Cuttin’ to cash in on weights (From The Northern Echo)

Cuttin’ to cash in on weights

8:48am Friday 27th June 2008

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NEWCASTLE'S five-furlong Gosforth Park Cup is the perfect aperitif for tomorrow's much longer two-mile Northumberland Plate.

The 17-runner sprint is a tough race for both tipsters and punters to crack, but in the shape of David Barron's How's She Cuttin' (7.25), I'm hoping readers will profit.

From her middle-for-diddle draw in stall nine, jockey Darryll Holland should be able to steer the mare towards whichever side he favours pace and ground-wise.

A dashing minimum trip specialist, How's She Cuttin' showed she was on her way back to something like her best by finishing third in a Listed race at Ayr.

Take note also of the wide spread in the weights, a big help to her prospects as she's in receipt of no less than 22lb from Steve's Champ at the head of the handicap.

Such differentials are quite rare these days in big-money contests, and happily How's She Cuttin' is well-placed to take full advantage off bottom-weight.

Barron, a trainer never to be underestimated, could be in for an excellent evening with several other decent chances.

Spinning's (8.25) extremely progressive profile must put him in with a terrific chance in the Deloitte & Touche Handicap.

The bang-in-form five-year-old has won four of his last six starts, and reliable apprentice Neil Brown will be able to take a valuable 5lb off Spinning's back.

The Kevin Lee Memorial Handicap commemorates a hugely popular local owner, whose recent death while only in his midfifties has come as great shock.

Kevin was a larger-than-life character, so he would have loved nothing more than everyone backing the winner of his race and then having a drink and meal on the proceeds.

To this end I recommend a few quid on Steel Blue (8.55), a runner dragging me inexorably towards brokesville, so many times has he left me out of pocket of late.

Gone are the days when Richard Whitaker's gelding was a 95 shot in the ratings.

But he needn't be anywhere near that level to collect now off just 62.

After a relatively lean spell judged by his own high standards, Eric Alston's team are beginning to become of major interest.

One such example is Ridge Wood Dani (9.30), a head second to Speedy Senorita in a tight finish at Ayr in May.

Speedy Senorita, who incidentally runs in Newmarket's 9.10, has since showed the value of that performance by completing her hat-trick at Brighton and Musselburgh If Ridge Wood Dani reproduces that run pound-for-pound, he looks likely to send his backers home on a high note.

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