UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Cusack finished a creditable half-a-length second over a mile here last month and, nudged up just 2lb, he may be able to make his presence felt once again. However, if adopting his usual waiting tactics, David Thompson's charge may prove somewhat of a hostage to fortune. SPANISH HUSTLE was in cracking form when last seen in September, winning readily at Musselburgh over an extended 1m4f, and he rates as the one to side with. Urban Road arrives here on the back of a solid second over C&D and looks to be the main danger.
Prediction : 1st Spanish Hustle 2nd Urban Road 3rd Cusack

Abbey's Dream ran a solid race when finishing third over 7f at Southwell most recently, faring best of those who raced handily, and she boasts sound claims to at least hit the frame. Royal Musketeer scored by a neck at Southwell last month and is a player nudged up just 2lb, but Steph Hollinshead's gelding has never strung two wins together. Preference is for EMPEROR CARADOC, who finished a good third over C&D in September prior to a lacklustre effort at Chester. Paul Midgley's charge has since undergone a wind operation and has solid claims if that has the desired effect.
Prediction : 1st Emperor Caradoc 2nd Abbeys Dream 3rd Royal Musketeer

NOVAK ran a solid race when finishing a running-on third over 6f at Wolverhampton last week and, turned out quickly off the same mark, he can make a bold bid to go two places better. The main danger may come in the shape of Finn Russell, who ran out a ready winner over an extended mile at Wolverhampton last month, but the drop to 7f does pose a question to Ian Williams' charge. Bowood bumped into an in-form rival when finishing second at Kempton most recently and is expected to go well too.
Prediction : 1st Novak 2nd Finn Russell 3rd Bowood

ALHATTAN goes for the in-form George Boughey stable on debut and she is a well-related daughter of Lope De Vega, so it would be no surprise to see her get off the mark at the first time of asking. Crimson Coronet showed enough ability when finishing fifth on her first start at Kempton to suggest she will have a race of this nature in her, while any market confidence behind 120,000gns purchase Orchard Keeper would also be of interest.
Prediction : 1st Alhattan 2nd Crimson Coronet 3rd Orchard Keeper

WAIT AND HOPE showed a great deal of improvement when stepping up in distance on his handicap debut at Kempton to score by just over a length last time. The three-year-old should have plenty more to offer and could be the one to beat under a 6lb penalty. The main threat is Polly The Rocket, who produced a shock win over 7f here earlier in the month and goes in a first-time hood. Tasmanian Legend can fight it out for the minor honours on his first start for the Alice Haynes stable.
Prediction : 1st Wait And Hope 2nd Polly The Rocket 3rd Tasmanian Legend

LITTLE TED produced a very pleasing display to fill the runner-up berth over C&D earlier in the month and is 1lb well-in compared to future contests. The seven-year-old has proven his ability to win off this rating before and looks well placed to go one better. Camacho Star hasn't finished out of the top three on each of his last three starts and has to be respected on the same mark as his second at Wolverhampton last time, while Bluebottle Blue warrants a market check on her handicap bow in a first-time tongue tie.
Prediction : 1st Little Ted 2nd Camacho Star 3rd Bluebottle Blue

NOT TOO REAL BAD travelled with far more verve in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up at Southwell recently. Mick Appleby's filly races off a 3lb lower mark in this contest and she could take all the stopping if coping with the quick turnaround. The hat-trick seeking Pepsi Cat isn't taken lightly in her current mood and the five-year-old may give the selection most to think about, ahead of fellow last-time-out scorer Rodborough.
Prediction : 1st Not Too Real Bad 2nd Pepsi Cat 3rd Rodborough

Athollblair Boy returned to form with a solid second over C&D earlier in the month. A 2lb rise appears workable and the veteran is likely to be involved if performing to a similar level. However, the downgraded YESTERDAY'S HERO makes slightly more appeal. Richard Fahey's lightly-raced gelding hasn't been beaten far in stronger events of late and a bold bid is anticipated on his first appearance in class 6 company. Recent winners El Hibri and Nazca should make their presence felt too.
Prediction : 1st Yesterdays Hero 2nd Athollblair Boy 3rd El Hibri