The Leather Wedge, who was narrowly denied at Redcar last week, can go one better at Newcastle's bumper eight-race programme tomorrow.

Trained in County Durham by Bob Johnson, who is best known for his jumping exploits, The Leather Wedge goes for the Northgate plc Handicap over five furlongs and is fancied to lead from pillar-to-post.

A very speedy horse, The Leather Wedge attempted to lead all the way at Redcar last week, but was nailed in the dying strides by Nigel Tinkler's evergreen veteran Henry Hall, who broke the course record in the process.

The Leather Wedge can gain compensation here.

Orpen Wide is fancied to come out on top in the Transmore Van Hire Ltd Handicap.

Michael Chapman's gelding, a useful hurdler, has been running well in similar company lately and is overdue another winning turn. A previous winner on this course, he should make a bold bid.

Pay Time can continue Ronnie Barr's good season in the EBF/vanmonster.co.uk Fillies' Handicap.

Barr, who is based near Yarm, does well with his small string - Strensall, Dark Champion and Frimley's Mattery have done well for him this summer - and Pay Time was a winner at Redcar four weeks ago. A reproduction of that form would put her in with a good chance of following-up.

At Salisbury, Aqmaar has solid prospects in the Portway Novice Stakes.

John Dunlop's colt, a winning debutant, ran a sound race in defeat to finish third at Lingfield last time. Still open to further improvement, he can resume winning ways here.

John Egan and David Elsworth are a formidable combination and the duo have every chance of landing the 123racing.com Handicap with Acknowledgement.

The four-year-old went down by only a head to High Treason at Yarmouth last time and steps-up to a slightly longer trip tomorrow, which promises to suit him even better. He is awarded the nap vote.

Racing selections

Tomorrow

Newcastle: 1.40 Cheery Cat, 2.10 Espejo, 2.40 Chief Operator, 3.10 Overrule, 3.40 Orpen Wide, 4.10 Sa Nau, 4.40 Pay Time, 5.10 The Leather Wedge.

Salisbury: 2.00 Lockstock, 2.30 Coeur de Lionne, 3.00 El Dececy, 3.30 Aqmaar, 4.00 South O'the Border, 4.30 Resignation, 5.00 Jaad, 5.30 Acknowledgement (NAP).

Tomorrow's other meeting: Lingfield (afternoon, National Hunt).