".... a swing of the bat at Newcastle on Friday night...."

Thursday, 26th June 2026

“…. a swing of the bat at Newcastle on Friday night….”

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best pick at Newcastle on Friday night….

I’m on AL SHABAB STORM in the 7.28 – up at 33s, 28s & 25s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the Gosforth Park Cup – Newcastle – 7.28....

I’m a bat swinger by nature when it comes to punting….

…. and I’m never afraid to back a horse that nobody else wants to touch with a bargepole – if or when I can see a case or something gets my antenna twitching….

…. and I’m backing the heavily unfancied AL SHABAB STORM at the 33s, 28s & 25s for this one….

…. because I think he’s well worth a shot at this stiff 5f trip….

He’s never run over the minimum trip before and all his best form….

…. the form that saw him running off an official rating of 110 as recently as last August….

…. was logged over the 7f trip – albeit most of it at Chester where the tight turns don’t make the same demands on genuine stamina that a big straight track would….

There’s no doubt he’s suffered from a general loss of form….

…. and he’s been moved a couple of times over the last 16 months – from Andrew Balding to Marcio Botti and now he’s with Mick Appleby….

But dotted about within that recent record of diminishing form are a couple of interesting runs over 6f….

…. one at Wolverhampton last October and another at Kempton in February – both performances that suggest this lad possesses a fair bit of speed….

And it’s also worth noting that three of this one-time Listed and Group performer’s five best RPRs were produced over 6f….

Most recently he’s been showing a bit of speed early before fading out of things late….

…. and I just think that on this stiff track he’s worth sending out to have a proper go – from the word go – to see just how deep into proceedings that gets him….

He’s dropped to a mark of 98 – so if the shorter trip does turn the key – he’s well-handicapped enough….

…. after observing him at home – and sending him to the track twice – Mick Appleby’s gone for a first-time tongue tie….

…. Conor Whitely takes off a useful 5lb….

…. and in stall 10 he’s not too far from the favoured stands rail….

Bottom line: I just think he’s potentially overpriced – and there’s enough going on with the set-up to encourage me to open the shoulders and take a swing….

Not all the firms are up this morning – but William Hill, Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Bet MGM, and Virgin Bet are….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – if you missed my Royal Ascot review go here….

…. and go here for two horses to take away from the meeting….

Contact me: nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd