Saturday 28th June
By SP2A Analysis
Newcastle 1.40 - Handicap - Class 2 - 6 furlongs - 14 run - Standard
A couple of in form horses, Drama and Durham Castle have decent chances here but in terms of their profiles this is a deeper race than normal for them. I want to TRACK Pocklington who has been off the Course for about 10 months but who would definitely have been a tip had he had a run or to and he will be a big danger.
Everything WILL need luck in running as they tend to all want a piece track a few feet off the rail here and ARAMRAM who was noted running on late after a tardy start in the Wokingham last week, will need to make a better start here but is undeniably in form, well handicapped and very capable of taking this. My second rated is STRIKE RED for Richard Fahey who has some very solid Course and Distance form and on a nice handicap mark. There are enhanced to 4th places with some Bookies and my third rated for those interested would be SERGEANT WILKO another with excuses last time and generally fast starter who could try to run from the front, and that's not always a bad place to be here especially if there is scrummaging and hard luck stories in behind.
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Newcastle 2.40 - Handicap - Northumberland Vase (the Plate Consolation) - Class 2 - 2 miles 1/2 furlong - 19 run
Godsen at around 9/2 from the Sir Mark Prescott stable is near the top of the market, it's understandable and he has a favourites chance if you want a win saver or e/w banker on him. I think overall there is better e/w value to 5 enhanced places elsewhere.
A few who aren't in great form are well handicapped as a result and could revive so it would not be a complete surprise to see bold runs from the likes of Letsbefrank, Tryfan won last time and may have needed that confidence boost so he rates a danger if repeating that effort and a lot of professional scribes seem very keen on the Ian Williams horse Sheradann, I do sometimes think though that there are "tipster cliques" in the Racing Press and one thinks they have found a good one and the rest follow, we'll see!
I have a clear idea of my preferred 1-2-3 and based a lot on AW and Tapeta form and they are DREAMS ADOZEN who has a very solid Course and Distance record and can be excused a poor run on soft turf last time, ARTISAN DANCER definitely has proven stamina and is a very consistent type who handles Tapeta and GIBSIDE is another whose consistency generally and on this surface stands out.
There is one at 33/1 plus who I also feel obliged to give a mention to and that's CHURCHELLA whose record at the trip on this surface is 2-1-1-3-3 and who gets a very capable pilot and a sporting each way chance IF reviving on optimal surface.
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Newcastle 3.15 - Handicap - Northumberland Plate (The Pitmans Derby) Class 2 - 2 miles 1/2 furlong - 20 run
A very decent and competitive renewal and last years winner and several who have placed in the race in the past few years return to try again.
ONESMOOTHOPERATOR scooted home for brian Ellison on an emotional day last year, 12 lbs higher today and arguably the past 12 months have proven he may be a better horse, I don't discount him but he IS my 4th best rated IF you want that 4th option. Both Golden Rules and Spirit Mixer have placed form in the race in 2023 and 2024 respectively and are not lightly discounted at all again today. Pappano comes over for Willie Mullins and likely to be the subject of a significant gamble, it's undeniable that he has been cherry picked for the race. Manxman is a decent horse with a very strong chance and was my 5th best rated just behind Onesmoothoperator.
My top 3 though are TRIBAL STAR who has been burning a hole in my notebook and pocket since his run here at the AW Finals Day on Good Friday, I've a sizable chunk invested in him and hopefully he will deliver for us today. DANCING IN PARIS also caught my eye earlier in the Flat season running over 12 furlongs, they then stepped up to 14 furlongs and this one really does look both primed and ready to take a hand here over 2 miles at a nice price. DUKE OF OXFORD is the one who has form in the race that I think may prove the best in that group and I think he has an outstanding chance of a top 4 place at last.
(Northern / AW)
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York 5.25 - Handicap - Class 4 - Am Jocks - 1 mile 2 and 1/2 furlongs - 17 Run - Good to Firm
The Archie Watson trained and Brodie Hampson ridden Alazwar is noted here as a strong contender as are Poets Dawn, a solid horse but in deeper than normal and This Year's Lovewho is also upped in Class and generally best around Beverley. The most interesting not a tip and who just missed out is Leadenhall, a proven performer over 8 to 9 furlongs, upped in trip but up against some very strong and proven 10 furlong horses and especially with an extended 100 yards tagged on! Glistening Nights is another in with a solid chance who just missed out.
TITIAN is my confident top rated here, has some excellent Course and Distance form off a nice mark and one of those horses that really does deserve a win for honest efforts and consistency and may be too honest for its own good. FINANCER drops back in trip and that looks a very smart move and really should be right in the mix as should WESTERNESSE who won last time, carries a penalty but as always we have to point out that the jockey, Simon Walker, is always worth a few yards in this sort of race and despite being level with a career high mark the recent form suggests up to taking this. (The Advisor)
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TRACKERS
York 1.55 - Theme Park / Stanage (early 66/1 and 14/1 pokes - in deep today but noted last few runs)
Newcastle 2.40 - Alnayef (66/1) - tip race see notes
York 5.25 - Financer (tip in tips race)
Doncaster 8.30 - Sassy Glory (e/w shout around 10/1)
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