A fascinating profile — lowly 32 performance average masks the best composite in the race at 42, driven by a field speed of 60 and first bend of 62 that are head and shoulders above this field. Won an A9 three starts ago when leading throughout from wide, showing he can use his pace to dominate. The last run of 19 at 290m D3 was a disaster after being badly bumped at the first bend, but that was the wrong trip entirely and can be forgiven. Back at 480m where he won impressively, drawn in trap 5 which boasts a 25% all-grade strike rate at Newcastle, the pace and draw combine neatly. Suitability scores in the mid-twenties reflect limited experience rather than proven failure. If he reproduces his A9 winning form, he should be too quick for these.