Good Ground and Great Prospects at Newcastle
Tuesday's Newcastle card might be modest in size, but don't let that fool you - there's proper racing to be had on Tyneside. The going's riding Good with some easier patches along the river bank reading Good to Soft, which should suit the stamina types on what's predominantly a staying card. Six races might seem light work, but when you've got a Class 3 feature and a competitive mares' maiden to get your teeth into, quality trumps quantity every time.
The ground conditions are absolutely crucial today, particularly for those tackling the extended trips. That Good to Soft strip could be the difference between winning and finishing in the pack for horses who appreciate a bit of cut underfoot. Keep your eye on how the early runners handle the surface - it'll tell you everything you need to know about where to place your money later on.
Feature Race: The Visit Kauto The King Chase
The 16:52 Class 3 handicap chase is where the serious money's on offer, and rightly so. At £15,000 to the winner over 2m 4f 216y, this is a proper test of jumping and stamina. Soldierofthestorm heads the weights on 124 and looks the one they'll all have to beat. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained eight-year-old has been knocking on the door in better company than this, and with Jonjo Jr. doing the steering, he's got every chance of making the most of a drop in grade.
But don't go writing off the opposition just yet. Tapley is an interesting runner for Suzy Smith at 120, and at nine years old, he's got the experience to make life difficult for the favourite. The form book suggests he's capable of better than his current mark, and Isabelle Ryder knows her way around this track.
Paul Nicholls' Clotilda is the baby of the field at just five, but she's already shown enough to warrant respect. At 116, she's getting plenty of weight from the top two, and if the ground's in her favour, she could spring a surprise at decent odds.
Mares' Maiden Hurdle: Experience vs Youth
The 14:33 mares' maiden hurdle is where the day begins in earnest, and it's a fascinating puzzle. Onefournine brings the highest rating at 110, and with Jonjo O'Neill Jr. aboard for the family stable, she's clearly expected to make her mark. At six years old, she's had time to learn her trade, and that experience could prove decisive in a field full of newcomers to the winner's enclosure.
Laffer Curve for the Skelton team catches the eye at 103. Sam Twiston-Davies doesn't often get legged up on no-hopers, and the fact she's rated suggests she's shown enough at home to warrant confidence. The Skeltons know how to place their horses, and this looks like a race they've targeted.
Don't overlook Jolissaint either - at seven years old, she's the eldest in the field and might just have the nous to outfox her younger rivals. Christian Williams has been in good form lately, and Jack Tudor is a jockey on the up.
Supporting Cast Worth a Second Look
The 15:42 Thatchers Handicap Chase might only have four runners, but it's a cracking little contest. Uncle Phil tops the weights on 122, but at nine years old, he's got to prove he's still got the fire in his belly. The market will tell us plenty about Chester Williams' confidence levels.
Siam Park for Joe Tizzard brings course form to the table, and that [D] next to his name could be worth its weight in gold. Brendan Powell knows every blade of grass at Newcastle, and if this horse has taken to the track before, he's got to be respected.
The 16:17 staying hurdle over 3m 2f is a proper test of stamina, and Dearkeithandkaty looks well-handicapped at the top of the weights. The O'Neill team have been in flying form, and this five-year-old could be the type to improve significantly for the step up in trip.
Bumper to Close: Future Stars on Show
The closing bumper might be the least valuable race on the card at £5,000, but it's often where you'll spot the stars of tomorrow. Max d'Airy for Paul Nicholls with Freddie Gingell aboard looks the most professional entry. The Ditcheat maestro doesn't send horses on long journeys without good reason, and this four-year-old could be something special.
Taranis Dubh for Olly Murphy is another to note. Sean Bowen's booking suggests this one's been showing plenty at home, and Murphy's youngsters often come to hand quickly.
The Verdict: Where the Smart Money Goes
Today's Newcastle racecard offers plenty of opportunities for the shrewd punter. Soldierofthestorm in the feature chase looks the safest bet of the day - he's simply better than this grade when right. In the mares' maiden, Onefournine brings the best form to the table and should take plenty of beating.
For those looking for a bit of value, keep Siam Park onside in the four-runner chase - his course form could be the edge he needs. And don't ignore Max d'Airy in the bumper; Nicholls wouldn't send him this far north without expecting a big run.
The ground's riding well, the card's competitive, and there's money to be made for those who do their homework. Just remember - in this game, it's not about backing winners, it's about backing value. And on Tuesday at Newcastle, there's plenty of that to go around.
