Newcastle Tips: Ryan’s express …

There's a NINE race card at Newcastle on Friday afternoon, on their all-weather Tapeta surface.

Action takes place between 13.20 and 17.52.

Arc-winning jock Luke Morris has a strong-looking book of rides, and field sizes are very respectable.

Smashing afternoon of sport looks nailed-on.

15.40 - Bergerac @ 9/2

A competitive 5f Class 4 handicap, contested by some experienced old campaigners.

My selection Bergerac is trained in north Yorkshire by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Tom Eaves, who's been in the plate several times previously. Just a week ago Bergerac was agonisingly pipped over course-and-distance, in a slightly higher grade, and runs of the same mark of 85 today.

He was edged by a George Boughey inmate who took a good prize at Newbury in the summer, beating Pop Master no less. That was over 7f, but it's serious form and these are serious horses.

This lad has won at Newmarket and York in the past, and that last time out effort was really very useful. While evidently in such great heart he's whipped out just 7 days later and I think we should take the hint.

16.50 - Welcome Dream @ 6/4

Some top yards are represented here in this 7f novice - among them Kevin Ryan's Welcome Dream. He sets the bar for his rivals - some are unraced, and all are very inexperienced, but the selection has had three spins so far, and very encouraging ones at that.

He's gone close at Donny, Ascot and last time at Carlisle, all over 6f, and he steps up to 7f here which should suit nicely. At Carlisle, a notoriously stiff track, he finished really well which should stand him in good stead.

His Ascot run featured the subsequent Acomb winner at York's Ebor Festival no less, so he's been keeping strong company. Unless there's anything well above the norm he has a gilt-edged opportunity for me to break his duck on Friday. Tremendous chance.

More Horse Racing tips, from Betfred Insights