Newcastle (AW) 5:55 Result

This is a weak maiden and Grow Old With Me looks clearly the most proven and progressive type. He's already placed twice from just two starts (2/3 form), by top-class sprint sire No Nay Never out of a Shamardal mare, for a yard (Ralph Beckett) that knows how to place types well and win maidens. At 4yo carrying top weight of 136lbs he looks to have solid experience edge over this field of mostly unraced or lightly-raced 3yos. Divine Symmetry and Savernake are complete unknowns, Talking Bear has only a single run (3rd), and Weffaag, despite a rating of 77, has a poor 0-32 form figure and is stepping back into a maiden off a big layoff (116 days) with headgear (tongue tie) added — possibly needs it to sharpen up, but the profile suggests untrustworthy form. Mr Black Diamond's solitary run resulted in a well-beaten finish (9th). Grow Old With Me's experience, sire and dam pedigree suited to this trip and surface, and the strong yard combine to give him the best combination of proven ability and untapped potential in a small, unexposed field. He looks the one to be positively into and the market should reflect that with a short-ish but fair price, offering the best combination of solid chance and value relative to backing an unexposed or out-of-form rival.