His form figures won’t inspire you to back him but I think there is some life left in BERGERAC and the switch back to the Tapeta might just coax a big run out of him. He has been supported over night which suggests I am not the only one to be thinking a revival is on its way. On his best form he would obviously be a major player here but in recent times he has proven hard to catch right. A decent Tapeta record here at Newcastle would give you plenty of encouragement in an open race.
The German Guineas winner, DARNATION, is clearly a better horse on a softer surface so I think she can run a big race here as she faces Tapeta for the first time. Karl Burke has always held her in the highest regard and she hasn’t let him down very often in her short career to date. I think she has the most scope to progress in this race so I think the 13/2 on offer this morning is real value.
Newcastle 5.25 – Bergerac
Newcastle 6.00 – Darnation
Saturday
A busy Saturday where Newcastle again plays hosts to a bumper card on Northumberland Plate day. The opening race is an interesting event and I fancy STRIKE RED to put a disappointing run at Ascot last week behind him. Richard Fahey’s 6 year old has always shown a preference for a softer surface so I found it strange that connections allowed him to take his chance on a rattling quick surface last Saturday. His earlier run at Epsom where there was some juice in the ground was a fine run given his track position and proved he is in good heart. If still in that form he is no 18/1 shot here.
SPYCATCHER has been waiting for some soft ground which just hasn’t been available in recent weeks so he bids to go one place better than last year in the Chipchase Stakes at 2.04. Not far off a Group 1 performer granted his optimum conditions he should find the drop to Group 3 company much more to his liking and should be more prepared for this test than some of his rivals today. 5/1 is a fair price and I think he is the one to be on.
In the big race itself I always think it’s worth remembering it is still a handicap and not to get too carried away with the ‘sexy’, unexposed types which more often than not bomb out. A horse who I think is weighted to go close is SOLENT GATEWAY who bounced right back to form last time out at Haydock. Unfortunately he bumped into a horse with plenty in hand but he did pull clear of the rest. He has finished third in this race on the same mark before so certainly has the ability to go close and at 25/1 I will certainly be keen to take a punt.
The booking of Hollie Doyle aboard PARRAMOUNT certainly catches my eye in the 5.25 as Charlie Longsdon’s dual purpose horse bids to cash in off a lenient opening mark. Having ran over a much shorter trip in his qualifying runs, he should put in an improved performance now upped in distance. Having said that, he has run respectable in 2 of those 3 runs and no one can accuse Charlie Longsdon of playing the system. A mark of 73 looks workable given his jumps rating of 129 and shrewdies might catch him at a nice price later this afternoon.
Newcastle 1.35 – Strike Red
Newcastle 2.04 – Spycatcher
Newcastle 3.10 – Solent Gateway
Newcastle 5.25 – Parramount
