A tremendous day yesterday, with virtually all of our selections running very good races. Ursis, Rattan, Cape Hawk and Golden Dixie all finished in the frame, but the real profit was made by our two big-priced winners, Arrivederla (advised at 16/1) and Princess Rainbow (advised at 20/1).

We have a lot of selections today, but all look overpriced and capable of getting involved at rewarding odds, so hopes are high for a good day again.

Today’s bets:

Newcastle 3.20
Those at the head of the market don't inspire great confidence so a chance is taken on Eliwan at a double figure price. He has shown signs on the A/W lately of fulfilling the promise he showed in his last couple of Maiden races. He has to prove himself on this softer ground but he doesn't have the action of a horse who would be unduly inconvenienced by it. He is relatively unexposed over this sort of trip and his mark of 57 would look lenient if he were to recapture that Maiden form. The blinkers that have helped him bring about recent improvement are retained.
Selection – ELLIWAN. 1 point E/W @ 12/1 (Sportingbet and William Hill)

Newcastle 4.30
Seven furlongs on soft ground on a track like this could prove too much for Musca but at a big price it looks worth a small risk. Recent form is thin on the ground but he can be forgiven his last three efforts. Eased down after going lame at Redcar last June he may not have fully recovered when tackling heavy ground at Haydock the following month. Reappearing over six furlongs on good ground at Hamilton earlier this month he completely missed the break and his race was effectively over before it had begun. A winner in soft ground as a Juvenile he has plied his trade in mainly better company than this from much higher marks. Down to a rating of 67 in this grade a much better performance wouldn't be the biggest of surprises.
Selection – MUSCA. 0.5 points E/W @ 25/1 (William Hill)

Newcastle 5.05
Cloudesley heads the market but, even though he is open to plenty of improvement, he is a short price for an inexperienced horse who has yet to tackle these conditions. The Last Alzao has only had three races himself but he has improved in each of them, albeit at a very modest level, and he promises to be better now he steps up in trip on easier ground. He was noted making late headway over six furlongs on ground which he didn't seem to be enjoying last time out. He starts handicap life on a very low mark for his in form stable. Woteva didn't run badly in midfield at Thirsk last time out on ground which was probably too quick for her. Her best form last season came under testing conditions and she is now back to within a pound of her last winning mark. A filly who won over seven furlongs in heavy ground on a stiff track as a Juvenile should have no problem seeing out a mile here on soft ground in her second season.
Selection – THE LAST ALZAO. 2 point win @ 8/1 (Sportingbet)
Selection – WOTEVA. 1 point win @ 12/1 (General)

Newcastle 5.35
We selected Quick Off The Mark at Nottingham on Tuesday only for her to be withdrawn. She has come in for a bit of early support today but there must be a doubt over her ability to handle this ground. Moonstreaker wasn't given a hard time last time out at Pontefract once the gaps he was looking for didn't appear, He ran well prior to that on his reappearance on ground which he seemed to be feeling and the return to softer conditions should suit. The assessor may have been premature dropping him a couple of pounds and a return to the form which took him close over today's trip at Redcar last September should see him get competitive. All three of his career wins have come under today's claimer and the yard had their first winner of the turf campaign recently.
Selection – MOONSTREAKER. 1 point E/W @ 14/1 (General)

Haydock 6.20
It's not hard seeing The History Man, Guto and Tartatartufata going well at decent looking prices but the selection is topweight Blazing Heights. He should win more often than he does but he made an encouraging return at Thirsk earlier this month under conditions which would have been plenty quick enough. He should be seen to better effect on this slower ground and he hasn't had many chances over a stiff five furlongs. He is down to a career low mark and had form against better horses than this last season to be a force in this race. He has a decent draw and there looks likely to a true gallop for him to chase.
Selection – BLAZING HEIGHTS. 1 point E/W @ 10/1 (Bet 365)

Haydock 7.20
With Ingleby Lady out of this race it has a much more open look to it. Captain Scrooby is very tempting returned to softer ground but the same can be said of Miss Hollybell, and she is a much bigger price. She ran better than her finishing position suggests at Windsor last time out in a race which looked as if it were needed. Most of her turf form last season was on quicker ground but she did go close on her debut in soft ground and there's a chance she may find some improvement now she tackles it for the first time since. She shapes as though she needs this sixth furlong now and the handicapper has given her a helping hand by dropping her three pounds. Still a maiden, she probably needs to produce her best performance to date against all sex company, but that's not impossible and her price is somewhat insulting compared to some at shorter who are not guaranteed to handle the conditions. Mind you both her Sire and Dam have yet to produce a winner so the stats merchants will have her priced up at ten times her current odds.
Selection – MISS HOLLYBELL. 1 point E/W @ 20/1 (Sportingbet)

Haydock 7.50
Selection – LUSCIVIOUS. 1 point E/W @ 16/1 (Stan James)

Pontefract 8.30
Selection – HURLINGHAM. 2 point win @ 9/1 (General)

Haydock 8.50
Selection – ORIENTAL CAVALIER. 2 point win @ 6/1 (Stan James)