Newcastle each-way tip: Phoenix Star can rise and shine at double-digit odds
20:30 Newcastle: WL Distillery Handicap (5 furlongs)
Top-rated and top-weighted is three-time course-and-distance winner Glorious Rio, whose chances on his favourite track are boosted further by the five-pound allowance of useful claimer Christian Howarth.
A worthy favourite, perhaps, but at a best-priced 4/1 the value in such a potential cavalry charge is questionable, and that has led to a Tipstrr’s pundits gravitating towards horse carrying more attractive odds.
Of those Jailhouse Rock is fancied to punch above his weight on his handicap debut under Paul Mulrennan, and Latin Five looks worthy of consideration after stringing six frame finishes together since the beginning of June.
The final nod, however, goes to Jessica Macey’s Phoenix Star, who is one of a handful of runners to have enjoyed previous success over this course and distance, albeit back in 2021.
Some modest results during the first four months of 2023 earned this seven-year-old gelding a four-month lay-off, which could explain and excuse an ineffective display on his return at Southwell two weeks ago.
His mark has dropped again and he is now rated 18 pounds lower than a year ago, and benefits a further seven pounds under promising claimer Tommie Jakes, whose infrequent bookings have nonetheless yielded two impressive winners (18/1 and 13/2) in his eight rides since the beginning of August.
