Mccain and Hughes can strike with Goobinator at Newcastle

Goobinator should be fresh following a mid-season break and can notch another winner for Donald Mccain and Brian Hughes in the quinnbet.com Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle.

A smart dual-purpose performer, the last time he ran on the level he finished fourth in the Cesarewitch to Buzz a Grade One performer over hurdles - with Burning Victory in second.

First time out over hurdles this season, Goobinator was travelling strongly at Bangor when coming down three from home, in a race won by Hunters Call who has continued to frank the form.

Mccain then sent him to Doncaster a month later for what looked an average handicap and he could finish only third as the 9-4 favourite, which looked a little underwhelming at the time.

However, time has already proven he faced a stiff task as the winner, Ben Case's Cobblers Dream, subsequently went to Kempton and won the Lanzarote off a 6lb higher mark by over five lengths.

This looks a tidy race for Newcastle on a Friday, but Goobinator's freshness is a huge plus at this stage of the season. Hughes could also be on the mark for Ruth Jefferson on Edmond Dantes in the Little Petey Hopper Woves Princess Sophia Handicap Chase.

The pair were successful last time out at Market Rasen and do have a 9lb rise to overcome, but he is very unexposed still, as that was his first run over fences and just his sixth overall.

Dr Kananga can provide the upwardly mobile Ben Clarke with another winner in the Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Exeter.

The potential this eight-yearold had shown Clarke in the pointing fields, allied with that of The Galloping Bear, who won Haydock's Grand National Trial, were the main reasons Clarke took the plunge to take out a licence. On admittedly limited evidence to date, it nevertheless looks the right move as Dr Kananga has already won three this season and was very impressive at Sandown most recently.

He fairly bolted up there, so it was no surprise the handicapper hit him with a 10lb rise, and while he carries top weight and takes on some unexposed rivals, he might not have reached his ceiling yet.

Ed Walker's King Of Jungle showed signs of greenness on his debut but still ran out a ready winner, so there are high hopes he can defy a penalty in the Betway Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton.