The Punt Daily: Robbie Wilders' horse racing tip at Newcastle on Friday

EYECATCHER

Goobinator (4.15 Newcastle)

Empire De Maulde initially caught my eye in Newcastle's 2m4½f handicap hurdle running off a 7lb lower hurdles mark but this may be merely a prep for the Scottish National next month, and I'd rather side with Goobinator. The Donald McCain-trained six-year-old finished a good fourth in the Cesarewitch three starts ago and was a well-backed favourite on his return to hurdling at Bangor in November, but fell three out when moving nicely in contention. He got round on his next outing at Doncaster, running a good third behind subsequent Lanzarote winner Cobblers Dream and the admirably consistent handicapper Leoncavallo. The fifth from that race has also won since and Goobinator looks on a good mark dropped 2lb to 124 in first-time cheekpieces. He is a strong stayer and will appreciate the extra furlong here.

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