengths at Beverley last time in what looked another flat effort. He is effective at six furlongs on the all-weather, which is something in his favour, but without a win and with an exposed profile, there is simply too much to prove here against more progressive rivals.
Haworth Star handles the all-weather and has a liking for this course and distance, which is the main angle in his favour. He met trouble at Bath last time and could not find his challenge, beaten six lengths; his form either side of that has been inconsistent. He is best watched here until he gives a clearer signal that the spark has returned.
Newyorkstateofmind has been an unreliable sort and wears first-time blinkers in a bid to sharpen him up; his trainer is currently cold at 1 from 26. He was far too keen at Wetherby last time and well beaten; he is best at five furlongs on a sound surface, and today's six furlongs on the all-weather asks a question he has not answered in a long while.
Sally Anne's Dream has been beaten well in her last five starts and has been absent for seven months; she returns here from a very long break. She handles the all-weather and her best form is over five furlongs on a sound surface, but her figures put her at the bottom of the field and there is little evidence of any reason to expect an immediate improvement.
Tickets has shown a liking for this course and carries a first-time tongue-tie; he stays seven furlongs but his best form comes at six or even five furlongs on a sound surface. His last two runs were compromised by being asked to race prominently when he is better held up, and the mark is competitive. If ridden patiently this time, he has claims to place.
Vitalline has taken a race over this trip and is suited by the all-weather; he is usually held up and wears a first-time tongue-tie and blinkers combination. He was beaten three and a quarter lengths at Wolverhampton last time in a classified race without ever threatening. He needs more but the headgear change and a track he handles offer a platform for a better showing.