Kevin Stott’s William Hill blog: Hoping Reason has a Sound chance at Newcastle

Newcastle Friday

My rides on Friday begin with Gainsbourg in the mile handicap (5.30pm). He’s four pounds above his last winning mark but has been running consistently recently so far this season. He likes to be ridden with cover so we’ll need some luck in running, but he should hopefully run well.

Next up is Digital in the five-furlong handicap (6.35pm). He’s only two pounds above the mark he won off on his last all-weather win at Southwell and I’m pretty hopeful a return to an artificial surface is a plus. He’s been running in very competitive races on the turf of late and this is probably a bit easier, while I also think he’s a better horse on this surface.

There’s plenty of pace in the race which should help him settle early and the stiff five furlongs should suit him nicely.

Barq Al Emarat (7.45pm) is a 60k breeze up purchase by Mehmas, who has already been gelded. He’s a half-brother to the useful sprinter Gabriel The Saint, though Ismail Mohammed’s horses tend to come on for experience.

Kodebreaker (8.20pm) got off the mark last time when stepped up to this trip. He ran well on his only all-weather start which came on his seasonal reappearance and the wind op he had earlier this season seems to have worked wonders.

Newcastle Saturday

My first ride on Saturday is Sound Reason in a competitive-looking six-furlong handicap (1.50pm). He improved for the run and there being a bit of cut in the ground at Haydock last time. He’s gone up five pounds for that which is plenty but he’s still improving and the step up to six furlongs will definitely help.

He’s already won at Newcastle so we know he handles the track and while this is the highest grade he’s run in to date, we see him as a potential Ayr Gold or Silver Cup Horse, so we’d like to think he’ll go close here.

It’s Bielsa’s first time running on the all-weather in the Chipchase Stakes (2.25pm) but we think the deep surface will suit. He’s wrong at the weights but seems in good form at home and we’re under no illusions he’d need a career best to win this.

I ride Rainbow Dreamer in the Northumberland Plate (3.30pm). He’s down to an attractive mark having been as high as 111 and with Trueshan running the weights are kept down which really helps our cause.

This is my lad’s first run after a wind op but Alan King will certainly have him 100% ready to go for the big day and I’m looking forward to riding him. He’s a strong traveller, so hopefully from stall 14 I can get a prominent position and go from there.