Newcastle Preview: Moscato a vintage bet to follow up

Moscato looks one step ahead of the handicapper and can make light of a 6lb penalty to land the 2m contest on today’s card at Newcastle (4.50).

This gelding is a typical improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard, who has proved a different proposition since going handicapping and being stepped up in trip.

The three-year-old came good at the second time of asking this season when readily landing a 2m contest at Nottingham and, after running a solid race to finish runner-up at Goodwood, got back to winning ways at Yarmouth five days ago.

Moscato needed plenty of rousting along in the latter, but responded generously and came clear in the straight before idling home to beat Jelly Fish by 2 1/4 lengths.

The son of Hernando was value for much more than the winning margin, and it’s no surprise to see connections turn him out quickly under a penalty before the assessor has his say.

It’s also interesting that Mosacto is now getting fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, having raced so lazily at Yarmouth and, if they have the desired effect, he is going to be very difficult to beat.

Powerful Presence looks decent value take advantage of a drop in the weights and score an overdue success in the 7f handicap (4.20).

Trained by David O’Meara, this gelding is on a long losing run having not scored since landing back-to-back contests over 7f at Musselburgh and Catterick 15 months ago.

The last of those successes came in a class 3 contest where Powerful Presence ran on strongly to beat Able Master by 1 3/4 lengths off a mark of 87.

Eight-year-old Powerful Presence now gets into this class 4 contest off 6lb lower, and posted an eye-catching effort last time out over an inadequate 6f at Haydock when fourth to Cruise Tothelimit.

The step up back upto 7f, over which Powerful Presence has notched seven of his 10 career successes, looks sure to suit and everything is in place for a big run.