Newcastle best bets (2030): Course specialist Elzaal to feature, Candy Eye could surprise

20:30 Newcastle: Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap (5 furlongs)

The eye is immediately drawn towards a couple with proven course-and-distance success under their belts, with market leader Phoenix Star ticking all the right boxes after enjoying back-to-back wins here last September.

Although the eight-year-old has not hit those heights since (second and third on his last two visits and fourth at Kempton four days ago), he has to be taken seriously back at his favourite venue.

The same argument can be made for Elzaal, who this time last year was in the middle of stringing five wins from six outings (third in the other) over the minimum trip on this circuit.

He was less potent on turf during the summer, but looked back on song in two near-miss runner-up finishes in October. He hit the ground running off his winter break a year ago, so hopes will be high for a repeat after three and a half months away from the track.

Suggested best bet: Elzaal each-way in the 20:30 at Newcastle

• Tip advised by No Dodgy Overnight Tips on Tipstrr

With a handful of leading bookies offering an extra place for this 10-runner sprint, Tipstrr’s each-way specialists have been out in force, and while Murbih and Mews House have attracted some attention, it is Tom Tate’s Candy Eye who has received most support, both in the Tipstrr camp and in the betting market.

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At first glance his form stats offer little to enthuse too greatly over, and he certainly paid the price for being allowed to bolt off too soon when trailing home behind his six rivals over this course and distance a month ago.

However, it could prove significant that for the first time this lively four-year-old is entrusted to the capable hands of Joe Fanning, who has been in stellar form since the turn of the year, piloting 11 winners from just 41 bookings for an impressive 27% win rate.

Candy Eye was available at a mouthwatering 50/1 on Wednesday night and had tightened up considerably to as low as 12/1 in places at the time of writing - still a decent each-way price, but suggesting that expectations are greater than his outsider odds might indicate.

Suggested outsider punt: Candy Eye each-way in the 20:30 at Newcastle

• Tip advised by EachWayMorningTips on Tipstrr

 

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