UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

OPTIK must concede weight all round having notched up a brace of Wolverhampton handicap successes, but this looks a golden opportunity for David Simcock's gelding to complete his hat-trick. Hot Team hasn't been all that far away in recent starts and he ought to appreciate this drop in class, while Quoteline Direct has been given a real chance on these terms and he heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Optik 2nd Hot Team 3rd Quoteline Direct

Call To Action shaped with significant promise when only narrowly denied at Southwell on his racecourse debut and he appeals as a leading candidate with improvement likely, but the vote goes to ARTISTIC MISSION. Karl Burke's gelding only gave way late on over 6f last time out and the son of Showcasing can put it all together now dropped to the minimum trip. His stablemate Helga Brandt is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Artistic Mission 2nd Call To Action 3rd Helga Brandt

The vote goes to ATRAFAN, who looked a touch outpaced over 6f here last week but his turn has been nearing and the return to further can give him that added boost. Marcello Si wasn't beaten far into fourth last time, having been on target over the mile on his penultimate start, and he is unlikely to be far away. Knight Of Magic hasn't seen much racing for a five-year-old, so any improvement could bring him into the reckoning.
Prediction : 1st Atrafan 2nd Marcello Si 3rd Knight Of Magic

PALLAS LORD was a game winner over C&D earlier this month and with Jonny Peate claiming a handy 3lb, Donald Whillan's charge looks to have every chance of going in again. Odd Socks Havana was just over half a length behind the selection in third that day, and off the same rating, he could be dangerous. Great Colaci finished an admirable second over C&D last week and, off what looks to be a workable mark judging by his past form, his turn in the winner's enclosure may not be far away.
Prediction : 1st Pallas Lord 2nd Odd Socks Havana 3rd Great Colaci

THE GAY BLADE was returning from a 66-day absence when running out an impressive seven-and-a-half length winner over 6f here earlier this month, prior to scoring over 7f at Chelmsford a week later. For all that the drop back to 5f poses a question to Iain Jardine's gelding, he rates as the one to side with given his current mood. Urban Dandy finished a solid second over C&D last week and, off the same mark, he may prove the main danger to the selection. If Street Life can recapture the form of his win at Southwell on his second-to-last start, he has every chance of making the frame.
Prediction : 1st The Gay Blade 2nd Urban Dandy 3rd Street Life

BONITO CAVALO readily accounted for a subsequent winner over C&D, prior to scoring over 7f here on Monday, and a 5lb penalty may not be enough to stop Jim Goldie's charge bringing up the hat-trick. Enderman showed up well for a long way when finishing third over C&D earlier this month and, granted he can settle better in the early part of the race, he may go close. The step back to 6f may help Mumcat, who weakened into fifth over 7f here when last seen and she shouldn't be dismissed lightly.
Prediction : 1st Bonito Cavalo 2nd Enderman 3rd Mumcat

SIBYL CHARM just failed when attempting to justify favouritism over 6f at Wolverhampton last time and she is only 1lb higher for that display. The daughter of Charm Spirit was doing her best work at the finish that day, so the return to 7f may help and she could go one better this evening. The main danger appears to be Leap Day, who wasn't disgraced in fourth over a mile at Southwell earlier in the month and should go well off a 1lb lower mark in first-time cheekpieces. Vecchio makes his first start for the Scott Dixon yard and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Sibyl Charm 2nd Leap Day 3rd Vecchio