Best bets for the day from Steve Ryder and Oddschecker Unlimited tipsters, as well as key races to follow.
19:00 Newcastle
There is jumps racing at Fontwell, Wincanton and Thurles on Thursday 6th March while Newcastle stages an all-weather meeting this evening.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
The David O’Meara trained THE COOKSTOWN CAFU (best priced at 13/2) has dropped back down to a handy mark and can take advantage of that back at this track.
The six-year-old won over 7f here on his stable debut in September off a mark of 71 before winning in October over this trip of a mile off a mark of 73. He finished 2nd by ¾ length off a mark of 78 in November but has struggled since off higher marks.
The Cookstown Cafu has now dropped back down to a mark of 74 and he should be involved in the finish back at this track.
19:30 Newcastle
Latin Five will prove popular having won over this course and distance after a wind operation but I am willing to take a chance on POCKLEY (best priced at 7/2).
The Linda Perratt trained seven-year-old won over 6f off a mark of 46 in February before following up over 5f last time off a mark of 47. Both of those victories came under Paul Mulrennan and he can be excused his 6th placed effort last time under Joe Fanning because he was slowly away.
Hopefully Pockley doesn’t lose too much ground at the start with Paul Mulrennan back on board and if that is the case then he should be able to record his ninth career victory, all at this track.
20:30 Newcastle
The topweight RAFT UP (best priced at 9/4) won over this course and distance last time when fitted with a first-time hood and he should prove hard to beat under a 5lb penalty.
The Harriet Bethell trained four-year-old was previously rated 68 last year but took advantage of dropping down to a mark of 48 when triumphant here last time.
The handicapper has raised Raft Up 6lbs for that 2 ¾ length victory but he instead runs here under a 5lb penalty meaning that he is 1lb “well in” at the weights. Sean Bowen is a positive booking in this apprentice handicap and he should be able to follow up.
