Newcastle Preview: Moscato impossible to oppose in hat-trick bid

Moscato looks miles ahead of the handicapper and a worthy favourite to land the hat-trick in today’s 2m contest at Newcastle (4.40).

The 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.

Moscato was the turned out quickly under a 6lb penalty, and responded well to the fitting of the cheekpieces for the first time to readily beat Dr Irv by 2 3/4 lengths over course and distance.

The son of Hernando was value for much more than the winning margin, staying on strongly and finding plenty when challenged.

It was a performance which suggested that Moscato had plenty more to offer, and despite having to shoulder another 6lb penalty he is due to go up more and is officially 3lb “well-in” at the weights compared to future races.

In the 1m handicap (5.10), Day Of The Eagle can take advantage of a career-low mark to get back on the scoresheet now returned to the scene of his last success.

The Mick Easterby trained gelding came good on his third start last season when readily winning a 7f handicap at this venue by two lengths off a mark of 69.

The eight-year to finish a solid fourth in a class 3 handicap at York off 75 and now gets into this class 5 affair off just 62.

That is 7lb lower than when last successful, and gives Day Of The Eagle a massive chance at the weights on the pick of his form.

Although not at his best last time out, Day Of The Eagle seemed to resent being fitted with the blinkers and had previously run well to finish a staying on 4 1/4 length third of 10 to Jay Kay over 7f at Leicester.

He now meets tee winner on 14lb better terms, and that should be more than enough to turn the tables.