Sport

Red Hand: Natural Scenery can claim Betway Handicap at Newcastle

NATURAL Scenery let down favourite-backers last time but she can repay those who keep the faith by claiming the Betway Handicap at Newcastle.

The four-year-old was sent off an odds-on shot at Lingfield but the race really did not pan out in her favour as she was caught wide from the off and after taking the outside line on the turn, it did not really benefit her to kick on with a furlong to run.

Natural Scenery eventually finished a length back in third but would probably have been a bit closer granted a more favourable passage.

With that in mind, and taking into account the fact she won and finished second on her two previous starts, it could be dangerous to disregard Saeed bin Suroor's charge here, especially as she is reunited with Josephine Gordon, who has got such a good tune out of her in the past.

Nimr signed off 2016 with a win at Wolverhampton and he can pick up where he left off in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap.

Related to some decent types, Nimr has yet to really hit his stride but did perform with credit in a couple of richly-endowed sales races at Newmarket last term.

He seemed to thrive for the switch back to six furlongs at Wolverhampton after being upped to a mile during the summer, with a gelding operation seemingly working the oracle on the back of a near six-month break.

Nimr looked to have a fair bit in the tank as he saw off Upavon by a neck and seems just the type that Richard Fahey can have some fun with through the coming months.

Justice Good can book his place for Finals Day with victory in the Betway Conditions Stakes, a fast-track qualifier for the Sprint division.

The five-year-old bagged a similar event to this at Kempton back in November for David Elsworth, showing plenty of stamina to hold off Spring Loaded by just over a length.

The conditions of the race leave him with a bit to find against the likes of Gracious John, but it must not be forgotten he was good enough to finish fourth in a Coventry Stakes and while that kind of level is beyond him now, he is still pretty smart.

Tailor's Row has failed to build on his debut win at Chelmsford last May but can regain the winning thread in the totetrifecta Handicap back at that track.

He got edged out on the line at Lingfield last time, but at least he is in good heart.

Staying is the name of the game at Catterick and Doing Fine can prove the most determined in the North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old has finished second on each on his two outings so far this term, chasing home Wyfield Rose over hurdles at Sedgefield on his initial outing before running Rocky Creek to a neck at Sandown last month.

He was given a fine ride by Noel Fehily in Esher, but Rocky Creek was particularly well weighted and despite an admirable effort from the saddle, Doing Fine had to settle for minor honours.

Raised 4lb for his troubles, Doing Fine still makes plenty of appeal as he is still 4lb below his career high.

Un Prophete can kick off his fencing career in style in the W.L. And Hector Christie Memorial Handicap Chase.

He has proved thoroughly useful for Venetia Williams over hurdles so far but after finishing second on each of his last two outings, it perhaps makes sense to try his hand in this discipline.

He has always looked as though chasing might be a natural step, and is worth a shot here despite being pitched in against some more experienced types.

Impulsive Star found Wholestone too good at Cheltenham last time but the Racing To School Novices' Hurdle is a much more winnable contest.

A point to point, bumper and hurdles winner, Impulsive Star proved no match for the leading Festival hope when tried in Grade Two company, but there does not appear to be a rival of that calibre on show here.

A repeat of that form should be good enough.

Ten Sixty can atone for his defeat as favourite at Doncaster last time at Leicester.

He was not beaten far at all in a tight four-runner event over hurdles at the end of December and the fact Philip Hobbs sends him over fences now should not be ignored in the Leicester Annual Badge Holders Chase.