13:15 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 1m Listed

1. Galeron (IRE): This useful colt displayed significant improvement when stepping up to 7f, winning a valuable 19-runner sales event at the Curragh. With a 6-month break, Galeron is making his AW debut and should stay the distance. As the form pick and a 2000 Guineas entry, Galeron is a strong contender for the win.
2. Flight Plan: A Night of Thunder colt who showed considerable improvement from his debut run to win a 10-runner novice event at this course, Flight Plan has been off for 147 days but is open to further progress. Also entered for the 2000 Guineas and Dante, this horse has potential and is one to watch.
3. Rousing Encore (IRE): A useful colt that achieved his best effort when runner-up in the Mill Reef at Newbury. Although off for 6 months and stepping up significantly in trip, Rousing Encore is making his tapeta debut and, on his best form, could be a serious player in the race.

Other notable contenders:

• Benacre (IRE): With three wins from five starts at 2 years old, this improving colt has a strong physique and may continue to progress after a 180-day break.
• Dear My Friend: Displaying a generally progressive profile, this Pivotal colt has achieved better form in defeat and is respected back down in trip after a 6-month break.
• Tenjin: This useful gelding finished a close third in a class 2 event at Kempton, needing a stronger gallop. Although not a top contender, Tenjin shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Unlikely to win:

• Dark Thirty (IRE): This horse has been below par in its last three starts and has a lot to prove on its return after a 6-month break.
• Oviedo (IRE): Although winning on debut and showing better form in the Acomb Stakes, Oviedo failed to deliver in a valuable sales race at the Curragh, leaving questions to be answered.

13:50 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 6f Cond Stks

1. Perdika: This mare has a very good chance of winning the race, as she has won four times on the AW and recently won a Listed event at Chantilly. She showed a fantastic attitude in that race and is unpenalized today, which gives her an advantage. She should also get a good pace to aim at, making her a strong candidate to win.
2. Shaquille: This colt has won three of his four starts, and he created a very favourable impression at Wolverhampton in his last run. He is progressive, and the return of the hood should not hurt his chances. His handicap mark may underestimate him, and he is a major player in this race.
3. Danger Alert: This gelding has improved with the help of blinkers and won a 6f Kempton handicap in good style. He has time to do better and is respected, but this is a rise in class. He is still a contender and could make it into the top three.

Other contenders include Shouldvebeenaring, who finished behind New Definition over 7f but could do well if he is back to his best, and Michaela’s Boy, who has won three races from 11 runs and could progress further on the AW.

Desert Cop, Glorious Angel, Hello Queen, New Definition, and The X O Two are all unlikely to win, as they have either shown limitations in their form or need to improve significantly to be competitive in this race.

14:25 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 2m Cond Stks

1. Berkshire Rocco: This gelding is the form pick in this race, and despite his recent defeat, he still shaped well and came from last to second. He won over 2m at Southwell Tapeta in January and has been lightly raced since his narrow defeat in the 2020 St Leger. He is expected to be a leading player on his first trip to Newcastle.
2. Earlofthecotswolds: This front-runner won this race last year and recorded his best AW form when winning a head-to-head battle with Fleurman at Wolverhampton four weeks ago. He is primed for another bold show and should make a serious bid to defend his title.
3. Barenboim: This gelding has had huge success on the AW, with five wins from eight starts since October. While his 2m run at Wolverhampton played a part in that improvement, it was one of his defeats, and his wins were all at up to 1m4f. However, his style of win last time suggested he still has potential, and he may have a good chance against the best of today’s rivals.

Other contenders include Fleurman, who has been seriously progressive with cheekpieces on the flat and could be in the mix with more to give, and Nolton Cross, who has been a rising force in 1m4f handicaps on Tapeta tracks at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Rainbow Dreamer and Solent Gateway are unlikely to win, as their recent form is not quite on the same level as some of the top contenders.

Aced It, Withhold, and The X O Two are also unlikely to win, as they have shown limitations in their form and may not be able to keep up with the top contenders in this race.

15:00 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 1m2f Cond Stks

1. Forest Of Dean – Has won a conditions stakes over this C&D in the past and is expected to run well off these weights.
2. Harrovian – Has been performing well recently and has beaten Forest Of Dean twice in their last three meetings, including once at this distance.
3. Freescape – A smart Irish gelding who won a handicap off top weight at Dundalk and has run well on both visits to Newcastle.

Other horses that could also be in with a chance include Base Note, who has been progressive in handicaps this winter, and Notre Belle Bete, who has been running well in defeat in 1m/8.6f handicaps and could improve with this step back up in trip. However, they may find it tough to beat the top three. United Front is unlikely to win off level weights against this strong field.

