Yesterday’s Review

0.5pt e/way Too Much (101) – The selection couldn’t reproduce her two most recent efforts having raced more forward this time, and coming home in ninth place beaten four and a half lengths. The time of the race was strong for the grade with the winner Novak (107) returning to form having disappointed when selected by this column in November.

Today’s Advice

Blackstone Cliff (10f 42y Hcap) – This Tristan Davidson trained gelding caught the eye last time out over course and distance when racing in rear behind yesterday’s course and distance winner Midnight Lion twenty days ago. On that occasion he started slowly and was making nice headway when his rider Elle-May Croot was forced to sit up in the saddle when not getting a clear run at the business end of the race before finishing nicely two and a half lengths back in third place. That was his first race in 152 days for his new trainer having been trained in Ireland previously. The sectional times compare very favourably with another performance by one of today’s rivals in Violeta who finished behind Keen Interest over course and distance back in November. I calculated the surface on the day the selection raced to be (0.15) seconds per furlong slower than when Violeta raced there last time out. The handicapper has dropped the selection a pound since, and a reproduction of his latest effort would see him right in the mix for today’s (1.52) Newcastle. The favourite Come On John has looked a shade unlucky bumping into a rejuvinated first-time-visored Busby in a very fast time over twelve furlongs at Southwell, and just failing by a head last time out at Wolverhampton behind Moon Over The Sea. At the prices on offer I am happy to take on the favourite who is having his fourth race in seventeen days.

0.5pt e/way Blackstone Cliff (9/1 General) 1.52 Newcastle