Eternal Force (15:12 Newcastle — JenningsBet In Scarborough Handicap, 1m 2f AW)
A four-year-old bay gelding by Dubawi, trained by William Haggas and ridden by the in-form Tom Marquand, who boasts a 50% win rate on this horse across four rides. Eternal Force has been knocking on the door all season, most recently going down by a nose at Hamilton on good ground in a Class 2 handicap off a 2lb higher mark than today — an unlucky loser who shaped like the winner throughout.
He steps up to 10f for the first time in a handicap and the extra distance looks sure to suit a horse by Dubawi out of a Galileo mare. The Haggas yard is ticking along at a solid 17% strike rate and Marquand knows this horse inside out.
The one query is that all nine of his starts have been on turf, so today’s Tapeta surface at Newcastle is an unknown. Connections clearly believe it won’t be an issue, and with his form entitling him to go well, he’s respected — but it’s a factor to be aware of.
Verdict: Good win bet
