Today's Horse Racing Tips: Reel can outrun his double-figure price at Newcastle

State can bag another victory in a low grade

19:15 Newcastle - Back Rebel State @ 9.617/2

It's not the best card you'll ever set eyes on at Newcastle on Monday evening, and the 19:15 shouldn't take a lot of winning.

Herbert Pocket half-tempted me initially, but his habit of blowing the start is a problem. My old favourite Traveller is also running, but he hasn't won for ages.

Which leaves me with Jedd O'Keeffe's Rebel State - who is worth a small bet at 9.617/2, as he is dropping down in class for this.

Last time he raced over course and distance and stayed on well from a strong pace to finish third. He also met some trouble in the closing stages too.

His rider Owen Payton claims 7lb, but is the regular jockey on him and the pair got into the winners' enclosure in October here from 48 - so he knows the course and the horse well.

Usually held up in his races, expect Rebel State to stay on well from the back.

Reel can provide the highlight in Newcastle finale

20:15 Newcastle - Back Highlight Reel @ 10.09/1

The name Highlight Reel conjures up the unforgettable time I got sledged rather well in a cricket match. My trusty left-arm spin had let me down in one game and I'd gone for a few, so the batsman thought it was a good idea to tell his fellow team-mate that I had bowled like a highlights package. A good one, and one I used plenty of times subsequently.

In terms of highlights for the equine version, they are rather thin on the ground. Whilst the 2020 season for the horse paints a picture of doom and gloom, he at least showed a bit of sparkle dropped in grade to a selling handicap at Thirsk when last seen - and he wasn't beaten too far in fifth. He also raced on the wrong part of the track over the far side.

He has dropped a whopping 17lb this term, so he clearly has a massive chance from the handicapper off 48 in a bad race, and it's no surprise the only last-time-out winner Zebulon was priced up as the 3.814/5 favourite on Sunday evening.

Highlight Reel is trained by Rebecca Bastiman, and I like latching onto her horses when in form as she had a win and a second on Sunday, and he looks a fair bet at 10.09/1.

The selection is racing at 6f today, but he does stay further which is always a good thing for the stiff finish at Newcastle.