4.25pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 01/02/2017

Race number one at Newcastle on Tuesday is a 1m 4f handicap, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This should be the fifth C&D on the spin for GO GEORGE GO, who continues to just keep getting better for Alan Swinbank. He’s been raised 5lb for his latest race win though that looks very unlikely to stop him in his tracks, with a mark of 71 still not by any means beyond him. He should be very hard to beat once again and can put Medicine Hat in his place, with this drop back in distance not looking likely to help the six year old.

1 CARD HIGH – Been racing in higher class raises than this in the main and drops back into Class 5 competition for the first time since November 2015. Not disgraced by any means when sixth here over C&D in November, though was nowhere near that form in December when labouring in eleventh. Still 2lb above his last winning mark but capable on a going day, though he’s yet to fully convince that he suits the surface. Each Way claims if back to his best.

2 MEDICINE HAT – Won most impressively three starts ago at Wovlerhampton (2m, Std) and had a valid excuse when not suiting the surface at Southwell a few weeks later (2m, Std). Back to near his best though in January when a close second here over the two mile trip, and dropping down to 1m 4f doesn’t look likely to suit on previous evidence. Likely to be be outpaced, especially if this race turns tactical and others have far more convincing claims.

3 MAGISTRAL – Returning from a 431 day break and has his first flat start for 466. Returns with the Iain Jardine yard who are inform but at his best he’d have a huge chance of winning a race like this with form in higher classes, though he was never able to win a handicap. 11lb below his mark when starting out in handicaps and has very solid Each Way claims if returning to near his best, but that wont be easy and checking the market will be crucial.

4 WOODACRE – Still 3lb above his last winning mark and was easily held by Go George Go over C&D in January, which tempers enthusiasm. Looks very unlikely to turn the tables with that rival, though he is very consistent in the main and it’d be no surprise were he to run onto into the places. Needs considering as he’s remained competitive off this mark but is consigned to minor honours only for Richard Whitaker and George Chaloner.

5 GO GEORGE GO – Has now won four times in a row over C&D and is now 23lb higher than when starting this sequence back in November. He was a smooth winner on his latest start, beating Bamako Du Chatelet who has gone in since and holds a few of these on previous form. Looks set to run very well again despite another 5lb penalty and has to be respected for the Alan Swinbank team with the inform Joe Fanning on board. Looks very tough to beat.

6 THORNTOUN CARE – Hasn’t run for 514 days and was last seen finishing tenth at York (1m 2f, Good). Makes his all weather debut for the inform Iain Jardine yard with Tom Eaves on board and is entitled to go well off a mark of 70, as he drops down in class from his latest run. If fully fit for today its not inconceivable that he could be putting in a strong challenge and has to be respected, as his pedigree suggests the all weather will be perfectly fine. It is however crucial to watch the market as that should give some indication to his fitness and he does look a risky option.

7 TAOPIX – 8lb above his last winning mark, with that win coming three starts ago over C&D in November. Has run well the last twice here again over the 1m 2f trip, placing on both occasions and is clearly in good heart for Karen McLintock. Luke Morris takes over the ride which is a big positive, so he’s likely to run well again though may just be vulnerable for win purposes of this mark and is likely to be fighting for places only until his mark comes back down.

8 MAULESDEN MAY – Well held by both Go Geroge Go over C&D in December and needs to find nearly ten lengths with that rival. A turnaround is impossible to see and unless the first-time visor brings on some substantial improvement she makes little to no appeal for win purposes. She has place chances as she usually performs well over this C&D, but others make far more appeal and she may well struggle again for Keith Dalgleish and Connor Beasley.

9 HIGHWAYMAN – Four year old for David Thompson who doesn’t look particularly well handicapped, and was poor here over 1m 2f in Deceber when sixth of eight after having things all his own way up front. That brings his record to 0-10 which tempers enthusiasm further and its hard to envisage him running a big race for Thompson today and likely best watched as he also has stamina to prove at this longer trip.