7:25 Newcastle Tips

Lord Capulet has won 1 and placed in 1 of 2 runs at course and distance and has won 1 of 3 runs in this class. Returned to form in victory by 1 length last time out, when stepped down in trip here. 3lb up from that, trainer is in form and at preferred distance based on prior efforts.

Ana Emaraaty is a gelding whose better recent efforts have come over this sort of trip on the all-weather, including a Newcastle run where he moved smoothly through the race and kept on well without everything going his way. He has shown he can run to a competitive level when allowed to settle and build into the contest. With a similar setup expected here, there are sound reasons to expect him to be in the mix late on.

Runner-up over a mile here last time out in a Class 5. Eased a pound and could go one better eased in grade to Class 6 and dropping in trip.

Minshaar has a fair bit going for him here. Scored by 1½ lengths off a 2 lb lower mark here three starts ago. Ran to form when third, beaten 3 lengths when up in trip last time out and is 1 lb lower here. Effective at 6 and 7 furlongs and from a top trainer. Minshaar looks to be in good form today. Today's trip and track look a good fit, and conditions should be fine.

Pit Boss is zero from 19 runs but has been placed in 5 of those runs and has run well in more races than he has run a bad one. His hold-up run style makes him harder to win with, but it's only a matter of time. When things drop nicely for him ??' such as a strong gallop, a spread-out field, and a clear run from the back ??' he could close late again and finally shed that maiden tag.

Amelias Joy has not won yet but made a big improvement here last month when dropping down to C6 and was a respectable fourth after a duff start and a wide draw. With a drop of 1 lb and the top draw, I would expect more today EW.

You couldn't back this on its last half a dozen starts. However, the owner is a pal and he has just left mine. Marshall Watson (Keith's son) has taken over the reins training-wise, and judging by its homework it's not without a chance. I'll be there tomorrow, hopefully in the winners' circle, but a place will do.