Newcastle 18:18 Preview: Can Callianassa Repeat Last Year’s Heroics?

The feature handicap at 18:18 at Newcastle brings together a fascinating field of 14 for a competitive Class 4 mile handicap on Tapeta. Several runners return to their favourite venue, a progressive three-year-old attempts to resume his upward curve, and last year’s winner seeks to add another chapter to an already impressive course record.

Callianassa Returns to Her Happy Hunting Ground

Few horses boast a stronger affinity with Newcastle than Callianassa. A three-time course-and-distance winner, she captured this very race twelve months ago before holding her own in stronger company throughout the season.

Her latest effort came in the fiercely competitive Kensington Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot, where she finished seventh of 24 after racing prominently. While she faded late on, the performance suggested she remains in good heart, and today’s return to a lower grade looks an obvious positive.

The only concern for backers is price. In a deep 14-runner handicap, she may not offer much margin for error if sent off around 2/1.

Victory Ace Looks the Progressive Threat

Three-year-old Victory Ace arrives with arguably the most intriguing profile.

After winning a handicap on his seasonal return at Lingfield, he backed that up with an excellent second at Kempton before disappointing on turf at Musselburgh. That latest run is easy enough to forgive given his previous all-weather form.

Returning to Tapeta could see a much-improved performance, and with relatively few miles on the clock he remains one of the runners capable of taking another step forward.

Montezin Ready for a New Test

Montezin has gradually worked his way into handicap company following a Newcastle maiden success last autumn.

His recent turf efforts suggest he is learning his craft, staying on well over seven furlongs, and the step up to a mile appears a logical move. Returning to a surface he has already won on adds further encouragement.

If he continues his progression, he could easily become a major player.

Plenty with Each-Way Claims

Several runners bring solid place credentials without obvious winning profiles.

Asian Journey has finally found consistency after breaking his maiden on Tapeta and following up with another strong run at Wolverhampton. His recent form makes him difficult to dismiss.

Kanishka has been knocking on the door in competitive handicaps and returns to the scene of his juvenile maiden victory. Expect him to be prominent throughout.

Veteran Chuzzlewit reminded everyone of his ability when narrowly beaten over course and distance earlier this month. Now well below the handicap mark from which he was placed in this race last year, another bold showing would not surprise.

The Pace Picture

The early speed should come from Kanishka, with Sailthisshipalone also likely to race prominently. Callianassa is usually ridden handily enough to avoid trouble, while the likes of Victory Ace, Asian Journey and Chuzzlewit are expected to be delivered later.

A genuinely-run race would favour the stronger finishers and could play perfectly into the hands of the improving three-year-olds.

Horses Worth Watching Beyond Today

Even if they don’t win, a few runners are worth keeping on side for the coming weeks.

Victory Ace remains open to improvement on the all-weather.

Montezin looks capable of winning once everything falls into place over a mile.

Chuzzlewit continues to look attractively handicapped around Newcastle.


Verdict

Callianassa sets the standard on proven form and deserves favouritism after her excellent Royal Ascot performance. However, she faces a competitive field and is likely to be priced accordingly.

From a value perspective, Victory Ace appeals as the horse with the greatest scope for improvement returning to his preferred surface, while Montezin looks capable of taking another step forward now tackling a mile.

Prediction

1. Victory Ace


2. Callianassa


3. Montezin


4. Asian Journey



In what looks an excellent betting heat, the race may be decided not by the most established performer, but by which of the younger improvers can best exploit the strong pace expected over Newcastle’s demanding straight mile.