SPARTAN FIGHTER (7.00, nap) has the armoury to score a seventh victory at Newcastle in the All-weather Championships Mile Handicap on Monday evening.
Antony Brittain has reaped the rewards of regularly sending this five-year-old to Gosporth Park’s all-weather Tapeta surface, where he won at the beginning of the month by three-quarters of a length. He then ran well on his return to the track 13 days ago when fourth, beaten by three-quarters of a length over the same seven furlong trip and off the same mark. The main threat may come from course and distance winner Ulshaw Bridge, but Brittain’s admirable gelding can deliver the goods.
Wearing first-time cheekpieces at Market Rasen did the trick for BOBHOPEORNOHOPE (3.30, nb) on Boxing Day, when he beat Omar Maretti, who has gone on to win twice since. On his last start at Ludlow he romped home by six lengths ahead of Jimmy The Digger over the same three-mile trip. Trainer Kim Bailey has also been in fine form this term, and this seven-year-old can defy an 8lb rise to win the Boyne Cup at the Shropshire course.
Monday's tips
HEXHAM
1.00 SERIOUS EGO
1.30 INTO OVERDRIVE
2.05 BRONSON IN BLUE
2.40 AUGHARUE
3.15 EVERYDAY CHAMPAGNE
3.50 HIDDEN CARGO
4.20 BELLA UNION
LUDLOW
1.45 CHORAL WORK
2.20 MUCKAMORE
2.55 MIDNIGHTS LEGACY
3.30 BOBHOPEORNOHOPE (NB)
4.05 HILLFINCH
4.40 HECTOR JAVILEX
5.15 WAGNER
NEWCASTLE
5.30 WAR DEFENDER
6.00 MOONIS
6.30 FAUSTUS
7.00 SPARTAN FIGHTER (NAP)
7.30 I KNOW HOW
8.00 SHOW MAKER
