3 minute read
Sam King is back with three selections at Newcastle this evening.
Newcastle stages nine races on the Tapeta this evening and with Leicester's card not appealing much from a betting angle, the Northeast venue looks the best port of call from a wagering perspective.
The Simon and Ed Crisford team boast a healthy 24% strike-rate at Newcastle over the last five years and their progressive Port Erin looks to hold every chance of landing the Bet 10 Get 40 At BetMGM Handicap (7.00).
The gelded son of Le Havre has won three of his last five outings and struck as the type that had a bit more to offer when landing a similar Class 5 handicap over the mile at Kempton six days ago. He carries a 6lb for that success but won with plenty in hand and more importantly looks tactically versatile.
Port Erin's handicap debut victory may have come off a mark of 60, but he made every inch of the running that day and it wouldn't surprise me if Jack Mitchell opts to go forward in an attempt to grab that often-favoured stands' side rail from stall twelve.
None of his rivals look particularly progressive and although some are well-treated on peak efforts, he looks by far the most appealing horse in this mile prize.
Selection: Port Erin – General 5/2
The step back up in distance looks like a sizeable positive for Beneficiary and he's taken to double his career tally in the Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap an hour later.
Recent form figures may not look all that appealing for Beneficiary, but the Liam Bailey-trained gelding has been shaping better than recent results suggest and continues to edge down the weights.
He looked a touch unlucky not to finish closer when fifth (beaten two and a half lengths) over the minimum trip at Musselburgh a month ago. The four-year-old was a touch short of room when just getting going with a couple of furlongs to travel and stayed on nicely once in the clear, shaping as though the step back up to six furlongs would really suit.
A 2lb drop in the weights for that effort will do no harm and he's looking too well-handicapped to ignore given he produced some solid runs over course and distance off marks circa 10lb higher earlier in the year.
Those who watch Newcastle on a regular basis will know that being positioned towards that near-side rail can prove beneficial and from stall twelve, experienced pilot Danny Tudhope may well take full advantage of that starting berth.
Selection: Beneficiary – General 15/8
Course form can be a huge asset at Newcastle and Blackcurrent could probably run the Northeast straight course blindfolded at this stage.
Alan Brown's six-time course winner arrives following a string of rock-solid efforts and can get back to winning ways in the concluding Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap (8.30).
The seven-year-old won with authority under Paul Muir over tonight's course and distance on his penultimate outing and backed that up with a good second-place finish when dropped to the minimum journey here 18 days ago.
It's easy to pick holes in those around him in the market and with the step back up in distance to suit, this likeable course specialist is taken to put his rivals to the sword from a good draw in stall eight.
Selection: Blackcurrent – General 2/1
