5:30 Newcastle Tips

Sea Legend has every chance of defying the step up in grade and continuing the rich vein of form. Stable in top form, so looking to take advantage.

Concert Boy was just behind Sea Legend LTO and wasn't in the ideal position in the early stages. Kept on well and could reverse the placings.

Golden Strike is a 5yo gelding trained by Richard Fahey. He runs today off a career-low handicap mark of 67 and remains fairly lightly raced for his age with just 10 starts. He is 0-4 on AW but ran a strange kind of race latest over CD after a 168-day break, beaten 6l: 'In rear, headway final 110yds, never dangerous,' when given what seemed like an easy time of things. That was his first attempt in a Class 5 handicap, so he should be capable in this grade. Richard Fahey puts on a first-time visor, and he does well with that aid ??' winning 9 races from his last 53 runners with horses in a first-time hood or visor. His last winner in such equipment was 16-1 chance Ay Gee El, who trotted home by 3.25l in a first-time visor at Southwell and caught the eye of the stewards. Golden Strike looks well placed to make a big play in today’s company.

Anthropologist returned last month, running for a new yard, and was only sixth having had some traffic problems. He drops to a 70 today and did run to second here in October off this mark. As a 4yo he should still be improving, and I always expect more when second up.

This one will be fitter for last-time-out run, and they have got a good jockey booking/change. A good-value each-way bet.

Novak knows this Newcastle course and distance like the back of his hand, with two wins and 11 places from 26 runs, giving him a solid 8% win and 42% place record here. A recent 7th here over a shorter trip was no disgrace, and a mark of 69 looks fair and workable as it comes down even further. A bounce back is coming; it's just a matter of timing :)

The 5yo mare progressed nicely last year, winning 2 from 4 on turf during the summer. She has had two flat runs since and was only beaten 2L over this 7f C/D when last seen, finishing strong after some trouble and a bit short of room. She was beaten in that race by two runners who have both run some nice races since and are rated much higher. She has had a nice two-month break, is on a slightly lower mark now, and an apprentice is taking another 5 lb off her back.