Alabama Twist, stepping up to a mile for the first time, is fancied win tomorrow at Newcastle's final meeting of the Flat season.

A Catterick winner, Tony Culhane's mount subsequently disappointed in a couple of outings but he caught the eye at Epsom last month.

Ridden by an inexperienced apprentice, he was given plenty to do but picked-up with a vengeance in the closing stages and was beaten by only a length and a half into fourth place by Rain Stops Play over seven furlongs.

The extra furlong tomorrow in the Close House Country Club Handicap should play to the strengths of Alabama Twist, my Nap selection.

Alabama Twist is trained at Newmarket by William Haggas, whose horses are in fine form, and he can also land the PDS Handicap with Whispering Death.

A Redcar winner last month, the three-year-old followed-up there last Friday and obliged again 24 hours later at Catterick.

A progressive stayer, Whispering Death drops back from one mile and six furlongs to a mile and a half tomorrow, but the emphasis will be on stamina on the rain-softened ground and he can complete a four-timer.

Norton trainer Neville Bycroft can lift the Parkinson's Disease Society Claiming Handicap with Splodger Mac, the mount of smart apprentice Paul Mulrennan.

The six-year-old ran a good race on his latest start at Pontefract when chasing home Extra Cover, who has run some sound races since. Splodger Mac would not need to improve much on that performance to go one better.

Wednesday's tips:

Newcastle

1.40 Platinum Princess, 2.10 Deutschland, 2.40 Laqataat, 3.10 Splodger Mac, 3.40 Westcourt Dream, 4.10 Alabama Twist (Nap), 4.40 A Thousand Smiles, 5.10 Whispering Death.

Bath

2.00 Taminos Love, 2.30 Overwing, 3.00 Los Cabos, 3.30 Stellar Brilliant, 4.00 Mpenzi, 4.30 Master Cobbler, 5.00 Bold Diktator, 5.30 My Girl Pearl.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Nottingham.

Updated: 12:07 Tuesday, October 18, 2005