UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

BELLE OF ANNANDALE beat only one opponent home when last seen on the level, and her admittedly limited all-weather record is moderate, but she has been in fine form over obstacles and could still be well treated in this sphere. Desert Quest also reverts from timber - following an uninspiring non-completion at Catterick - but he went close at Redcar on his last Flat outing. Spirit Of Ash will appreciate dropping back from 2m, and fellow C&D scorer Bobby Shaftoe isn't out of it either.
Prediction : 1st Belle Of Annandale 2nd Desert Quest 3rd Spirit Of Ash

RUBELLITE didn't get the rub of the green when sent off favourite for a Wolverhampton handicap, but she was an emphatic winner there in this sort of company a few days earlier and should be tough to hold out. Marcello Si will be a big danger on the back of his triumph in a C&D handicap, while Barossa and the veteran Quoteline Direct are interesting on their return to action.
Prediction : 1st Rubellite 2nd Marcello Si 3rd Barossa

Hale End is just 5lb higher for his decisive C&D victory recently, but ENOLA GREY has struck up a great partnership with Ethan Jones and they went really close to completing a hat-trick at Southwell last week. Gemma Tutty's filly competes off the same rating now and won her two previous races over this track and trip. Jo Mason gets a good tune out of Swiss Ace, underlined by their 7f triumph here, and Flylikeaneagle could have a say too.
Prediction : 1st Enola Grey 2nd Hale End 3rd Swiss Ace

BETTER proved a different proposition when scoring with ease on his nursery debut at Wolverhampton last month. Although an 11lb rise will no doubt make life tougher for the gelded son of Due Diligence, he's one to keep the right side of. Princess Alice has displayed promise in all three of her qualifying runs and an opening mark of 70 looks workable. She may serve the most resistance to the selection, ahead of Star Mind and Leveret.
Prediction : 1st Better 2nd Princess Alice 3rd Star Mind

Miss Oxford arguably sets the standard of those with experience after finishing sixth on her debut at Wolverhampton, and she is a potential improver. However, there are some interesting newcomers on show, with ABSOLUTE STAR heading the bill. Archie Watson's filly, a half-sister to the stable's 6f winner Blaast, makes plenty of appeal on paper and edges the vote over 115,000gns yearling Tournelle, who boasts plenty of speed in her pedigree.
Prediction : 1st Absolute Star 2nd Tournelle 3rd Miss Oxford

BILLYJOH justified strong support in the market when getting up to score in the dying strides at Southwell. A 4lb rise doesn't appear insurmountable and a double could be on the cards for Mick Appleby's gelding. Fellow last-time-out winners Our Absent Friends and Lahab will be dangerous if returning at the same level, although a bigger threat may emerge from the downgraded Mondammej, who should find this easier than the class 2 he contested at Wolverhampton in November.
Prediction : 1st Billyjoh 2nd Mondammej 3rd Our Absent Friends

THE CALTONIAN made light of an 8lb rise for a C&D victory (Secret Road seventh) when following up in comfortable fashion over 5f here last week and this progressive five-year-old has a good chance to defy a 5lb penalty now back up to 6f. Iain Jardine has his string in fine form and his Jump The Gun won off 2lb lower over this track and trip in November. He ran well in defeat latest and looks the main threat to the selection ahead of Bellagio Man, who also likes it here.
Prediction : 1st The Caltonian 2nd Jump The Gun 3rd Bellagio Man

Bernie The Bear has changed stables since his 6f success at Wolverhampton and a 2lb rise is negated by the booking of a 7lb claimer, but has has done all of his winning over further so preference is for URBAN DANDY. Tony Coyle's sprinter's last victory came 10 months ago over this C&D, but he has dropped back to 1lb below that mark and the application of first-time blinkers could help him gain a deserved triumph after a string of good efforts in defeat. King Of The Jungle got off the mark here last month, but his profile suggests he isn't certain to back that performance up.
Prediction : 1st Urban Dandy 2nd Bernie The Bear 3rd King Of The Jungle