It’s another busy day at Newcastle, with eight races over obstacles in store – all live on Sky Sports Racing…
1.35 Newcastle – Rattling Road and Coqolino contest feature
Ben Haslam’s ten-year-old Coqolino has shown a solid level of form over fences including when third at Kelso on his last start and this looks a good opportunity for him to break his duck over fences in this Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Novices’ Handicap Chase. Richie McLernon retains the ride aboard JP McManus’ horse.
Lucinda Russell’s Rattling Road got off the mark over fences at the second attempt at Hexham last month and he could have more to give under this 6lb penalty.
A Moments Madness, second in a point-to-point before running with credit in three novice hurdles, makes his handicap and chase debut under Henry Brooke.
1.00 Newcastle – Juventus De Brion, Benmore and French Emperor headline
Dan and Harry Skelton have plenty of chances this afternoon and Juventus De Brion looks an obvious player on his first start after a wind operation. Second to the useful Quebecois at Chepstow on his last start, a similar effort would see him go close.
Laura Morgan saddles Benmore who has finished runner-up in a bumper and a maiden hurdle on his two starts to date. He will need to improve in his jumping, but the extra distance in this attheraces.com/Marketmovers Maiden Hurdle may suit.
French Emperor is worth a mention having finished third in both starts over jumps and he is another who is likely to benefit from this longer trip.
11.55 Newcastle – Kids Say Lastgojoe faces Beau Quali
The Micky Hammond-trained Kids Say Lastgojoe impressed when winning at Catterick in November and rates an exciting prospect as he tackles hurdles for the first time with Brian Hughes keeping the ride.
The Skelton team field Beau Quali who finished second for the third time in four starts when chasing home Kientzheim at Kempton and he must be feared as he drops in grade for this Watch Unbridled On attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle.
Of the others, Broderick would have each-way claims if able to repeat his second at Sedgefield in December.
Best of the rest
Point-to-point winner Queens Wish makes her debut in the Alan Rogers colours for the Skelton team at 12.25pm, but will have to thwart Sea The Stars gelding Rogue Sea – who makes his first start over hurdles – if she is to make a winning start.
At 2.45pm, Mister Smarty is on the hat-trick hunt with Alan Doyle replacing Jamie Hamilton in the plate for the Tina Jackson team.
Blue Carpet is the headline runner in the closing bumper at 3.54pm, having scored going away on debut at Carlisle the last day. Geordie Mackem could be his closest rival if Brian Ellison’s runner can build on his third on debut at Wetherby in December.
Watch every race from Newcastle live on Sky Sports Racing…