DARNATION CAN SEE OFF ELDERS IN NEWCASTLE FEATURE

By Tony Kelshaw

Darnation is taken to relish stepping up in distance for the Group Three JenningsBet In Delves Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes at Newcastle on Friday evening.

Karl Burke’s charge found the pace too hot in the 1000 Guineas but bounced back to form in the German equivalent at Dusseldorf, staying on strongly to slam the in-form Queues Likely.

Moving up to 10 furlongs should not be a problem on that evidence, or the fact that she scored over a mile as a juvenile in Doncaster’s May Hill Stakes.

Although then put in her place by Opera Singer at elite level in the Prix Marcel Boussac, this is a very likeable filly with plenty of stamina on her dam’s side, hailing from the same family as Irish Oaks heroine Blue Bunting.

Burke claimed this prize with a far less accomplished three-year-old in Poptronic two years ago and looks well placed to strike again.

Bergerac has a decent record at the North-East venue and has been given a chance to shine in the Jenningsbet In Shiremoor Gosforth Park Cup Handicap.

He is back down to a similar mark to when a smooth course and distance scorer in December and was far from disgraced in a couple of ultra-competitive March contests here after rising up the ratings.

Archie Watson’s Perfectly Timed heads into the skopes.co.uk Best For Menswear Handicap with a progressive profile.

He won well at Kempton in February despite showing signs of greenness and then returned from being gelded to finish a fine second at Brighton, with the first and third from that race both scoring since.

Inherit has a lot to live up to as a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Queen’s Trust but can start upholding family honour in Newmarket’s Long Shot Seltzer Spring Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge just failed to last home when third at Yarmouth earlier this month and is expected to come on for that first spin since last September’s racecourse debut.

Lou Lou’s Gift caught the eye making late headway on her seasonal reappearance at Kempton and can build on that effort in the Fizz Cup Classic Handicap.

She showed plenty of promise as a juvenile, culminating with a victory at Newcastle, and switching back to turf is not a concern as there is a good third at Yarmouth on her CV.

Phone Tag is of interest in the Join Moulton Racing Syndicate Handicap at Yarmouth after a couple of encouraging efforts so far this term.

Hugo Palmer’s gelding landed a Windsor nursery among several decent displays as a juvenile and always looked the type to do even better at three.

Wathnan Racing’s Consolidation went into many notebooks after finishing sixth on his Sandown debut, when plenty went against him, and he is one to follow in Doncaster’s Anthony Fletcher Takepayments EBF Novice Stakes.

Sam England’s string has been in fine spirits of late and Elleon can help to maintain that momentum in the Carer Support South Lakes Handicap Chase at Cartmel.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

CARTMEL: Race 1: 14.20 Boomslang, Race 2: 14.55 Ragosina, Race 3: 15.30 Of Course You
Can, Race 4: 16.05 Elleon, Race 5: 16.40 Goodtimes Badtimes, Race 6: 17.15 Unwanted
Attention, Race 7: 17.47 Bathgate.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.35 Showtime Mahomes, Race 2: 15.10 Consolidation, Race 3: 15.45
Royal Justice, Race 4: 16.20 Notre Dame, Race 5: 16.55 Khathak, Race 6: 17.30 Miss Gitana,
Race 7: 18.05 Bearwith.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 14.45 Anif, Race 2: 15.20 Naina, Race 3: 15.55 Warmonger, Race 4:
16.30 Four Adaay, Race 5: 17.05 Phone Tag, Race 6: 17.40 The Waiting Game, Race 7: 18.10
Admirable Lad.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 17.23 Breguet Boy, Race 2: 17.55 Rory, Race 3: 18.25 Bergerac, Race 4:
19.00 DARNATION (NAP), Race 5: 19.35 Perfectly Timed, Race 6: 20.10 Thewind Cries Mary,
Race 7: 20.45 Washeek, Race 8: 21.20 Port And Starburd.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 18.15 Nad Alshiba Rain, Race 2: 18.50 Post Rider, Race 3: 19.25
Inherit, Race 4: 20.00 Hitched, Race 5: 20.35 Lou Lou's Gift, Race 6: 21.10 Ananda, Race 7:
21.45 Signalman.

BANGOR: Race 1: 18.40 Crystal Moon, Race 2: 19.13 Steppenwolf, Race 3: 19.48 Therapist,
Race 4: 20.23 Ballygeary, Race 5: 20.58 Briefly, Race 6: 21.30 Bing Belle, Race 7: 22.00 Mac's
Express.

DOUBLE: Darnation and Perfectly Timed (Newcastle, Races 4 and 5).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com