Isharah to soar at Newcastle
ISHARAH can spearhead a Newcastle double for Mark Johnston in the Betway Handicap at Gosforth Park.
The three-year-old has yet to run a bad race on the all-weather, hitting the frame on each of his six starts to date, including a win at Wolverhampton back in February.
A summer turf campaign did not yield much joy for the son of Kitten’s Joy but switched back to the artificial surfaces in October, he was soon back on the right track in placing on his three latest starts.
He was beaten three and a quarter lengths last time over the same course and distance he faces here, keeping on all the way to the line in a pleasing manner.
Isharah could not quite find the necessary extra gear that day but should not be discounted here, even off a 2lb higher mark.
Killermont Street should earlier have initiated a brace for Johnston in the 32Red.com Nursery Handicap.
Hailing from a useful family, the Dream Ahead filly failed to make her presence felt on her racecourse bow at Chelmsford in October but showed the benefit of that effort when scoring a narrow verdict at Newcastle last month.
That was not the strongest event and she only just clung on at the end of seven furlongs, so the switch back to six furlongs makes sense.
Thello can make it three wins in his last four outings in the Download The Betway App Handicap.
He is clearly a very versatile type having won on three different types of all-weather surface as well as turf and his recent verdict over 10 furlongs here shows he is still in excellent heart.
Top Notch has made quite the impression since switching to fences this term and he can continue his winning spree in the Watch Racing UK Free On December 31 Novices’ Chase at Haydock.
Nicky Henderson’s charge failed to make the grade in top-level company over hurdles but he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting recruits to this division.
After having to settle for third behind subsequent Grade Oneplaced Charbel on his return, Top Notch has gone on to claim wins at Warwick, Plumpton and most recently Ascot.
This race represents another stepping stone to bigger targets in the future and it will be a surprise if he is beaten. (37) I Mohammed 4 9-9 (BF, CD) ........ L Steward (3) (20) M Appleby 6 9-7 (D2) ................... T Eaves (10) D Kubler 4 9-6 (C) ...................... G Downing (3) (28) B Smart 3 9-5 (BF, D) ................ C Beasley (14) P Midgley 6 9-5 (D) ....................... Martin Lane (14) G Baker 6 9-0 (BF, D5) ...................... S Drowne (29) K Ryan 3 8-12 (D3) ........................ S Gray (43) R Fahey 6 8-12 (CD) .......................... T Hamilton (15) T D Barron 4 8-10 (D2) ........ A Mullen (84) J Bethell 7 8-8 (BF, C, D4) .......... P McDonald (15) R Fahey 8 8-8 (D5) ......................... P Mathers BETTING: 3 Outrage, 5 Amazour, 11-2 King Robert, 15-2 Captain Dion, 8 El Viento, 10 Tatlisu, 12 Rich Again, Poyle Vinnie, 14 Others. (27) R Fahey 5 10-0 (D) .... Natalie Hambling (7) (20) H Palmer 3 9-5 (CD) ...... Josephine Gordon Miss P Robson 5 9-5 ........................... J P Sullivan (4)ClareEllam49-4(D) ............ SDrowne (21) M Johnston 3 9-3 ............................. J Fanning (8) R C Guest 6 9-2 (C2) .................. C Beasley (49) R Fahey 3 8-12 (C) .................. P Mathers (15) J Bethell 3 8-11 (CD) ........................ P McDonald BETTING: 11-4 Airton, 3 Paris Magic, 5 Isharah, 11-2 Island Flame, 7 Masterpaver, 10 Hard To Handel, 14 Lac Leman, 20 Polar Forest. Miss T Waggott 4 9-8 ...................... D Swift G Swinbank 4 9-8 .............................. J Fanning (21) S A Harris 4 9-8 ...................... P Aspell (9) B Ellison 4 9-8 ............. Ben Robinson (7) (59) D Thompson 3 9-5 ..... Josephine Gordon (9) K McLintock 3 9-5 .......................... D Nolan (228) J Bethell 3 9-5 .............................. P McDonald (16) D M Simcock 3 9-0 (BF) ......................... T Eaves