UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

ASTRA VIA handles heavy ground well and put in her best performance for quite some time when third at Taunton last time out. This drop back to 2m won't deter the five-year-old and she can prove too strong for Olly Murphy's Made For You. The latter would have been entitled to need his reappearance run at Warwick when fifth and could do better this time, while Darius Des Sources, third the last twice, is also expected to be involved.
Prediction : 1st Astra Via 2nd Made For You 3rd Darius Des Sources

On A Promise is clearly talented but has a few questions to answer after 698 days off the track, while Some Reign is held in high regard by Rose Dobbin but better ground would probably be preferable for him. It might be worth chancing THE CRAZED MOON, who ran with promise on her stable debut for Michael Scudamore when second at Market Rasen recently. What's The Scoop was successful over C&D last month but isn't sure to be as good off 6lb higher now aged 10.
Prediction : 1st The Crazed Moon 2nd Some Reign 3rd On A Promise

The Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day at Market Rasen had clearly been the plan for David Pipe's stable newcomer HUGO 'N TAZ for quite some time after he landed a bit of a touch in that contest, and there is no reason why the nine-year-old can't take all the beating once more off just 8lb higher. Testing conditions clearly suit the former Denis Hogan-trained stayer, and he can claim another valuable pot for the Value Racing Club. Petite Power would appreciate a strong pace and his Classic Chase third is reasonable form, while Welsh National fourth Prime Venture is also expected to be there at the business end.
Prediction : 1st Hugo n Taz 2nd Petite Power 3rd Prime Venture

Dora De Janeiro showed some promise on her debut in a Carlisle bumper, but was less impressive when tackling hurdles for the first time at the Cumbrian venue and is passed over in favour of STAINSBY GIRL. Donald Whillans' mare went close at Ayr and Hexham and though her latest start over further here saw her beaten a fair way into third, the return to the minimum trip should suit. Wild Polly and Aphaea have winning point-to-point form to their names, and the latter also won an all-weather handicap back in May.
Prediction : 1st Stainsby Girl 2nd Dora De Janeiro 3rd Aphaea

Minella Charmer made it two wins on the bounce at Haydock last time and is only 5lb higher, while Secrete Stream has been raised 4lb for his short-head success at Wetherby. Both are in the sort of form required to land this, but perhaps MCGOWAN'S PASS can quickly return to winning ways. An easy 14-length victor at Ayr, he then ran well over further at Kelso and gets another chance off the same mark, with the drop in trip expected to help. Thor De Cerisy was very poor on his handicap bow, but did open his account over this C&D previously.
Prediction : 1st Mcgowans Pass 2nd Minella Charmer 3rd Secrete Stream

FLOWERY was touched off by just a head on his last outing over hurdles over 2m4f at Uttoxeter last time and is expected to give another good account now moving back over the larger obstacles. Zolfo kept on well on the run-in when scoring by a head over 2m3f at Market Rasen last time and could appreciate this additional furlong, while the consistent Clan Legend is holding his form well and could also finish on the premises.
Prediction : 1st Flowery 2nd Zolfo 3rd Clan Legend

ELF DE RE is dangerous from the front in small fields, as he demonstrated when striking over 2m at Kelso on his penultimate outing. He was unable to make all when second over 2m6f at the same venue last time but now, dropping back to this intermediate trip, it would come as no surprise to see him get back on the winning trail. Le Cheval Noir is a bumper winner and entitled to improve for his first outing over hurdles at Wetherby, while Do Your Job, a point winner, likely has more to offer under Rules.
Prediction : 1st Elf De Re 2nd Le Cheval Noir 3rd Do Your Job

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