12.40pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 08/12/2016

The first race over fences on Newcastle’s Thursday card is a competitive looking Novice Chase, with several of these looking like they have a good future over the bigger obstacles. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This can go to FOREST BIHAN, who was very promising on chase debut with a comfortable success at Towcester. The ground will be fine form him today and with the Ellison team in brilliant order, he should run very well. Waiting Patiently may well be the main danger after a smart chasing debut at Sedgefield last month.

1 FOREST BIHAN – Useful hurdler who was very promising on chase debut when comfortably dispatching his rivals at Towcester (2m Good) with the minimum of fuss. He should improve for that effort and with the Brian Ellison team in such good order that only further enhances his already strong chances.

2 WAITING PATIENTLY – Good looking horse who has only raced four times with his latest run being a smart success at Sedgefield on chase debut, taking victory very comfortably (2m, Soft). Should improve for that effort and is thoroughly unexposed so has to be considered the main danger today.

3 AQUA DUDE – Useful hurdler at his best but pulled up on chase debut with a very flat effort (2m5f, Soft). This drop back in trip is questionable and probably best watched until he puts some solid form onto the board as he still has lots to find on hurdles form with the principles.

4 ASH PARK – Very consistent hurdler this year in the main winning four times and showed promise on his chase debut when 2nd at Carlisle keeping on well (2m4f, Good to Soft). Judging by that effort the drop back in trip may be more of a hindrance than a help and will most likely need to find more to trouble the top two.

5 DAKOTA GREY – Won a novice hurdle at Carlisle back in February in poor conditions (2m1f, Heavy) and is well and truly on the back foot for his chase debut. Needs to find a huge amount of improvement for the switch to fences and may well struggle today.

6 LYVIUS – Useful hurdler and once raced over fences, not really convincing when 4th of 8 at Ascot back in 2013 (2m3f, Good to Soft). First run for 20 months and probably best watched against some in form types who have the fitness edge.