Bets of the Day: Red Jasper can finally get his head in front tonight

Red Jasper will appreciate this track and trip

18:15 Newcastle - Red Jasper

This is the 14th run for Mick Appleby's three-year-old chestnut Red Jasper and while he is still a maiden, I think the return to this stiff seven furlongs straight at Newcastle could eventually put him in the winners enclosure. He's been placed three times on the all weather from similar marks in 2019 and ran well here over one mile last time out, he eventually finished a close running on fourth but met some major trouble when starting his charge. I think this trip on this track could suit and a win is long overdue for connections.

If Red Jasper is to eventually get that win on the board, then he will have to get the better of Slingshot from the Bryan Smart yard. One of the concerns for the lightly raced filly is that she has yet to go beyond six furlongs, but she has been running on at the end of her races suggesting it won't be a problem. The other is she has ran on the Newcastle surface twice before but hasn't really threatened, finishing a four lengths away fourth of 13 and six lengths away on her latest start at the track. She is dropping in class today and I am sure will be there at the finish but if Red Jasper hadn't run in to trouble last time out I think he may well have already lost his maiden tag and he is the selection today.

El Ghazwani can make it five wins over course and distance

15:15 Lingfield - El Ghazwani

Hugo Palmer's El Ghazwani loves it round here, winning four of his five starts over course and distance. His sole defeat came two starts ago in November but he more than made up for that when scoring off a 4lb lower mark easily last month. He is moving back up in grade now but given his record here and the fact that he is still 1lb below his penultimate winning mark, he should prove tough to beat again today.

Mark Johnston's four-year-old colt Sky Defender is going to want to take them along but he may not get it all his own way as Michelle Strogoff is another that likes to lead so they could end up battling each other and using up a lot of energy early. If he does get the lead he could be hard to pass as he proved when he ran out a three length winner here last time out.