UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

GAELIC ROVER has a likeable pedigree and his two previous starts over hurdles were highly encouraging. Those efforts suggest he has banished the memory of a couple of falls in point-to-points and further progression could see the son of Walk In The Park get off the mark here. Who's Glen commands respect, cutting back in trip after a promising hurdles over 2m4f at Musselburgh. However, a bigger danger could be the Haydock bumper winner, So Proud, who could be anything now he tackles obstacles for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Gaelic Rover 2nd So Proud 3rd Whos Glen

LYRIC only managed to win a maiden when trained by the Gosdens on the Flat, but the handicapper took no chances and a peak mark of 89 proved hard to overcome. However, his pedigree suggests switching codes should suit and his speed from the Flat can see him flourish on his hurdles debut for the in-form Jonjo & A J O'Neill. There should also be more to come from Is This For Real and Walk On Son, whose previous hurdling experience makes them the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Lyric 2nd Is This For Real 3rd Walk On Son

FAT HARRY, a winner at Sedgefield in November before landing a similar event over C&D winner on his penultimate start, was narrowly denied registering a hat-trick by an in-form rival at Haydock most recently. Well clear of the rest in that race, a 6lb higher mark may not be enough to anchor the improving chaser at this stage of his development. His stablemate, top-weight Glen Road, gives the Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith team a good chance of domination here. Moon Phases and Powerofjet complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Fat Harry 2nd Glen Road 3rd Moon Phases

DALY BOY bumped into a useful prospect when filling second place on his hurdling bow at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. With the benefit of that experience, the son of Kamsin could be hard to beat here. That said, Lewisham Grove has been knocking on the door of late and should not be discounted, while similar comments apply to Timefortom. Any market support for Bathara would have to be noted.
Prediction : 1st Daly Boy 2nd Lewisham Grove 3rd Timefortom

WALKING ON A DREAM improved on his seasonal return when filling second place over 2m4f at Hexham a month ago. With the prospect of further improvement likely now stepped up in trip, he could prove hard to beat in this company. Mighty Fleur should not be underestimated on her chasing bow, while Court At Slip and Jamesieconn are others with claims.
Prediction : 1st Walking On A Dream 2nd Mighty Fleur 3rd Court At Slip

DROP KICK has made the frame on both starts since winning at Carlisle in November and, given the lack of depth in this contest, it would be no surprise to see him return to winning ways on this occasion. Sugar Road has not shown much over hurdles yet, but may find significant improvement now switched to handicap company. Others to consider are Cher Monsieur and Leader Wing.
Prediction : 1st Drop Kick 2nd Sugar Road 3rd Cher Monsieur

THE JAD FACTOR signed off last season with a commanding win at Kelso before springing a surprise to score on his return at Wetherby last month. A 5lb rise looks a little harsh given the winning margin but he's still low-mileage for a 10-year-old and the introduction of a visor could eke out a bit more. Tommy Combats was defeated by the reopposing Too Cool Forshrule at Ayr in November but that was his seasonal return and progress is anticipated. Chasing debutant Always A Reason is worth a second look too.
Prediction : 1st The Jad Factor 2nd Tommy Combats 3rd Always A Reason

Point winner KILARO won in fine style on his debut under Rules and amateur Paddy Barlow clearly gets on well with him. It's often tough to shoulder a penalty in these types of event but the manner in which he won would suggest there is plenty more under the bonnet. There will be plenty of challengers, though, namely Diamond White, who made an encouraging start at Catterick last month. Lucinda Russell landed the corresponding event 12 months ago, so herself and Michael Scudamore's representative Valtteri Its James must be respected. Ronnie Russet and Caspada are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Kilaro 2nd Diamond White 3rd Valtteri Its James