UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Star Of Markinch was friendless in the betting ahead of last month's C&D spin but the 50/1 shot finished a narrow second, which can perhaps be marked up given that she was briefly short of room approaching the furlong pole. She can go close again, but it is BRECCIA who shades preference. Robert Stephens' mare recorded a cosy victory at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day and, given she remains well treated on past exploits, a 4lb rise should be no barrier to further success. Liberated Lad is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Breccia 2nd Star Of Markinch 3rd Liberated Lad

Martin's Brig hit the woodwork in a similar C&D event recently and is entitled to respect on that evidence, but the vote goes to MAKING A MOVE. The lightly-raced five-year-old didn't have the clearest of passages when beaten three-quarters of a length into third over track and trip last week and, given a kinder trip, there should be no reason why the gelded son of Churchill won't go very close. Just Typical has an excellent chance on these terms, but stall one could pose an issue.
Prediction : 1st Making A Move 2nd Martins Brig 3rd Just Typical

Sovereign Sea didn't need to come out of second gear to make a winning debut over C&D in November. He'll be a force with improvement likely, but it might be tough to shoulder a penalty up against PARKLAND. The son of Wootton Bassett showed clear ability on Polytrack at Chelmsford and Kempton, most notably when chasing home Guineas hero Notable Speech at the Sunbury circuit just under a year ago. He came up short at Doncaster in May, but this is not as deep and he might be worth chancing on his comeback. Kingdom Of Time should not be underestimated either.
Prediction : 1st Parkland 2nd Sovereign Sea 3rd Kingdom Of Time

Successful on his last two starts over this C&D, ORIENTAL PRINCE performed respectably when second over further here most recently and he should be much more at home going back to 5f on this occasion. The four-year-old gets the vote ahead of Monday's Wolverhampton winner Gustav Graves and Thunder Star, who has been runner-up over track and trip on her last two appearances.
Prediction : 1st Oriental Prince 2nd Gustav Graves 3rd Thunder Star

Now that ALEXANDER JAMES has regained the winning thread when dropping to this sort of level over 1m here, there could be more to come from the nine-year-old and the shorter trip may not inconvenience him. The unexposed Kranjcar is one to be interested in as he goes back up in distance. Gunnerside has decent claims based on the pick of his form.
Prediction : 1st Alexander James 2nd Kranjcar 3rd Gunnerside

DESERT MASTER did well to hold on at Southwell and a 5lb penalty may not be enough to prevent Antony Brittain's charge from landing a third career success. Three Beauz has strong claims if bouncing back to the form of her second over C&D on New Year's Day, while Beneficiary arrives on the back of scoring over further at Southwell last week.
Prediction : 1st Desert Master 2nd Beneficiary 3rd Three Beauz

SIR MAXI caught the eye when finishing a staying-on second over this trip at Southwell last week and, off an unchanged mark, Sam England's charge looks the one to side with. Punters will need to be in a forgiving mood with Nevernay after his lacklustre display at Southwell, but his rating is fast becoming attractive and his turn in the winner's enclosure may not be far away. The step back to 6f could help C&D winner Tomorrow Day be seen to better effect.
Prediction : 1st Sir Maxi 2nd Nevernay 3rd Tomorrow Day

MY BOY JACK was last seen finishing an excellent second after conceding first run to the winner at Southwell last week and he could prove tough to beat provided the cards fall right this time. Fortunate Star has been running consistently well over the minimum trip and another prominent showing back up to 6f would come as no surprise. Captain Vallo races off the same mark as when third over C&D last month and he could go well too.
Prediction : 1st My Boy Jack 2nd Fortunate Star 3rd Captain Vallo