Horse Racing Tips: A 12/1 pick leads the Friday charge at Newcastle

17:25 Blindedbythelights

Progressive during a three-month spell last summer, BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS could yet be capable of better this year and is preferred to Bringbackmemories, who’ll find this a bit tougher back up 4lb for last month’s C&D win. The inconsistent La Pulga may be the one to take them along.

18:00 Life On The Rocks

Humble Spark is 2lb well in and he can confirm the placings with the three rivals who finished behind him, while Spirit Of Ash and Yakhabar have been in good order over 1m4f and should go well. Their form figures may offer little encouragement but the two runners of most interest may be Dragons Will Rise and LIFE ON THE ROCKS. The former is a multiple course winner who drops into Class 6 company but narrow preference is for Richard Fahey’s runner. He hasn’t sparkled so far this year but he’d been off for ages prior to his reappearance and the ground was a valid excuse at Thirsk last time. His market position that day offered hope that there was some ability still intact.

18:30 Barleybrown

A number of these have made the running before. Angel Of Antrim is 2lb well in under a penalty for last Tuesday’s 7f win here and goes on the shortlist, along with well-treated veteran Anif, who hit traffic at a key stage here 18 days ago, but this can go to BARLEYBROWN, whose latest clear Wolverhampton third behind two gambles reads well.

19:00 Little Ted

It’s hard to be sure where the pace is coming from in a handicap featuring several who lack consistency and/or have a tendency to start slowly and/or pull hard. Something has to win though, and perhaps LITTLE TED, who’ll be happier back at 1m and is on his last winning mark, will be up to the job. Balqaa is another to consider for last year’s winning yard.

19:30 Royal Velvet (NAP)

An interesting race of its type. Blue Virtue is probably better than her mark but she’s not the only one and she shapes as though 6f may be her best trip. Last Applause (second choice), Cerulean Summer and Berrygate all make some appeal but ROYAL VELVET (NAP) did well to win at Wolverhampton on her second start and she should find this stiffer test prompting further improvement.

20:00 So Logical

There won’t be any excuses this time for SO LOGICAL in an ordinary-looking fillies’ maiden, with her setting the standard and the only one to have had a recent run. More Than A Feelin should be capable of better than she’s shown in two runs if settling better in the hood.

20:30 Catch Cunningham

Granted a more favourable draw, Elzaal would have been the pick. Paul Midgley’s charge has related C&D form with Saaheq, who seemingly prefers Chelmsford. Therefore, in a tricky-looking handicap, the tentative suggestion is CATCH CUNNINGHAM in the hope that he can recapture peak form for Michael Herrington.

21:00 Miss Calculation

Frank The Spark still has time to do better and a wind operation since last seen could prove beneficial. Tathmeen, Bernie The Bear and Fircombe Hall all look likely to give their running but the two to focus on could be Dream Together and MISS CALCULATION. The former has dropped a long way in the weights and could be perked up by new accessories but similar comments apply to the selection and the booking of Jason Hart, who knew her well from her time with John Quinn, could be the catalyst for an improved showing.

Newcastle Racing Tips

17:25 Blindedbythelights
18:00 Life On The Rocks
18:30 Barleybrown
19:00 Little Ted
19:30 Royal Velvet (NAP)
20:00 So Logical
20:30 Catch Cunningham
21:00 Miss Calculation