UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

COUNTESS CANDY showed significant improvement from her first start when she romped home by the best part of eight lengths over this C&D in a novice stakes in September. It is safe to put a line through her most recent start, as dropping back to a mile didn't suit the daughter of Toronado, and, now back over 1m2f, she is well worth another chance off a potentially lenient mark of 70 on her handicap debut. Run For The Sun and Sambucus are the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Countess Candy 2nd Run For The Sun 3rd Sambucus

Force And Valour is not one to ignore after the Mehmas colt came home second in a Southwell nursery last month when beaten a head, and a return to novice company can see him get into the mix. Dc Cogent is bred to be a sprinter and is related to plenty of winners over five or six furlongs, but QUEENOFDESTRUCTION is preferred. Second on her only start and beaten a nose at Wolverhampton when only just failing to win, and nominal improvement may be all she needs.
Prediction : 1st Queenofdestruction 2nd Force And Valour 3rd Dc Cogent

Trainer Karl Burke won this in 2022 with Monty Man and after not having a runner last season, he is back for more with Southwell second A FINE CLARET. He can go close assuming the headgear works a second time, and he may prove too strong in the finish for Leicester second Laurens Dream who makes her all-weather debut, and perhaps Paulie Two Lockers. Richard Fahey's gelding has shown glimpses of ability and sports first-time cheekpieces as connections search for the improvement needed.
Prediction : 1st A Fine Claret 2nd Paulie Two Lockers 3rd Laurens Dream

Searchingtheblues has done nothing wrong in two starts, winning at Kempton by a neck and Wolverhampton by eight lengths, but she has to give 9lb to all her rivals which might prove beyond her. North Star has to be considered after her debut C&D second last month where she ran on strongly, but a chance is taken on exciting newcomer MAJAZ. A 450,000gns daughter of Dubawi, she looks the part on paper for a stable in among the winners recently and is certainly one to watch.
Prediction : 1st Majaz 2nd Searchingtheblues 3rd North Star

THE COOKSTOWN CAFU switched to David O'Meara's yard in September and has won twice at this venue subsequently. The five-year-old has been raised 5lb for last month's success, but has scored off higher marks in the past and is likely to prove competitive once again. Rogue Encore opened his account with a recent victory over course and distance and has scope for further improvement, while Titian will be sharper for last month's comeback at Redcar and has a shout in this lower grade.
Prediction : 1st The Cookstown Cafu 2nd Rogue Encore 3rd Titian

BRUMMELL found only the progressive Balmoral Lady too good in a tougher sprint at Yarmouth last month. A potential improver on his second start after wind surgery, the son of Dandy Man can resume winning ways in this lower grade. Thunder Star placed at Newmarket on her latest outing and another good account seems assured competing off a slightly lower mark, while Zuffolo arrives in fine fettle and is preferred to Herakles of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Brummell 2nd Thunder Star 3rd Zuffolo

King's School may prove popular after coming home second on his last two starts, but an added 5lb from the handicapper won't help, and he may have to settle for another place. Ahamoment scored by a couple of lengths at Ayr in September and he can go well off 5lb more having won off even higher over C&D in January, but TURBO COMMAND gets the nod. All five career wins have been over this trip, and after a close-up third at Southwell last time, he may be ready to strike.
Prediction : 1st Turbo Command 2nd Ahamoment 3rd Kings School

With a lack of recent winning form to work with it may be sensible to side with HOWZAK, five times an all-weather winner, and only beaten a half-length here when third earlier in the month. Three of his victories have been off higher marks, and a repeat of his last run may be all he needs. Miami Hills is lightly raced and could have more to offer from a lowly mark on her handicap debut, leaving the dropped in class Kats Bob to chase them home.
Prediction : 1st Howzak 2nd Miami Hills 3rd Kats Bob