Templegate’s horse racing tips: Betting preview for Newcastle on Monday as racing returns

NEWCASTLE

1.00

STONE MASON can carve his name in the record books by winning the first race back.

1

He showed promise for Roger Charlton last season including when an unlucky seventh in a Newbury handicap over 1m2f. Dropping in class and to a mile can do the trick on this debut for Mick Appleby.

Al Ozzdi goes well here and went close off this mark at Wolves last time. He’s another who will be suited by coming down in trip with the excellent Ben Curtis in the saddle.

Curfewed won well on his last crack at this C&D and is respected. Celtic Artisan will make a bold bid from the front and could hold on for a place. Tiercel was unlucky here last time and is shortlisted.

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1.30

MUTASAAMY (NB) looks hard to beat off what could be a very lenient handicap mark of 78. He went close in a fair contest at Haydock before scorching home at Kempton last time out in August. That was over this trip and there should be more to come.

Cote D’Azur has gone well fresh before and was beaten in a photo over C&D in November. He’s off 1lb lower today and is a threat.

Geizy Teizy is down in class and won a better race than this at Wolves in December. She’s quirky but has enough quality to figure, while Little Jo has eased in the weights and is one to note.

2.10

LITTLE RED SOCKS impressed when scoring first-up over this trip at Wolves in March so we know she handles the surface. She should take a big step forward from that.

Bond’s Boy won well on debut then went close in a big sales race at Newmarket in October. They were both over this trip and he can make his experience count.

Freedom Flyer looks the pick of the newcomers with Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle. On breeding he will want further than this but trainer Simon Crisford has a good record with debutants, while Ejtilaab should make a nice three-year-old.

2.45

There is very little on form between ART POWER and Magical Journey with the former just getting the nod. He showed his liking for Newcastle when finishing a close-up third in a big field on debut in September.

Tim Easterby’s flyer left that form well behind when destroying a useful line-up at York when he picked up well off a strong pace. He looks a potential Group horse on that effort.

Magical Journey was a Beverley winner first time before going down by less than a length in a Listed race at Newmarket. She didn’t get the best of runs and that was a smart effort. They are both worth following.

3.20

TATHMEEN hit a rich vein of form before the break with three wins from four races here. He was last seen finishing like a train into second at Wolves over this trip and, despite those victories, he hasn’t been clobbered at the weights.

Tricky Dicky could do no wrong last summer and his front-running style is suited to Newcastle. He won a hot York handicap last time in July and will be a threat if fit enough after 311 days off.

Heath Charnock chased home Tathmeen here in February. That was over 5f and this longer trip is in his favour.

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3.55

ROCK OF DIAMONDS can shine under Silvestre De Sousa. He makes his handicap debut from what looks a fair mark after he went close at Lingfield and Wolves last season.

What A Business loves this trip and landed a good win at Nottingham last term before holding his own in decent company. He was snookered by the draw at York last time and has more to offer.

Taste The Nectar wasn’t at home over 7f at Lingfield latest and has shown her best at this trip. She’s had some help from the handicapper and has solid place claims.

4.30

BE PROUD (TREBLE) loves this course and distance as he showed when winning well two starts ago. He stepped into this class last time to run another belter despite being blocked when making his challenge. That was over 6f and dropping back in trip looks a wise move.

Quanah looks a big threat after wins at Hamilton and Musselburgh last autumn. He’s only 2lb higher in the weights. The worry is he likes it soft and this track is quicker.

Queen Of Kalahari is consistent and, while all of her AW wins have been at slower Southwell, she has run well here before.

5.05

ICE PYRAMID (NAP) was impressive in landing his second win in three Newcastle starts last time. He travelled well before pulling five lengths clear. That was over this trip and he deserves to step up in class.

John Gosden has a high strike-rate here and his Good Tidings is a threat despite having his quirks. He broke his duck here in October and has been gelded since a modest Chelmsford effort.

Alignak impressed when scoring on AW debut at Kempton and Sir Michael Stoute’s horses usually improve with age.

5.40

THIBAAN caught the eye when a close-up fourth at Kempton on debut in November. He wasn’t asked too many questions and should improve for that experience and this hike in distance.

Frankly Darling went close first-up at Yarmouth in October when the ground was bottomless. She’s a daughter of Frankel so should prefer this sounder surface and already looks to have plenty of stamina.

6.15

WISE GLORY showed lots of promise when third on debut at Beverley in August. He was very green early before finishing strongly. He’s been gelded since then and should improve plenty for this step up in trip.

Byzantine Empire was poor at Sandown after a encouraging debut on the AW at Kempton. John Gosden’s visitors here are always respected.

Luck On Sunday cost a fortune and market support on this debut would be telling.

TEMPLEGATE

1.00 Stone Mason

1.30 Mutasaamy (NB)

2.10 Little Red Socks

2.45 Art Power

3.20 Tathmeen

3.55 Rock Of Diamonds

4.30 Be Proud (treble)

5.05 Ice Pyramid (NAP)

5.40 Thibaan

6.15 Ice Glory