'He's showing us signs of his old self' - analysis and trainer quotes

12.40 Newcastle
Betway Handicap | 2m½f | 0-75 | 4yo+

Tactics often play a big part over this trip at Newcastle as it is notoriously difficult to make the running on the round course at Gosforth Park.

Front-runners have a modest strike-rate in handicaps over 1m2f-plus since the Tapeta surface was introduced in 2016, but plenty of jockeys are aware of that fact and there is unlikely to be a burn-up for the lead in this race.

Ten line up but not many are front-runners in the true sense of the word and only River Glades looks a possible pace angle. He could get an easy lead.

The Tom Tate-trained six-year-old set a strong pace when attempting to make all over this trip at York in May 2019 and made most of the running when sixth over 1m4f here last time.

He has won over 1m6f and gets this trip, but stamina wouldn’t be his forte at this longer distance and I’ll be surprised if James Sullivan sets too strong a pace. He will want to make it a test of speed.

Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

David Loughnane, trainer of Manjaam
He's very consistent and is still loving life at the age of eight. For a horse of his age he's certainly trending back in the right direction and is showing us signs of his old self. I couldn't be happier with him at the moment. He's doing everything right at home and comes into this on the back of two very good runs. We're quietly confident.

John Mackie, trainer of Hermocrates
He seems to be making hard work of getting a win but he's been running well and I think the blinkers certainly helped him last time. He's a grand little horse and he's due to go up a few pounds but we still hope we're keeping on the right side of the handicapper. The step up in trip shouldn't be a problem. He's not a fast horse and hopefully he can grind it out.
Reporting by Tom Ward

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