Newcastle racing tips: Best bets for Monday, January 8
We start off with some details on our selected horses at Newcastle. Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)
15:20 (Newcastle) Balqaa
Newcastle’s all-weather card kicks off with the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap and Balqaa is of interest here.
Stella Barclay’s charge disappointed at this venue on his last outing in early November when never recovering from a tardy start under Paul Mulrennan.
However, she had previously put in a few encouraging efforts and Mulrennan has been a notable jockey booking in the past.
His two past rides resulted in a comfortable course-and-distance success back in September 2022 and a solid second to well-backed favourite Ri Na Farraige over the track and trip last February.
16:30 (Newcastle) Mattella
Mattella will take some beating in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Restricted Novice Stakes on the promise she has shown so far.
The five-year-old mare made a belated start to her racing career at this venue in November when outrunning odds of 40-1 to go down by just a nose.
Tim Easterby’s charge was a beaten favourite when bidding to go one better at Southwell but may have caught a tartar in impressive debut scorer Juicy and is worth sticking with.
17:30 (Newcastle) Likeashadow
Likeashadow has continued to run with credit since landing an autumn double at Gosforth Park and gets the nod in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap, with a drop back down to seven furlongs expected to suit.
19:00 (Newcastle) The Caltonian
The Caltonian found success among this handicap company over six furlongs at Newcastle and rates a leading player.
Quandary won tackling five furlongs last May at Pontefract before a Haydock handicap sixth.
Open to further progress making seasonal return, so should be on the shortlist.
Rory posted a strong neck second attempting a course and distance handicap two runs ago. In the mix.
Newcastle selections in full:
NEWCASTLE: 3.20 Balqaa, 3.55 Fitz Perfectly, 4.30 Mattella, 5.00 Pallas Lord, 5.30 Likeashadow, 6.00 Noble Captain, 6.30 Margot Robbie, 7.00 The Caltonian.
