UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Rock Armour and SUSIESPARKLE are honours even after a couple of recent C&D encounters. The latter came out on top when they clashed a fortnight ago and has a decent chance of upholding the form, with Mohammed Tabti taking over from a 3lb claimer in the saddle and effectively reducing the handicapper's attentions for now. The still low-mileage Desiderata and the feasibly-treated It's A Love Thing are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Susiesparkle 2nd Rock Armour 3rd Desiderata

Concert Boy is shortlisted based on his reliability since the turn of the year, while Drakeholes is a C&D specialist who cannot be ruled out. However, this could be a good time to catch fellow track-and-trip winner SIR MAXI, who runs with first-time blinkers added and has his chance boosted by the very capable Warren Fentiman taking the ride and pitching in with his 7lb claim. The returning American Star has plummeted in the ratings and merits a betting check.
Prediction : 1st Sir Maxi 2nd Concert Boy 3rd Drakeholes

NOBLE TESTIMONY improved from his debut to chase home a progressive type over a mile here and is the ready pick of those with experience. Still a work in progress, the son of Wooded will be maturing nicely and has a golden chance to get off the mark at the third time of asking. One More Bottle and Wyld Bill have shown little under either code of racing, so the attractively-bred newcomers Aurora Majesty and Symphony's Song can fight it out for the runner-up spot.
Prediction : 1st Noble Testimony 2nd Aurora Majesty 3rd Symphonys Song

DEMBE went in by just under a length in a stronger event at Lingfield in January and is only 3lb higher for that triumph. Simon Pearce's seven-year-old is holding his form well and can make it four wins out of his last six starts. Quiet Resolve occupied the runner-up berth over C&D last month and should go close again, while Mr Mistoffelees is another to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Dembe 2nd Quiet Resolve 3rd Mr Mistoffelees

LATIN FIVE returned to winning ways by a head in this grade over track and trip last month and a 2lb rise might prove to be on the lenient side. The eight-year-old remains on a workable mark and could complete a double. Global Effort struck in a classified stakes at Wolverhampton and is an interesting contender now that he steps back into the handicap ranks. Of the remainder, eight-time course winner Pockley makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Latin Five 2nd Global Effort 3rd Pockley

A promising second on his first run for this stable at Wolverhampton last week, NORTHERN CRACKSMAN should be suited by dropping back in trip, having scored over C&D off 11lb lower in January. The four-year-old gets the vote ahead of Falcon Nine, making his first start for the in-form Iain Jardine team, and Cloch Nua, who completed a hat-trick last month, including a couple of victories over track and trip.
Prediction : 1st Northern Cracksman 2nd Falcon Nine 3rd Cloch Nua

Now that RAFT UP has regained the winning thread after a taking performance in a classified contest over C&D last week, Harriet Bethell's charge is likely to have more improvement forthcoming and he can bring up the double. The veteran Athollblair Boy may be winless since a victory off 15lb lower over track and trip a little over a year ago but he is a key player, as is Arlington, who has been runner-up on two of his last three starts.
Prediction : 1st Raft Up 2nd Athollblair Boy 3rd Arlington