Nottinghamshire-based trainer Ivan Furtado has sent out a steady stream of winners in the past few years, enjoying notable success with his all-weather runners. He heads north on Monday with four runners on Newcastle’s six-race card and we’ve assessed their chances of success. Check this out, alongside an exclusive 888sport sign-up offer of Bet £10 – Get £45 In Free Bets.
STRAITOUTTACOMPTON – (5:00pm Newcastle, Betway Handicap, 1m2f) 13/2
The first of Ivan Furtado’s quarter of runners on Monday’s card comes in the form of STRAITOUTTACOMPTON, who takes part in the opening 1m2f handicap.
This 6yo is a four-time all-weather winner, all those victories coming on Southwell’s now-defunct Fibresand surface, yet he has proven adept on Tapeta recently, finishing third over 1m4f at Southwell last time.
Dropping back slightly in distance should suit on that evidence, and it’s just over 12 months since Straitouttacompton’s last victory which came off a mark of 73. He is now rated 69, so clearly capable of this rating, particularly with Elle-May Croot claiming a valuable 7lb, but others in this line-up arrive looking a little less exposed and therefore it would be no shock to see Straitouttacompton find at least a couple too good.
Race Verdict: Athmad was a winner at Wolverhampton last time and a 1lb rise still leaves him below a winning level, yet preference instead goes to the less exposed HATHLOOL. Mick Appleby’s charge found a slow pace against him at Chelmsford last time, yet he had scored at Wolverhampton on his start prior and that form has been boosted since. On his only previous course run Hathlool bumped into the now 94-rated Gaassee, and that piece of form makes him look potentially well-treated off a mark of 75.
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BALQAA – (5:30pm Newcastle, MansionBet Proud Partners Of AWC Handicap, 1m) 3/1
A former £105,000 yearling, BALQAA generally struggled for form last season yet she clearly benefited from the combination of wind surgery, headgear, and a short break, staying on well to score over course and distance last month.
That form has admittedly received some knocks since, but it was still difficult not to be impressed by the way in which Balqaa picked up under Sean Levey and a 2lb rise looks more than manageable.
Race Verdict: This can go to BALQAA, who made a winning reappearance over course and distance last month. Wind surgery and the application of cheekpieces clearly brought about the desired effect there, and with the headgear retained, and jockey Sean Levey maintaining the partnership, she can be taken to defy a 2lb rise and go in again. Abnaa scored under this rider last time and warrants respect, but he is yet to follow one win up with another in his 26-race career.
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LINCOLN GAMBLE – (6:30pm Newcastle, Read Katie Walsh On Betway Insider Handicap, 6f) 4/1
Although just 1-19 for Richard Fahey, LINCOLN GAMBLE has already added twice to his tally from just five starts for the Ivan Furtado stable.
He narrowly came up short when bidding for the hat-trick over 7f at Kempton last time, and his prominent race-style suggests that dropping back to 6f won’t inconvenience.
Kieran O’Neill, who was aboard for Lincoln Gamble’s previous two wins, is back aboard today, but it is a slight concern that Lincoln Gamble is 0-5 here at Newcastle and it might pay to oppose him until he returns to Wolverhampton.
Race Verdict: Lincoln Gamble has done well since joining connections and shouldn’t be inconvenienced by dropping back to 6f, but his poor course record is in contrast to that of I KNOW HOW, who has gained his last four career wins over this track and trip. Julie Camacho’s 7yo has now slipped 6lb below his last winning mark and reacted positively to the addition of a hood when third at Southwell last time. With that headgear retained, he rates the one to side with.
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JUNGLE SPEED – (7:00pm Newcastle, #betyourway At Betway Handicap, 6f) 7/1
A one-time 90-rated performer for Fabrice Chappet, JUNGLE SPEED showed ability for David Loughnane back in 2020 and made a winning return for this yard when a 7/1 winner over course and distance last April.
Although nowhere near that form in two subsequent turf starts, Jungle Speed looks a fascinating runner back at this venue off just 4lb above his last winning mark.
His form figures here at Newcastle now read 341, that opening third coming off a mark of 83, 10lb above his current 73 rating.
Fresh is often the best time to catch this son of Bungle Inthejungle, and he looks one of the only pace angles in a race in which all of those at the top of the betting will be held up, so could be allowed an easy time of things on the front end.
Race Verdict: This can go the way of JUNGLE SPEED (NAP), who showed his effectiveness back from a break when scoring over course and distance last April. He bombed out on turf subsequently but looks fascinating returned to this surface and on some of his previous form in both France, and for these connections, a mark of 73 seriously underestimates him. Roger Varian makes the trip north with the sole runner here in Kratos, which should be noted, but this 4yo must bounce back from a couple of underwhelming efforts.
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