Northern - Newcastle 3.25

 

A similar race to the one down at Exeter in many ways.

 

At the head of the market Stoney River has had 2 runs after  a break, a worthy favourite but not great value and just a niggle about the trip for me. Return Fire for Lucinda Russell has form figures of 2-3-3 and should be up to winning this but again is no great value or certainty to do so. Getalead won 3 times and won well in the Autumn but more than a suspicion that the handicapper has caught up for now, it's upped in trip and rates a danger.

 

Taxmeifyoucan may just need this run but is in our Tracker already and one we'll follow, Skipthescales is due a win and was the last one we knocked off the tip list, headgear may help and it looked to be running in to form last time, simply a case of 2 we fancied a bit more plus the one at a bigger price. If either main tip didn't run he'd be the reserve. Kauto D'Amour is another in the Tracker from last season but despite a Course win over 2 miles off a mark of 104 and another here at 2 and a half miles off 107 doesn't cry out as one that would seem to be better at 3 miles. I think an intermediate trip around 2 miles 6 furlongs may be ideal and will wait for that and track it onwards.

 

My selections therefore are BULLION BOSS for Nicky Richards, has finished 4th and 3rd and looks to be running into prime form, won on its 3rd race last season off a mark of 90, still has some scope and can surely be winning this off a mark of 96. DEQUALL looks to be another that is running into full fitness and looks over-priced to me. It has the assured stamina to win over 3 miles and 2 furlongs at Kelso, gets new headgear to freshen it up here and is blinkered for the first time and can run a big race off a mark of 99.

 

At a bigger price I think THE DELRAY MONKEY ticks enough boxes to also be worth a small investment. It was prolific in 2018 before having almost 2 years off. It's come back and slowly returned to some sort of form, including on its 3rd run last season and after 3 tube-openers looks too well handicaped here to ignore off a mark of 110 which is below its last win mark of 115.