UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

James Owen often does well with his Flat recruits and LAVENDER HILL MOB could be the next cab off that rank. Rated 96 in that sphere and last seen finishing seventh in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, the Expert Eye gelding will be a tough nut to crack if transferring his ability to hurdles. Inappropriate was no slouch on the level either and he may prove the pick of the opposition, while Global Hideaway, the only contender with previous hurdling experience, heads the remaining trio.
Prediction : 1st Lavender Hill Mob 2nd Inappropriate 3rd Global Hideaway

Having unseated early on at Hexham in a race won by the reopposing Backbyjet, Artic Row looked the most likely winner of a three-runner contest at Ayr before coming to grief two from home recently. Nick Alexander's gelding could go close if putting in a clean round today, but the vote goes to STEP ABOVE. He shaped with promise on his seasonal return at Perth in September, his first start following wind surgery, so it would come as no surprise were he to step forward this time around. Shadows In The Sky is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Step Above 2nd Artic Row 3rd Shadows In The Sky

SKYJACK HIJACK has progressed at a rate of knots since winning at Cartmel in August. Four further victories have seen his handicap mark rise a total of 35lb and while the son of Jet Away shows no signs of slowing down, he could complete a six-timer. That said, talented Flat performer Evaluation wasn't the most fluent when making a successful hurdles debut at Ayr last month, so he could be dangerous with natural improvement. Zanndabad was last seen finishing sixth in the Irish Cesarewitch and he is respected now back hurdling.
Prediction : 1st Skyjack Hijack 2nd Evaluation 3rd Zanndabad

It may have been over a distance much shorter than this, but BREAKDANCE KID impressed when getting back to winning ways over an extended 2m5f at Kelso earlier in the month and he looks just the type to continue improving off 7lb higher. The six-year-old won over 3m at Hexham in June and gives the impression he could relish this extreme trip. Beaten a neck in the Durham National last month, Jerrash is entitled to be thereabouts again, as is the progressive Ilikedwayurthinkin, who has won three of his last four starts.
Prediction : 1st Breakdance Kid 2nd Jerrash 3rd Ilikedwayurthinkin

In the unfortunate absence of Constitution Hill, it may prove an ideal time for stablemate SIR GINO to announce himself on the big stage. An impressive three from three as a juvenile last season in Britain, including a Grade 1 success at Aintree on his latest start, the son of It's Gino looks a top-class prospect and connections may have made a shrewd decision in rerouting him from a novice chasing campaign. He has stiff opposition in the shape of Irish raider Mystical Power, though, who went on from a runner-up effort in the Supreme to land a pair of top-level successes at Aintree and Punchestown. Trainer Willie Mullins seems to have plenty of ammunition in this division, but this son of Galileo could be a dark horse in regards to the Champion Hurdle. Grade 2 winner Lump Sum could prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Sir Gino 2nd Mystical Power 3rd Lump Sum

Jeune Prince is arguably the pick of those with hurdling experience but the level he sets is not very high. As a result, preference is for BLACKWATER LILLY, who was finished second in two bumpers this season already and may have more to offer. Small Town Kid won between the flags and has to be noted on his Rules debut.
Prediction : 1st Blackwater Lilly 2nd Small Town Kid 3rd Jeune Prince

NEON MOON was third off this mark in a competitive event over 3m at Ascot earlier in the month and a repeat of that level of form would give him a big chance here. Bowtogreatness has to be of interest following his success at Newbury and he could prove to be the main threat. Marble Sands has the ability to go well in a race of this nature, but has yet to prove that he stays this far, while Donny Boy and The Changing Man complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Neon Moon 2nd Bowtogreatness 3rd Marble Sands