7:00 Newcastle Tips

Ex-Irish Goldmoyne may be able to stop the winning machine Aisling Oscar, who may be within the handicapper's grasp. Hence they've opted for a claiming jockey. Beat course specialist Spartan Fighter here, who has since rattled off a hat-trick of wins.

The 5yo has probably not been the easiest to train, but he does have 2 wins from 9. His last AW race was four runs back, on this surface at Southwell, and he was not beaten far in a much stronger handicap than this race. He is much better off at the weights now in a weaker race. Coming off a five-month break might give him a spark.

This race looks like a very open affair. Cases can be made for several of these, but at these odds I'll chance the veteran. He seems to be on a reasonable mark, and on his day he's more than capable in a Class 5. Won over C&D in December off 3 lb lower. With four places on offer, worth an each-way bet.

One from left field. Where most of these contenders are exposed and Aisling Oscar appears to be the one forever improving, there will be a ceiling. Novak who is what I would say, a huge price, represents great value. Having run in 51 class 5 races, he has won 7 of those times and placed a further 18. That gives him a 50% chance of being in the frame. That percentage increases when running in 0-70's over 7f... especially at Newcastle, of which he has run 37 times, won 3 and placed another 14 times. Giving a 50% chance of making it into the frame. At 25/1 at his current mark of 70 with Cara Tuke taking 7 off, I am willing to take my chances.