Newcastle Tips: Spitzbergen primed to shed maiden tag

Following a one-day blackout, racing in Britain returns with a bang as Doncaster’s St Leger weekend gets underway on Thursday.

Further north, Newcastle’s all-weather track has a jam-packed nine-race card to get stuck into. The action runs from 16:55 to 21:00 and offers several intriguing betting angles. Here are three Newcastle Tips for Thursday, September 11.

17:55 - Belaya River @ 13/8

This Class 6 staying handicap over 2m½f brings together a competitive bunch, with two course-and-distance winners among the top weights.

However, course newcomer Belaya River could be the one to side with. Although trainer Charlie Fellowes’ strike-rate has been modest at eight per cent this term, this gelding shaped with promise last time when stepped up to 1m5½f. He finished a close third, running on strongly through the line and hinting that even further would suit.

He was slightly unlucky not to enjoy a clearer passage then, and he runs off the same mark here. If building on that effort, he has the stamina and form to outstay these rivals and improve the yard’s fortunes.

18:55 - Novamay @ 9/1

The 6f fillies’ handicap contains a few dropping in class after tougher assignments, but Michael Dods’ Novamay looks the standout. She returns to the distance over which she rattled off a hat-trick in July and can bounce back from a tough experience at the Ebor meeting.

At York, she was 18th in a fiercely competitive handicap won by a filly rated 14lb higher, so that run is easy to forgive. Before that, she struck at Ripon and Ayr in Class 6 company and then stepped up to Class 4 level at Windsor to complete her treble in style.

Rhys Elliott, who has partnered her to two wins from three rides, keeps the mount and takes off a valuable 5lb. With the drop in class and familiar conditions, she can return to form.

20:00 - Spitzbergen @ 4/7

The 7f novice features only one previous winner, Monsieur Bondy, and looks a good opportunity for the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Spitzbergen. He has been desperately unlucky not to open his account, finishing in the frame on all three starts.

On his debut last November, he was denied by a short head by Initial Blue. Returning in May, he was third behind Crestofdistinction, a subsequent winner who has also been a head runner-up in Listed company at York, underlining the form’s strength.

Gelded and given wind surgery before his latest run, Spitzbergen stepped up to this trip and was second again. He’s expected to find the necessary improvement to finally get his head in front on the all-weather.

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