Ballyquin will not make same mistake again

Early exertions cost Balding’s three-year-old on Kempton return

BALLYQUIN looks more than capable of taking a race like the Betway Casino Novice Stakes at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding’s runner posted a fair effort on his first all-weather outing, finishing third behind an odds-on Godolphin favourite at Kempton at the end of October.

Returning from a lengthy spell off the track that day, he was very fresh and probably did too much early on with those exertions telling at the finish.

He should strip fitter for that first run since April, though, and with a very fair looking rating of 78, it is perhaps telling that Balding persists in novice company here.

HARVEST DAY can step up on her recent second at Gosforth Park in the sunracing.co.uk Handicap.

She underwent a wind operation during the summer, and it appears to have had the desired effect because she has posted two fine placed efforts since her return in October.

Harvest Day has edged back up to a mark of 69, but cannot be ruled out while in such good heart.

SAVELLO was a Cheltenham Festival winner in his pomp, and while he has slid a fair way down the ratings since that 2014 victory, he can prove he is no back number at Wetherby.

The 12-year-old has not actually hit the target since April 2016, when he secured a decent prize at Kelso off a mark of 151.

The fact he lines up on 120 here tells its own story, but his recent narrow second at Lingfield offers plenty of hope for the Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Chase.

SELECTIONS

NEWCASTLE: 3.15 Roland Rocks, 3.45 Ivory Charm, 4.15 Fabiolla, 4.45 Clipsham Tiger, 5.15 Harvest Day, 5.45 Cool Echo, 6.15 BALLYQUIN (NAP), 6.45 Pea Shooter.

WETHERBY: 12.15 Pepper Street, 12.45 Whin Park, 1.15 Lord Yeats, 1.50 The Very Thing, 2.20 Savello, 2.50 Sleepy Haven, 3.25 Stream Lady.

DOUBLE: Ballyquin and Savello.