2.00pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 21/12/2016

8 very classy stayers will enter the stalls for a Fast-Track Qualifier for the All Weather Championships, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Preference is for the Cesarewitch 2nd FIRST MOHICAN, who’s a pretty consistent sort and although he was quite poor on his latest run at Wolverhampton, that was over a probably inadequate trip these days and is now better off at the weights with Winning Story and Steve Rogers. He may be able to reverse the form today and should run well under Hollie Doyle.

1 BUTHELEZI – Soundly beaten on his first run for 17 months at Wolverhampton latest (1m2f, Std), but should be better for that effort and the step up in trip is the right move. If improving for that run then he should be involved in the placings come the finish.

2 FIRST MOHICAN – 2nd in the Cesarewitch and has been pretty consistent for the majority of this year including on All Weather surfaces. His latest run at Wolverhmapton was over an inadequate trip these days (1m4f, Std) and although on penultimate start he was behind Steve Rogers and Winning Story at Kempton, they’re now on equal weights and he should give it a go back up to the 2m trip.

3 GANG WARFARE – Has some good all weather form in the book but was sold out of Simon Crisford’s yard for 36,000gns and is now with Jamie Osbourne. Will need to step up on some previous efforts this summer but has to be respected on stable debut for the Osbourne team and has each way claims.

4 GUARD OF HONOUR – Has run with credit on his recent runs but even his best still leaves him with lots to find with most of these and has been off for a year. Best left alone today.

5 ORIENTAL FOX – In and out of form and was poor at Kempton latest on AW debut on his latest start (2m, Std), which left a lot to be desired. Hard to be confident he’ll put his best foot forward to caution is to be advised.

6 STAR STORM – Another who has been in and out of form over 1m4f, but his penultimate 2nd at Kempton on All Weather debut was a very solid effort and represents good form (1m4f, Std to Slw). Its very hard to know whether he will stay as his pedigree doesn’t give too many clues which is a big risk against some established stayers.

7 STEVE ROGERS – Has been on the premises of late including a close 2nd at Kempton on his latest start (2m, Std), but isn’t the most consistent and its quite hard to see him backing that up again today.

8 WINNING STORY – Only raced five times and his best form came over 2 miles on his penultimate start, finishing a close 3rd not far behind Steve Rogers (2m, Std). Worse off at the weights with that rival now out of handicaps but he does have lots of room for improvement as only a 3 year old and has to be respected as a main threat.