'Andrew Balding could have a very good day' - Matt Rennie marks your card for All-Weather Championships finals day at Newcastle

What's the big story?

It's All-Weather Championships finals day at Newcastle and those horses who have kept Flat fans entertained during the winter get their deserved day in the sun. 

There is £950,000 on offer across the six finals on the card, as well as £100,000 in the Listed Burradon Stakes, with the standout race being the BetUK-sponsored Easter Classic (4.07). The early market has been headed by Glen Buck, who will seek to continue his remarkable rise through the ranks for Roger Varian by recording the most lucrative success of his career. 

It is a deeply competitive handicap with a full field of 14, and standing in Glen Buck's way will be Old Harrovian, Smart Hero and Charlotte's Web, one of the revelations of the winter. There is even celebrity interest as Hooking, who is owned by Atletico Madrid and France footballer Antoine Griezmann, bids to improve on his third-placed effort last year.

Glen Buck16:07 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Jack Mitchell Tnr: Roger Varian

Who wins the Easter Classic?

Glen Buck has already beaten Old Harrovian this year, but the latter can get his revenge to land the biggest all-weather prize of all. 

Having lost out by three-quarters of a length to Glen Buck following a 61-day break at Southwell in January, he thrived off a 3lb higher mark when a hugely impressive winner over this track and trip last time.

He has gone up 9lb for that and does have to come from behind, so there may be a few heart-in-mouth moments for punters, but there still could be more to come off a mark of 98.

Old Harrovian16:07 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Andrew Balding

What's the best bet of the day?

It could be a good day for Old Harrovian's in-form trainer Andrew Balding, who also has a strong shout with Humam in the 3 Year Old Championships Handicap (1.50).

He has done nothing but progress and beat subsequent Listed scorer Rebel's Gamble on his penultimate start at Southwell. His latest run there last month was needed to qualify for this, but he put up a solid performance in second when giving 10lb to the winner and went up just 1lb for it. 

Humam13:50 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Jason Watson Tnr: Andrew Balding

Who else catches the eye at Newcastle?

The countdown to the Betfred 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas is on and some Classic formlines could be boosted if Royal Playwright lands the opening Burradon Stakes (1.15).

He ran with credit in third behind impressive Craven Stakes winner Field Of Gold in the Solario Stakes in August before going one place better behind Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Royal Lodge Stakes.

The Futurity Trophy at Doncaster proved to be one race too many for Royal Playwright, who finished last of eight in a race that has worked out well, with runner-up Delacroix a fine winner of the Ballysax Stakes, third-placed Wimbledon Hawkeye second in the Craven and the sixth, Detain, landing a lucrative all-weather prize at Chelmsford. 

Royal Playwright13:15 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Andrew Balding

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