UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

BINTKEND debuts in a handicap in a very winnable race and is worth chancing based on the promise shown so far. A well-backed favourite when third at Wolverhampton, the well-bred filly looked a work in progress as that race unfolded and she could break through with another step forward. Bearwith only went up 3lb for winning over C&D last month and looks a key player once again. Monty Beau and Mao Shang Wong are others with claims.
Prediction : 1st Bintkend 2nd Bearwith 3rd Monty Beau

ESPONA BAY has filled the runner-up berth in each of his three previous starts on the all-weather and has shown enough to suggest a handicap at this level is within his range. A recent switch in stables could have sweetened him up and a 2lb rise for his latest effort looks manageable. Arishka's Dream is 2lb well-in and must have every chance of exploiting that. Marra Donna and handicap newcomer Tactical Blitz are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Espona Bay 2nd Arishkas Dream 3rd Marra Donna

BILLECART, who cost 380,000gns as a yearling, is hard to overlook. The son of Night Of Thunder was fourth behind subsequent Tattersalls Stakes winner Distant Storm on his Newmarket debut last July. Considering the runner-up in that race won the Futurity at the Curragh, while eight other winners emerged from the 12-runner field, the form could hardly be better. Wuood is an attractively-bred newcomer, while Too Darn Spicy, who was picked up for a song by shrewd connections, is related to some smart types and is more appealing than Shimmering Spirit.
Prediction : 1st Billecart 2nd Wuood 3rd Too Darn Spicy

Doctor Khan Junior returned to winning ways at Southwell at the end of January, but more is required after a 3lb rise from the handicapper. With that in mind, the vote goes to NIKOVO. The seven-year-old has been knocking on the door with a string of consistent efforts and this might be the time to catch him against arguably weaker opposition than he has faced of late. Eldrickjones and Talis Evolvere are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Nikovo 2nd Doctor Khan Junior 3rd Eldrickjones

DREAM FOREVER gave the impression that an extra furlong would be right up his street after improving on his juvenile form when runner-up here last month. Jedd O'Keeffe's charge appears to have more upside than the majority of his rivals and gets the vote to strike. Panthere Noir has been gelded ahead of his first run since December and that might yield improvement. Popty Ping and Mereside Princess complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Dream Forever 2nd Panthere Noir 3rd Popty Ping

Harb (first) and Digital (second) are closely matched based on their meeting over C&D two weeks ago and are likely to go well once again. That said, preference is for ALBEGONE, who showed much more when a neck second here and the veteran makes plenty of appeal off just 1lb higher. Water Of Leith and Our Absent Friends are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Albegone 2nd Harb 3rd Digital

ESQUE ELEGANCE was second in this sort of company over C&D two starts ago and also hit the crossbar in a handicap when last seen. Based on that evidence, the four-year-old looks the one to beat. Woodrafff is another with strong form claims, while Wheres The Crumpet edges out Sir Maxi and Starshot to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Esque Elegance 2nd Woodrafff 3rd Wheres The Crumpet