3.05pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 07/02/2017

As the market suggests, this could be one way traffic for Neil Mulholland and Liam Keniry in the fourth race of the day at Newcastle on Tuesday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: If her form over hurdles/fences is anything to go by PASS THE TIME should make a mockery of a mark of 62 on the flat. Performing well over both fences and hurdles in 2016, she’s a previous winner on synthetic surfaces off a mark of 57 and judging by her form over obstacles, that mark should be something she can easily overcome for the in form Neil Mulholland team with Liam Keniry taking the ride. The others make limited appeal and the consistent Thackeray is most likely to pick up a place for Chris Fairhurst.

1 PASS THE TIME – Very useful hurdler and has good form on tapeta/fibresand surfaces posted, with her last win on the flat coming in February off a mark of 57 at Southwell (2m, Std). In the mean time she’s been in great form over obstacles, with a win at Stratford in September and other admirable efforts off marks in the mid to slow 130’s. Now on a mark of 62 but she’s been continuing to impress over obstacles and it’s likely that she’ll be perfectly comfortable off this mark for the in form Neil Mulholland team. Likely to run a big race and will stay this trip very strongly so has to be deeply respected under Liam Keniry.

2 JAN SMUTS – Infrequent winner but ran on strongly to win over C&D in January (2m, Std), and is now on a 2lb higher mark after two poor efforts here the last twice. Has won off higher marks in the past but at the age of nine he’s completely exposed and improvement is unlikely to be forthcoming at this stage in his career. Hollie Doyle retains the partnership but others do have much stronger claims and he looks set for minor honours.

3 BREATHLESS – Won a mile claimer when with Andrew Balding back in March, but has been soundly beaten on every run since then after joining Clive Mulhall. All hopes are pinned on this massive step up in trip and with all evidence so far, and pedigree taken into account, there is no reason to suggest he’ll stay this far. Impossible to recommend.

4 ADRAKHAN – Well beaten the last twice over hurdles was well also well beaten when last seen over C&D in December, all but tailed off. Only one win from twenty starts overall and is yet to win on the flat from eleven starts which is far from encouraging. Others have much more solid claims and although racing off a basement mark of 47, he seems unlikely to be involved today.

5 THACKERAY – Yet to win on the all weather after twelve starts but did run well when third at Southwell in January, staying on strongly (1m 6f, Std). On that evidence going back up in trip should suit and he handles this surface well, which gives him definite claims off a 2lb lower mark than his last run. Entitled to go well with Paula Muir claiming 7lb and should be in the thick of the action for Chris Fairhurst and deserves respect.

6 STRIKEMASTER – Lightly raced eleven year old who hasn’t been seen since a tailed off ninth of ten at Musselburgh in June (2m, Good). Latest win on the turf came way back in August 2013 off a mark of 50, and he’s now 5lb below that mark. Only twice raced in 2016 which has to be a concern and a lay off at 225 days for this eleven year old is likely to make this a very difficult task despite Stevie Donohoe taking the ride. Not inconceivable that he could place off this basement mark but remains vulnerable for win purposes.

7 YORKSHIREMAN – Twice a winner on the tapeta surface, although his last win on the surface came in March 2015 at Wolverhampton (2m, Std). That was also his last win overall and he’s now 10lb below that mark, but that is due to his poor performance since, and he has only placed once in the subsequent seventeen runs. Hard to make a case for Lynn Siddall’s seven year old and seems another who looks destined for minor honours.

8 HE’S MAGIC – Only had two runs on the all weather and six overall, but hasn’t convinced of his stamina in any of those runs. Finished a very tired sixth at Wolverhampton over the two mile trip in January on handicap debut off a mark of 45, and has been dropped 9lb due to that poor performance. Hard to build a justifiable case on the basis of that run and until he can show he stay’s these marathon trips, he’s easily discounted.

9 RYAN THE GIANT – Still a maiden after flat runs, but that isn’t to say he hasn’t gone close on multiple occasions. Back up to the two mile trip Lingfield on his latest start he was a running on second (with the winner unchallenged) which was a good performance (1m 7f, Std). Off the same mark today and his only previous run over C&D was a positive one, finishing third and only beaten three lengths back in December off a 1lb higher mark. Looks set for a big run despite the Keith Dalgleish yard being out of form at present and is respected as such.