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A field of thirteen go to post for the second race of the evening at Newcastle on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: After his good win on his latest start, Chiswick Bey is likely to be very popular for Richard Fahey, but Richard Guest has a trio in this, led by his main hope PICKETT’S CHARGE. Posting a career best when winning over C&D on his penultimate start, he pulled much to hard on his latest start and can easily bounce back today off the same mark. He clearly had something in hand on that C&D win and a mark of 71 by no means looks beyond him, and he can confirm running with the aforementioned Chisweck Bey with Connor Beasley taking the ride.
1 PICKETT’S CHARGE – Comfortable winner of a C&D handicap on his penultimate start, but pulled far too hard when well beaten over C&D last time out, upped to Class 4 company. He gave the impression that much more could be expected on that C&D win, pulling two lengths clear comfortably and he can easily bounce back today for Richard Guest and confirm the form with Chiswick Bey, who he had in behind. Connor Beasley takes the ride and he looks a formidable opponent today.
2 ARCHIPELIGO – Three times a winner on the tapeta over further and today’s mile does look inadequate for him on his seasonal return. His shortest win came at the 1m 1f trip back in September 2015 at Hamilton where he scrambled home and he is much more suited by further. Now back onto his last winning mark and if this is a truly run affair he could have each way claims for Iain Jardine, but he looks vulnerable for win purposes.
3 JUBILEE BRIG – Has a good record of seven wins from twenty-eight on the all weather, including on today’s tapeta surface but this trip does look to be of concern. Although he has been running well of late, finishing third here over the seven furlong trip twenty-eight days ago, he has looked a non-stayer on all his previous attempts at the mile which does temper enthusiasm somewhat. Possible place claims if he can see it out but looks vulnerable from a winning stand point.
4 GREEN HOWARD – Lightly raced on the all weather with only five runs but he has failed to build upon his good second here over C&D in October, well beaten on three efforts since then. He’s been given a small break in a bit to revive but his last win came way back in September 2014, and is clearly a very hard horse to win with. If back to the form of that good C&D run he’d have to be given a big each way chance under Danny Tudhope. Not completely discounted but seems vulnerable for win purposes.
5 CHISWICK BEY – Has been running well of late over C&D, including a narrow victory two weeks ago and he has been raised 4lb as a result. He now goes up in grade and will need more if he’s to be threatening for win purposes today, but he has done will in this class in the past so cannot be discounted with any sort of confidence. Possible place contender for Richard Fahey, but others do make more appeal for win purposes today.
6 YULONG XIONGBA – Very consistent last season in the main with a win at Carlisle in July (7f, Good to Soft), but hasn’t been since flopping at Redcar in October (7f, Good to Soft). Returns from an 138 day absence to a surface he has placed on in the past but he may just struggle against some race fit rivals today, despite only being a pound above his last winning mark. Others preferred today but he does have definite place claims.
7 PACOMMAND – Lightly raced four year old who has the form to feature, with his fourth at Chelmsford in December when with Marco Botti a good effort in the context of this race (1m, Std). He was unable to land a blow however on stable debut for David Barron when always in the rear, which certainly tempers enthusiasm for today. The yard however are in great form at present, as is today’s rider Philip Makin which does make him interesting from a place perspective, and isn’t ruled out completely today on his second start this season.
8 CABAL – Two very poor runs since returning from a break in February, finishing a poor last over the seven furlong trip when last seen two weeks ago. Last win came back in October 2015 at Redcar (7f, Soft) and he is now back onto that mark, but her current form is the main cause of concern today. Fairly treated and today’s conditions are to suit, so if getting back to form she’d certainly have lively chances and would be a dangerous one to discount for Geoffrey Harker. Risky though.
9 FOIE GRAS – Seven wins (including one on the tapeta) from forty-seven all weather starts and the return of Silverstre De Sousa today makes him very interesting for Chris Dwyer. Not disgraced when sixth at Chelmsford three weeks ago (1m, Std) when not beaten far and he looks likely to run another good race off a mark that is only 2lb above his last winning one. Stall 12 isn’t exactly a gift from him but he looks set to run well and has to be respected as such.
10 KIWI BAY – Won a C&D claimer back in August but his handicap starts over the C&D have been less than impressive of late, finishing well beaten on his last five starts. Now down to a mark of 62 which is career low mark but he isn’t exactly in any sort of form to capitalise on it and would be a surprise winner today for Michael Dods. Stall nine doesn’t help his chances and he is best left alone today.
11 TABLE MANNERS – Form figures of 13221 in reecnt times here and won over the seven furlong trip on herlatest start in early February, holding on well despite being challenged towards the finish. Up a further 4lb for that neck victory but going up in trip may well help her and she no forlorn hope despite this career high mark, as further improvement can be expected as a lightly raced five year old. Hollie Doyle retains the ride and claims a valuable 5lb, so another bold bid can be expected and she has to be respected.
12 OUTLAW TORN – Recorded his fifteenth career success at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start (1m 2f, Std), making all grimly. Raised 2lb for the head victory, he wasn’t disgraced to finish fourth at Lingfield in February (1m 2f, Std), but he is yet to really record a good run at Newcastle in his career thus far. Back up into Class five company for the first time since being well beaten over C&D in November and others make far more appeal.
13 HYDRANT – One win from twenty-seven on the all weather, with that single success coming way back in February 2010. In recent times he’s been desperately out of form and this trip looks on the short side at this stage of his career. Competes from 4lb out of the handicap and he would be a surprise winner for Richard Guest, with Outlaw Torn looking his best hope in this.