A tough race for punters and SILENT BAY is a speculative selection ahead of Sammy Spiderman and Panama At Once. John Wade's chaser has had a break but his horses can go well fresh and often do go well at Newcastle. The handicapper has played his part by dropping him down a couple of pounds and the ground should not really be too much of a problem. Sammy Spiderman is racefit and should go well again. He has taken on better opposition than this in the past but is very difficult to catch right as his recent win ratio suggests. Panama At Once won this race last year. His form since that highlight has seen more letters than numbers in the column. Ocarina really should have won more races than the paltry return of 1-17. Treehouse gets in off a featherweight and would have solid claims if able to show any level of improvement. Crackadee has won previously over course and distance and has to be respected accordingly. Top Cloud is incredibly well handicapped in relation to his form with Ferdy Murphy, A dour stayer, his form for Chris Grant has been lamentable and the handicapper has reacted accordingly. If the tongue strap and visor combination are effective, he could be a real dark horse to rescue the bookmakers. Silent Bay, like others, has a bit to prove, though at the likely odds, he makes a sensible formbook case.
Master Sebastian 22-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along half way, weakened 13th, 7th of 8, well behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Silent Bay 15-2 (11-11) Prominent, chased winner from 13th, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Dark Ben (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Panama At Once 20-1 (10-12) Close up, led approaching 10th, fell next, in a race won by Garleton (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Sammy Spiderman 11-1 (10-0) Mid-division, effort approaching 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on, held flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Its Teescomponents (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 12-1 (11-11) In touch, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Mister Marker (11-8) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Luksar (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, left leader 4 out, hard ridden and kept on from last, won at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Paddys Unyoke (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ocarina (FR) 5-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 5 out, effor twhen hit next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Stormin Exit (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Crackadee 7-1 (10-1) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, reminders 8th, behind from 10th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 11l behind Its Teescomponents (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Skenfrith 20-1 (10-6) Led, headed approaching 10th, left in lead 11th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, unseated rider last, in a race won by Garleton (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Top Cloud (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, lost place 12th, soon struggling, behind from 4 out, 8th of 15, well behind BallaBriggs (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Treehouse 4-1fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec beating Reckless Venture (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Polobury 11-1 (9-13) Always behind, 7th of 14, 46l behind French Ties (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
