Dundalk 17:00 – Jered Maddox
He has been contesting sprint distances of late and running with a fair level of consistency. Despite that, the handicapper has eased him to a very competitive mark of 61. The 7f trip holds no fear and a return to anything like his close-up third at the Curragh off a rating in the 70s over this trip gives him every opportunity in this company. He should be able to overcome the draw in stall 10 too.
Newcastle 17:15 Juan Les Pins
A very interesting purchase for the new trainer-owner combination as he was picked up for £60,000 at the horses in training sale. They must have one eye on a big target, possibly the all-weather Championship finals sprint division or they may have a Dubai Meydan carnival idea in their minds.
Either way you look at it he wasn’t cheap. A wide-margin winner when last seen at Kempton and he certainly bred for the job with a top-class pedigree. Let’s hope it’s money well spent and this is a stepping stone.
Newcastle 18:45 Crantock Bay
Having had 10 races to date and managing to finish second on five occasions doesn’t immediately fill you with confidence. However, a look back at his last finishing effort will show you how unlucky he is to still be without that elusive first victory, he has taken a slight tap on the wrist from the handicapper and been nudged up 2lbs for that eye-catching performance.
His young handler George Scott sends the horsebox on the trek from Newmarket with just the two runners and can go home with one in the bag.
Dundalk 19:00 Next in Line
He managed to win a couple of races back-to-back on the turf in 2020 at Gowran Park and Galway and proved that he handles the all-weather surface very well. He bumped into a very easy winner in Winner Takes It All last time and proved that his rating is not beyond him at this track.
The tricky draw (again in box 10!) should prove no barrier to success as he is very flexible tactics wise. This contest is not loaded with natural pace and he has a front-running win to his name already.
Newcastle 19:15 Herringswell
The five-year-old did us a favour a couple of weeks ago over course and distance and she has been given a fairly hefty 7lb rating hike and has been done no favours with a low stall position on the far side of the track.
Admittedly it was a bloodless success last time and highlighted the talents of her rider, everything will need to fall into place again for another success as she will be held up and played late.
Make no mistake she has a fantastic change of gear at the business end when things fall right.
Dundalk 19:30 Settle for Bay
His last win came at Royal Ascot in 2018 when winning the Royal Hunt cup off a rating of 99, but he’s seen that slide all the way down to a very competitive 84 now. He was a little keen in the early stages last time, but stuck to his guns well when finishing fourth suggesting that a return to his favoured mile distance is going to prove key to get him back to the winners enclosure.
He has an impressive 50 per cent strike rate on the all-weather and he can up that to an impressive five from nine on Friday night.
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