Newcastle best bets (1915): Bonito Cavalo targets sixth course-distance win this year

19:15 Newcastle: Find More Big Deals at BetUK Handicap (5 furlongs)

There’s not much separating the three market leaders, where support for Zarzyni and Jenever appears to have taken the spotlight off our strongest fancy to land this five-furlong dash, Bonito Cavalo.

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Zarzyni wins, get a £5 Free Bet

Jim Goldie’s five-year-old landed five course-distance wins in the space of a month at the beginning of the year, and although his mark has promptly shot up 23 pounds as a result, the manner of those wins suggests that the handicapper has not fully caught up with him just yet.

Bonito Cavalo was given a month off after those victorious exploits, and returned 10 days ago to give another good account, finishing runner-up (subsequently demoted to third) behind the equally progressive Sibyl Charm.

While most of his runs have been over longer trips, his sole attempt over five furlongs was the last of those five wins, and if he gets a clean break here under usual rider Paul Mulrennan, then he should be bang there again in this company.

Suggested best bet: Bonito Cavalo in the 19:15 at Newcastle

• Tip advised by Irish Riches on Tipstrr

For those of us who prefer to look a little deeper into the market for hidden value, then top weight Star Of Lady M enjoyed a win and a second on her first two outings of 2024, and could perhaps be excused last time out after being left poorly placed when fifth of 10 at Wolverhampton.

Just getting the nod above her, however, is the underrated and seemingly overlooked Gustav Graves, who has not finished outside the first three in any of his last nine outings since just before Christmas.

While most of his best work has been saved for Wolverhampton, Derek Shaw's six-year-old produced a career-best performance to prevail over this very course and distance last time out, taking the lead from some very capable rivals going into the final furlong and keeping on strongly to win by a length.

Gustav Graves has earned a nine-pound hike for his troubles, but Joanna Mason has been on board for all of his successful recent sequence, and looks well-equipped to coax him into the mix again here.

Each-way punt: Gustav Graves in the 19:15 at Newcastle

• Tip advised by EachWayHorseTips on Tipstrr