Horse Racing Tips: Thursday's 23/1 PP News Daily Double at Newcastle

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The last time Graham delivered his daily double on Friday at Chelmsford both of his selections won for a juicy 12/1 pay-out. Let’s see if he can keep the ball rolling. Remember, keep it safe, fun and only bet with money you can afford to lose.

Check out Ruby Walsh and Frank Hickey’s latest Cheltenham antepost tips now

19:00 Crantock Bay

Newmarket trainer George Scott has been going through a barren spell lately and hasn’t had a winner with any of his last 32 runners in the last two months. Crantock Bay is Scott’s only runner on tonight’s card and this 5-year-old gelding is also due a turn in the winner’s enclosure having finished second in six of his last nine races.

He left the cash in the satchels at Chelmsford over a furlong shorter a couple of weeks ago and the return to this trip and track are certainly in his favour tonight. Ben Curtis rode him two starts back over course and distance where he struck the front inside the final furlong only to be outgunned close to home.

He was only beaten a neck that day. Crantock Bay runs off a two-pound lower mark tonight and I won’t be surprised to see Curtis hold him up for a late surge. I’m a great believer in the laws of averages and the balance of probabilities. With both the horse and trainer overdue a win he gets the vote.

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19:30 Star Cracker

A very weak race to round off proceedings at Newcastle tonight. Two things jumped off the page at me regarding Star Cracker. One is the fact that the gelding won twice here over course and distance around this time last year and the other is the booking of Laura Pearson for the ride. Pearson is a very capable jockey worth every bit of her 5lb claim.

Star Cracker is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character but does win his fair share of races. It’s worth noting that a few of his wins have been after short breaks. He returns from a 10 week break tonight which is a bit longer than I would’ve liked but he is clearly a horse that goes well fresh. I think that the recent break, the booking of a much sought after claimer and the fact that he won twice here over course and distance last January are positives that can’t be ignored.