RACE PREVIEW & TIPS (THURSDAY)

13:15 Newcastle

Highland Hunter lived up to the hype and confirmed his early promise following point to point and bumper successes when romping home at Ayr last time out on hurdling debut. Lucinda Russell’s latest recruit was so impressive that day with the manner of the win and the astute Scottish trainer has found him an immediate chance to follow up and defy a penalty in a very modest field here today so he gets the confident nod to follow up. Bubbles of Gold for the in-form Olly Murphy team would rate the biggest danger to the selection, but was well beaten in his bumper and would need to step up massively on that form to trouble the selection.

HIGHLAND HUNTER (WIN) – NAP