Two Smokin Barrels could fire at Newcastle

Eight-year-old should return to form after poor show at Catterick

Michael Scudamore’s string have hit form with a vengeance recently and his

TWO SMOKIN BARRELS can strike at Newcastle.

The eight-year-old notched up a nice sequence of victories in December and January, winning three times on the bounce and dealing with a total 12lb hike in the weights admirably along the way.

However, raised a further 7lb at Catterick last month, she eventually came unstuck and could finish only fourth behind Actinpieces at Catterick.

Beaten over 18 lengths, Two Smokin Barrels really did not appear to be firing on all cylinders that day.

Given her previous progressive profile, it would be harsh to judge her on that one lacklustre run, so she is worth another try in the mares’ handicap chase.

Silvestre de Sousa can cement his relationship with Mick Appleby by helping PLAYTOTHEWHISTLE get back to winning ways at Southwell.

Appleby has ruled the roost at Southwell for a few years now and while the claims for Playtothewhistle are not that obvious, the handicapper has given him a bit of a chance at last.

The former Bryan Smart inmate finished second on his last three runs for his former trainer, with one of those coming at Southwell off a mark of 70.

He has had a few issues as he has been lightly raced since then, but in three runs for Appleby off that same mark he has not been disgraced.

Now able to run off 4lb lower and with De Sousa taking over, better can be expected in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap

KATIE GALE looks another Appleby runner with big claims in the Betway Stayers Handicap.

She may have top weight but ran well enough last month when third behind Fern Owl over two miles. SELECTIONS:

NEWCASTLE: 2.10 Airpur Desbois, 2.40 Mossies Well, 3.10 Oishin, 3.40 TWO SMOKIN BARRELS (NAP), 4.10 Cyrano Star, 4.40 Sultans Pride.

SOUTHWELL: 2.00 King Crimson, 2.30 Tasty Ginger, 3.00 Katie Gale, 3.30 Playtothewhistle, 4.00 Quadriga, 4.30 Viva Verglas,

DOUBLE: Two Smokin Barrels and Playtothewhistle.