PALLAS DANCER can follow up a first career win at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day with a victory in the Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap (Div II) (1.40) at Newcastle.
A step up to Dunstall Park’s extended nine furlongs - allied with the application of cheekpieces - worked the oracle for Brian Ellison’s son of War Command, who beat Star Of Wells by a neck.
The handicapper couldn’t get carried away with that form, and Pallas Dancer, who sticks at a mile and a quarter and again sports the headgear, is fancied to overcome a 3lb rise in the handicap.
Newcastle’s Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap (4.10) looks open, but LOULIN followed a sterling run of efforts at Southwell with a neck margin over today’s course and distance on New Year’s Eve - and another good run is on the cards.
At Southwell, GOSSIP gets the vote to make it 3-3 over the Rolleston track’s five furlongs by beating 11 opponents - including last-time-out victim Red Stripes for the Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap (7.00).
He’s not exactly been a walking cash machine over the years, but THE BRITISH LION stormed home on his course debut at Southwell last time and is undeniably well treated in the opening Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap (4.30).
Friday's selections
NEWCASTLE
12.40 MANJAAM
1.10 UTOPIAN LAD
1.40 PALLAS DANCER (NAP)
2.10 GLEN AGAIN
2.40 JEWEL MAKER
3.10 OO DE LALLY
3.40 SIR TITUS
4.10 LOULIN
SOUTHWELL
4.30 THE BRITISH LION
5.00 STAR OF ST JAMES
5.30 PINA COLLADA
6.00 FIRST EXCEL
6.30 UNLEASH
7.00 GOSSIP (NB)
7.30 ARTISTIC STREAK
DOUBLE: PALLAS DANCER and GOSSIP
