3.25pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 17/02/2017

Ten runners go to post for the third race of the day at Newcastle, a middle distance handicap, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Completing a Lingfield hat-trick on his latest start, a 6lb rise shouldn’t be enough to stop PETITE JACK from going in again for Neil King and Martin Harley. He’s been highly progressive this season and was a comfortable winner of his latest start, with likely much more to come from this four year old by Champs Elyesees. He should be tough to beat and it’s likely that the in form Sennockian Star and the interesting Euchen Glen can follow him home.

1 JOHN REEL – Has struggled the last twice in Class 2 company, well beaten at Wolverhampton when last seen on Monday (1m 1f, Std) and should be happier down in class. A very capable runner at his best, he was a gallant third at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day (1m 1f, Std) off a 1lb higher mark in better company. Today’s conditions are likely to be his optimum and he has no excuses from stall 4 with him being 2lb below his last winning mark. Likely to put up a bold bid today with Clifford Lee claiming 5lb and has to be respected.

2 MISTIROC – Best form at this distance, including a win at Ascot in August (1m 4f, Good to Firm) when making all but hasn’t been in any sort of form since, well beaten on two subsequent runs. He did show some resurgence though when sixth in the November Handicap at Doncaster in November (1m 4f, Good to Firm), and hasn’t been seen since. Still 4lb above his last winning mark on all weather debut and has a 104 day break to overcome. Likely to need this and others have sounder claims.

3 HAMELIN – Made a step back in the right direction when fourth at Lingfield in December (1m 4f, Std), though beaten around six lengths and was dropped 2lb as a result. Refused to enter the stalls since that run which is a big concern, and he hasn’t won since October 2015, off a 1lb lower mark. Others have more obvious claims but possible each way chance if back to his best with conditions to suit and Oisin Murphy in good form.

4 SENNOCKIAN STAR – Back to form of late and won well at Lingfield in January (1m 4f, Std), though he tapped for speed when fourth at Wolverhampton subsequently, still ahead of John Reel however. Going back up to the 1m 4f trip is likely to suit and he is still favourably treated off a mark of 90, as he’s won off higher in the past. Mark Johnston’s string remain in good form and he has to be considered a main danger from stall eight and has to be respected.

5 FATTSOTA – Has been in decent form over hurdles the last thrice and returns to the flat for the first time since November. His overall record of six wins from forty-five isn’t particularly impressive and he is yet to win on the all weather which also has to be of concern, and he’ll need more if he’s to win this off a mark of 90. Possible each way claims if this turns into a stamina test but others are readily preferred.

6 PETITE JACK – Completed a hat-trick at Lingfield when running out a comfortable winner over today’s trip in January, and as a result has been raised a further 6lb. That however is very unlikely to stop Neil King’s rapidly improving four year old who shaped as though he was capable of much better yet on that recent run. Martin Harley retains the ride and this progressive sort by Champs Elysees can notch up another win for connections today.

7 BUTHELEZI – Last two flat wins have come over further and he’s been in no sort of form since returning from a 17 month absence in November. Well beaten over the 1m 4f and two mile trips the last twice, he makes little appeal despite being down to a mark of 86 and cannot be recommended today.

8 DOLPHIN VILLAGE – Has been in better form the last twice, finishing a close third at Kempton in December (1m 3f, Std) and was one and a half lengths behind Petite Jack at Lingfield in January (1m 4f, Std). Unless that rival doesn’t take to this surface he seems very unlikely to be reversing form with him, especially as he’s never won off a mark this high. He is likely to run well again though for new trainer Shaun Harris with Charlie Bennett claiming 5lb and does have place claims if the tongue tie has the desired effect.

9 CAPE OF GLORY – Ran well on two hurdles starts this season for Keith Dalgleish and had been in decent form on the flat before then, finishing a close fourth at Wolverhampton behind a horse who has subsequently followed up yesterday (1m 4f, Std). Is 1lb lower today returning to the level and although this will require a career best, he could be a nice each way price under Connor Beasley as long as he continues to show progression and is respected.

10 EUCHEN GLEN – Showed snippets of useful form last season for Jim Goldie including a good win at Ayr in June (1m 2f, Good), and signed off last season when sixth at Ascot in a heritage handicap in September (1m 4f, Good). Looks likely to improve this season and makes his all weather debut today still full of potential, but has a 167 day absence to overcome which is of concern. If near his best he’s likely to have each way claims but is entitled to need this today.