7:45 Newcastle – Racing League Race 33 Handicap (Class 4, 5f 1y, AW, 3yo+, £35,000)

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Race Title and Conditions + Pace Angles + Draw Angles

Racing League Race 33 Handicap (Class 4), 5f 1y, Tapeta (AW), 3yo+, 0-80.

Pace Angles: Several habitual front-runners (notably South Parade, Castan, Jesse Luc) ensure a strong pace is highly likely. Hold-up types like Monks Dream and Jenever will be reliant on gaps appearing late.

Draw Angles: At Newcastle 5f AW, middle to high draws often have a slight edge in bigger fields due to track camber and pace concentration. Stalls 6–12 seem better positioned, especially in a strongly run race.


Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders + Trends/Timeform Comments

Strongest Contenders

  • Bright (Proven – 8/10): Two-time C&D winner, running consistently to marks above his OR. He’s tactically versatile, suited by pace collapse and this surface. His note-book run at Haydock (5 July) hinted he’s still in form.
  • Jenever (Proven – 8/10): Strong-finishing winner at Sandown, and his past second over this C&D to True Promise reads very well. Likes a stiff 5f and strong pace, both assured here.
  • Monks Dream (Proven – 8/10): Three-time Newcastle scorer who thrives here. Versatile tactically and finished well in better races earlier in the year. A strong pace brings him into it.
  • Castan (Proven – 7/10): Has thrived in cheekpieces and gone close off higher marks in better races. Needs to break smartly and dominate his side from stall 11.

Main Dangers

  • Northern Spirit (Proven – 7/10): Triple Tapeta winner, ran with credit in big-field York handicap and a strong pace over a stiff 5f suits. Slight concern he’s been hitting a ceiling off similar marks.
  • Lion’s House (Promising – 7/10): Lightly raced on the AW, shaped well at Musselburgh and Ayr and was a winner at Southwell. Unexposed over 5f on Tapeta and looks capable of better.

Interesting Outsiders

  • Pixie Diva (Promising – 6/10): Just three starts, ran a big race in a Doncaster handicap and shaped as if the stiff 5f suits. Improving, drawn wide in 13 which might help in a collapse.
  • Zarzyni (Exposed but dangerous – 6/10): Capable at this level and course, but not straightforward and needs everything to fall right. Well-handicapped if things click.
  • Dashing Harry (Exposed – 5/10): Course winner back in February and generally consistent. May need 6f now but will be finishing off late.

Hold-Up Risks

  • Zarzyni, Monks Dream, Jenever, Bright — all need the gaps to appear and a clean trip late. Zarzyni in particular is vulnerable to traffic.

Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

  • Bright: 8/10 – Suited by C&D, pace, and surface. Well-handicapped on RPRs.
  • Jenever: 8/10 – Will relish strong pace and stiff 5f. One to note late.
  • Monks Dream: 8/10 – Back to ideal setup and track. Needs luck in running.
  • Castan: 7/10 – Strong form with cheekpieces, well drawn if breaking alertly.
  • Northern Spirit: 7/10 – Consistent and adaptable, might just be vulnerable late.
  • Lion’s House: 7/10 – Unexposed, improving, could take a step forward.
  • Pixie Diva: 6/10 – Open to progress, not fully exposed yet, stall 13 suits her late kick.
  • Zarzyni: 6/10 – Needs a perfect ride and late split. Risky but capable.
  • Dashing Harry: 5/10 – Slight regression lately but Newcastle record gives hope.
  • South Parade: 5/10 – Good recent win but may face too much pace pressure.
  • Above: 4/10 – In form earlier this year, but better at 6f and looks vulnerable.
  • Jesse Luc: 4/10 – Thriving in lower grades, this is a step up in class.
  • Bonito Cavalo: 3/10 – Lost form since spring. May need a drop in grade.
  • Spendmore Lane: 2/10 – Not up to this level yet; big ask for handicap debut.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.

Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.


Each-Way Angles (14 runners)

  • Pixie Diva (14s or bigger) – Wide draw, lightly raced, promising finish last time.
  • Lion’s House – Unexposed profile, solid C&D credentials, and useful 5lb claim.

Private Tissue Estimate

  • Bright – 5/1
  • Jenever – 11/2
  • Monks Dream – 6/1
  • Castan – 8/1
  • Lion’s House – 9/1
  • Northern Spirit – 10/1
  • Pixie Diva – 12/1
  • Zarzyni – 14/1
  • Dashing Harry – 16/1
  • Jesse Luc – 20/1
  • Above – 20/1
  • South Parade – 22/1
  • Bonito Cavalo – 25/1
  • Spendmore Lane – 33/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play)

This is a competitive sprint with a high probability of a pace burn-up. That should favour proven closers with strong form at Newcastle. Bright holds the best RPRs against his current mark, while Jenever and Monks Dream bring powerful C&D records and finishing kicks.

Smart Play

  • Win Selection: Bright – Strong C&D form, running consistently above his OR, handles all surfaces, good draw.
  • Each-Way Saver: Pixie Diva – Progressive 3yo filly, shaped with hidden merit last time, drawn for late swoop.

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