Steve Ryder is back with three tips for today's action.
13:05 Newcastle
The David Thompson trained VERTICE (best priced at 7/2) won on her penultimate start when fitted with cheekpieces and she should hold strong claims with headgear back on. The five-year-old won by 3 ½ lengths at Southwell over 1m4f in first time cheekpieces off a mark of 48 under Connor Beasley which earned her a 4lb rise up to a mark of 52. She returned from a 162 day break to finish 2nd at Wolverhampton by a head over 1m6f when she interestingly wasn’t fitted with any headgear.
Vertice now drops back down to 1m4f but most importantly is now re-fitted with cheekpieces. Connor Beasley is back on to replace 7lb claimer Joshua Thompson which is a positive and this consistent mare should run well once again.
Vertice now drops back down to 1m4f but most importantly is now re-fitted with cheekpieces. Connor Beasley is back on to replace 7lb claimer Joshua Thompson which is a positive and this consistent mare should run well once again.
Vertice - 1pt @ 7/2
15:03 Haydock
Khanjar looks a short price for a horse who was beaten last time off a 1lb lower mark so I am willing to take a chance on PROJECT DANTE (best priced at 8/1) off top weight. The Bryan Smart trained gelding was a high class juvenile who finished less than ¼ length behind Perfect Power and Go Bears Go in the Norfolk Stakes following a debut success at York. He has since struggled in group and listed company before finishing only 5 ½ lengths behind the winner at York last time on his handicap debut off a mark of 100.
I feel the handicapper has been generous in dropping the Project Dante 4lbs down to a mark of 96 and connections now fit him with first time cheekpieces as a result of him racing awkwardly throughout the contest last time. Hollie Doyle retains the ride and he looks worth taking a chance on.
I feel the handicapper has been generous in dropping the Project Dante 4lbs down to a mark of 96 and connections now fit him with first time cheekpieces as a result of him racing awkwardly throughout the contest last time. Hollie Doyle retains the ride and he looks worth taking a chance on.
Project Dante - 1pt @ 8/1
16:01 Newcastle
DESERT LAND (best priced at 4/1) won on his stable debut for Keith Dalgleish having transferred from Jim Boyle midway through this season before finishing a close 2nd on Tuesday at Carlisle. The six-year-old won over this course and distance on his penultimate start off a mark of 58 before finishing only a head behind Royal Prospect back on turf at Carlisle off a mark of 62.
Desert Land has a better record on the AW than turf so this return to Newcastle is a positive and he should hold strong claims off the same mark.
Desert Land has a better record on the AW than turf so this return to Newcastle is a positive and he should hold strong claims off the same mark.
Desert Land - 1pt @ 4/1
