6.45pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 27/01/2017

The flat eight runners go to post for this five furlong sprint at Newcastle racecourse, a 0-85 handicap with £4,852 in prize-money up for grabs. Read on for our full analysis, runner by runner guide and free tip for what looks like a competitive contest.

IN SUMMARY: Polytrack specialist Rich Again looks sure to put in another bold bid in search of his 10th win on the surface whilst Foxy Forever went down by the narrowest of margins when rattling home to finish third last week. However, a chance is taken on APROVADO (8/1) who arrives here fresh off the back of a 120 day break. He won nicely over the course and distance when last seen and has run well fresh in the past.

1 RICH AGAIN – Eight year old gelding trained by James Bethell who is a prolific winner on the polytrack with nine victories on the surface to his name. Victorious last time out over course and distance, beating Burning Thread by half a length, a four pound rise may not stop him in his tracks tonight but it certainly makes life a but tougher. Has to concede weight to the field and he is respected but the draw in Stall 2 is not ideal.

2 FOXY FOREVER – Michael Wigham is the shrewdest trainer in the business when it comes to landing a punt in low grade affairs and this horse has been well looked after, now off a very lenient mark. He was only beat a neck over course and distance last time out in third place (Fredricka just ahead in second). Wigham has a £31.27 profit to level stakes when he sends one runner to a flat meeting since the start of the 2012 season and has a healthy 21% strike-rate with his sprinters’ in the same time frame.

3 APROVADO – Caused a bit of a surprise when winning at 10/1 over this course and distance when last seen in September off a mark of 77. He gets a mark of 80 on his return which is fair and although he has an absence to overcome, he has run well fresh in the past. Michael Dods has been quiet of late but two of his last eight runners at the track have won and Paul Mulrennan is one of the leading jockey’s at the track. Good draw in Stall 7 and should make a bold bid if he’s fit after a break.

4 ONE BOY – Makes all-weather debut for Paul Midgley tonight after 38 flat starts which is a bit odd so maybe connections just want to get a run into him after a break. When last seen, he travelled over to Ireland to compete in a competitive 15 runner Navan handicap and he justified 11/2 favouritism to land the spoils. Certainly can’t be discounted if he takes to the surface and he has a good high draw in Stall 8.

5 NORMAL EQUILIBRIUM – Formerly trained by Robert Cowell, this seven year old gelding is having his first start for Ivan Furtado tonight. A winner of a Chelmsford handicap off 92 in 2015, he is absolutely chucked in at the weights off a mark of 78 if the change of scenery can bring him back to life. He certainly has to improve though as his last few runs have been far from inspiring. Best watched unless there is a big market move.

6 WILLBEME – Nine year old mare who was beat 13 lengths over six furlongs here at Newcastle last time out off a reduced mark of 77. The handicapper has dropped her another four pounds as a consequence but she hasn’t got her head in front since the summer of 2014 and she looks out of love with the game. The rank outsider in the field and rightly so.

7 FREDRICKA – Second over this course and distance last week. She was placed here off a mark of 77 last year so looks very well treated here running off 71, a mark that looks sure to be exploited. The only concern is the draw, Stall 1 is not the place to be at Newcastle but if she can tuck in early doors and gradually move stands’ side or up the centre of the track, she must have every chance.

8 BAHANGO – Shock winner here over course and distance three weeks ago for Patrick Morris, seeing off the close attentions of Fredricka (5th) at a massive 25/1. Fredrika gave him five pounds that day for a two length beating and only has to concede one pound tonight so on strict form terms, Fredricka is weighted to beat him by two lengths this time round. Looks up against it at the weights as a three pound claimer also replaces Lewis Edmunds (7lb claimer).