Pin hopes on Williams’ runner

TIPS: Five-year-old out to claim share of prize money

PINNATA can cash in on another northern raid in Newcastle’s sunracing. co.uk Handicap.

Prize-money levels of late have not spread universal joy, but no one will be quibbling about the rewards on offer through most of today’s card – and Stuart Williams’ five-year-old bids to bag his fair share by playing up winnings from a corresponding race over course and distance last month. Pinnata is up 5lb for that length-and-a-half success from Straight Right, and can make another trip up the A1 from Newmarket worthwhile.

He is on a four-timer after previous wins at Chelmsford and Kempton over a mile before Christmas.

His hat-trick performance was especially convincing, and there is every reason to expect further progress.

The feature race on a quality card is the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Conditions Stakes, a fast-track qualifier, and it may be worth chancing further improvement from Mark Johnston’s DEEP INTRIGUE.

Daniel Tudhope, back on board the colt for the first time since their novice win at Beverley nine months ago, may have to be a little cagey with Deep Intrigue’s established prominent running style over this stiffer six furlongs. The receipt of only 3lb from the classy Barbill also requires a significant forward step. But Deep Intrigue’s win at Lingfield last month indicated he is well capable.

Mark Prescott and Luke Morris could get the meeting off to a flier, with ELYSEES PALACE and then BATTLE OF PARADISE in the first two races.

The opening Betway Handicap is a highly-competitive event full of in-form contenders. But Elysees Palace retains potential, having continued to run with credit despite being turned over at odds-on the last twice.

Chelmsford hosts a decent evening fixture, and the return of MATTERHORN is eagerly awaited in the Bet In Play totesport.com Handicap.

Johnston unsurprisingly decided in the end not to take on Wissahickon with the highly-progressive four-year-old in the Winter Derby Trial earlier this month.

He is still entered in the main event at Lingfield at the weekend, and after winning four of his last five, Matterhorn is expected to go in again here.

Over jumps at Ludlow, TRIGGER NICHOL is expected to relish conditions in the His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales Challenge Trophy Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.