NEIL FARLEY, tipped for apprentice stardom this season, can continue his flying start to the new campaign at Newcastle tomorrow.

The North Yorkshire-based rider has netted three winners in the first week of the campaign and Ballarina can be another for him in the LA Taxis Handicap over five furlongs.

Farley, who is attached to Declan Carroll’s Sledmere yard, came in for the ride on Ballarina, trained at Preston by Eric Alston, at Catterick last week and rode a fine race on the five-year-old to bring her home a comfortable winner, overcoming a high draw in the process.

The fact that win was gained in an apprentices’ race means Ballarina escapes a penalty tomorrow. This speedy mare will be hard to catch and earns the nap vote.

Las Verglas Star, another recent winner, is also aiming to complete a quick double in the Surgo Construction Handicap.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding won in decisive style at Musselburgh and looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty if in that sort of form on this swift reappearance. Paul Hanagan again has the mount.

Newmarket trainer John Gosden sends a squad of maidens to the Tyneside course, all of which deserve attention.

Trumpington Street (2.55) showed ability in his only and one run last year as as juvenile, as did Raajih (3.30), while Almarmooq (4.05) has also shown signs of talent in two races to date.

Don Cantillon has been making hay on the all-weather with La Estrella, who aims to transfer his form to turf in the North Sea Logistics Handicap.

Unbeaten in five starts since the turn of the year, all gained at Southwelll. La Estrella is in tremendous heart and, with give in the ground anticipated at Newcastle, this former invalid should be in his element. Dane O’Neill, who knows him so well, again has the mount.

At Aintree, Albertas Run is fancied to win the Grade 1 showpiece, the Melling Chase, for a second successive year.

The mount of Tony McCoy, and trained by Jonjo O’Neill, Albertas Run looked to be right back to his best at Cheltenham last month when winning the Ryanair Chase.

Ferdy Murphy’s Kalahari King finished second to him on that occasion and again promises to be a threat, but the North Yorkshire raider may again have to play a supporting role to Albertas Run, who is a real class act on his day.

Nicky Henderson can enjoy a lucrative afternoon on Merseyside.

He is set to saddle Spirit Son in the opening John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle and this high-class gelding is selected to take the honours after finishing second to Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

This quicker track is expected to suit and he will be a tough nut to crack.

Master Of The Hall is due to represent Henderson in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase and this likeable and talented gelding should produce a bold show.


Racing selections

Newcastle
2.20 Ortea, 2.55 Trumpington Street, 3.30 Raajih, 4.05 Almarmooq, 4.40 Ballarina (NAP), 5.15 Las Verglas Star, 5.50 La Estrella, 6.25 Prince Rhyddarch.

Aintree (selected races)
2.00 Spirit Son, 2.30 Master Of The Hall, 3.05 Albertas Run.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Fontwell, Wolverhampton.

Today’s meetings: Aintree, Hereford, Kempton, Ripon.