3.00pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 18/10/2016

The Neville Bycroft trained WILLBEME ran a better race than his finishing position would suggest here at Newcastle just over a week ago. That night the results show that there was a definite advantage to be drawn high. Willbeme was drawn in Stall 1 and he did best of those drawn in the lowest five stalls to finish 7th, making a good effort along the far side rail and tiring late on. He is drawn in Stall 12 this time round and that gives him a fantastic chance if he can build on that run. He hasn’t won since 2014 which was off a mark of 81 and he looks well treated on just his second all weather start off a mark of 77 here. Nathan Evans takes off a further three pounds to make things easier.

1 MENAI – NON RUNNER

2 DANDYLEEKIE – Makes his tapeta debut for David O’Meara who does really well on the All-Weather. Good run at Ayr earlier this month when 4th of the 14 runners over six furlongs and if he takes to the surface he has to enter calculations. Will be doing his best work late on; likes to race from the rear.

3 SHOOTINGSTA – Runner up on both all weather starts to date, both at Southwell so has to be respected as we know he will go on the surface. Stays further than this but has won over six furlongs in the past and although the draw in Stall 2 may not be ideal, he is respected in a very competitive race.

4 JAYWALKER – Well down the field and clearly needed the run on debut for the Rebecca Bastiman yard at Ripon last month when 12th of the 18 runners. Ended his spell with Mick Channon with a good 2nd at Sandown and has won on the All-Weather in the past but needs to show more and has a bit to prove.

5 WAR DEPARTMENT – Bolted up over course and distance in August off a mark of 70 and ran another solid race next time out over the same track and trip when 3rd to Mazzini off 76. Finished last of 8 runners at Musselburgh last time out and although he loves it here, he is off a mark of 80 at present which will make life tough.

6 TANASOQ – Three year old lightly raced colt who won a maiden at Salisbury in July over six furlongs. Bumped into the impressive Highly Sprung when a well beat 2nd at Yarmouth but has plenty of scope to improve and has to be a huge player if he takes to the surface. Finished 2nd at Wolverhampton in the past so does have some decent All Weather form.

7 SOPHISTICATED HEIR – Bolted up over the extended five furlongs at Wolverhampton last month off a mark of 69, blinkers fitted. Ran a solid race when 4th at Chester when last seen and although he is 8 pounds higher in the weights now, he looks sure to run a very solid race.

8 WILLBEME – Losing run stretches back to 2014 but he is becoming very well treated now and he ran a good race here at Newcastle last time out, doing best of those drawn very low. Drawn high this time round in Stall 12 and big chance if he can build on that run.

9 FUNDING DEFICIT – Ran a very good race behind Boy In The Bar at Ascot when third last month, beat about two lengths. This is his tapeta debut but it has to be worrying that he ran no sort of race on both starts at Wolverhampton. Unless money comes it is hard to fancy him for win purposes.

10 KOMMANDER KIRKUP – Very quirky temperamental horse but on his day has plenty of ability. This is the horses’ All Weather debut and being by Assertive who never raced on the All Weather, it’s hard to know what to expect. Best watched.

11 SOUL BROTHER – Better than the bare result would suggest when finishing 8th over the flying five here at Newcastle last time out. He got badly hampered at a crucial stage that day and he is off a dangerous mark of 75 now, two pounds lower than his last turf win at Thirsk which was off 77.

12 MANATEE BAY – Ran a belter here a few days ago over this course and distance when 2nd to Frenchman, beat 3/4 of a length. Runs off the same mark here so has obvious claims. On the form book, this is the horse they all have to beat with a repeat effort.