UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

SYCAMORE GAP was closing all the way to the line when just held by a neck over C&D last week and his rating remains unchanged. With Kaiya Fraser claiming a valuable 5lb this time around, he could prove very hard to beat. Albert Lasker finished a fair fourth in this grade at Catterick on his latest outing and might get involved off a 1lb lower mark, while Strike Rate can pick up any pieces.
Prediction : 1st Sycamore Gap 2nd Albert Lasker 3rd Strike Rate

FIFTYSHADESARESDEV had Vintage Love (fourth) behind when sporting a first-time tongue-tie and hitting the crossbar over track and trip last week, which was a much improved display. Micky Hammond's five-year-old goes off the same mark and provided he can back that performance up, he could be the one to beat. Masque Of Anarchy is a dual C&D winner to take seriously, as he lurks on an appealing mark after his fifth at Pontefract last time. Bellslea sports first-time cheekpieces and he can fight it out for a place.
Prediction : 1st Fiftyshadesaresdev 2nd Masque Of Anarchy 3rd Bellslea

MR FANTASTIC has arguably improved with each of his three runs, with his best performance coming when filling the runner-up spot at Ascot earlier in the month. The son of Showcasing sets a lofty standard with a rating of 82 and he looks tough to oppose. The main threat might be Boston Run, who finished a close-up fourth at Haydock on his most recent start and should give a good account under Tom Marquand. My Mate Beattie can pick up any pieces.
Prediction : 1st Mr Fantastic 2nd Boston Run 3rd My Mate Beattie

ORANGE SKY finished clear of the rest when second on the soft ground at Newbury on her introduction. This surface could prove more to her liking and the daughter of No Nay Never may edge affairs. Titian Blue took a backwards step at Windsor last time but is upped in distance with a shout, while Harswell Ruby moves in the opposite direction having been set a stiff task in a competitive novices race over a mile at York.
Prediction : 1st Orange Sky 2nd Titian Blue 3rd Harswell Ruby

MONTICRISTO BOY produced his best effort so far when second on the Tapeta at Southwell. He proved unsuited by the drop back to 5f at Musselburgh on his latest start, but gets another chance back on this surface. Indy's Angel wasn't far behind the selection when fifth at Southwell on her handicap bow and will likely have a say in proceedings, while Ashen Glow gave the impression a return to today's shorter trip would suit when fourth at Chepstow.
Prediction : 1st Monticristo Boy 2nd Indys Angel 3rd Ashen Glow

DOOMSDAY came out second best in a fight to the line over a mile at Musselburgh 10 days ago. He made all to win over today's shorter distance at the same track last month and another strong bid from the front is anticipated. Smalleytime scored over course and distance in April and could feature again competing off a slightly lower mark, while Alice's Impact debuts on the all-weather with a shout based on her victory at Beverley during the summer.
Prediction : 1st Doomsday 2nd Smalleytime 3rd Alices Impact

Alibi Warning continues to run well in defeat and she looks sure to be in the shake-up once again, but BAROSSA could be her conqueror this time. Nigel Tinkler's filly arrives following solid win and placed efforts over C&D and she remains attractively handicapped off a mark of 50. Concert Boy, a track-and-trip winner himself, and the dropped-in-trip Believe Me Now are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Barossa 2nd Alibi Warning 3rd Concert Boy

BALQAA will arrive brimming with confidence following comfortable victories at Southwell and over this C&D, and despite having to shoulder a 5lb penalty for the latter success, she is fancied to round off the hat-trick. Whatwouldyouknow, a three-time track-and-trip scorer, continues to creep down the handicap and could make his presence felt, while Barleybrown also has a squeak with Billy Loughnane on board.
Prediction : 1st Balqaa 2nd Whatwouldyouknow 3rd Barleybrown

Craig Lidster looks to have a strong hand here with Alfa Whiteburd and EAST BANK. The former produced a career-best performance when runner-up at Catterick last time and demands respect, but his stablemate has looked more convincing on the all-weather, including running well in first-time blinkers over 7f here latest, and he could regain the winning thread. Noble Captain and Golden Duke also hold claims in a competitive event.
Prediction : 1st East Bank 2nd Alfa Whiteburd 3rd Noble Captain