UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

A game winner off 3lb lower at Haydock last month, Raatea must enter calculations on his return to the all-weather, but this is a tougher contest so MAGICAL SPIRIT is marginally preferred. Kevin Ryan's inmate finished a length and three-quarters back in third in a competitive sprint at York and holds every chance of building on that now switching to an artificial surface off the same mark. Tiger Crusade and Lethal Levi are others worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Magical Spirit 2nd Raatea 3rd Tiger Crusade

This represents a considerable drop in grade for BRAD THE BRIEF who, despite making his return from a 259-day break, is a solid contender based on the pick of his form. He kept on well to score in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May last year and a reproduction of that effort can see him go close. Witch Hunter sprung a surprise in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot so has to enter calculations upped in grade, while Mount Athos completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Brad The Brief 2nd Witch Hunter 3rd Mount Athos

A longer trip looks worth exploring for APPIER, who was eased towards the finish when scoring by a length and three-quarters over 1m4f at Lingfield last month. A 5lb penalty leaves him 2lb well-in and he can capitalise. Hadrianus attempts to take advantage of a drop in grade after struggling in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last week and is feared most, although the four-timer seeking Blow Your Horn is a big player under his penalty.
Prediction : 1st Appier 2nd Hadrianus 3rd Blow Your Horn

ZOFFEE is only 2lb higher than when a neck second in the Chester Cup and he confirmed his well-being with an encouraging effort at Royal Ascot subsequently. The seven-year-old won the consolation race for this event 12 months ago and another good run can be expected. Calling The Wind finished in front of the selection when runner-up in the Ascot Stakes so cannot be discounted. Post Impressionist and Adjuvant are progressive four-year-olds who have to be of interest, while Law Of The Sea and Nathanael Greene complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Zoffee 2nd Calling The Wind 3rd Adjuvant

ZIP was well held at Ascot last time but his previous form on the all-weather was very encouraging and he's only 1lb higher than when winning at Southwell in February. Air To Air is closely matched with the selection based on their meeting over C&D in January and he should not be discounted. Safe Voyage edges out Adeb and Wobwobwob to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Zip 2nd Air To Air 3rd Safe Voyage

BATAL ZABEEL put in a promising display when third on his debut at York in May and Kevin Ryan's colt could be hard to stop with the benefit of that experience. Markakol failed to reward favourite-backers on his racecourse bow at Sandown but it is far too soon to be writing him off. Stanley Spencer is closely related to some high-class performers, including last year's Flying Childers winner Trillium, and is the pick of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Batal Zabeel 2nd Markakol 3rd Stanley Spencer

Several have decent chances and the likes of Cockalorum, who has been placed twice from three starts at this circuit, and Innse Gall, who has also proven to be effective on the Tapeta here, are not to be underestimated. However, PERSIST makes most appeal as she was really consistent last year and shaped well off this mark in a deeper race at Newmarket last October.
Prediction : 1st Persist 2nd Cockalorum 3rd Innse Gall

LEXINGTON KNIGHT has held his form lately and, off just 3lb higher than last month's Doncaster success, he is a strong fancy to cope with top weight in this company. Richard Hannon's gelding has been admirably consistent since being fitted with a tongue-tie and this looks well within his reach given the resurgent form posted this season. Billy Bathgate and The Dancing Poet both get plenty of weight from the selection and may give him the most to think about.
Prediction : 1st Lexington Knight 2nd Billy Bathgate 3rd The Dancing Poet