UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

FLEUR DE MER showed some rustiness when finishing third in this grade on her return to action at Kempton last month, as she was slowly away before encountering traffic problems towards the finish. Hugo Palmer's four-year-old should take a step forward from that reappearance run and may prove tough to beat off an unchanged mark. Bringbackmemories has been thereabouts on each of his last four starts (one win) on the all-weather, including in class 4 events the last twice, and he has to be respected. Well Planted warrants a market check on his return to the Flat.
Prediction : 1st Fleur De Mer 2nd Bringbackmemories 3rd Well Planted

Lunar Rocks produced the best performance of her career when filling the runner-up spot over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last time, and she could get into contention off a 1lb higher rating on her first start for a new stable. However, the vote goes to CHIEFMAN, who has been gelded since showing promise on his last two outings and he takes a step up in trip on his handicap debut. Archie Watson's three-year-old could progress to defy his opening mark of 66, while Nobodys Girl sports first-time cheekpieces and she completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Chiefman 2nd Lunar Rocks 3rd Nobodys Girl

Westernesse makes his return to the fray after he was last seen hitting the frame in this grade at York last June and the betting could have all the clues on whether he is ready to go on his first start back off the same mark. However, preference is for ASGARD'S CAPTAIN, who secured a two-length victory over C&D earlier in the month, which means he has improved 16lb since joining the Dylan Cunha yard. The son of Make Believe could continue his upward curve, while Umberto and Cusack are others to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Asgards Captain 2nd Westernesse 3rd Umberto

A 42,000gns daughter of Dark Angel, Lady Dorchester stands out on paper, but the application of a tongue-tie on her racecourse debut tempers enthusiasm slightly, especially at forecast short odds. Instead, it may pay to side with KUWAITYA, who already has entries for some notable races later in the season and the daughter of the speedy Soldier's Call could get off the mark at the first time of asking for her in-form stable. Go On Rosie also represents a yard who have been amongst the winners and she completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Kuwaitya 2nd Lady Dorchester 3rd Go On Rosie

Frontrunner SAISONS D'OR finished second behind a well-handicapped rival on his penultimate start, before filling the same position over C&D earlier this month, and Jedd O'Keeffe's gelding can gain a well deserved victory this time around. Pallas Lord has been a money-spinner for connections this winter, winning four times, and off just 3lb higher than his last successful mark, the C&D winner commands attention. Crypto Quest just failed to get up over 6f here most recently and he is respected with the step up in trip likely to unlock further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Saisons DOr 2nd Pallas Lord 3rd Crypto Quest

The largely consistent RATAFIA was just denied a hat-trick when finishing second over C&D in November and, returning off a 4lb higher mark, he gets the tentative vote to go one place better in what looks a competitive affair. Water Of Leith races off the same mark as when finishing an good third here on Friday and commands respect, while Spartan Fighter arrives on the back of making all over 7f at Southwell last month but a 4lb rise demands more of him.
Prediction : 1st Ratafia 2nd Water Of Leith 3rd Spartan Fighter

The key to this race may be the recent clash at Southwell between STALLONE (second) and Madame Fenella (third), where only a head separated the pair at the finish. It is the former who is taken to uphold that form, having registered a second C&D victory in January and he clearly likes it here. Fellow track-and-trip winner Birkenhead is another to consider as he's slipped to a fair mark, while others to note include Doctor Mozart, Mehmo and Tantalus.
Prediction : 1st Stallone 2nd Madame Fenella 3rd Birkenhead

Not beaten far here on his most recent start here and a comfortable winner over C&D before that, NOBLE CAPTAIN looks to have been found an excellent opportunity in this amateur jockeys' handicap. Similar comments apply to Absolute Dream, who ended a long losing streak when getting up late over 7f at Southwell, while Eldeyaar has plenty to build on after a strong runner-up effort last time out.
Prediction : 1st Noble Captain 2nd Eldeyaar 3rd Absolute Dream

Course form can count for plenty in a contest of this nature and CATHERINE CHROI is a track-and-trip winner, while she arrives on the back of a taking classified stakes success at Southwell last week. The excellent form of her stable is another plus and she is taken to defy a 5lb penalty on her return to a handicap. Awesome Spirit didn't get the clearest of runs when returning from wind surgery at Chelmsford and could fare better today, while Dandys Gold has been there or thereabouts on both of her last two starts here and cannot be ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Catherine Chroi 2nd Awesome Spirit 3rd Dandys Gold