Turf Talk: Tatlisu poised to back up Newcastle win on return to Gosforth Park

Tatlisu under the stewardship of Jack Garritty (centre).

The seven-year-old may have won only seven of his 49 races to date, but he has been a regular contender for some of the hottest handicap prizes over recent years, including the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.

Indeed, his finest hour came in just such an event as he posted what was undoubtedly a career-best effort when winning the Ayr Silver Cup in 2015.

However, there have been more downs than ups since that triumph and Tatlisu has dropped from a career high mark of 103 to as low as 85, which proved the magic number as he got back to winning form in January this year.

Raised 5lb for that success, Tatlisu narrowly failed to follow up dropped back to the minimum trip next time while a step up to seven furlongs most recently proved beyond him.

It therefore makes sense for Richard Fahey to return to his favoured six furlongs here and with Sebastian Woods taking off a valuable 7lb, Tatlisu could have his optimum conditions for further success.

Mandrell returns from a long spell on the sidelines in the 32Red Casino Fillies’ Handicap and it would be dangerous to discount her chances.

A winner at Kempton on her only start to date back in 2015, it is interesting that the Godolphin team have opted to continue with this daughter of Dubawi.

Her dam was a dual Grade One winner though and Mandrell won quite tidily on her opening effort, so perhaps Charlie Appleby feels they have only just scratched the surface so far.

Escalating recently hit the mark at Southwell and a repeat victory would not be totally unexpected in the Betway Handicap at the Nottinghamshire venue.

TURF TALK TIPS

CARLISLE: 2.00 Raise A Spark, 2.35 Sky Full Of Stars, 3.10 Just Minded, 3.45 Freddies Portrait, 4.20 Present Times, 4.55 Mr Mercurial, 5.25 Wig Wam Wiggle.

NEWCASTLE: 5.45 Spirit Of The Vale, 6.15 Rutherford, 6.45 TATLISU (NAP), 7.15 Mandrell, 7.45 Glorious Poet, 8.15 Orlando Rogue.

SOUTHWELL: 2.10 Viola Park, 2.45 La Estrella, 3.20 Bounty Pursuit, 3.55 Escalating, 4.30 Whosyourhousemate, 5.05 Pick Of Any, 5.35 Go George Go.

WINCANTON: 1.50 Bletchley Castle, 2.20 Wishfull Dreaming (next best), 2.55 Wilberdragon, 3.30 Celestial Path, 4.05 Gibbes Bay, 4.40 You Too Pet, 5.10 Vision D’Auteuil.