tracked leaders stand side, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader far side, led group 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders stand side, effort 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on one pace
in touch far side, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader far side, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader stand side, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden out
led stand side, headed just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
missed break, always behind far side
A decent handicap to start the day's action at Newcastle with several in-form sprinters lining up including last time out winners Circuit Dancer and Seafield Towers but the vote goes to the hat-trick seeking Bandos who may still be ahead of the handicapper. Ian Semple's gelding made light work of the opposition to win a classified stakes race at Ayr last month and followed up off a mark of 69 in a handicap at the same venue on his next start. A 4lb rise since then seems fair and he gets the nod to maintain his unbeaten run this term. Circuit Dancer and Seafield Towers both have to race off 5lb higher marks than when winning their respective races last time and may struggle to follow up here. Top weight Ketan ran well in claiming company on his most recent start but faces no easy task under 9st 11lb. Quicks The Word is capable but frustrating and is still yet to open his account and a bigger threat may be Queen of Night, especially now that David Barron has his string in such good form. However, Bandos looks to be on the upgrade at present and is difficult to oppose in his current form.
