Newcastle 1.25

 

A lot in with chances here with Turnaway a possible blot on the handicap for Skelton despite a 5lbs penalty and Shoeshine Boy whose only negative would be the top weight both very tough to beat. Atomic Angel won for us last time it raced off a mark of 82, gets in here off 89 with an 8lbs Claimer up but a drop in trip and the better ground than the Heavy last time just puts me off this one today. Red Missile also won last time out so has to be feared but is usually best in much smaller fields, it's hard to work out the best trip for Rumble B who often finishes strong and late over 2 miles and 4 furlongs but fades over further but one who could click at this trip for sure. Lastofthecomics may just prefer tighter Tracks like Musselburgh and the better ground there too.

 

Four Horsemen comes from Ireland and is very competitive there off Irish marks of around 88 but gets a mark 9lbs higher, whether that will be enough to stop him I don't know but SEAN is very confident of a big run from this one.Blazing Port showed promise off a 600+ day break last time so is another in the very long list of dangers as are Something Golden, Punta Prima and Lalochezia at very big odds, on the basis of an improved effort last time, a leading Yard (McCain) and cheek-pieces in an attempt to find once decent form respectively.

 

It's one of those races where you have to rely on a "gut feel" as well as the analysis and research and on that basis my 3 against the field in this cracking little race are TARTAN COOKIE, OLIVERS ISLAND and MISSCARLETT.

 

TARTAN COOKIE has assured stamina and ran well over 3 miles last time, they are likely to go a fair lick here and it's a long old way down the straight which requires stamina to get home. TC won a race over just under 3 miles on the corresponding Card here last year and off a mark of 94 here is one I'm happy and confident to invest in.

 

OLIVERS ISLAND is already in the Tracker System courtesy of a win at Market Rasen in December off a markof 77, it ran well enough in a Uttoxeter race last time off a mark of 82, gets a pound off that mark and I think is the type to enjoy this sort of race. 

 

MISSCARLETT is somewhat "left field" but has had a prep on the AW and wasn't too long ago it was competitive off marks in the mid to high 80's over hUrdles, a mark of 77 here and what may be a canny bit of placement.