The short-priced favourite here is Kraken Power following his near miss here on Monday, when he was short-headed by Enraged in a higher-graded Class 5 handicap over this course and distance.
Off the same mark again today, Kraken Power should go well once more, but a much better-value bet is Phoenix Star, who actually went off at a shorter price than Kraken Power in that same race on Monday.
Because Phoenix Star had no run at all on Monday, he is a far bigger price than his rival this time, but he had shown last month, on his first run back from a break, that he is ready to strike again soon, finishing a never-nearer third of 10 in another higher-graded Class 5 at Southwell.
He is now three pounds lower and racing in a very moderate Class 6 handicap, so it is no surprise that his trainer, Jessica Macey, is keen to get him out again following his troubled passage here on Monday, especially as she has produced three winners from her five runners over the last ten days.
20:00 (Newcastle) Phoenix Star
The yard's two recent sprint winners were both ridden by Lewis Edmunds, who also knows Phoenix Star better than anyone, having ridden him to a runner-up spot in a far stronger Class 4 handicap over this trip.
Clearly, anything resembling that sort of performance off a much lower mark in this moderate Class 6 contest would give him every chance, especially given that his record is 212 when running in Class 6 handicap company over this trip.
From what should be a handy draw in stall 7, Phoenix Star looked to have been significantly underestimated in the early market.
In-running players should also note that it is normal for him to become temporarily outpaced at the halfway stage of his races before finishing strongly, especially if the early pace has been decent.
Of the others, Latin Five is another with proven form over a straight, uphill five furlongs, with his last win coming in a higher-graded Class 5 handicap at Beverley, and although yet to win on the all-weather, he would have a decent shout with a similar performance here, although the very inside stall is not ideal.
Latin Five ran much better than his finishing position suggests when carrying top weight over this trip at the start of the year, making good headway before having his path blocked on at least a couple of occasions, and effectively seven pounds better off here, he could out-run his big price.
