Newcastle Preview: Barnet Fair can lift the Cup

Barnet Fair has been given a big chance by the handicapper and looks decent value to land the valuable Gosforth Park Cup this evening on his first start for “Sprint King” Dandy Nicholls (7.45).

The gelding had some solid form to his name in big field competitive handicaps last season, finishing third in the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh before going on to beat Steps by a length in an 18-runner contest at Ascot off a mark of 90.

The six-year-old also ran well to finish fifth of 17 to Bogart at York off 96 and fifth of 16 to Demora at Haydock off 95.

The son of Iceman now gets into this off a rating of 91, just 1lb higher than when last successful, having shaped as if coming back to form last time out in the “Dash” at Epsom.

Barnet Fair raced off the blistering early pace in mid division, before keeping on well to finish a never nearer 2 1/4 length sixth of 19 to Capsian Prince.

The return to a more coventional track looks sure to suit, and the move to Nicholls from Lee Carter is an interesting one given his new handler’s superb record in sprint handicaps.

Anderiego has become dangerously well-treated and rates a solid bet to take advantage in the 1m handicap (8.20).

The David O’Meara trained gelding was in good form in 2012 when winning back-to-back mile contests at York.

The last of those wins came in a class 2 affair, where Anderiego stayed on well to beat Askaud by a length off a mark of 87.

The six-year-old went on to finish a fine second of 11 to Quick Wit in another class 2 contest at Doncaster off 90, and although Anderiego failed to get his head in front last year he posted some solid efforts to be placed in the first half.

They included a head second to Norse Blues in the Thirsk Hunt Cup off 90, and a cracking 1 1/2 lengths third of 15 to Navajo Chief in a class 1 listed handicap at York off 95.

Anderiego now gets into this class 4 off just 78 having ran well when runner-up at Leicester last time out, and this looks a golden opportunity for the son of Invincible Spirit to go one better.