We’re only a week into the new year but County Durham-based trainer Michael Dods has made a flying start at Newcastle so far in 2024. His strike-rate is an excellent 67 per cent, with two winners from just three runners at the track. Two runners there on Monday provide him with opportunities to better that strike-rate so we’ve combined his runners into an interesting double for you to consider. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Walter Mitty (28-1, bet365) would need to find plenty of improvement to win here, on what we’ve seen from him in two starts so far. That of course isn’t out of the question, as such a lightly raced horse is entitled to find progress plenty with each run.
He was far too keen over course and distance last time and it’s no wonder that he faded so sharply in the final furlong. Dods’ charge finished seventh in a fair maiden here on debut back in November and this race certainly looks easier. With that in mind, if he can settle nicely and take a step forward here, a big run is by no means out of the question.
Zuffolo (11-1, bet365) was a course and distance winner on his penultimate start, scoring by a neck off just a 2lb lower mark. This four-year-old is somewhat unexposed on artificial surfaces and there could well be more to come.
Perhaps not always the most consistent horse, he does have three career victories to his name, two of which came on the turf. He certainly has it in him to return to winning ways here and his current mark shouldn’t prove to be too problematic.
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