De Sousa a significant booking at Newcastle

No. 2
Arzaak
8.00 Newcastle
1pt win

This three-year-old has generally been disappointing since showing promise for Owen Burrows on his first three starts, but there has been an improvement since joining Chris Dwyer's stable and his close second in a 6f Chelmsford maiden in December is fair form for this grade.

Arzaak split two subsequent winners when third in a hot race over 6f at this course two outings ago and caught the eye finishing well when fourth in a 6f handicap at Lingfield last time. He certainly shaped as though a stiff test at 5f might suit, especially if the cheekpieces help sharpen him up through the early stages.