15:35 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 1m Cond Stks

Berkshire Shadow Smart performer who was better than ever when making a successful reappearance and AW debut in the listed Wulfrina Stakes at Wolverhampton (7f) last month. Just as effective at 1m. Bold show likely. Chichester Ready winner of a C&D conditions event in January and even better form when narrowly denied in 1¼m Chelmsford handicap last month. Won’t need to up is game much to have a big say. Lord Of The Lodge (IRE) Course scorer whose latest win came at Southwell (7f) in January. 4/1, creditable second of 10 in handicap at Chelmsford (7f again) 27 days ago. Lingfield listed third in February shows he stays 1m but this track provides a stiffer test at the trip. Positive Group 3 winner as a juvenile in 2019. Understandably took a bit of time to find his feet again after returning from a long absence last summer but AW handicap wins at Wolverhampton and Kempton this winter suggest he’s every bit as good as ever. Leading claims. San Andreas (IRE) Smart gelding who got his head back in front in 1m Dundalk conditions race last month. Top Irish stable’s British runners always command plenty of respect. The Wizard Of Eye (IRE) Useful colt. Cheekpieces on first time (retained), career best when winning 4-runner listed race (20/1) at Kempton (1m) by 3½ lengths from Tinker Toy, having run of race from front. More will be required if he’s to follow up here.

Berkshire Shadow is an exciting prospect and was better than ever when winning a listed race at Wolverhampton last month. He’s effective at both 7f and 1m and is expected to be a big player in this field. Chichester is another consistent type who won a C&D event in January and ran a good race when narrowly denied in a Chelmsford handicap last time. Lord Of The Lodge is a dual course winner and a front-runner, but he may find this longer trip challenging. Positive is a Group 3 winner and returned to form with two handicap wins this winter, while San Andreas won a conditions race at Dundalk last month and is another strong contender. The Wizard Of Eye won a listed race at Kempton in November and is wearing cheekpieces for the second time here.

16:10 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 7f Cond Stks

Aramis Grey has been in top form since October and won a conditions race at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) in February, and while this race is tougher, she has proven to be an admirable type who should perform well again back on Tapeta. Fiduciary won in France in 2020 and Canada in 2021, but has not matched that form over 7f in her last three starts. She will wear blinkers for the first time and faces a daunting task back up in class. Hodd’s Girl has won four times for her yard since last August and was beaten less than 3 lengths after losing a shoe in a Listed event at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) last month. She may have some work to do on form, but with Oisin Murphy booked, she should not be far away. Manaafith has won three in a row this winter, including a Listed race at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) last time, and she is a big player again on this drop back in trip. Queen Aminatu returns from a 128-day break after impressively winning her last race and making it 4-6 on AW. She is a strong contender here. River Pride has won two races for Richard Hannon and landed her latest victory at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) 11 days ago but faces a tougher task in this company. Smiling Sunflower has come up short in her last three runs, and it is unlikely she will feature in this tough event.

16:45 NewcastleFri 7 Apr 6f Cond Stks

Alligator Alley: This useful gelding won three 5f handicaps on Tapeta around the turn of the year but has been producing respectable efforts in defeat more recently. However, this stiff 6f may place more emphasis on stamina than ideal, and he may need a stronger gallop to perform at his best. While he may prefer the 6f trip, others are still preferred.

Annaf: This smart colt has won at the C&D and has a good AW record, winning all three starts this winter in good style. While he doesn’t always help himself at the start, he is very smart and holds strong claims, making him a top contender in this race.

Diligent Harry: This colt won the 3yo sprint at Lingfield on Good Friday in 2021 and has returned to the AW in good fettle this winter, chasing home Annaf at Lingfield before winning a C&D handicap ten days later. Although he was not at his best in France five weeks ago, he is likely to leave that run well behind him and is high on the shortlist.

Exalted Angel: This useful gelding has not won in over two years, and while he has produced enough good efforts this winter to be given a chance, he has something to find at this level. He may not be among the top contenders in this race.

Harry’s Bar: This smart gelding has placed third in a listed race recently and has 14 wins to his name. Although he was well held in this race last year, he cannot be taken lightly back down in trip and may have place claims.

Mums Tipple: This smart gelding has been in good form this winter, winning a 6f conditions race at Wolverhampton in December and producing a fine effort to take a Chelmsford handicap four weeks ago. While he may need more to win this race, he has frame claims and should go well.

Strong Power: This gelding enjoyed an excellent 2022, but he’s yet to hit top form this term and even his best AW form leaves him with something to find at this level. While a new combination of accessories is tried now, he may not be among the top contenders in this race.

Summerghand: This admirable veteran gained another prestigious handicap success when winning last season’s Ayr Gold Cup and added a Listed win at Lingfield in November. While he did not run well behind Annaf and others at Lingfield in February, he was not disgraced in Qatar seven weeks ago and would have excellent claims if a good pace could be assured.

Venturous: This veteran has looked in good order when unlucky second in a 5f handicap here in February. However, he couldn’t land a blow back over that trip three weeks ago, and others are more appealing at this level. He may not be among the top contenders in this race.

Witch Hunter: This performer has been reliable on the AW, winning a 7f handicap at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day and was touched off at Lingfield in February. However, she dropped away in the Lincoln on Saturday and could prove vulnerable back sprinting. While she has some class, she may not be among the top contenders in this race.

Overall, based on their recent form and potential, my top three picks to win this race would be Annaf, Diligent Harry, and Summerghand, in that order. Mums Tipple and Harry’s Bar are also contenders for the places, while the others are unlikely to win.