A torrential downpour has decimated most of the UK action on Friday, but Newcastle hosts nine races on the all-weather this evening and Sam King returns with two selections.
David O'Meara's Torvar went into the tracker after his performance last-time-out and he looks to have every chance of getting his head in front for the first time in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Nursery at 6.00.
He caught the eye when running on nicely to finish third over course and distance a week ago and probably would have finished closer but for finding trouble two furlongs from home. The David O'Meara-trained gelding is turned out quickly to race off the same mark here and he should get a nice pace to aim at with the likes of Lady Showcasing, Miss Rainbow, and Louella all likely to want to be positioned towards the fore.
That recent effort came in Class 5 company and the drop back to Class 6 level is an obvious plus for the gelded son of Footstepsinthesand. Stall four will pose no issues for experienced rider Danny Tudhope and he can make amends for a somewhat unlucky third-place place finish over this evening's track and trip last week.
Selection: Torvar – General 5/2
Zachary got off the mark in decent style at Chelmsford last time and it's easy to see why he heads the betting in the Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Nursery at 6.30. However, a 6lb rise in the weights will make life more difficult and a chance is taken on stable debutant Mart.
He showed some fair form in five outings to date for Michael Bell without setting the world alight but there are a number of reasons to think his best days are yet to come.
The son of Dark Angel looked tricky when sixth on his final outings for previous connections over seven furlongs here in August, but it was clear he had some running left when crossing the line and it's not surprising to see him have been subsequently.
Talented South African trainer Dylan Cunha has done well this season and there's every chance this new recruit will improve for the change of scenery. The drop back to five furlongs looks like an interesting move given he's a half-brother to Group 2 five-furlong winner Ornate and he did show plenty of pace on his sole outing over this trip at date at Nottingham in July.
A mark of 63 should be more than workable if the gelding operation helps him put his mind to the job in hand and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see this striking grey take a sizeable step back in the right direction this evening.
Selection: Mart – General 11/4
