Sport
Newcastle betting preview: Magical Journey the one to beat
The racing is back! Steven Dowler previews the £5,000 Place 6 at Newcastle on Monday. If you agree with his Newcastle betting preview, join his Syndicate.
13.00 – Class 6 Handicap – 1m
AL OZZDI is slowly creeping up the handicap but that is down to the consistency he has showed this year. This is a very weak race and with last season’s all-weather champion jockey Ben Curtis booked to ride again, I feel as though the Roger Fell trained gelding has another big run in him off a workable mark.
I also think HEAVENLY TALE is worth a chance to run well. She has showed fair promise on her first three races over longer distances and makes her handicap/stable debut off a lenient looking mark which gives her solid enough each-way claims.
MUATADEL doesn’t know how to run a bad race and he actually ticks a lot of boxes based on all statistics. Paul Mulrennan is a top-class jockey so if this 7yo can overcome a long absence then he could surprise a few and finish in the frame.
Last but not least we have ZODIAKOS who is now on a very attractive mark. He has placed twice on previous runs here and has a solid AW record overall. If everything falls right for him then he must have a strong chance of winning this.
Selections: MUATADEL, ZODIAKOS, AL OZZDI, HEAVENLY TALE
13.35 – Class 4 Handicap – 1m
Roger Varian and Jim Crowley have an outstanding strike rate around this track and MUTASAAMY could be the answer here. He has improved massively since going handicapping which resulted with a dominant success at Kempton last time out. He is up 8lbs for that success but that looks fair and he is the one to beat here.
COTE D’AZUR hasn’t managed to win since 2018 but he normally runs in better races than this off much higher marks. He ran a good race when narrowly denied over C&D back in November and, although he failed to make an impact over 7f here last time out, the return to 1m off a slightly lower mark and being 12lb lower than his last winning mark makes him an extremely dangerous horse to dismiss.
Selections: MUTASAAMY, COTE D’AZUR
14.10 – Class 5 Novice Stakes – 6f
James Tate has an impressive strike-rate at this venue, and debutant BLAZING HOT makes plenty of appeal on paper. He is related to multiple Group winners and cost £70,000 for connections. Despite being drawn high, there is a good chance he could be above average.
FREEDOM FLYER was an expensive purchase for Simon Crisford and makes his debut at a fair level here. The yard is more than capable of readying newcomers and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa is a plus along with being drawn nicely in stall 6.
Mick Appleby and Alistair Rawlinson love it around here. EDRAAK makes his yard debut having finished an eye-catching second on racecourse debut. The winner (Alrajaa) has since won off a mark 100+, so the form is strong. Edraak should have learnt loads from that experience and is definitely capable of being involved here.
Selections: BLAZING HOT, FREEDOM FLYER, EDRAAK
14.45 – Class 5 Novice Stakes – 6f
I think this is the best race on the card and MAGICAL JOURNEY sets a high standard. The daughter of Night Of Thunder was unfortunate to not make it two wins from two starts at Newmarket in listed company. She was carried significantly left inside the final furlong and was beaten under one length. The yard do really well at this venue and there filly takes a huge drop down in class on her return making her very difficult to beat.
While ELECTRIC MISTRESS is worth an interest. Karl Burke has a good strike-rate with newcomers at the course and with Ben Curtis on board, she could go well at a price.
Selections: MAGICAL JOURNEY, ELECTRIC MISTRESS
15.20 – Class 4 Handicap – 6f
The ultra-consistent TRICKY DICKY has a huge chance here. He seems to be getting better and better with more racing. He won four and placed four times from nine races last year. His record fresh is mixed, but Tricky Dicky arrives at the top of his game and could well continue his progression this campaign, especially here being drawn handily in stall 4.
TENAX remains 5lbs above his last winning mark but could have more to offer making his AW debut. He is a consistent type and has never run a bad race in the UK. I think he is makes a lot of appeal if adapting to the surface because he has always attracted plenty of support in the market.
BRIAN THE SNAIL is a very hard horse to predict these day’s having looked talented at times but has most often flattered to deceive. He doesn’t have the best record fresh but Richard Fahey has a solid record at this track and if the snail is on a going day he could run a massive race.
Selections: TRICKY DICKY, TENAX, BRIAN THE SNAIL
15.55 – Class 5 Handicap – 6f
ALIX JAMES showed consistent form last year, placing four times and winning on his final start of the campaign. The drop back to 6f should pose no problem because he is sure to grab a prominent position and being open to further improvement he could prove hard to catch if fully wound up after a break.
WHAT A BUSINESS was in good form throughout most of last season. He ran with credit to be placed twice in class 2 and class 3 company. His only run on the AW was full of promise having finished second on debut and he takes a big drop down in class on his return to action here. If he adapts to this surface then he must enter each-way claims at the very least for the Curtis and Fell combination.
Selections: ALIX JAMES, WHAT A BUSINESS
You could earn up to £100 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus from our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.
