REBECCA MENZIES' course-and-distance winner MAJOR SNUGFIT (2.25, NAP) should prove hard to beat on the Tapeta all-weather track at Newcastle on Tuesday.
The consistent five-year-old is in the form of his life, having only once been out of the first two in his last eight races over hurdles and on the Flat.
Major Snugfit kept on well to win over this two-mile trip at the Northern track in October and, following two hurdle victories, gave another fine account when runner-up back on the Flat at Wolverhampton earlier this month.
He can get the better of likely main rival Can Can Girl in the Betway Handicap.
FULL OF LIGHT (2.35, NB) should relish the step up in trip to just over two-and-a-half miles in the Ashes 50% Moneyback with Hollywoodbets Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton for Nicky Henderson.
The useful former Irish bumper winner has been runner-up on both his runs over hurdles – at Ludlow and Uttoxeter – staying on when slightly outpaced over two miles.
The extra half-mile at Plumpton should see him at his best as he makes his handicap debut.
At Ayr, SURE TOUCH (12.40, treble) is the one to be on in the opening Come Racing on January 2nd Maiden Hurdle at Ayr.
The bumper winner was given too much to do by Aidan Coleman when a running-on second on his first hurdling start at Southwell last month.
With that run under his belt, the five-year-old can improve enough to take the two-mile race under Fergus Gregory for Olly Murphy.
TUESDAY'S SELECTIONS
AYR
12.30 SURE TOUCH
1.05 BIGBADMATTIE
1.40 NELLS SON
2.15 CANCAN
2.45 SCOOP THE POT
3.15 LINELEE KING
NEWCASTLE
2.25 MAJOR SNUGFIT (NAP)
2.55 ENGLES ROCK
3.25 BLACKJACK
4.00 KABOO
4.30 MASKED IDENTITY
5.00 MAYWAKE
5.30 SUGAR BABY
PLUMPTON
12.20 WELLS GLORY
12.50 BURROWS EDGE
1.25 SACRE COEUR
2.00 CHANCEUX
2.35 FULL OF LIGHT (NB)
3.05 WIGGLESWORTH
3.35 DELTA RUN
