Racecourse rumour can often be a misleading source of fact, but if Break The Code is even half as good as he is reputed to be then the Red Ransom colt should make a winning debut at Newcastle tomorrow.
For the last couple of weeks, whispers have grown to shouts that Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has a potentially top-class juvenile in Break The Code, who carries the colours of Maktoum Al Maktoum.
The Mobilefone Group/BT Paging Novice Stakes has been chosen as the colt's first stepping stone and it is significant that Johnston has engaged the services of champion jockey Kieren Fallon to take the mount.
The racecourse is the acid-test, but if reputation counts for anything, Break The Code is already past the post.
Fallon can also score on Blankenberge in the Mobilefone Group/Offon Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt failed by only one and a quarter lengths to beat Regal Philosopher over a mile at Bath last time and looks likely to appreciate the steps up to ten furlongs tomorrow.
Bolt From The Blue should not be discounted in the Mobilefone Group/Spoton Handicap.
Nigel Tinkler's gelding, held-up in a slowly-run race at Beverley last time, did well to finish as close as third to Ferny Factors. With two furlongs less to travel here, and on a straight course. Bolt From The Blue can make his presence felt.
Blackpool Mamma's can life the Mobilefone Group/Hutchinson Telecom Claiming Stakes.
A Musselburgh winner on her debut, Jack Berry's youngster finished a good second to the well-regarded Vita Spericloata in a warm seller on the same course last Saturday. John Carroll has the mount.
The Mobilefone Group/Spoton Distaff Showcase Handicap, confined to fillies and mares, offers Angel Hill the chance to regain winning form over a course and distance where she has scored in the past.
Richard Fahey's four-year-old finished third to Euro Venture at Thirsk last time and was a slightly unlucky loser, having hung from one side of the course to the other and lost more ground than she was eventually beaten by. She deserves another chance, despite being forced to carry top weight.
At Brighton, Sergeant Imp boasts strong claims in the Mobilefone Group/BT Paging Handicap over a mile,
Philip Mitchell's gelding looked an unlucky loser over this course and distance two weeks ago when he was denied a clear run before finishing fourth, beaten only three lengths, to Master Caster.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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