Kevin Stott’s William Hill blog: Kanakam should take all the beating

Newcastle, Friday

It’ll be a busy evening for me at Newcastle on Friday, with rides in six of the eight races on the card. I’ll kick off the evening with Hackberry over two miles (4:43pm). It might only be his third start for Ann Duffield, but he has won over course and distance this year and last time out was only beaten by three quarters of a length. The important thing with this horse is that he must settle, but he could be in with a good chance if he does so.

Kanakam is next in the one-mile handicap (5:15pm), who bolted up to win over course and distance a week ago. He went up four pounds so is two pounds wrong with the penalty, but I think he can overcome that. I’m delighted to be back on board this gelding and think he’ll take all the beating if he turns up in the same form.

My third ride is Lupset Flossy Pop over five furlongs (6:15pm). She travels very well and won nicely last time over six furlongs. The drop back down in trip shouldn’t be an issue as long as they go a nice pace. She went up four pounds but has a six pound penalty, so carries 10 stone which is a lot of weight, but she is in good form and gets to have another turn in a Class 6 for the last time. It’s great to get another go on her; hopefully we can remain unbeaten together.

Firth Of Clyde follows in the novice over one mile (6:45pm). Undoubtedly, this horse has been frustrating: placed every run without winning. He can be a bit keen, so he has blinkers added. Hopefully, with those, he won’t over-race too much. Some of his form reads really well, but he just needs to get the win now. He may relax in front, so I’d like to get an easy lead and fend off any challengers.

Then there’s Bojink in the nursery over six furlongs (7:45pm). I think we can ignore her last run because she got whipped out coming out the stalls and never recovered. Her headgear has been left off, so let’s see if we can get her confidence back.

The evening concludes for me with Safran over seven furlongs (8:15pm). It’s only his second start for Ewan Whillans, but he made a promising stable debut at Ayr last month. He’s yet to win in the UK but has gone close a few times. All being well, we can get a good tune out of him and have a good run.