8:30 Newcastle Tips

The 4yo is a previous 5f C/D winner. He's in good form, knocking on the door in recent races over 6f, and has eased a little in the weights. Three of his last four RPR ratings are better than what any of his rivals have shown.

Hasn't won for a while but has slipped down the weights as a result and went close when 3rd at Southwell last time. Back up a lb for that, but should still run well if in the same mood this evening.

This 6-year-old seems like a promising each-way bet, particularly since he has won 3 of his 4 races at this venue. Trained by P. T. Midgley in Class 5 and 6 AW handicaps.

Bonito Cavalo, IMHO, shines above the rest here with a 46% course strike rate and a 33% strike rate at this C&D. His Orientor speed and Exceed And Excel pedigree are perfect for this AW. Now running off an extremely fair 52, I reckon he is ready to bounce back to his winning ways today.

Fitness has to be taken on trust after 66 days off track, but the yard have had a couple run well on seasonal debut in the last couple of weeks and he has a couple of decent form lines in this field. A no-show in his last three runs. Previously to that, he was second over course and distance twice, with the first of those seeing him second to the re-opposing Hover On The Wind by a head. He gets a further 2 lb from that one here, with Darlo Pride back in fourth and two lengths behind, while he is only 2 lb worse off with that rival here. A winner off 67 here this time last year, he goes off just 62 here, and I’ll chance him back from a break.