16:13 Newcastle

King’s School and WILLIAM DEWHIRST (best priced at 5/2) are closely matched based on their recent clashes but I prefer chances of the Ben Haslam trained five-year-old despite shouldering a 5lb penalty. With form figures of 1121 over this course and distance, he finished 2nd by ½ length behind King’s School before reversing that form on Wednesday when King’s School could only finish 4th beaten 2 ½ lengths.

William Dewhirst was keen during the race giving the impression that a 5lb penalty may not stop him and he can win this off top weight in this 0-75 handicap.

16:45 Newcastle

The Michael Dods trained DARLO PRIDE (best priced at 6/4) ran well to finish 4th here on Friday and should hold strong claims off the same mark. The five-year-old has solid form figures of 23134 over this course and distance with those runs sandwiched by a win at Wolverhampton off a mark of 66.

Darlo Pride was only beaten 1 ¼ lengths and 1 ½ lengths on his previous two starts off this mark of 70 but connections have now booked talented 7lb claimer Warren Fentiman for the ride. He should prove hard to beat in this small field from Stall 3.

17:45 Newcastle

The step back up to 6f makes the task of Mondammej trickier under a 4lb penalty and I prefer the chances of PATS BATTALION (best priced at 7/2) who bids for a hat-trick of course and distance wins. The David O’Meara trained four-year-old beat subsequent winner The Ridler here in December off a mark of 75 before following up off a mark of 80 by a neck on his next start at the end of the month.

David Nolan rode Pals Battalion with huge confidence that day weaving through rivals giving the impression that this 2lb rise could underestimate him. Hopefully he can get cover from Stall 1 but I expect him to swoop late once again when the stamina of Mondammej is coming to an end.