HAFEET ALAIN (4.55, Nap) can end a long spell out of the winners’ enclosure for the in-form Ed Walker stable.
The seven-year-old has not won on turf since he landed a handicap on soft ground on the Rowley Mile in November 2019.
After a brief spell in Hong Kong, he joined Walker who has campaigned him mainly on the all-weather.
He has been kept busy, running creditably, but with his handicap mark coming down he tried turf again last time, finishing fourth at the Guineas Festival.
He has been dropped 2lb since and, with Conor Planus taking 5lb off, this could be a prime opportunity for him, especially if the forecast rain arrives.
Newsboy’s Daily Double plus tips on every race from Thursday’s four meetingsWHATACRACKER (2.35, Nb) should appreciate the step up to mile and a half after running over shorter distances.
He ran over 7½f and a 1m before producing a career best to chase home Alpina Express over 1m2f at Ayr on his latest start.
He bumped into a hot horse that day with the winner having captured another two victories since and, on breeding at least, going up another two furlongs should be no issue for the son of Cracksman.
SELECTIONS
NEWCASTLE
1.35 MASO BASTIE
2.10 RICH HARRY
2.45 BILOXI BOY
3.20 AL AGAILA
3.55 AGONYCLITE
Newsboy’s Daily Double plus tips on every race from Friday’s four meetings4.30 CRUISE
5.05 MALINHEADSEARAVERS
NOTTINGHAM
1.50 NEVER SIMPLE
2.25 SNUGGLE
3.00 ELEGANCIA
3.35 ASTRAL SPIRIT
4.10 SAISONS D’OR
4.45 MEHMO
5.20 FRED BEAR
NEWMARKET
2.00 CHEEKY BLIMEY
2.35 WHATACRACKER (NB)
3.10 KNEBWORTH
3.45 SPRING DAWN
4.20 URBAN SPRAWL
4.55 HAFEET ALAIN (NAP)
5.30 CAPONE
LEICESTER
5.12 GREAT TRUTH
5.45 GEARING’S POINT
6.15 TRUSTY SCOUT
6.45 SPECIAL MAYSON
7.15 DUNGAR GLORY
7.45 BUNGLE BAY
8.15 KAMANIKA
8.45 HARRY THE HAGGLER
HAMILTON
6.00 SAMEEM
6.30 BELLARCHI
7.00 IMPERIAL KHAN
7.30 BOSC GIRL
8.00 COUNT D’ORSAY
8.30 LOCHNAVER
9.00 BONITA CAVALO
DOUBLE - HAFEET ALAIN & WHATACRACKER