Through The Card: Newcastle, Thursday 6 February

Timeform
06 February 2020

Newcastle stages the all-weather action on Thursday evening

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Timeform take you through the card at Newcastle on Thursday...

"...is in the best form she has been in for a couple of years now..."

Timeform on Corked

16:30 - CORKED (11) resumed winning ways in December, turning in her best effort for some time, and followed up with an even better performance to gain successive victories the following month, both over this course and distance. She is in the best form she has been in for a couple of years now and, given she still retains handicap scope, the hat-trick could well be on the cards.

17:00 - PROCEEDING (7) has flourished this winter, winning three times in his last six starts, including when making short work of his rivals in a course-and-distance handicap last month. He is likely to continue in form and, though this is a more competitive race, he should be up to the task.

17:30 - UNION (2) shaped encouragingly when fifth on his debut and, though he wasn't knocked about, he really seemed to get the hang of things late on. He confirmed the promise of that run when getting off the mark at the second attempt over this course and distance last time, travelling fluently through the race and responding well late on. He is by no means the finished article but will go on improving and is certainly one to keep onside.

18:00 - SAY IT SIMPLE (10) showed plenty to work with when second on debut and ran to a similar level when again finding only one too good at Wolverhampton in September. She handled the switch to tapeta, as well as the step up to six furlongs well enough last time but was ultimately no match for a useful rival. She is in good hands under Richard Fahey and remains open to improvement, so gets the vote to open her account at the third time of asking.

18:30 - HEATH CHARNOCK (1) was strong in the betting back over this course and distance last time and found only a rival suited by the strongly-run nature of the race too good. He is eased 1 lb for that performance and, given this is a weaker handicap, all looks set fair for a big run.

19:00 - NATIONAL ANTHEM (3) exhibited his ability when coming out on top at Southwell last month and duly made a successful switch to handicaps when again victorious at the Nottinghamshire course. He struggled when stepped up in grade last time, ultimately running below form, but can take advantage of this return to calmer waters to get back to winning ways.

19:30 - RITCHIE STAR (2) wasted no time getting back on track when fifth over seven furlongs here in December, just lacking the pace to get involved in the finish. He ran creditably when stepped back up to a mile, again at Newcastle, but was arguably not seen to best effect in a slowly run contest. All being said, he still found only one too good that day and, off just 1 lb higher here, he makes plenty of appeal.

20:00 - After thirty-one previous attempts, ZARKAVON (2) belatedly broke her maiden at Kempton last month, doing well to pick her way through the field to win by over two lengths. She built on that performance with a very good second at the same venue five days ago, travelling well but ultimately no match for a rejuvenated winner who has gone in again since. John Wainwright's mare is currently operating at the top of her game and is taken to quickly regain the winning thread.