UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

HOOFLEPUFF made a welcome return to the winner's enclosure at Wolverhampton last month and Brian Ellison's three-year-old could take plenty of beating under a penalty if returning in the same form. Sunhill Lad was sent off favourite when second on his first outing for Julia Brooke and has a viable chance of going one better off a 3lb higher mark. Thawry has been running better than the bare results would suggest of late and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Hooflepuff 2nd Sunhill Lad 3rd Thawry

SPEED DATING put his experience to good use when hunting down his rivals late on at Southwell last time and there could be more to come from him under a penalty. Secret Diary made the podium off this mark over 7f at Kempton recently and now looks ready for this stiffer test, while Dazzling Darren's recent efforts bring him into the equation too.
Prediction : 1st Speed Dating 2nd Secret Diary 3rd Dazzling Darren

GLEN FORCE split two very promising rivals when second over C&D on debut last month and the 160,000-euro son of Gleneagles could be the answer here after finishing best of the bunch once the penny had dropped. Queen's Course and Savage Beauty both represent top stables and have to be respected, while Karl Burke's Danny Ocean brings plenty of experience and a victory at Nottingham to the table. Roger Varian's Pivotal filly Nehaall appears the pick of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Glen Force 2nd Danny Ocean 3rd Queens Course

The unbeaten BRUSHWORK didn't have much in his way here 32 days ago, but he previously showed a nice attitude to beat a competitive field on debut in September and can continue on an upward curve for Charlie Hills. The three-year-old has more scope than most and an opening handicap mark of 85 appears fair. El Hombre is a reliable sprinter at this sort of level, while hat-trick seeker Big Les is another to keep on side.
Prediction : 1st Brushwork 2nd El Hombre 3rd Big Les

ONEBABA has some decent form in the book, finishing second the last twice at Chelmsford and Wolverhampton, and the booking of 3lb claimer Sean Davis could get the three-year-old over the line. He might find a bit extra now upped in trip and appeals more than Dancing Rave, who was fourth here last time and remains unexposed on synthetic surfaces. Vive La Difference returned to form at this venue 35 days ago and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Onebaba 2nd Dancing Rave 3rd Vive La Difference

John Gosden fields two very interesting newcomers in Goethe, a home-bred gelding out of a dual Classic heroine, and 300,000gns purchase YURI GAGARIN. Like his stable companion, the son of Sea The Moon has also been gelded but he shades the vote with Robert Havlin on board. Dawry is improving between runs but will probably need to run to above 73 to win this novice heat.
Prediction : 1st Yuri Gagarin 2nd Goethe 3rd Dawry

KENTUCKYCONNECTION returned to winning ways in great style over C&D in October and a 5lb rise may not be enough to stop Bryan Smart's gelding from doubling up. Valley of Fire won at the course on his latest outing and enters the reckoning along with Song of The Isles, who sports cheekpieces for the first time, and Edessann on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Kentuckyconnection 2nd Valley of Fire 3rd Song of The Isles

JEFFREY HARRIS backed up his C&D success when dropped to the minimum distance on his latest start at the track, and the four-year-old can land the hat-trick despite a further 4lb rise. Broughton Excels has been running consistently well at Chelmsford over the past couple of months and is likely to pose a solid threat, while Eleuthera and Aquarius can fight it out for the minor honours.
Prediction : 1st Jeffrey Harris 2nd Broughton Excels 3rd Eleuthera