6.15 Newcastle: the one race you cannot afford to miss on Tuesday

6.15 Newcastle
Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Handicap 7f | 4yo+ | SSR

A race which appears to revolve around two of the trio of four-year-olds in the line-up, Northernpowerhouse and Asdaa.

Northernpowerhouse hasn’t always looked the most straightforward, but did nothing wrong when staying on strongly to hold Mohareb by half a length over course and distance last month, with Asdaa three-quarters of a length back in third.

The form book says the Bryan Smart-trained Northernpowerhouse should confirm the placings as they reoppose on identical terms, but things are rarely that simple in racing.

After all, it can be argued that the less-exposed Asdaa has shown progressive form in two subsequent starts, highlighted by a last-time-out Chelmsford win.

Mark Johnston’s gelding dictated the pace and was never hard-pressed in the straight to beat Visionara by two and a quarter lengths.

It was a striking performance of total authority and, although raised 5lb for that fluent success, he could well have plenty more to come. It’s likely he will prove a tough nut to crack if gaining an easy lead.

Fortamour, fourth in the Newcastle race won by Northernpowerhouse, adds spice to a contest in which he will compete off a 1lb lower mark.

Newcastle specialist Portledge, five times a winner at Gosforth Park, can sometimes compromise his chance by starting slowly, and appears high enough in the weights. He could also need this first spin in 178 days to put an edge on him.

That Is The Spirit represents the powerful team of Mick Appleby and all-conquering Ben Curtis, but remains 6lb higher than when making a winning start for the trainer at Chelmsford in June.

What the stats say

No-one has ridden more winners at Newcastle than the red-hot Ben Curtis, who gets the leg up on That Is The Spirit.

Portledge's five victories have come at the track and over this distance.

What the trainers say

Bryan Smart, trainer of Northernpowerhouse
He's in good form and ran a good race there last time. He seems to like the track and I'm very happy with him.

Ed Bethell, assistant to James Bethell, trainer of Portledge
He should go all right. I think he'll strip fit enough for his first run of the year and he loves Newcastle, while he's dropping down in class and his last run was probably a career-best effort. He seems in great order at home, so we're looking forward to running him.

Marjorie Fife, trainer of Mountain Rescue
We haven't had him that long and he's a nice, big horse who has been working well at home. This is a pathfinding mission for us, but he's going to be very nice and has definitely got an engine. He's got all-weather form and we're looking forward to running him, while his owner Brian Parren, who has been with us on and off for a long time, always manages to pick up a nice horse.

Mick Appleby, trainer of That Is The Spirit
He probably just needed his run last week, so he'll have come on a lot for it and should go well.

John Hodge, trainer of Reaver
He's got one or two issues. I think he may have come on a wee bit for his last run, but I wouldn't expect him to be in the shake-up. I think we'll get him back physically, but whether we get him back mentally might be the problem. There's a horse in there and it's just a matter of time; maybe he'll need two or three runs.

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