Through The Card: Newcastle, Friday 29 March

17:55 - CHAMPAGNE RULES (1) was unable to complete a double over C&D at the end of January, but he still shaped as though he was in top form when second from a 7 lb higher mark, with his early exertions looking telling at the end of the race on the day, when unable to get past a rival having loomed up to do so. Provided he can settle better here, he looks to have leading claims of going one better off the same mark, and gets the vote to do so. Echo reacted really well to blinkers when successful here last time and is a feared, along with Nevada, who has run well here the last twice.

18:30 - We haven't seen DREAMOFDISCOVERY (2) for 366 days, but when he was last on the track, he produced an improved effort to strike from the rear of the field over C&D, looking suited by the way the race developed that day, and staying on to lead inside the final furlong. It's worth noting that that effort was a career best, and came after 7 months off the track, so there's every chance that Dreamofdiscovery can strike again off a 4 lb higher mark. Insurplus is weighted to reverse last week's form with Elixsoft, and this pair can chase the selection home.

19:00 - An intriguing fillies' novice, in which it could be worth siding with MAID FOR LIFE (8). She promised plenty when second on her debut despite running green at Chelmsford last October, very much learning on the job and only finding a more experienced rival too good on the day. She should have learned plenty from that, and shades the vote in the hope of more to come considering that it is the strongest form on offer. Astonished was a good winner on her debut at Kempton last December and is respected with improvement likely, while any sustained market support for Robotique Danseur in the run-up would be particularly interesting.

19:30 - THAAYER (5) made a winning start for the Rebecca Menzies team when getting off the mark at the third attempt over C&D last November, and his opening handicap mark of 81 could prove to be lenient on the back of that winning form. He's taken to get the better of the consistent Rey Loopy, a course regular who consistently runs well here, and should go well again off 1 lb higher than when second last time out.

20:00 - THE BULL (2) was well-backed when getting off the mark at the seventh attempt over C&D last November, taking well to first-time cheekpieces and producing a career best effort to get his head in front. He's less exposed than most of these, and with the headgear applied once again, he's fancied to defy a 4 lb rise and go in again with a repeat run. Everkyllachy is interesting having switched yards to Karen McLintock, while Windforpower and Star Cracker are two more to consider.

20:30 - GOWANBUSTER'S (4) losing run stretches back to November 2017, but he ran well when third under an aggressive ride over a furlong shorter here last month, almost getting away from some more exposed rivals before getting collared well inside the final furlong. He should have a race in him off this current mark sooner or later, and can go two places better this evening at the expense of Jan Van Hoof, who has been in good form of late.