7:00 Newcastle Tips

Has been gelded since his last run and returns from a near five month break. Looks to be on a reasonable mark for his handicap debut.

A dependable competitor, primarily classified as a Class 5/6 handicapper, with 1 victory from 11 outings. She consistently performs on AW, especially at Newcastle, where she often finishes in the top positions, highlighted by her 2nd place over C&D just 19 days ago. A solid and competitive horse, she is a definite each-way contender at fair odds, having been eased by 1 lb.

This is the trainer's only entry. He's stepped the horse back up in trip slightly on its handicap debut, with the regular jockey back on board. A good each-way value bet for the four places available.

Dream Forever seemed to take a step forward last month when second over 6f off a 51. He did run on well to the post, which makes me think that today’s 7f could suit. With the expected improvement for a 3yo, I would expect more today while up 1 lb.

So im going with the David and Nicola Barron trained Mereside Princess for this race. Bit of an outsider play with the yard and jockey both in form. Returning from a short break and im sure this filly has been kept fit for the job today. She's been in and out of 6f and 7f races and the race she finished best was over this C&D off a mark of 59, shes running off 55 here and has William pyles 3lb claim. From that she holds outside value in this field and im willing to play a point.

Maximum Velocity had three runs in three weeks last summer, all over 5f and 6f. First run in over 200 days and goes up in trip for handicap debut. If ready to go first time up, he could show improvement over this longer trip, as his pedigree suggests this trip should be more suitable.

This handicap debutante comes from a sire whose progeny have a good record over this C&D, and the trainer has booked a very useful 5 lb claiming apprentice who has been riding this course well in her short career. The horse has been racing as though she is going to step up for a switch to handicapping and has shown enough promise (staying on when the race is over) to suggest she could be starting on a decent mark here.