12:40 Plumpton
This race looks between the two at the top of the weights and likely to be at the head of the markets.
Brandon Castle put in a taking performance when winning on hurdles debut over course and distance last month, battling well to beat an odds-on shot and pulling over twenty lengths clear of third in the process. His trainer Neil King had four winners from eleven runners at the course in 2018 and based on the evidence of his runners’ aforementioned victory he looks to have an exciting prospect who could notch a string of wins together.
Zoffany Bay is also a course and distance winner, last seen winning by eight lengths here in November. He is passed over today as he would probably prefer faster ground conditions, but nevertheless will appreciate the drop back down in class after struggling in tougher races the last twice and therefore still rates a danger.
A final mention goes to Pemberley who has shown some promise in two hurdles runs to date and is partnered with Aidan Coleman who has been in excellent form in recent weeks, posting eight wins (including his first Group 1 success) from his last twenty-seven rides.
BRANDON CASTLE (WIN) – NAP
14:00 Newcastle
Trautmann has been in great form at Newcastle over the last couple of months, posting two wins over today’s trip and battling well for second over two miles when last seen. His trainer Rebecca Menzies has been in good form over the last couple of weeks and the return to twelve furlongs should suit so he is given the nod to return to the winners’ enclosure today.
Isle Of Avalon did well to win at Wolves last time out, having to check his run before finishing strongly to beat Tommy Docc by a head. As that was his first run in over a year he is entitled to improve, however a break of just eleven days is a concern and he has gone up 3lbs so may just find this race coming too soon.
The shortlist is completed with Glan Y Gors who is yet to win in twelve on an all-weather surface but posted a solid second over course and distance last time out and has only gone up 1lbs so should be thereabouts at the business end of the race.
TRAUTMANN (WIN)
Newcastle
13:00 – Galileo’s Spear (WIN)
13:30 – Rainbow Lad (WIN)
14:00 – Trautmann (WIN)*
14:30 – Bahkit (E/W)
15:00 – Miss Morocco (WIN)
15:30 – Made Of Honour (WIN)
Plumpton
12:40 – Brandon Castle (WIN) – NAP
13:10 – Master Dino (WIN)
13:40 – Phoenix Way (WN)
14:10 – Sixties Idol (E/W)
14:40 – The Two Amigos (WIN)
15:10 – Turban (E/W)
15:40 – Stonecoldsoba (WIN)
Naas
12:50 – Final List (WIN)
13:20 – Campeador (WIN)
13:50 – Commander Of Fleet (E/W)
14:20 – Punches Cross (WIN)
14:50 – Bridge Native (WIN)
15:20 – Missy Tata (WIN)
15:50 – Zambezir (WIN)
