UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

Point-to-point winner I C U IN MY DREAMS displayed plenty of promise when filling second place on her Rules debut at Catterick in December. Donald McCain's mare is entitled to progress from that outing and could be hard to stop if doing so. Luna Grace has made the frame on both career starts and may improve for a recent wind op, while Pure Ocean and Aristelle are others to note.
Prediction : 1st I C U In My Dreams 2nd Luna Grace 3rd Pure Ocean

LE BEAU MADRIK confirmed the promise that he displayed in bumpers when getting off the mark on his first outing over hurdles here in November. Dan Skelton's gelding might be useful and he can defy a penalty on this occasion. The consistent Eagles Reprieve could prove to be the main threat, although Buddah Castle and Loulou Madrik should not be discounted.
Prediction : 1st Le Beau Madrik 2nd Eagles Reprieve 3rd Buddah Castle

The consistent SPADESTEP has filled second place on both starts over fences but the application of first-time cheekpieces could help him to go one better on this occasion. That said, Pony Soprano showed more when third at Haydock last time and he should not be discounted. The rest all have questions to answer, but The Grafter is the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Spadestep 2nd Pony Soprano 3rd The Grafter

KALO ATHENA displayed marked improvement to score at Wetherby latest, with the step up to this trip really bringing out the best in the seven-year-old mare. She's very much worth sticking with for now and gets the nod ahead of Dillarchie, who finished a solid second at Catterick before Christmas. It's also worth keeping a close eye on Eire Street.
Prediction : 1st Kalo Athena 2nd Dillarchie 3rd Eire Street

It could be worth siding with PITWOOD ROAD, who has to shoulder the burden of top-weight but was in good form at Carlisle prior to Christmas when making the return to hurdles a successful one. She can go in again, but it won't be easy because Lizzie Luna has been knocking on the door at Musselburgh in recent starts. Just Call Me Lucy is noted too.
Prediction : 1st Pitwood Road 2nd Lizzie Luna 3rd Just Call Me Lucy

Whilst many of these arrive with something to prove, it might pay to side with IF NOT FOR DYLAN. The 11-year-old has yet to really fire this term but his latest Wetherby effort wasn't without promise and having won this contest from an identical mark 12 months ago, he could take the necessary step forward. Fenland Tiger struggled in the Tommy Whittle last month but is a previous winner of this race himself, and the drop in class ought to be beneficial. The Big Breac completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st If Not For Dylan 2nd Fenland Tiger 3rd The Big Breac

VELVET VULCAN wasn't always the most fluent at Ayr, but that didn't stop him from finishing within a head of the winner. The pair pulled clear of the third, who has since finished a creditable second, and should this son of Nathaniel find further progress, a maiden hurdling triumph could await. Snow Dragon continues to run well in defeat and is expected to be on the premises again, along with Time Was, who could fare better on her second outing following a wind operation.
Prediction : 1st Velvet Vulcan 2nd Snow Dragon 3rd Time Was