Racing is back in business on Monday. Newcastle gets the opening card of the restart and here we take a look at the opening race of the day. This is the aptly named Betway Welcome Back British Racing Handicap.
The race is a Class 6 on the all-weather at a distance of 1m. The going is set to be standard to slow. Any kind of draw near the fence on the left-hander is going to a massive advantage.
Race 1 of Newcastle on Monday is for 4 year olds plus and there are 12 declared for the contest.
Newcastle 13:00 Winner Odds*
Stone Mason 11/8
Heavenly Tale 5/1
Tiercel 13/2
Al Ozzdi 8/1
Curfewed 12/1
The Big House 13/1
Ghaadbaan 22/1
Zodiakos 22/1
My Boy Lewis 22/1
Ideal Destiny 25/1
Muatedel 25/1
Celtic Artisan 25/1
Horse Racing Betting at Betway
Table of Contents
Stone Mason heads the field for racing return
There is a clear front runner in action for the Newcastle 13:00 on Monday. That is STONE MASON, the 11/8 favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on May 31st, 2020 at 14:09 GMT) who has been more than fairly graded at 63.
He has been gelded since his last effort over 10f at Newbury. He is also with a new stable with Michael Appleby.
It has been a 300 day break between that Newbury run and this one, but given the level of competition on that last trip, Stone Mason handled himself well fishing in the middle of the pack. He’s to be treated as a progressive chancer here but gets a tough draw from 11.
Filly Heavenly Tale with room to improve
4 year old filly HEAVENLY TALE is sort of in the same boat as the favourite. She is back from a long break and has moved yards since her last race. Heavenly Tale gets a wide draw, however.
That most recent effort she has was at Windsor where she took 6th of 10 in a novice stakes effort. It was a good run though and is off 63 like Stone Mason.
She comes down in trip and poses a threat at 5/1 value* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on May 31st, 2020 at 14:09 GMT).
The Big House can make a big stand
Trainer Adrian Nicholls has a good chance in this one with THE BIG HOUSE. He has plenty of experience in the bag and scored a win in his penultimate race before the outbreak.
He goes from stall 5 which is a boost to his chances. The Big House was progressing nicely on the turf last season. He has only been out of the top three in two of his last six starts.
This will be his third effort on the all-weather and piques interest from 13/1* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on May 31st, 2020 at 14:09 GMT).
Al Ozzdi can pick up where he left off
The last two races that AL OZZDI had before the outbreak was at Wolverhampton, which has the same Tapeta track as Newcastle. It is good. That should put the 5 year old in the picture for this one.
In fact, on his second-last trip to Newcastle, he scored a win back in January this year at the 1m distance in a handicap.
In those two aforementioned Wolverhampton trips Al Ozzdi took back to back third places behind winner Daafr. He easily has at least place claims in this one.
Predictions & Tips
This is a very interesting field headed up by Stone Mason. However, we feel that the progressive favourite can indeed be healthily taken on in this one.
The pick of the bunch that we see is AL OZZDI who has scored at course and distance and has been holding all-weather form. He has to be respected.
The other that we fancy taking for at least a place finish in this one is THE BIG HOUSE who did produce some good, consistent form before the outbreak, including a win.
He is a distance winner as well as having placed three times in seven-mile trips.
