13:09 Newcastle

CLOCH NUA (best price 4/1) has been as reliable as a Swiss clock on the all-weather in recent times and following another solid performance at Wolverhampton last time out, his consistency looks like getting extended a little further. 

#Often a little tardy away from the boxes, Stella Barclay’s gelding once again found himself in an unpromising position at the Midland venue a week ago, but to his great credit he managed to rescue the situation by staying on best of all finish second. Number-wise, the race in question was noted for its useful set of figures for the grade, so it was yet another performance that strongly suggests the three-year-old remains right on top of his game. 

Victorious on his only start over today’s C&D two months ago, he subsequently went on to beat Visibility, who once again franked the form at Wolverhampton last night, and with today’s track lending itself to horses coming off the pace, expect the son of Exceed And Excel to arrive on the scene late on.

Cloch Nua - 1pt e/w @ 4/1

16:30 Newcastle

Time may tell TOTHENINES (best price 9/2) was extremely unlucky to bump into Master Zoffany in top form at Wolverhampton last time, but with the numbers suggesting it was another solid run by Karl Burke’s inmate, he’s worth another chance to make amends. 

A creditable third in a hot race for the grade at Southwell previously, the son of Dandy Man was fully expected to feature heavily in a similar affair at the Dunstall Park venue a month later and although he ended up coming up a little short in the final analysis, his staying-on-second went down as a career high display based on the figures. 

Best when allowed to come off a strong pace over seven-furlongs, today’s race should set up nicely for him with Larado in the field and at the morning odds, he makes the most appeal.

Tothenines - 1pt @ 9/2

16:50 Wolverhampton

AHLAWI (best price 9/2) hit the ball out of the park on the clock with his victory over today’s C&D last time out and he rates a confident vote to stamp his qualities on this similar field if in the same mood. 
Well-backed to make up for a slightly below par effort at Southwell previously, a slow start certainly put his supporters through the rinser in the early part of the contest, but once he gathered his thoughts and engaged top gear down the home straight, there was always an air of inevitability to was going to land the gamble. 

Clearly at his best when coming through late off a strong pace, there are plenty of front runners in today’s line-up to ensure he gets a similar set-up.

Ahlawi - 1pt e/w @ 9/2

18:50 Wolverhampton

HARBOUR VISION (best price 5/1) is becoming a bit of a standing dish over tonight’s course and following another notable victory at his favourite track last time out, there seems no obvious reason to desert Scott Dixon’s grey on his return visit. 

Arriving here 12 days ago after a 55-day layoff, there was always a chance the break in continuity would derail the son of Harbour Watch on his return to action, but if anything, the hiatus seems to galvanise him to even greater heights. Coming through late on off strong fraction, the seven-year-old recorded one of his better career time figures and with all the ‘right’ horse well beaten in behind, there’s no reason to doubt the strength of the form. 

Up in the ratings yet back down to Class 6 standard, this versatile and likeable character looks sure to have a say in the final outcome with any amount of luck in running. 

Harbour Vision - 1pt e/w @ 5/1