LILIKOI is fancied to take her record at Newcastle to 2-2 with a victory in the talkSPORT Powered By Fans Fillies’ Handicap (6.00) on Thursday.
The David and Nicola Barron-trained mare was making her first appearance at Gosforth Park – and her third on the all-weather overall – when contesting a five-runner course-and-distance handicap at the end of January.
Taking to the straight seven-furlong journey like a duck to water, Alhebayeb’s daughter travelled strongly before hitting the front under Connor Beasley with over a furlong to run and did the necessary to fend off Bobby Joe Leg by a length and three-quarters.
After a 5lb rise in the weights, Lilikoi ran with credit in defeat when a two-length second to Bond Boy at Chelmsford three weeks ago.
Beasley’s partner has more to offer on this surface and, back under conditions that suited so well two starts ago, Lilikoi can get back to winning ways.
Newcastle’s finale, the Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap (8.00), is a good opportunity for GOWANBUSTER to get back to winning ways.
Susan Corbett’s eight-year-old hasn’t hit the bullseye since July 2020 but has posted two sound efforts from three attempts this year and features on an attractive mark.
THURSDAY'S SELECTIONS
SEDGEFIELD
1.00 AUBIS WALK
1.30 QUIET FLOW
2.05 BALLYNAGRAN
2.40 JARAMILLO
3.15 THATBEATSBANAGHER
3.50 GANDHI MAKER
4.25 LEGENDARY DAY
HUNTINGDON
1.40 GREAT HEART’JAC
2.15 SAMUEL SPADE
2.50 BLUE BEACH
3.25 BLUE SHARK
4.00 ROOSTER COGBURN
4.35 FORCE DE FRAP
SOUTHWELL
1.50 LIKE A LION
2.25 BELLAGIO MAN
3.00 EAGLE DAY
3.35 HICKORY
4.10 DALBY FOREST
4.45 ANOTHER ANGEL
5.15 LIBERATED LAD
NEWCASTLE
5.00 QAASID
5.30 PERFECT SWISS
6.00 LILIKOI (NAP)
6.30 FLASH BARDOT
7.00 BLACKJACK
7.30 SNUGGLE
8.00 GOWANBUSTER (NB)
DOUBLE: LILIKOI and GOWANBUSTER
