Aazza is up in the weights but ready to go
NEWCASTLE today with Aazza and Hitman Fred at a meeting which certainly looks a bit different now than it did at the declaration stage with all the non-runners coming out this morning.
AAZZA (3.20) is in action again for the first time since winning by half the track at Doncaster back in January, for which she was raised 13lbs by the handicapper. We tried to get a run into her before now but the ground wasn’t suitable so we had to swerve various options. It will be quick at Newcastle today, especially for this time of year, but it should be fine for her. She ran well on the track earlier in the season so we’re hoping for a big run, although there are a couple of in-form horses in there, including Phil Kirby’s which won again just the other day, so it won’t be easy by any means.
HITMAN FRED (3.55) is our second runner of the day. He flopped last time at Catterick but that was the trainer’s fault! It was the wrong track for him, we were just tempted by the veterans chase aspect but it didn’t work out. You can put a line through the last run and we’re fairly confident he will bounce back today. He’s back to a far more galloping track which will suit him and if he’s on a going day like he was at Ayr then I hope he’ll go well.
On the subject of ground, we really do need the rain to come to Newcastle ahead of the Eider next week because we have Rath An Iuir entered in that and we all know what sort of conditions he wants. It’s been an exceptionally dry start to 2023 everywhere and if the weather doesn’t change a lot of plans will be up in the air!