Newcastle Tip: Fortamour

The 7.00 Newcastle poses an interesting conundrum. Do you take the potential of Bobby Shaft or the rock solid form of Fortamour and pay the 5lbs penalty for that privilege?

In favour of Ben Haslam’s gelding, he is a previous course winner and won in impressive fashion last time out. His closing sectional was the fastest in the race by 0.77s a fair effort even accounting for the moderate early gallop. Adjusting of pace he earned a speed rating of around 67, which should be good enough in this grade even with a penalty.

Bobby Shaft could be a good deal better if building on the promise of his firts two runs but there were back in March and April and it’s hard to know what shape he’ll be in after the layoff.