NEWCASTLE must pass an 8am inspection, but if the meeting does get the green light then Diamond Mick (2.30) is of interest.

Rose Davidson's mount looked distinctly burly on his recent reappearance at Ayr and was soon showing signs of distress once under pressure prior to entering the home straight.

But to Diamond Mick's credit, he got his second wind from the second last flight and even managed to make a little late headway, having at one stage looked as if he was going to finish tailed off, or even pulled up.

The unexposed gelding is likely to come on in leaps-and-bounds for the outing, and the enhanced fitness will stand him in good stead for the Racecourse Video Services Handicap Hurdle.

After being labelled by some sections of the media as a professional loser, Turbo (3.30) proved his critics misguided with a battling victory on a successful visit to Sedgefield in February.

As so often in the past, it appears as if Mick Easterby has again worked his magic on a horse with more seconds to his name than a stopwatch.

Given what remains a dubious previous record, punters might still shun Turbo, although on the evidence of that latest ultra-game run, he does seem to be a reformed character.

Ferdy Murphy's Green Ideal (4.30) was a bitter disappointment when letting favourite backers down big-time over three miles at the Tyneside venue 21 days ago.

Jockey Keith Mercer eased his partner to save Green Ideal unnecessary punishment on that occasion, a typically kind and intelligent gesture from one of the best young riders in the business.

Keith realised his chance had gone and had it been a boxing match the referee would have stopped the fight. Now returning to a less demanding trip for the Sendrig Handicap Chase, expect a better show from Green Ideal.

Exeter's 3-mile Devon National Handicap is by far and away the best race on the card.

Even at the grand old age of 13 Sir Frosty (3.20) retains plenty of zest for the sport, a point underlined by his staying-on fifth to Calvic over a similarly testing trip at Bangor last month.

Other relevant considerations when weighing up his prospects include the presence of the excellent Timmy Murphy in the saddle, plus the fact the gelding is a previous course and distance scorer.

* Cheltenham officials are hoping the forecast rain materialises ahead of the eagerly-awaited four-day Festival next week.

About 20 millimetres have been predicted over the next few days, which means there would be no need to water the track.

The ground was yesterday described as good, good to firm in places on the hurdle and chase courses, while the cross-country track remained good, good to soft in places.

''We have significant rainfall forecast over the next three or four days,'' said clerk of the course Simon Claisse.

''Hopefully it will mean we will start the meeting with no good to firm in the ground without having to water.

''For the meeting itself, it is set to remain relatively mild and I think with some light rain, but that's a long way ahead.

''We have said our aim is to have no good to firm in the ground before we start."

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