In-form North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby, successful in last year’s Gosforth Park Cup with Captain Dunne, can complete an encore at Newcastle tomorrow with Confessional, a horse who got a close-up look at Captain Dunne on his latest outing.

At Epsom’s Derby meeting, the stable-mates were separated by only a neck – Captain Dunne just hanging on after being in the front rank all the way.

Confessional, who met trouble in running at Epsom, might well have been an unlucky loser.

Whether he was, he deserves to pick up a useful consolation and opportunity promises to come knocking for him in Newcastle’s feature handicap. Brian Elllison’s consistent Mon Brav may give him most to think about.

Sir Henry Cecil can land the richest race on the card, the ‘Kheleyf’ Hoppings Stakes with Principal Role.

The four-year-old made a most encouraging start to the season when going down by just half a length to City Leader. She would not need to improve much on that form to take this Listed prize.

Ruth Carr has her horses in great heart and it can only be a matter of time before Red Cape adds his name to the scoreboard of the Stillington stable.

The hardy eight-year-old has been running well lately and with PJ McDonald on board, he commands plenty of respect, despite top weight, in the FreeBetting.co.uk Handicap.

At Doncaster, the first leg of a two-day meeting, Fast Shot is napped to win the Communication Workers Union Handicap.

A winner over six furlongs at Redcar two starts back, the three-year-old was beaten a length and a half into third by Irish Boy when reverting to the minimum trip at Musselburgh last week. This step back up to six furlongs is expected to restore winning form. He is selected to initiate a double for Tim Easterby, also the trainer of Newcastle fancy Confessional.

Jim Goldie has Namwahjobo in tremendous form and the three-year-old can complete a hat-trick of wins in the Trade Union Congress Handicap.

Successful at Redcar and Ayr, Namwahjobo looks a deeply progressive performer and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to prevent him obliging again.

Kazbow has been well beaten in both his outings this season, but it would not be the biggest surprise in the world if Luca Cumani’s charge bounced back in the March For The Alternative Handicap. He is a useful horse on his day.

Mick Easterby’s Balti’s Sister (2.20) shaped well on her debut and deserves attention in the opening juvenile event.

The consistent Beckermet (5.40) will surely give his supporters a good run for their money in the closing handicap.


Racing selections

Doncaster
2.20 Balti’s Sister, 2.50 West Side, 3.25 Kazbow, 4.00 Wolfgang, 4.35 Namwahjobo, 5.05 Fast Shot (NAP), 5.40 Beckermet.

Newcastle
6.20 Misrepresent, 6.50 Principal Role, 7.25 Confessional, 7.55 Hernando Torres, 8.25 Red Cape, 9.00 Crystallus.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Chester, Folkestone, Market Rasen and Newmarket.

Today’s meetings: Ffos Las, Hamilton, Leicester, Newcastle and Warwick.