Newcastle - Mon 31 Mar 2025
Having performed well in defeat at Perth on several occasions last year, a change of scenery could help BISHOP HILL to break her maiden. The Lucinda Russell-trained mare seems ideally suited by this trip and won't need much of a step forward to strike. Wendywilldo and Parisian Fashion are closely matched based on their encounter at Wetherby's Christmas fixture and they are the dangers.
Race tactics and a shorter trip conspired against SHESUPINCOURT at Ffos Las 10 days ago. It would come as no surprise to see this sterner test bring the best out of Ryan Potter's mare. Community Rebel also found just one too good on his latest start over C&D and boasts a decent chance of success if the first-time cheekpieces work the oracle. Mobile Mamma and Deep Strato are surely better than their recent failed completions.
KILMORE ROCK, Adveram and Killybegs Jet Lady are the ones to focus on, with the former preferred with improvement possible now he goes with cheekpieces added. The Susan Corbett-trained gelding is a prime candidate to cut out the running and he appears to have been found a good opportunity to strike. Adveram stays well and rates the chief danger on that basis.
CONISTON GEORGE really seemed to appreciate a first-time visor when gaining a third career success over hurdles at Carlisle earlier in the month and a 7lb rise may not be enough to stop him from backing that performance up. Pay The Piper returned to the smaller obstacles and finished runner-up here last time and is likely to be competitive along with Horn Cape.
Empty Nest has been in consistent form since winning at Wetherby on Boxing Day and the seven-year-old is likely to offer another bold bid following his latest third at the same track. The vote, though, goes to BEAT THE EDGE, who has blinkers reapplied to aid his concentration after he travelled particularly well at Sedgefield on his latest start. Kicksaftersix completes the shortlist.
WILD NEPHIN took a step back in the right direction when runner-up at Huntingdon and this appears to be an excellent opportunity for Ryan Potter's gelding to get his head in front for the first time under Rules. Willie Shake Hands (second) and Mix De Gris (fourth) were closely matched over C&D last month and the latter may well reverse the form with a 5lb pull at the weights.
A weak enough contest which could lead to the experienced BISHOP HILL getting off the mark on her return from a break. She travelled well to a point before cutting out last time and the winner of that race followed up in a decent handicap next time. The selection could have too much class for point winner Parisian Fashion who has shown a useful level of form over hurdles but shaped like a stayer. Wendywilldo was only narrowly denied on her penultimate start but shed bled and cut out quickly next time. She's best watched after that.
COMMUNITY REBEL may have won but for a bad late error on chase debut and is taken to make amends off just 1lb higher here. The winner of that race has followed up since and if the first time cheekpieces bring any improvement, he will be tough to beat. Toombridge came down late when set for a place in a race that has worked out well and will pose the biggest danger if his stamina holds up. Mobile Mamma looks the better of the Ruth Jefferson pair and should improve for this switch to fences.
KILLYBEGS JET LADY is the obvious choice here having proved her stamina for 3m in a hot handicap last summer. She remains unexposed and is expected to come on plenty from a solid effort when midfield on reappearance. Adveram had been progressing well until a below par effort last time but not much got into the race that day and he's worth another chance. Kilmore Rock is open to improvement in first time cheekpieces but has stamina for 3m to prove.
Consistent chaser PAY THE PIPER held his form when runner up here on his recent hurdles return. He was successful off this mark over fences in the autumn and the drying ground should help him see out this longer trip. He should be thereabouts if doing so. Lihyan was in good form in the autumn in staying races and looked in need of the run last time. This slightly longer trip and stiffer track should see him back in form. Coniston George was worth more than the winning margin last time and isn't ruled out off his revised mark in a weak enough contest.
EMPTY NEST was in good form at the start of the year and has been freshened up since waiting for the ground to dry out. The horse he finished ahead of last time would've won on his its next outing but for falling so the selection should be capable off an unchanged mark. Kicksaftersix has only won once over fences but is generally consistent and could bounce back from a rare disappointment on his return from a break. Soldier Dan ran well for a long way under an overly aggressive ride on chase debut and is open to plenty of improvement if allowed an easier time of it up front dropped in trip.
SOCKS OFF proved he retained his ability when placed in a hunter chase last time and he is potentially thrown in returned to handicaps over hurdles. His last success came off this mark and he will be staying on strongly at the finish over what is his minimum trip. The Dipper showed improved form last time and is open to plenty of further progression now handicapping for a top local yard. Wild Nephin was suited by an aggressive ride at a sharp track last time and though this track is stiffer, he could get an easier time up front here.
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