Newcastle Duo

TWO runners at Newcastle on Friday, where it looks like we’ll have the least rain of all the tracks in the country – some turnaround in just a few days!

SPARKY TOM (12.10) is in what seems a pretty competitive 2m4f maiden hurdle with a few interesting contenders from good yards in opposition. He is a horse we really do like and stepping up to this two-and-a-half mile trip will suit him.

He’s bred for that rather than the two miles he made his comeback at Kelso over and I think Newcastle will be a track that suits him as well. I actually used to ride his great grandmother around there so that’s quite a nice connection!

Obviously it’s only his second start over hurdles and he’s still learning his job, but we’d like to think we’ll see a step forward from this last run.

ATHAIR MOR (12.45) is one we really do like after inheriting him from James Ewart’s stable over the summer.

We ran him over three miles at Perth on soft ground last month and while the conditions didn’t bother him one bit, it was pretty clear that two-and-a-half miles will definitely be his trip. He’ll come on for the run and we’ve learned a bit more about him, which will help this time round.

It’s a fairly competitive 0-100 race with plenty of winners in the race, so it’s hot enough for the grade. The handicapper dropped us 5lbs for the Perth run, which helps.

Ryan Mania knows him well from riding him when he was with James, so we’re looking forward to seeing both of our horses back in action tomorrow.