2.20pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 30/12/2016

9 maidens go to post for the fourth race of the day on the all weather at Newcastle, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Although the form pick, Adalene seems to struggle to put her races to bed and therefore she is one to take on today, with JOHN MILTON the selection. He ran well on debut despite showing signs of greenness and should know more today, with the step up in trip another plus, so needs to be respected.

1 CHORUS OF LIES – Finished 3rd in a seller back in August at Ripon (1m 2f, Good) and ran respectably enough in low grade hurdle races the three times after. An unlikely winner of this on previous evidence.

2 CODESHARE – Thrice raced in bumpers with his best effort being when 2nd at Carlisle last month (2m 1f, Good), with a pedigree that does appeal in the context of this race. This is very ordinary and it’d be no surprise to see him hitting the frame and needs to be considered.

3 DIAMOND EAGLE – Never involved and tailed off on debut here over 5f earlier in the month. Pedigree suggests this trip will suit but he makes no appeal today after that run.

4 PERSIAN STEEL – Poor in two bumpers at Catterick (1m 7f, Soft) and Southwell (1m 7f, Good to Soft) and was no better when finishing last in a 1 mile maiden at this track last week, makes no appeal.

5 HIGHWAYMAN – Hard to know whether his latest second in a claimer amounts to anything and he’s certainly not improving, only finishing in the places once in 9 attempts which was in a very poor maiden at Southwell in March (7f, Std). It says a lot about the race to say that he would have place claims today due to the competition he has.

6 JOHN MILTON – Long third here over 1 mile when green and running on late, showing that he has ability and some promise. He is however entitled to come on for the experience and the step up in trip should help, so could be the one to take the favourite on with today.

7 ON FIRE – Has hinted at ability on some of his starts to date but was easily beaten on his handicap debut back in May at Redcar (1m, Good to Firm). All weather debut today and has lots to prove, now having been gelded but is more interesting than most of these and needs a second look.

8 ADALENE – Sets the form standard if judged upon her latest string of second places, but it was quite concerning that she couldn’t put the race to bed when she should have done at Lingfield latest, being swooped upon in the last strides by a 50/1 shot (1m 2f, Std). Now blinkered and wont have an easier opportunity than this to win a race, but that was also said the last twice so is quite risky.