RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (FRIDAY)

16:45 Newbury The A Hill trained Man of Steel has proven himself to be a bit of a specialist of the Hunter Chase scene winning three of his last four starts in the discipline. Most impressive of these was last time out when the horse won by a commanding margin to score over 2m4f at Lingfield. The step back up in trip will only be in his favour given his previous wins over further and and this 8-year-old has youth on his side against his much older rivals today so he gets the confident nod to follow up here today. Duke of Lucca was formerly trained by Phillip Hobbs and a smart performer in his day. He his a five-time winner over fences and could be well treated on some of his old form. He would be a big danger to the selection if putting his best foot forward, but major doubts over whether he retains the same level of ability these days. Triangular has course form and landed back to back wins when returned to pointing last term, but he would need to step up on his two efforts so far this season to trouble the selection. MAN OF STEEL (WIN)

19:45 Newcastle Sir Mark Prescott is renowned for his progressive handicappers and impressive last time out winner Scala Regia looks likely to further enhance that reputation. The 3-year-old left his three maiden runs well behind when improving impressively to land the spoils over tonight’s course and distance a fortnight ago. She has only been raised 4lb for that win and there looks much more to come reappearing back at the track quickly, so she gets the confident nod to progress again here. Fellow last time out winner, Man about Town would be a definite danger to the selection after readily making all under tonight’s rider over 6f at this track, but now has a further 7lb rise to contend with over an extra furlong which looks a tough ask. The David Barron team are always well respected with their runners especially at the northern tracks and he runs Magical Molly Joe, who has a progressed with each run and looked poised to run a big race given she had the selection behind when second last time out on the same terms, but the penny looks to have dropped with the selection and she will likely face a different rival tonight. SCALA REGIA (WIN)