UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

SPIT SPOT has shown promise since switching codes and on the back of a respectable second-placed finish at Wetherby last month, the Lucinda Russell-trained mare is presented with a decent opportunity to go one better, with a first-time tongue-tie a potential prompt for improvement. Sedgefield bumper scorer Vanilla Dancer in an appealing option on her hurdles debut, while point-to-point winner Emily's Choice can also figure if the trip doesn't catch her out.
Prediction : 1st Spit Spot 2nd Vanilla Dancer 3rd Emilys Choice

GIOVINCO faced a very stiff test in the Kauto Star at Kempton's Boxing Day fixture but holds an outstanding chance of gaining a confidence-boosting success here. Officially rated 16lb superior to nearest rival Cruz Control, Lucinda Russell's seven-year-old counters giving the weight away by taking a significant drop in class. Choosethenews is set to race from out of the handicap and needs everything to go his way to figure on these terms.
Prediction : 1st Giovinco 2nd Cruz Control 3rd Choosethenews

YOUNG JACK showed stacks of promise when finishing second over 2m6f here on his Rules debut in December and has an excellent chance of going one better. Sure to be wiser, his dam won over 2m3f so the drop in trip is of little concern given the forecast ground conditions. Goldwyn sets the standard as far as the handicapper is concerned and enters calculations on these terms. Defence Witness and Parelliroc are a couple of others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Young Jack 2nd Goldwyn 3rd Defence Witness

TEMPLIER retains plenty of enthusiasm and posted another solid effort when runner-up at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. Sarah Humphrey's veteran races off the same mark here and compensation could await. The main threat may emerge from chase debutant Hostile Hotelier, who has been performing with credit over hurdles. Take Centre Stage also makes appeal off a career-low rating, with a first-time visor expected to unlock some potential.
Prediction : 1st Templier 2nd Hostile Hotelier 3rd Take Centre Stage

Classic Maestro found the drop to two miles proved fruitful when registering a deserved success at Uttoxeter. Luke Scott can claim his 5lb now, which effectively sees the six-year-old racing off only 1lb higher, and he warrants respect in his follow-up bid. However, LETTHEDUSTSETTLE recorded a quickfire double at Catterick and Tom Lacey's charge still appears ahead of the handicapper so he edges the vote. Two Auld Pals may fare best of the remainder on his handicap bow in this sphere.
Prediction : 1st Letthedustsettle 2nd Classic Maestro 3rd Two Auld Pals

NORTH PARADE overcame a less-than-fluent round of jumping when staying on to score over C&D for a second time in December. A further 6lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to prevent a hat-trick, with the nine-year-old marginally preferred to the unexposed Yealand. Jennie Candlish's gelding appeared to idle in front on his breakthrough victory here last month and he isn't taken lightly, while fellow last-time-out winner Follow Charlie likely has more to come over this distance too.
Prediction : 1st North Parade 2nd Yealand 3rd Follow Charlie