Pick 7: Man On The Spot

1425 Newcastle - Betfred TV Chipchase Stakes

Aeolus won this in 2015 and a narrow-margin defeat at Haydock last time suggests another big run is on the cards. But DON’T TOUCH is expected to improve for last month’s comeback run at Leopardstown. A close-up fifth to The Tin Man in a Group 1 lat Ascot last year, Richard Fahey’s sprinter won at Wolverhampton on his only previous start on the all-weather. Stablemate Kimberella has been in fine form over 5f recently and won the All-Weather Championship Sprint over today’s longer trip at Lingfield earlier while Perfect Pasture made a winning return in Listed company at Windsor with Intisaab behind and can also figure. Final Venture will find this easier than his latest task in the King’s Stand at Ascot and beat Ornate earlier but Koropick takes on older sprinters today and Mattmu is preferred as he goes well fresh and is capable at this level.  

1440 Newmarket - Betway Empress Fillies' Stakes

Richard Fahey saddled the winner of this Listed race in 2011 and holds a strong hand this year with Beverley second Maggies Angel and the unbeaten Dance Diva, who got the better of subsequent Pontefract winner Miss Dd on debut. But Richard Hannon has won four of the last eight renewals and has the likely favourite in the once-raced TAJAANUS. She overcame inexperience and a slow start to beat more-experienced rivals on the Rowley Mile course here in May and looks a nice prospect. Elizabeth Bennet won easily on Polytrack after a nice debut at Goodwood and also has scope while Elithea impressed on soft going at Carlisle and should be suited by the extra furlong.

1500 Newcastle - Betfred Northumberland Vase Handicap

The progressive LONDON PRIZE returned to winning ways over 2m at Goodwood recently with an impressive eight-length success. He can shrug off a penalty on that evidence and was runner-up over track and trip earlier. Kensington Star found one too good at Musselburgh attempting today’s trip for the first time but remains unexposed while Graceland has a shout on her earlier second over 2m at York. A winner over 1m4f at the track, I Am Not Here will likely stay the trip and the same applies to High Command, despite disappointing at Salisbury last time. The marathon 2m5f of the Queen Alexandra proved beyond October Storm at Ascot last week but he was in fine form before that. 

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1515 Newmarket - Betway Criterion Stakes

Home Of The Brave landed the odds on his reappearance in a Listed race at Leicester, beating Tasleet who has shown himself to be a much-improved sprinter since. But Hugo Palmer’s five-year-old was beaten fair and square by RICHARD PANKHURST on similar terms in a Group 2 at Newbury last year. John Gosden’s charge was behind Breton Rock at Doncaster subsequently and is hard to catch right but would have a chance second to none if in the mood. Thikriyaat was second in last year’s Jersey Stakes, ahead of Ibn Malik, and then won in this grade at Goodwood. He looked set for another good season when third at York and makes more appeal than Jungle Cat and the three-year-old Winning Ways.

1530 Newcastle - Stobart Rail Northumberland Plate Handicap

The progressive FLYMETOTHESTARS (NAP) defied an 8lb rise for last year’s victory over 1m4f here when scoring over track and trip on his reappearance. He looks capable of bringing another of Sir Mark Prescott’s master plans to a successful conclusion. Seamour has also come in for plenty of support on the back of a placed effort at York on his return while Godolphin won last year’s renewal and Natural Scenery is preferred to stablemate Good Run on his defeat of London Prize over course and distance back in February. Higher Power has been raised a further 4lb for a creditable second to Big Orange at Sandown in May and makes most appeal of James Fanshawe’s three runners while Jaameh showed further improvement with a victory over 1m6f at Newmarket and has more scope than stable companion Yorkidding. Last year’s Yorkshire Cup winner Clever Cookie is back in a handicap for the first time since 2014 while Sir Chauvelin was fourth in the consolation race last year but is 8lb higher today.

1535 York - Like Sun Bets On Facebook Handicap

Baraweez is coming down to a nice mark but may be warming up for Galway where he's a regular and Brian Ellison looks to have a better chance with Be Kool, who produced a shock when landing a handicap over slightly shorter here last month though has been hit with an 8lb rise. Silvery Moon makes a quick reappearance after a moderate run at Carlisle on Wednesday but Mohab looks to have dropped to a mark he's capable of winning from soon. Kevin Ryan's charge was staying on strongly over Beverley's stiff extended mile in May and the assessor has left him alone. FINGAL'S CAVE (NAP) landed a Catterick handicap at this grade before performing with credit when stepped up in class here last month and he'll enjoy the conditions better than most so gets the nod.

1605 Newcastle - Betfred 'Home Of Goals Galore' Handicap

Theos Lolly had slipped down the weights before scoring at Ripon last month and is back up 6lb for this. CAPE PENINSULAR is preferred as she won a maiden over today’s trip at Wolverhampton before placed over 1m2f on her handicap debut and there should be more to come from James Tate’s filly. Dolphin Village is not out of this if back to his best while Go George Go has a shout with a repeat of his latest effort at Musselburgh.

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