UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Not the most inspiring of contests, but this looks a good opportunity for KINGS MERCHANT to shed his maiden tag. The drop to 5f should suit the son of Bated Breath, who has been picked off in the closing stages on two of his three career starts, including most recently at Pontefract in September, while his pedigree would suggest the return to an artificial surface is another positive. Both Highland Laird and Old Bailey will need to improve on what they have shown so far, so newcomers Dandy Devil and Yorkshire Glory would not have to be anything special to play a leading role.
Prediction : 1st Kings Merchant 2nd Dandy Devil 3rd Yorkshire Glory

Dunstan was able to complete his hat-trick when winning at Southwell last time out and he merits respect raised 3lb along with Dubawi Time, who impressed at Kempton last month, and a subsequent 8lb hike does not look overly harsh. However, the vote goes to ALRAZEEN, who saw the form of January's Southwell triumph franked by the runner-up at Wolverhampton on Saturday, while the switch the handicaps could unlock further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Alrazeen 2nd Dunstan 3rd Dubawi Time

It could be a winning return to UK shores for Silvestre De Sousa, who gets the leg up on Andrew Balding's SUPERB FORCE. Although he failed to live up to market expectations when finishing fifth at Kempton 11 days ago, he has proven his ability to compete recently and the addition of first-time blinkers could sharpen him up. Havanarama will have his supporters having hit the crossbar over 7f here last month, while Mon Etoile enters handicaps following a series of promising efforts at maiden level and must be considered.
Prediction : 1st Superb Force 2nd Havanarama 3rd Mon Etoile

A 456-day absence proved no barrier for success when NOBLE ORDER scored with something up his sleeve over C&D last month. A 6lb rise in the ratings looks more than workable for Archie Watson's gelding and a double could be in the offing. The biggest threat may emerge from Greatgadian, who caught the eye when a staying-on second over 7f here earlier in March. Bashful has been in fine fettle over hurdles of late and he cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Noble Order 2nd Greatgadian 3rd Bashful

Having regained the winning thread over 6f here recently, Sibyl Charm is sure to prove popular. However, a 5lb penalty may be enough to prevent the four-year-old from completing a brace, with SIR MAXI making slightly more appeal. Richard Fahey's charge is now 1lb below his C&D victory in November and a third career triumph on the all-weather could beckon. Prairie Falcon and Illusionist may fight it out for the remaining place.
Prediction : 1st Sir Maxi 2nd Sibyl Charm 3rd Prairie Falcon

A 9lb rise for Gustav Graves' latest victory over track and trip may prove his undoing, with ZARZYNI selected to thwart the six-year-old in his bid for a hat-trick. The seven-year-old posted a close-up second over C&D earlier this month and a similar level of performance may be enough for him to enjoy a breakthrough success on Tapeta. Pockley is unlikely to be far away in his current heart either.
Prediction : 1st Zarzyni 2nd Gustav Graves 3rd Pockley

LOUGH LEANE is in the form of his life at present and he can take this rise in grade in his stride following a determined success at Wolverhampton last month. A 2lb rise for that success could prove lenient and David Simcock's charge is narrowly preferred to Kempton scorer Plastic Paddy and It's A Love Thing, who was runner-up over much further here last time out. Matty Too and Star Shield are entitled to be thereabouts as well.
Prediction : 1st Lough Leane 2nd Plastic Paddy 3rd Its A Love Thing

HAVANA PARTY returned from a 148-day break with a comfortable success over C&D last month and a 6lb rise appears to be manageable for a six-year-old looking for his third win in four starts. That may be at the main expense of the fourth from that contest, Irish Flame, who has nearly five lengths to make up with the selection, but is 7lb better off at the weights, and the unexposed Sugar Hill.
Prediction : 1st Havana Party 2nd Irish Flame 3rd Sugar Hill