Isharah can strike for Johnston

● Scottish trainer looks poised for brace at Newcastle

Isharah can help secure a Newcastle double for Mark Johnston in the Betway Handicap at Gosforth Park today.

The three-year-old has yet to run a bad race on the all weather, hitting the frame on each of his six starts to date, including a win at Wolverhampton back in February.

A summer turf campaign did not yield much joy for the son of Kitten’s Joy but switched back to the artificial surfaces in October, he was soon back on the right track in placing on his three latest starts.

He was beaten three and a quarter lengths last time over the same course and distance he faces here, keeping on all the way to the line in a pleasing manner. Isharah could not quite find the necessary extra gear that day but should not be discounted here, even off a 2lb higher mark.

Killermont Street should earlier have initiated a brace for Scots-born Johnston in the 32Red.com Nursery Handicap. Hailing from a useful family, the Dream Ahead filly failed to make her presence felt on her racecourse bow at Chelmsford in October but showed the benefit of that effort when scoring a narrow verdict at Newcastle last month. That was not the strongest event and she only just clung on at the end of seven furlongs, so the switch back to six furlongs makes sense.

Thello can make it three wins in his last four outings in the Download The Betway App Handicap. He is clearly a very versatile type having won on three different types of allweather surface as well as turf and his recent verdict over ten furlongs here shows he is still in excellent heart.

Buveur D’air faces a simple task in the Watch Racing UK Free On December 31 Novices’ Chase at Haydock.

Bought by J P Mcmanus after winning a Grade One over hurdles at Aintree, he was third behind his stablemate Altior in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson always felt he would excel over fences and despite coming up against a smart prospect in Cloudy Dream on his chasing debut at this track he could not have won any easier.

Ridden confidently by Aidan Coleman, he quickened up in the way only top-class animals can. He was in receipt of 8lb from his main rival there but it would not have made any difference and up against just two rivals he should gain valuable experience.

Henderson’s Theatre Territory looked in a different league to her rivals at Uttoxeter and while the totepool Chip & Pin Betting Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton will be much tougher she is taken to handle the rise in grade.

Bought for 200,000 guineas, Cheltenham chairman Robert Waley-cohen will no doubt be hoping she will be running there in March.

Dusky Legend sets the standard high while Coillte Lass could be anything but Henderson is sweet on Theatre Territory and she can land the nice prize.