Northumberland Plate Day

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

Very hard Saturday. I'm not going to tip in the big race at Newcastle, but I will be having a bet on MOON OVER MIAMI (3.15 Newcastle) at 14/1. He's simply not reliable, so I cant recommend him, but he's on a winning mark, he'll be handy throughout and he'll stay all day. He's easily god enough, it all depends on whether he's in the mood or not.

1.40 Newcastle YORKSHIRE 8/1 (Next Best)

With the weather the way it is, pace on the all weather is playing a huge part and front runners dominated at this track on Thursday. Given there is very little pace in this race, YORKSHIRE, ought to be perfectly positioned throughout the race. A winner for us last season, rated 95, he's very lightly raced for this time of the year, having had just one race so far this year, in the Victoria Cup at Ascot. He takes a marked drop in class here, and is back on the all weather with a strike rate of 4 wins from 7 starts on the synthetics. His win last season came when making all at Kempton and, rated 2lb lower here today, he should have every chance to repeat the feat. His form on Tapeta reads 12115 and Conor Beasley has won on him before.

2.10 Newcastle WILTSHIRE 9/2 (NAP)

Admittedly, having stated that front runners have had the advantage at Newcastle the last couple of days, backing a horse that will be held up stone last is a bit of a worry. However, there is loads of pace in this race and they ought to go very fast, which suits this lad down to the ground, DILIGENT HARRY won this last year, making all, and is sure to be ridden the same way. He will, however, be challenged by MARVELMAN, FERROUS, POET MASTER and most probably PABORUS (who is here for a prep run prior to Goodwood). That should set things up perfectly for WILTSHIRE who won over this C&D last time we backed him. He's clearly been trained for this as he's been off for 42 days and his last 2 wins have come following breaks of 48 and 42 days too. Cieren Fallon, who is riding out of his skin, has a good record on him too. The yard are flying as well.

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