Expert analysis and trainer quotes on Monday's most competitive handicap

5.05 Newcastle
Betway Handicap | 1m4½f | 4yo+ | SSR

You could make a good case for this race being the most competitive handicap of the six on Newcastle's card. At the head of the betting, lightly raced types trained by Sir Michael Stoute and John Gosden sandwich one of the most progressive handicappers of the first few weeks of 2020.

Alignak has the attractive form. He was second to Derby seventh Humanitarian last May and, after a hiccup three months later, easily won at Kempton in the autumn. Good Tidings, who represents Humanitarian's connections, fluffed his latest run in December but had improved prior to that.

Ice Pyramid came to Phil Kirby from Godolphin and has won two of his three handicap starts. Both came over this course and distance and he won both by five lengths. Stablemate December Second also won by five lengths when last seen.

Phil Kirby: represented by two horses in this handicapCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Throw in two Mark Johnston-trained runners, one from David O'Meara and two stable switchers, and this is a race to pore over afterwards.

In terms of prediction, the form allows you to take your pick to an extent, although be warned that pace in the race is not plentiful and that tactics might play a part.

The pace is likely to come from the Johnston pair, with Bo Samraan having the most extensive recent history of making the pace and Joe Fanning on his back. Cosmelli is also unlikely to be far away early on.

Keith Melrose, betting editor

What do connections say?

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of To Be Wild
He likes it deep and the track has been harrowed deep so that will suit him well. He stays a bit further than this so it's good to get him back out as there wasn't anything else suitable for a while after this.

David O'Meara, trainer of Makawee
Hopefully she will run well. She has performed well up there before and hopefully will run okay.

Phil Kirby, trainer of December Second and Ice Pyramid
They are two nice horses. Both won last time and were impressive. I'd imagine they will come on from the run but they are fit enough to do themselves justice first time out.

Cosmelli (right) has shown good form at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Gay Kelleway, trainer of Cosmelli
He likes the track but is probably racing over two furlongs short of his best. He's better over a mile and six. But he won the consolation for the Northumberland Plate a couple of years ago and he loves the track having run well in the Northumberland Plate last year. When it's deep, he likes it, but not too much when it's quick during the winter. It's a fairly competitive race but he worked well at Chelmsford last week and his preparation has been good. It's good to get started and blow away the cobwebs.

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