Tuesday 15th November
6.15 Newcastle - Pockley 4/1 (365)
To be honest i was in two minds whether to have a go at POCKLEY , i wanted a bit more price wise , but eventually decided that 4/1 aint too bad all things considered. Usually runs a sound race here at Newcastle with two wins and three places from 6 runs at the course (only time he was unplaced was at a mile). and comes into this on the back of two decent efforts at the course with a third on his penultimate run and a second last time out (beaten a nose). Hopefully he can go one better this evening. Horse has won off as high as 75 but runs off 65 which i see as a big plus given that he seems to be in fine form at the moment. The only thing nagging at me is the fact that he hasnt won at the distance in two attempts , hasnt even placed , but im hoping that running at a track he seems to do well at will help his cause and eek out a little more along with the first time blinkers that the trainer has reached for. Trainer sends just this one to the meeting , and the fact that she sends just this one across the border caught my eye. Jockey Mark Winn also goes for just this one , and he has two places from two rides aboard the horse , both here - last two runs , and his 5lb claim can only help matters i think. Should be in the mix , and hopefully can finish with his head in front.
7.45 Newcastle - Spartan Fighter 33/1 (365) - Athollblair Boy 16/1 (Lads)
I know , I know i should leave the amateur races alone , how often have i said that ?!! And no doubt i shall be cursing them afterwards as i'm looking at another one lol. I quite fancied a few of these if i'm honest but at the prices i couldnt help but have an interest in the two i've named. First one is SPARTAN FIGHTER , whose currently a standout 33s with 365 , 20-25s elsewhere generally. Doesnt come into this in the best of form admittedly but has won 5 times over CD , and placed once , from 14 runs (and won 6 and placed in 3 from 21 runs at the course overall) so knows his way round here. Jockey claims an invaluable 7lb which should help the cause , although to be honest i dont know too much about the jockey to be honest. Trainer Anthony Brittain has been hitting form lately with a strike rate of 25% in the past fortnight. Would definatley have to improve on recent showings , but doesnt look badly drawn and at the price i thought he was worth a go as a shot to nothing at a decent price. The other one i like is ATHOLLBLAIR BOY , who like Spartan Fighter , has been a winner here at Newcastle multiple times (ran 29 times over CD winning 4 and placing in 9 .. ran 42 times overall at the course winning 6 and placing in a further 14) and a decent run wouldnt come as the biggest surprise as he was a solid enough looking fourth here last time and the fact that he's being ridden by a claimer shouldnt matter as looking through his races i notice that hes usually ridden by claimers. Another one i couldnt leave at the price on offer. Fingers crossed !