Three things to note on Friday – Lewis Porteous takes a look at the day's action

Maiden winner Sovereign Sea aims to deny smart newcomer

Connections have needed to be patient with Sovereign Sea, a €200,000 breeze-up purchase in 2023, who made a belated winning debut when scoring comfortably at Newcastle in November. He was strongly supported that day for the Roger Varian team and quickened up nicely to win in decisive fashion. The only winner in today's field, he's going to be tough to beat under a penalty in the mile novice stakes back at Newcastle (4.45), although it will be fascinating to see how newcomer Bragbor gets on. He cost double the amount of Sovereign Sea at the same breeze-up sale, carries the colours of KHK Racing and connections will no doubt be looking to make up for lost time with this unraced four-year-old.

Mulrennan can boost recent track record

Paul Mulrennan's last two visits to Newcastle have yielded six winners and he is undoubtedly a rider to have on your side at Gosforth Park. Embarking on his 26th year in the saddle, Mulrennan seems to be getting better with age and fired in 107 winners in Britain last year. He has only three rides on today's card and perhaps Jems Bond, his mount in the 7f classified stakes (5.45), offers him the best chance to extend his winning sequence. Jems Bond has five wins from 34 runs at Newcastle and showed a bit of spark when third at Southwell last week. He was winless in 2024 but the return to 7f should be in his favour and Mulrennan rides for the first time. The in-form rider also partners Eva Rosie (4.10), not beaten far on her last run after suffering trouble in running, and Chantilly Moon (4.45).

Tony Carroll out to maintain new year high

Fresh from scoring a century of winners for the first time in his career last year, Worcestershire trainer Tony Carroll has started 2025 in rampant form. With plenty of horses to run at this time of year, Carroll has already saddled seven winners before racing on Thursday evening and sends five runners to Lingfield and two to Newcastle today. Last-time-out winners Second Collection and Tortured Soul have obvious claims at Lingfield, where stablemate Alshimali looks well placed to strike in division two of the 6f handicap (12.15) having been runner-up on two of his three starts for Carroll so far. At Newcastle, the trainer has booked Clifford Lee, who like Mulrennan already has six winners on the board this year, to partner December's Wolverhampton runner-up Mumayaz and recent Southwell third Agent Mayfair.  

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