Red Emperor, who has run a fair bit better than his bare form this year, can continue his love affair with Newcastle by taking the Come Racing On 16th December Handicap Chase over three miles.

Norman Mason's ten-year-old has won three times over this course and distance, including in the last two renewals of this particular handicap.

He looks poised to strike for a yard which has been back among the winners of late after three recent runs that should have put him spot on for this assignment.

At Kelso over three and a half miles on his most recent start he was bang in contention at the second last but wasn't knocked about, and runner-up Carnacrack gave that form a boost when winning at the same course last week.

Howard Johnson's horses continue in good form and his progressive Lord Transcend looks an interesting runner in the Ken Bright Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

The five-year-old routed an ordinary field at Hexham on bad ground last time and, although 14lb higher in the weights this afternoon, has the scope to beat today's rivals on these terms. Valeureux looked a most unlucky loser when falling at Market Rasen last week and he can make amends in the St Mowden Properties maiden hurdle over two miles.

James Hetherton's runner was about seven lengths clear when coming to grief at the final flight and, assuming he is none-the-worse for that experience, can beat a similarly ordinary field.

Len Lungo's Captain's Leap is interesting in that race but the Scottish handler looks to have a much better chance of winning with Armaguedon in the Scarvagh House Stud E.B.F National Hunt Flat Race over a mile and three quarters.

The four-year-old travelled like a good horse on his debut in a quality contest at Ayr in April and has reportedly been pleasing his trainer at home.

He has softer conditions to contend with here but it'll be a surprise if he can't win this. At Southwell Days Of Grace makes plenty of appeal in division two of the Bet Direct In Running On Live Football Fillies Handicap over six furlongs.

Les Montague's mare is a very consistent sort who looked to be coming back to her best at Wolverhampton last time.

This is only a modest contest and the first time visor could have the desired effect. Divison one looks best left to Sal's Gal, who is also tried in a first time visor and she showed enough when successful from an unfavourable draw at this course last time to suggest she should win.

Peter Makin has a good record at this course and his filly has enough foot to offset the high draw and the likely strong pace should play to her strengths.

At Ludlow Ferdy Murphy's Monkey Island should also get the race run to suit and is taken to beat likely favourite Here Comes Henry in the Budget Gas Novices Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.

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