Only way is up for Perregrin

TIPS: Johnston gelding ready to follow up on Southwell success

PERREGRIN showed how much he had benefited from a long break to register his first success last month and Mark Johnston’s charge can supplement those gains in the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap at Newcastle.

During his absence, the son of

Fountain Of Youth was gelded and that could well prove to be the making of him.

He dropped in grade to open his account at the fourth attempt at Southwell after three tries, all in May, and sticks to similar company. That looks a wise move, but after this the only way for him to go is up.

NORTHERN POWER HOUSE came back after 70 days off to win over this seven furlongs last month and a repeat looks on the cards in the Bombardier British Beer Handicap.

That win came as no surprise because the Bryan Smart-trained four-year-old had only been beaten a short head on his previous start, also over the same course and distance.

That was his first race on an allweather surface after 11 runs on turf. It is obvious Newcastle suits him, so there is no reason why he cannot go close again.

HASSAAD has run respectably in all three previous visits to Gosforth Park without success, but he can put that right in the Betway Apprentice Handicap.

Archie Watson’s four-year-old went down by only a length and a quarter to Wasnt expecting that last time he was there, and has since been beaten just two lengths in third place behind Los Camachos at Kempton. Things could go his way this time.