UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

STAXTON has not had his ideal conditions so far this year, but his last couple of efforts have been promising and he is 5lb lower than when a close fourth in this race 12 months ago. Air Raid is an obvious threat having struck twice at Hamilton earlier in the month, while Dalton returned to winning ways at Nottingham recently. Others who could go well are Brian The Snail, Cosmic Law and Mokaatil.
Prediction : 1st Staxton 2nd Air Raid 3rd Dalton

Invincible Army is obviously the one to beat based on his win in the Duke Of York but he was a bit disappointing at Royal Ascot last weekend. It is also a concern that his form tailed off last season so preference is for MR LUPTON. Richard Fahey's gelding arguably put in a career best when winning a Group 2 at the Curragh on his seasonal return and that form gives him a big chance here. Laugh A Minute needs to improve to beat the aforementioned pair but it would be no surprise to see him go well.
Prediction : 1st Mr Lupton 2nd Invincible Army 3rd Laugh A Minute

CARNWENNAN has improved considerably as a four-year-old and he arrives on the back of impressive victories at York and Chelmsford. A 4lb rise for the most recent of those wins may not stop the progressive stayer from completing the hat-trick. Coeur de Lion ran well at Royal Ascot and he is more than capable of making the frame in a race of this nature. Others to consider are Always Resolute, Michael's Mount and Theglasgowwarrior.
Prediction : 1st Coeur de Lion 2nd Carnwennan 3rd Always Resolute

Gibbs Hill reappears following a 724-day absence but has been very popular in the build-up, while King's Advice has won all six starts since joining Mark Johnson and must enter calculations. However, STRATUM gets the nod for Willie Mullins. The six-year-old has looked as well as ever over hurdles recently, finishing fourth behind subsequent Grade 2 scorer Mr Adjudicator at the Punchestown Festival before sluicing up in a minor Ballinrobe event, and he should act on this surface having finished a close second on his only previous all-weather appearance. Time To Study has each-way claims as he ran well when third off this mark in the Ascot Stakes and is rated now 12lb lower than when sixth in this race for his previous stable 12 months ago.
Prediction : 1st Stratum 2nd Gibbs Hill 3rd Kings Advice

HOULTON didn't run to his best when only beating two home at Doncaster, but should improve plenty back on his preferred all-weather surface. The return of Andrea Atzeni on top is a huge bonus, and the four-year-old looks open to improvement back down in trip. Rashdan has won here in the past and is better than he showed at Thirsk last week. Snookered needs a second look with Kerrin McEvoy booked to ride for a trainer who usually targets this meeting.
Prediction : 1st Houlton 2nd Rashdan 3rd Snookered

Mrs Bouquet didn't seem to enjoy racing on soft ground when attempting to defy a penalty at Chester and could improve now back at the scene of her debut defeat of Olcan, while Teenar outran 28-1 odds when a neck second on his second career start at Hamilton. It might be worth siding with FLOWING MAGIC, who impressed when fourth on his introduction at Yarmouth and should improve for the application of a first-time hood to go with his tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Flowing Magic 2nd Teenar 3rd Mrs Bouquet

NAME THE WIND shaped on his handicap debut at Chelmsford as though he would benefit from the drop to 7f, despite having won over a mile at Kempton on his second start, and James Tate's colt can take advantage of the handicapper dropping him 2lb. Mubhij is open to further improvement on just his sixth career appearance, while Vale Of Kent is respected on his Hunt Cup seventh at Royal Ascot.
Prediction : 1st Name The Wind 2nd Mubhij 3rd Vale Of Kent

HOWMAN ended last season with a disappointing effort at Glorious Goodwood when unable to land a hat-trick of victories. However, he retains a fair amount of potential and a gelding operation might unlock further improvement. Anythingtoday has the assistance of Silvestre De Sousa after finishing second at Ripon on his most recent start, while Thaayer should have more to come on just his fifth career outing.
Prediction : 1st Howman 2nd Anythingtoday 3rd Thaayer