7:45 Newcastle Tips

Ruth Carr's dual C&D winner, Alligator Alley, returned to form three weeks ago by gamely battling to a neck win over this C&D. Last time out, also here at Newcastle, he lost all chance at the start after his blindfold was removed late, eventually finishing seventh of the eight runners. Even though he is not the force he once was, the eight-year-old retains plenty of ability and might be too strong for these.

Has been close on the all-weather twice in the last three runs, including a recent 3rd here at Newcastle at the back end of October. Finished two lengths off 'Alligator Alley', who won that race, but now finds themselves much better in the weights to turn things around. Wears a tongue-tie this time to aid concentration levels further.

Course and distance winner who was last seen racing over this course and distance 11 days ago where finishing a never nearer 7th/14 in a race won by Blue Lakota who is also enrolled to run here however Water Of Leith meets that rival on much better terms here today and holds strong claims of reversing the form with that rival here today and Water Of Leith did shape better than that bare result suggests last time out as he was denied a clear run at a very crucial stage of the race resulting in a much delayed challenge and he did finish with plenty left in the tank currently operating on a very handy mark of 67 J S Goldie's inmate looks poised to strike here worth noting he is now operating 3lb below his last winning mark jockey Laura Young takes off a handy looking 5lb which only enhances this gelded son of Kodiac & Zakhrafa ( Dam's sire Shamardal ) good looking claims here must enter calculations

This looks competitive but fierce. Although a bit in and out, it looks great value at 10/1 on some of his best form. He was running on strongly last time out over the same distance here and looks on a good mark.