Time for Tonic
In typical Luca Cumani fashion, the Giant’s Causeway Filly is progressing rapidly following a slow start and left the impression there is much more to come when opening her account at the third time of asking at Bath.
She has yet to race with give underfoot but she is bred to appreciate the testing conditions and the booking of Jamie Spencer inspires further confidence.
Mark Johnston has a fine record at Leicester and appears to have found a good chance for Always Baileys in the ladbrokes.com Claiming Stakes over just shy of 12 furlongs.
He relished the step up to that sort of trip when filling the runner-up berth at Catterick a week ago and enjoys easy ground, so conditions will be to his liking here.
Kevin Darley was on board when he opened his account last year so the return of the in-form pilot suggests connections mean business.
There is plenty to like about Carwell in the ladbrokes.com Conditions Stakes earlier on the same card.
She displayed an impressive turn of foot – once she got the hang of things - when opening her account at the first time of asking over this trip at Thirsk and will know much more about what is required this time.
The best bet on a competitive card at Newcastle could be Bronze Dancer, who goes to post in the John Smith’s Handicap over a mile and a half.
He boasts two wins from his last three starts and is only 1lb higher than when successful over a mile and six furlongs at Catterick when last seen in early August.
