UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

WE STILL BELIEVE appears to have appreciated the change of scenery since joining Daragh Bourke and won over 1m2f here last month. He was given a 3lb rise for that victory but with the capable Zak Wheatley able to claim a 3lb allowance, he looks sure to give another good account of himself. Amourie bounced back to form when runner-up at Southwell just under a fortnight ago and is likely to be thereabouts along with Buford, who should welcome this step down in trip.
Prediction : 1st We Still Believe 2nd Buford 3rd Amourie

JOYFUL ACT looked in need of the experience when fourth at Wolverhampton on debut, the daughter of Frankel appears sure to improve with that run under her belt and gets the vote to go in at the second time of asking. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Corymbosa looks another sure-fire improver having finished mid-division at Kempton in November and he is likely to appreciate this longer trip. Silk Bird went down narrowly on her final two starts last term and is another worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Joyful Act 2nd Corymbosa 3rd Silk Bird

NAXOS is having his first run of the season having been gelded since finishing runner-up at Kempton in November. He was a comprehensive winner over 7f here on debut the previous month and this looks a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. Andrew Balding has his string in fine order at present and although Mlle Chanel was a shade disappointing on her final run last term, that was in Listed company and this looks much more winnable. Fade To Gray appears the best of the rest having won over a furlong shorter here in February and he may continue to progress.
Prediction : 1st Naxos 2nd Mlle Chanel 3rd Fade To Gray

A 5lb penalty for a win over 7f earlier this month may not be enough to stop Ron O having a big say in proceedings here, but preference lies with the Gillian Boanas-trained BROCTUNE RED. The gelded son of Haafhd bolted up to score by six lengths over 1m2f at this track last time out and a 4lb penalty looks unlikely to hold him back, especially given he was eased inside the final furlong on that occasion. Recent C&D runner-up Star Shield is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Broctune Red 2nd Ron O 3rd Star Shield

Calypso makes his handicap debut following a decent second over 7f at Wolverhampton when last seen in November but he has to shoulder top-weight here, so preference is for FALCON NINE. Sir Michael Stoute-trained gelding is related to some smart types and must hold every chance of building on a fair fifth over this trip at Kempton, also from last November, so should not be taken lightly. Vampire Slayer and Time Traveller are others of interest.
Prediction : 1st Falcon Nine 2nd Calypso 3rd Vampire Slayer

BELLA KOPELLA looked better than ever when travelling strongly to win over C&D last month and a 4lb rise is unlikely to prevent another bold bid from Nigel Tinkler's filly. Aihawawi shaped better than his finishing position of sixth suggests at Kempton in November and he's feared most now 2lb lower on this return from a 162-day absence. The King's Men may have more to offer now entering handicaps and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Bella Kopella 2nd Aihawawi 3rd The Kings Men

JEMS BOND enhanced his fine record over C&D when regaining the winning thread here in late-March and another success looks a distinct possibility for the six-year-old, despite a 2lb rise for that victory. Blazing Son failed to justify favouritism when a never-nearer third at the same venue last month, but Bryan Smart's charge likely has more races in him and isn't taken lightly. Tathmeen and Mumcat both arrive in good heart and can't be ruled out in an open-looking contest.
Prediction : 1st Jems Bond 2nd Blazing Son 3rd Tathmeen