Horse Racing Tips: 6 picks to lick Newcastle’s Thursday card

13:55 – ILHABELA FACT

Ilhabela Fact is a straightforward sort and enhanced her decent strike rate, making it five wins from 16 starts in Britain, when successful at Kempton earlier this month. She showed a good attitude to prevail and will still prove competitive off a 2 lb higher mark, particularly as trainer Tony Carroll remains in fine form.

14:30 – DA VINCI

Da Vinci was sent off a big price on his debut at Chelmsford last month but he showed fairly useful form to make a winning start, overcoming inexperience to get up close home after producing a strong, late run. He knuckled down well inside the final furlong, showing a decent attitude to prevail, and he edges the vote over Papa Power, who also looked promising when successful at Chelmsford but hasn’t quite achieved as much as the selection.

15:05 – PERSIAN SUN

Persian Sun had the run of the race when a close-up third at Kempton last time but that victory proved he is in excellent heart at present and, with little pace on the cards, there’s every chance he will get his own way in front again. Persian Sun, who is able to race off the same mark here, drops in trip but he should have the pace to cope and he looks set to launch another bold bid under leading rider Ben Curtis.

15:40 – CARNWENNAN

Carnwennan enjoyed a productive start to the campaign last season, rattling up a hat-trick, with his victories including the Northumberland Vase over this course and distance. He failed to meet expectations on a couple of occasions towards the end of 2019 but looked better than ever at Kempton last time, only just failing to get up. He would have benefited from a stronger gallop at Kempton but stuck to his task in pleasing fashion and may still have more to offer.

Scenic Shot of the runners in the 2nd race of the all Bumper Card @ NEWCASTLE 21/2/20
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

16:15 – MILLICENT FAWCETT

Millicent Fawcett made a promising debut when finishing runner-up at Newbury in April but was a beaten odds-on favourite on her next two outings, failing to meet expectations. However, she showed improved form at Wolverhampton last time, bolting up by seven lengths, and she looks leniently treated on her handicap debut. Millicent Fawcett is a half-sister to smart winners Richard Pankhurst and Crazy Horse, so may be capable of further improvement.

16:45 – FORTAMOUR

Fortamour is steadily progressive and produced his best effort yet to land a handicap over this course and distance last month. The way he moved through that race suggested he was a long way ahead of his mark, so a 5 lb rise in the weights should not be a problem, and he has a good chance of following up. Gallipoli is on a long losing run but has dropped to a good mark and shaped with encouragement last time, so is expected to pose the biggest threat.