The Evening Punt: Maddy Playle's free horse racing tip at Newcastle on Monday
BANKER
Habit Rouge(5.40 Newcastle)
This is a tricky handicap and it would be tough to rule any horses out but the eye is drawn to this four-year-old, who was building a nice profile before disappointing at Wolverhampton in November. It may have been that 1m1½f was slightly too far for him then and he's back after three months off. His previous win over course-and-distance worked outwell – the second won easily and then was fifth in a Listed race –with improvement looking likely. He's a half-brother to Group 2 winner Move Swiftly and receives the assistance of Ben Curtis, who rides this track particularly well, for the first time.Like all but one of his rivals, he boasts an entry in the Lincoln, so connections clearly think he is up to this.
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