UK Horse Racing Tips: Newcastle

The unexposed WAVE ROCK got off the mark in a similar event at Wolverhampton a few weeks ago and a 4lb rise for that success may not be enough to stop him from following up here. Staffordshire scored over C&D when last seen and is likely to be the main threat, despite a 6lb rise, while Maple also makes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Wave Rock 2nd Staffordshire 3rd Maple

Lillistar has to be respected on her return to the Flat having won at Wolverhampton in October. That said, marginal preference is for FREE PIC, who is a previous course winner and her most recent efforts in defeat over 1m4f have been encouraging. The step up in trip may help the five-year-old to score for the second time. Colinski and Angelardo are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Free Pic 2nd Lillistar 3rd Colinski

MERLIER was only beaten a nose into second in a blanket finish on his debut over C&D a month ago. With the benefit of that experience, Archie Watson's gelding could be hard to beat on this occasion. Vinciamo has to be noted on his debut for Kevin Ryan having shown plenty of ability on his only start as a juvenile, while Celtic Arrow is the clear pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Merlier 2nd Vinciamo 3rd Celtic Arrow

Renesmee needed every yard of a mile to get up at Chelmsford on Saturday and the drop back to 7f has to be a concern, despite her rider's 7lb claim negating her 5lb penalty. The vote goes to PARTY BEAR. She ran with plenty of credit in a more competitive race at Lingfield and that form looks the strongest on offer. Bear Rock was behind the selection on that occasion but is better judged on her Wolverhampton success.
Prediction : 1st Party Bear 2nd Renesmee 3rd Bear Rock

Container Express had several of these in behind when third over C&D last month and has to be respected off the same mark. However, the seventh from that contest AUSPICIOUS might reverse the form. A winner over C&D in September, that was his first run since and it should have blown the cobwebs away. Ganthorpe is 2lb better off, having finished fifth, and has since performed well for third at Wolverhampton.
Prediction : 1st Auspicious 2nd Container Express 3rd Ganthorpe

The hat-trick seeking Fortunate Star and double chasing Master Dandy are likely to be popular and both are capable of extending their winning runs. However, the former has a 5lb penalty, while the latter needed every yard of the trip to score at Chelmsford and looks vulnerable off 2lb higher. With that in mind, OKAMI could be the way to go. A C&D winner in January, the six-year-old has done well since joining Paul Midgley and could be the one for a bit of value here.
Prediction : 1st Okami 2nd Fortunate Star 3rd Master Dandy

Mohammed Tabti has built a good rapport with The Gay Blade and a third consecutive C&D success for the seven-year-old isn't out of the question from a still competitive rating. However, he was over three lengths behind INSTANT BOND when they last clashed and reverting to 6f could be a good move for the Michael Wigham-trianed gelding. Tickets was a narrow track-and-trip winner in a classified stakes last time and can play another strong role given this isn't a much tougher assignment.
Prediction : 1st Instant Bond 2nd The Gay Blade 3rd Tickets