Newcastle Tips: Billy’s our go-to once again …

NINE races take place on Newcastle’s Tapeta all-weather surface on Friday afternoon, Nov 3rd, from 13.55 to 18.15.

Champion apprentice Billy Loughnane is here, and the field sizes in the main are excellent. Competitive and entertaining racing looks assured.

16.15 – Ribble Rouser @ 7/2

A one-mile novice stakes race, with all entries being 3-yr-olds.

My selection Ribble Rouser is a gelded son of Ribchester, a cracking Group One-winning Godolphin champion trained by Richard Fahey. His son is housed with Tim Easterby, and last time out in a maiden here ran respectably to finish 3rd, over 7f. He steps up to a mile on Friday and that could eke out a little improvement.

The race conditions favour Ribble Rouser. He’s rated 75, but meets the 67-rated Rooska at levels weights and gets 5lb from Parish Councillor despite only being rated officially 2lb inferior.

Seems, fingers crossed, that the stars might be aligning for the horse, and his trainer Easterby, who’s enjoyed a cracking campaign. Cam Hardie takes the mount.

17.15 – Stone Of Destiny @ 4/1

A tricky 5f Class 5 sprint handicap, bags of experience on view, and my selection certainly fits that bill – the 8-yr-old Stone Of Destiny.

The brilliant Billy Loughnane rides for Mick Appleby, and last time at Lingfield under Tom Marquand he was slowly away and finished very well, going down by less than 3l.

He races off the same mark of 69 on Friday, and if getting away on terms must have a bright shout. He drops back from 6f to 5f here, but he so nearly won his previous two races at Redcar and Donny at around the trip so I don’t see that as a disadvantage – providing he traps.

Smashing race – fingers crossed. Modest stakes.

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