Hemingway to turn tables on Newcastle rival

Ryan’s three-year-old can make most of 15lb advantage over Wick Powell

can reverse recent form with Wick Powell to land the 32Red Casino Handicap at Newcastle.

Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old has seen only limited action to date but with just four runs under his belt so far, there could be any amount of improvement still to come.

His juvenile campaign last year was a mixed bag, with a narrow Pontefract victory bookended by two defeats at York, although the latter eclipse came in what is one of the most competitive sales events of the year.

Given a break following that defeat, Hemingway returned to action at Gosforth Park earlier this month when beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Wick Powell when in receipt of 5lb.

The winner was far too well treated for Hemingway to land a meaningful blow but given that was his first outing in 204 days, it would not be unreasonable to expect him to have come forward since then.

Hemingway will be getting 15lb this time, which puts him in a very attractive position indeed, even allowing for a bit more to come from Wick Powell. Venetia Williams turns BUTTERCUP out again quickly in the Howdens Joinery Chase at Haydock and the hint should be taken.

The six-year-old is 4lb well in here as she seeks to bring up a hat-trick just 10 days after winning at Warwick.

Buttercup triumphed off a mark of 108 at Towcester in February, coming home six lengths clear of Yanmare in what was a competitive event.

Hiked 5lb for that run, Buttercup then returned to action after a month’s break at Warwick, making short work of her rivals to stroll home 18 lengths clear nearly two weeks ago.

She shoulders a 7lb penalty for that win and is effectively racing off a mark of 120, but given her reassessed perch is 124, Buttercup is a very attractive prospect indeed.

THE NIPPER is a mare on the up and she can strike again in the Howdens Joinery Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle. SELECTIONS HAYDOCK: 2.10 Potters Story, 2.40 The Nipper, 3.10 Buttercup, 3.40 Forty Crown, 4.10 Saroque, 4.40 Johanos.

NEWCASTLE: 2.00 Touch Me, 2.30 On Fire, 3.00 Wefait, 3.30 Good Run 4.00 Endeavour, 4.30 HEMINGWAY (NAP), 5.00 Strummer.

DOUBLE: Hemingway and Buttercup.