UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS progressed through the ranks last year and improved no less than 21lb for the Sir Mark Prescott team. The son of Protectionist was last seen filling the runner-up spot in a class 2 event at Haydock in September and he looks the one to beat on his return. Bringbackmemories did it well over C&D last month and he should remain competitive off 4lb higher, while La Pulga can pick up any pieces.
Prediction : 1st Blindedbythelights 2nd Bringbackmemories 3rd La Pulga

Yakhabar just did enough to prevail over an extended 1m4f here earlier in the month and he is likely to go well once again off a 2lb higher rating, but he could come out second best to HUMBLE SPARK. Jim Goldie's four-year-old had We Still Believe (third) and Oscar Doodle (fourth) behind when denied by just a head over track and trip last week and he can confirm that form to go one better.
Prediction : 1st Humble Spark 2nd Yakhabar 3rd We Still Believe

ANGEL OF ANTRIM comfortably struck in this grade over 7f here last week and although he has a 5lb penalty to contend with, it is unlikely to prevent him from recording a double. The main threat might be Barleybrown, who has reached the frame on both starts for the Ruth Carr stable and it would be no surprise to see him involved again. Retirement Beckons finished a close-up third over C&D last time and he completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Angel Of Antrim 2nd Barleybrown 3rd Retirement Beckons

Now that ODD SOCKS HAVANA has deservedly regained the winning thread after scoring over 7f here earlier in the month, there should be much more to come from the six-year-old. A 2lb rise looks manageable and he gets the vote ahead of Little Ted, who drops back from 1m2f. Runner-up on her last two starts, including here, Balqaa is another to consider, along with Coloane on her first start for new connections.
Prediction : 1st Odd Socks Havana 2nd Little Ted 3rd Balqaa

ROYAL VELVET showed marked improvement from her first to her second start when scoring at Wolverhampton back in December, and a mark of 69 could prove lenient for this unexposed filly on her handicap debut. Blue Virtue has strong claims if bouncing back to the form of her second over 6f here in March, while similar comments apply to Berrygate, who has been placed on four of her five career outings.
Prediction : 1st Royal Velvet 2nd Berrygate 3rd Blue Virtue

This looks as good an opportunity as any for SO LOGICAL to get off the mark, having been denied as a short-priced favourite at Chelmsford last time out. The daughter of Footstepsinthesand went from the front on that occasion and more restrained tactics could prove beneficial this time around. Her chief threats look to be Spook, who must be monitored for market support on her debut, and the returning Sovereign Queen.
Prediction : 1st So Logical 2nd Spook 3rd Sovereign Queen

It can often pay to be drawn high over the sprint trips here and, with that in mind, a chance is taken on ZUFFOLO. He's not been at his best since recording a narrow C&D victory in November, but he has dropped to the mark he won off that day and it would come as no surprise were he to bounce back. Elzaal continues to run well in defeat and is unlikely to be far away, while J R Cavagin is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Zuffolo 2nd Elzaal 3rd J R Cavagin

BERNIE THE BEAR rattled the woodwork at Wolverhampton and, should first-time blinkers eke out a bit more, he can go one better. Fircombe Hall finished behind the selection in third that day and can be on the premises once more, along with Tathmeen, who will appreciate the return to this venue having landed an amateur riders' event from 5lb lower last month.
Prediction : 1st Bernie The Bear 2nd Fircombe Hall 3rd Tathmeen