Newcastle - Mon 13 Apr 2026
PANTILE'S GIFT showed a bit more when fourth at Chelmsford last time and it will be interesting to see if the winner offers that form a timely boost at Leicester. He's worth another go over this trip and makes slightly more appeal than Sovereign Bright, who is back in a handicap following her latest third in a Lingfield maiden. Due To Shine is also noted.
MARRA DONNA will be winning a race of this nature sooner rather than later. He was well fancied to strike on his handicap bow at Wolverhampton when seemingly unlucky, and has performed well in defeat in three subsequent starts. With a bit more luck in running he can strike at the expense of Northern Tempest, Taaklam and course winner Mademoiselle Belle.
Look no further than NOELAN STAR. He went into plenty of notebooks when making a striking debut here in December and, on the evidence of that impressive display, the three-year-old should be able to cope with a penalty in this novice heat. The others are probably playing for second and Horu Kanu and Viper look to be the pick of them.
GRANT WOOD has won two of his last three starts and might be worth sticking with for now while he's clearly on good terms with himself. Both wins came at this venue so the return to this track following his latest Wolverhampton fourth should suit. There are other interesting contenders in here, including Wicket Keeper, Paddy's Day and Evening Saigon.
EDDAARI should take some stopping on the pick of his form, which includes a neck second here on his all-weather bow in November. Entitled to have improved from two to three years, a big performance looks assured. Far Far Out is an interesting newcomer for a top yard, though, and the market may tell us more. Keep an eye on Showcasing Star too.
Lady Delila is one to note sporting a first-time visor and similar sentiments apply to Teggy Lasso, who is tried in a first-time tongue-tie. BARLEYBROWN could be the one to beat, though, as he brings winning C&D form to the table and was back to something like his best here last time when finishing a close-up third. This might be the time to catch him.
There are plenty of C&D winners going to post for this sprint finale and what can only be described as a tentative vote is for HOVER ON THE WIND, who showed a bit more when third at Southwell latest and won't mind switching to this track. Dc Cogent and Darlo Pride also performed well on their latest outings at Southwell and command respect.
Pantile's Gift is coming off an improved handicap effort when having the run of the race at Chelmsford but he'll need more here for the win. Sovereign Bright is well worth trying over this longer trip, even though she doesn't always shape as though it will suit, but it's FUZEYYA who is the selection. She failed to show on her handicap debut over 12f but is bred to be better than a 57-rated performer and the drop in trip on a stiff track might prove ideal.
It's hard to knock the consistent MARRA DONNA, who finished strongly in a new headgear combination to just miss out at Lingfield last time and runs here off the same mark while a more waiting ride than when third over C&D two starts back should help. Anorah Unleashed is coming off an improved third at Kempton and looks the danger with further progress likely, although Full Gas has a bigger effort in him yet - he's certainly better than showed on his latest outing when soon behind at Pontefract.
This really ought to go to NOELAN STAR, who created a strong impression when scoring in fine style over C&D on December's debut. He looked a pretty smart prospext on that occasion and should defy the penalty if he's to be competing at a higher level on turf. Brian Ellison's pair Record Day and Viper each shaped with promise on their Doncaster debut and could improve enough to have a say, while Horu Kanu is a little more exposed but an obvious candidate for a place.
Grant Wood has been in fine form and finished a fair fourth in his bid for a hat-trick at Wolverhampton last time, putting in his best work late. He can again go well but WICKET KEEPER is just a 4yo and could prove too progressive. He returned with a fine fourth over C&D and any improvement on that can see him strike here. William Dewhirst is of some interest at likely bigger odds with him having clearly needed his return run. He's considered on last year's best efforts.
Far Far Out is an interesting newcomer, being a son of Kingman and hailing from a top yard. He could easily be up to making a winning debut but EDDAARI sets a good standard and only just missed out over C&D last time. He's run to a similarly decent level on all three starts. Third choice is Showcasing Star, who might need further than this before long but has at least shown a fair level of ability already. He may struggle to win, though.
Lady Delila has been in good form in classified events and could up her game again tried in a visor now back in a handicap, but a new headgear combo could also squeeze a little improvement from TEGGY LASSO also. He's been in good enough form and should see his race out better with the tongue-tie added. Barleybrown is consistent and likes this C&D, so should again go well. He needs more for the win, though.
The consistent Herakles has been eased 1lb and seems sure to go well again, but HOVER ON THE WIND is preferred having hit the line strongly at Southwell last time, catching the eye to some extent and shaping like a horse nearing a win. He's 2lb above his last win mark but that shouldn't stop him and he likes it here. Dc Cogent is running well off similar marks and should again go well but needs more for the victory.
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