It’s the final Saturday afternoon’s racing before Christmas Day and there’s lot of quality action taking place across Britain and Ireland.
They go jumping at Newcastle with action in the north-east from 12.00pm-3.25pm this afternoon on a seven-race card at Gosforth Park.
You can watch all the action, alongside every race from the UK and Ireland, via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has a race-by-race preview of today’s Newcastle card.
12.00 – bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (2m)
Preference is for SOFT RISK over fellow last-time-out hurdles winners Since Day One and East Street – the trio all shouldering 7lb penalties today. Nicky Richards’ charge looked potentially better than average when scoring at Ayr last month and there may be plenty improvement to come. Easy Street is possibly the danger, though he must improve his technique at the obstacles. C&D winner Since Day One has Peter Kavanagh claiming 7lb to aid his cause.
Selection: Soft Risk @ 8/13
12.30 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Neil Mulholland’s handicap debutant Planned Paradise is a possible improver and one worth noting while Royal Reserve is a former C&D winner and drops in class after a fair third at Ayr last month. BARABOY arrives in good form, backing up his Hexham win last month with a good Sedgefield third. He’s off the same mark now and, at the prices, is just about the value to get in the frame.
Selection: Baraboy @ 17/2
1.05 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m7½f)
Bavington Bob made an assured start to his chasing career when second at Sedgefield (2m5f) a fortnight ago and has decent claims of going one better but he’s odds-on and TANGO BAY might give him plenty to think about. Neil Mulholland’s charge was well-held at Worcester in last month’s chasing introduction but he jumped soundly and the trip was very much on the sharp side given his proven stamina. He’s been eased 3lb and this is much more his thing on paper.
Selection: Tango Bay @ 11/4
1.40 – bet365 Handicap Chase (2m4f)
Fete Champetre ran out on chasing bow at Hexham last month when holding strong claims but has since finished second at Ayr, Rose Dobbin’s charge is a contender if he gets home over this increased distance. BRELAN D’AS was fancied to complete a hat-trick at Doncaster last month but Ben Haslam’s charge was never at ease when the jumping tests were reduced by low sun and it became a speed test. He was a cosy winner over C&D prior to that and, back up in trip now, is the one to side with again.
Selection: Brelan D’as @ 7/2
2.15 – bet365 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
A really open event for the mare’ here and one in which HEADSCARF LIL should go well for Nicky Richards. She got on the scoresheet at Carlisle in October over this trip and ran a sound race since in third over an extended three-miles back at that same venue. She’s running from the same mark now and this lesser journey is in her favour.
Selection: Headscarf Lil @ 10/3
2.50 – bet365 Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m½f)
Trooper Turnbull won at Wetherby lat month but he only beat one other finished there and he’s got more to do now from a 5lb higher mark, it seems. BURROWS DIAMOND was coming to throw down a big challenge to him when she crashed out of that race and the mare is now better off to the tune of that 5lb swing at the weights. She was a very impressive C&D winner over hurdles in March and finds a good opportunity to open her account over fences back here if she gets around in one piece.
Selection: Burrows Diamond @ 11/4
3.25 – bet365 ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race (1m6½f)
Le Fils De Force won at Doncaster three weeks ago and the penalty incurred for that win is offset by Tom Midgley’s claim so he remains a player. He had, however, finished four-lengths behind TROLLEY BOY on their respective debuts at Market Rasen in October. He isn’t the only one to advertise that form, winner Poetic Music scoring at Newbury in midweek and fourth home Decorated also winning this month at Hereford. Ed Bethell’s charge may confirm prior placings and get the win.
Selection: Trolley Boy @ 7/4
*All odds correct at time of writing