2.10 Newcastle: expert analysis as Eider hope clashes with six course winners

2.10 Newcastle
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The key horse is undoubtedly Glittering Love, unbeaten in four starts over fences last season, during which time his official mark soared from 92 to 125.

Cannily campaigned by Nicky Richards, the eight-year-old produced by far the best performance of his career when landing his four-timer at Ayr, brushing aside Capard King by five lengths over 3m.

Stamina is Glittering Love’s forte and it would be no surprise if he showed even more improvement when stepped up to marathon trips. Perhaps the Eider will be on his radar next month if things go to plan here.

He has to bounce back from a fall on his seasonal reappearance over 2m4f, but has been given plenty of time to get over it and the step back up to 2m7½f is in his favour.

There are six course winners in the 11-strong field, headed by Ascot De Bruyere, whose performances vary from the sublime to appalling.

His Newcastle form figures read 11126 – the third of those wins being an electric all-the-way 18-length triumph over Cave Top in a 2m4f handicap chase last February.

He looked a chaser going places that day, but has failed to match that performance in three subsequent starts, including when beaten 42 lengths behind Geronimo at his favourite venue last time out.

Hill Sixteen, one of three last-time-out winners in the field, remains relatively unexposed on a mark of 121.

Capard King is 5lb higher than when thumping Speak Of The Devil in a weaker race at Newcastle two starts ago.

Richard Birch

What the stats say

James Ewart has his team in good form with four winners from his last eight runners and the trainer will be hoping that Ascot De Bruyere can keep the momentum rolling.

Mark Walford boasts a 31 per cent strike rate at the track with four winners from his last 13 runners. He is represented by Cash To Ash, who won well over course and distance last month.

Jockey Ryan Mania and trainer Sandy Thomson are a force to be reckoned with when teaming up at Newcastle. The pair have a level-stakes profit of 33 points so far this term, and are represented by Capard King.

What they say

James Ewart, trainer of Ascot De Bruyere
He's become a bit of a course specialist and it’s the last day that his rider Danny McMenamin can claim 5lb so he's got to have a decent chance. The horses were not quite right when he last ran but they are all firing better now.

Ben Haslam, trainer of Rock On Fruity and Scoop The Pot
Rock On Fruity has been a bit disappointing of late but he's been working well enough at home. He won the race last year off a [7lb] higher mark so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back. Scoop The Pot is in a similar vein even though he has only had the two runs for the yard and I think he might be a bit high in the handicap.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Glittering Love
Unfortunately he tipped up last time on his first run back when going grand. He's been in good form at home recently and hopefully we can get back on track. My original plan with him was the December race, then this one before going for the Eider Chase at the course next month.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Capard King
I think he bumped into a couple of progressive novices last time in the shape of Domaine De L'Isle and Sam’s Adventure with the former going on to win at Ascot. Capard King is well in himself ahead of what looks like an ordinary, but competitive, handicap. He has an each-way chance.

Andrew King

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