7.45pm Newcastle Tips & Betting Preview 09/03/2017

The action at Newcastle continues with the fifth race of the day being a seven furlong handicap, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: The way in which VIA VIA comfortably dispatched his rivals at Newmarket in October was very taking, travelling brilliantly before quickening well when asked and never looked for catching when striking the front. With only five runs under his belt, much more is expected of him this season and he can build on the abundant promise of that latest run to prove far, far too good for his rivals in this. He can be chased home by the returning Twin Appeal, who looks best of the rest.

1 WAR DEPARTMENT – Won comfortably over C&D on his latest start seven days ago, being eased down towards the finish. As a result, he will have to shoulder a penalty but if in the same mood again he’s likely to be hugely dangerous, with stall six not too bad a draw for this four year old. No reason why he shouldn’t go well under Connor Beasley and has to be respected.

2 TWIN APPEAL – Hasn’t been seen since November on the turf, but he turned in two good efforts, the latest of which when third at Doncaster in a very competitive handicap (7f, Good to Firm). Suited to the all weather as proven in the past and if this break has sharpened him up, he’s likely to be very dangerous off a mark of 87, which is only 2lb above his last winning mark. David Barron’s yard remains in great form and if ready to go after this 124 day absence, he looks likely to run another cracker. Has to be respected.

3 VIA VIA – Lightly raced five year old by Lope De Vega who gained his second win from five starts when taking a handicap at Newmarket in October (7f, Good to Firm). That was a competitive looking race and the way he won was taking, travelling up strongly and quickening well when asked, never looking in danger once he struck the front. He gave the impression much more could be expected from him, especially with how attractive his pedigree is. He can make light work of these rivals and should have far too much potential, with Luke Morris in the saddle being another big plus.

4 HAIL CLODIUS – Useful at his best, as proved three starts ago at Sandown when a close second in a competitive event, with Richard Hannon at the time (1m, Good to Firm). He was subsequently well held at Southwell though in claiming company (1m, Std) and flopped badly here over the mile on first start for Roger Fell last month. Has much more to prove than some and others make far more appeal at present.

5 BOUCLIER – Triple all weather winner, with his latest win coming five starts ago at Brighton on the turf (5f, Good to Soft). Still 7lb above his last winning mark on the all weather but was far from disgraced off a 1lb lower mark when third over C&D on his latest start, two lengths behind War Department. That was his first start for the in form Michael Appleby yard and he likely has more to give, with Oisin Murphy taking the ride. Likely to be a main player if building on that latest run and has to be respected.

6 GLORIOUS POET – Showed little on his first two maiden runs for Ed Walker but improved markedly on the third when winning well at Redcar in October (7f, Soft). Bought for 40,000gns later that month and now with the Tony Carroll yard, starting off in handicaps off a mark of 77. He could well be anything now on handicap debut and has to be respected, as he could be well treated if returning at his best from a 136 day break. Not one to discount and watching the market for support will be crucial.

7 SHOOTINGSTA – Running well towards the end of 2015, winning at Musselburgh in October 2015 before going on to finish second twice at both Wolverhampton and Southwell. However, he did struggle in four runs last year for Bryan Smart and he returns from a 142 day absence with a lot to prove. Others make far more appeal and he’s entitled to need this run, so is best watched unless the market speaks otherwise.

8 ENJOY LIFE – Showed improved form towards the end of last year, winning at Redcar in November (7f, Good to Soft) in comfortable fashion before finishing a head second here over the six furlong trip three days later. Not so good at Lingfield on her latest start a few weeks later, but perhaps that run came a little too soon and she has been given a break since. Should be freshened up now and could resume her improving profile, with a mark of 76 certainly not beyond her for Kevin Ryan. Interesting contender and shouldn’t be discounted for the placings.

9 GRAMERCY – Ten year old who has seen his best days pass him by, poor on all three of his efforts thus far this season. His latest ninth at over the six furlong trip offered no hope for better and he’s very hard to fancy with little encouragement to go on. Look elsewhere.

10 BALTIC PRINCE – Front runner who has been given the blessing of stall one, though he has not been at his best the last twice, fading badly towards the finish at Chelmsford (1m, Std) on his latest start. Now down to a mark of 72 which is only 3lb above his last winning mark and has the best draw possible to maximise his tactics. Tony Carroll’s yard are running very well at present and he isn’t one to discount on bare form alone, considered.