Racecards
16:35 Newcastle
Joan Lowery Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 23P461
- Age 14
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey P Aspell
led to 5th, remained close up, outpaced from 6 out, kept on from 3 out
- Form PP-3632
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leader, mistake 1st, led 5th, clear 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed when weakening approaching last
- Form 1P05P5
- Age 13
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W Storey
- Jockey B P Harding
chased leaders, blundered 4th, soon behind, detached from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
- Form 1650UP
- Age 11
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey R McGrath
chased leaders, pushed along 6 out, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out
Shining Tyne
17- Form 456523
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
held up in rear, went 2nd 6 out, ridden approaching 4 out, hit last, kept on flat
In depth
Verdict
Plenty of old favourites on show, none more so than Random Harvest, who, despite his advancing years, isn't ready to draw his pension just yet. Without a win during 2002, he was in freefall down the handicap, tumbling 22lbs in all, and ended up on 106, before troubling the judge. It is somewhat of a surprise to see him turn out under a penalty, as the Handicapper would surely have been hard pressed to have given him more than the 7lbs. Still, he is clearly on good terms with himself and with Paddy Aspell negating much of the penalty, he looks the one to beat. Scotmail Lad looks to be in the grasp of the Handicapper, being some 10lbs higher than his last winning mark, while Shining Tyne looks to face a difficult task from out of the handicap. Both Weaver George and Single Sourcing have plenty to prove at present and the main threat should come from Red Rampage, who comes from a stable in form and proved his wellbeing when winning at Carlisle last month.