DIAMOND SET TO SPARKLE AT NEWCASTLE

By Chris Phillips, PA

Diamond Rain can follow up an impressive Haydock victory with another winning effort in the Jenningsbet In Delves Hoppings Fillies' Stakes at Newcastle.

Unraced at two, the daughter of Shamardal made an instant impact on the racecourse last season, with wins in valuable races at Ascot and Newbury, before disappointing when not far off favourite for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.  She reappeared in Listed company at Haydock - coming home a length and three-quarters clear of good yardstick Running Lion - and with few miles on the clock for a four-year-old, Charlie Appleby's lightly-raced type is more than capable of taking the step back up to Group-race level in her stride.

Paddy's Day will again hope to demonstrate his love for Newcastle with a fifth straight victory at the course, this time in the Paul Darling Gosforth Park Cup Handicap. He won his first four starts of 2025 but could not quite carry his form to the turf when beaten at Musselburgh and Windsor. But a return to the Tapeta can bear fruit for the Nigel Tinkler-trained son of Starspangledbanner, who has seen five of his seven career wins come at Newcastle.

Persian Phoenix goes in search of a quickfire double in the JenningsBet In Newcastle Amateur Jockeys' Handicap. The four-year-old filly backed up a win in Jersey of all places with a comfortable success at Lingfield last week and the 5lb penalty for that should not hinder her.

Excellent Believe can return to the winner's enclosure in the second division of the JenningsBet In Shiremoor Novice Stakes. The son of Make Believe was second on his racecourse debut over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton but relished the step up to an extended mile at Nottingham as he coasted home by five lengths. He drops back to seven furlongs but might just be useful and the fact the in-form Jack Channon has secured the services of William Buick suggests he is.

The ultra consistant Starliner can sail to another win in the JenningsBet In Pelton Handicap for Linda Perratt. The four-year-old has not finished outside of the top three in his last five starts, culminating in a triumph at Hamilton on his last visit to the racecourse last month over nine furlongs.

Secret Oath can break her maiden in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Newmarket. The Appleby-trained daughter of Lope De Vega was beaten on her debut by the Wathnan-owned Zelaina, who did not disgrace herself in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. That form suggests the two-year-old should take this in her stride and get herself into the winner's enclosure.

Fairlawn Flyer can make the trip to Cartmel a fruitful one with a fifth straight victory in the Krol Corlett Handicap Chase for Mickey and Sean Bowen.

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.50 Hi Ya Mal, Race 2: 15.20 Cloaks Of Gold, Race 3: 15.50 Bearwith, Race 4: 16.20 Displaying, Race 5: 16.55 Novello Lad, Race 6: 17.30 Tropical Heat, Race 7: 18.05 Willolarupi.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.00 The Feminine Urge, Race 2: 15.30 Mehmas Air Force, Race 3: 16.00 Captain Brett, Race 4: 16.33 Cryptos Dream, Race 5: 17.08 Blue Rc, Race 6: 17.40 Blue Anthem, Race 7: 18.15 The Cola Brasil.

CARTMEL: Race 1: 15.38 Emiyn, Race 2: 16.08 Ocean Legacy, Race 3: 16.43 Fairlawn Flyer, Race 4: 17.18 Lermoos Legend, Race 5: 17.55 Wild Nephin, Race 6: 18.30 Greatness Awaits.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 17.45 Persian Phoenix, Race 2: 18.25 Warrior Mode, Race 3: 19.00 Excellent Believe, Race 4: 19.30 Starliner, Race 5: 20.05 DIAMOND RAIN (NAP), Race 6: 20.35 Paddy's Day, Race 7: 21.10 Miss Rainbow, Race 8: 21.40 Keldeo.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 18.40 Secret Oath, Race 2: 19.10 Abloom, Race 3: 19.40 Meleri, Race 4: 20.15 Aim For The Moon, Race 5: 20.45 Saxonia, Race 6: 21.20 Sixtygeesbaby, Race 7: 21.55 Sea Emily Run.

DOUBLE: Diamond Rain and Fairlawn Flyer.

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za