3.10pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 09/12/2016

Thirteen horses go to post for today’s feature, a 0-85 Handicap run over 1m4f. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Spes Nostra doesn’t usually go well after a break, so it was good to see him run on here three weeks ago after four months off. He should be sharper for that run now and is set to go well. Heart Locket won over C&D last month and will be a danger to all in his bid to follow up. However, this could be best left to ISHARAH who was a good second at Lingfield nine days ago over this trip and looks to have more to offer on the AW this Winter.

1 Corton Lad – Has won twice on the AW before at Wolverhampton and 2-13 overall. Wasn’t far behind here two races back when fourth of eight in a similar race. Poor tenth of 14 on last start here over 1m2f and back up in trip today. Easy to look elsewhere.

2 Salmon Sushi – Only two career wins so far have come on the AW, including over 1m2f at Lingfield two years ago and was a clear winner at Wolverhampton in August over this trip. Unplaced in four runs since, including when ninth of 14 here 21 days ago over a steadily run 1m2f. Unreliable sort who can miss the break and can rule out today back up in trip.

3 Spes Nostra – Gained five of his eight career wins on the AW and 1-2 at this trip. Returned from a four month lay-off to finish sixth of 14 here 21 days ago over 1m2f. Unlucky that day when finding no room 2f out. That was encouraging seeing as he kept on and doesn’t usually run well fresh. Should come on for that and has a place chance on best form that includes an easy five length win over this trip at Wolverhampton in February.

4 Flower Power – Has won three times on the flat and is a winning hurdler, including good winner of a Maiden at Ripon over 1m4f in September, comfortably beating the re-opposing Sunglider by six lengths. Last flat run leaves something to be desired when last of 11 and only seventh of nine over Hurdles at Leicester last time out. Other horses are better Handicapped today and down in trip whilst the surface is an unknown, having first run on AW. Hard to fancy.

5 I Am Not Here – Has won on the turf twice this year since joining this yard last year from Timothy Jarvis. Was a decent third of 13 in a better race at Kempton on his last AW run and he should be able to get his nose in front of his current mark of 78. Should be more to come.

6 Age Of Elegance – Back-to-back turf winner at Beverley in August and has won on the AW at Lingfield last May, but hasn’t scored in 10 starts on this surface since. Ran a decent race to finish second here in a similar race three weeks ago over 1m2f and back up in trip today. Should continue to give account and solid place chance.

7 Card High – Has won six times on turf with last win coming at Catterick over 1m3f (Good/Soft) in September, but has never won on this surface. Not far back when sixth of 14 here 32 days ago and a bit more needed for win purposes.

8 Siren’s Cove – Two time winner on the AW at Chelmsford and Lingfield last year at 1m2f-1m4f. Hasn’t won in 12 runs since. Has finished sixth and then fourth over this trip on last two starts here and needs more against a few of these today. Jockey booking a positive.

9 Isharah – Never ran on the AW here, but won over 1m1f at Wolverhampton in February and is 31232 overall on this surface. Good second of nine at Lingfield over this trip nine days ago and certainly worth a go here with his stable in fine form on the AW this winter. Big player.

10 Sunglider – Been running with plenty of credit recently and finally notched his first win for the yard when getting up by a neck to win over 1m1f at Wolverhampton 14 days ago. Yard in good form and he is clearly in good heart. Needs a bit more now upped in trip.

11 Henpecked – Runner-up to the re-opposing Heart Locket in a 13 runner Handicap here over this trip 22 days ago. Should get close to that one again, but is 0-4 on the AW so best watched for now.

12 Heart Locket – Ran a career best to beat the re-opposing Henpecked over this trip here 22 days ago and only up 2lb for that win. Won on the AW at Lingfield in March and clearly enjoys the surface. Should go close again and an each-way chance.

13 Island Flame – Nine runs this year has yielded three wins, the most recent coming on his penultimate start over 1m2f here in September. This is the furthest he has encountered, but he is by Kodiac and so should have the stamina for this trip. Market vibes would be positive.