3.10 Newcastle, Thursday, January 4

Desert Ruler has finished second on five of his last seven starts on the Flat which, coupled with a record of just two wins from 17 starts in that sphere, sounds alarm bells. However, Jedd O’Keefe’s 5-year-old should find this sort of company much more to his liking after contesting the 32Red London Middle Distance Series Final Handicap at Kempton in November. The Kheleyf gelding ran an odd race on that occasion, appearing to be going well approaching the two-furlong marker, but fading in the closing stages to finish ninth of 10, 5½ lengths behind the ready winner, Ply. Nevertheless, that form still makes decent reading in the context of this race. The slight drop back in distance should also help his cause and, while much depends on his effectiveness on the Tapeta surface, which he’s trying for the first time, he could be potentially well handicapped.

Selection: Newcastle 3.10 Desert Ruler to win  8/1