Alnwick Toonarmy has the fastest speed rating in the field at 56 and the sharpest first-bend rating at 59 — he tends to break well and get into a prominent early position. His best time of 29.43 seconds is the quickest here by some margin, and four of his six recent runs have been rated between 61 and 62 on the performance scale, showing a level of consistency that is unusual in a mid-grade dog. The fly in the ointment is his confirmed fading profile — he weakens through the closing stages, which is a genuine concern on Newcastle's lengthy home straight. At A6 level, however, his early speed should be enough to build a lead that the closers cannot bridge. Trap four is a neutral draw but his natural early pace means he should get across to the rail without difficulty. The pick, but with the caveat that if anything matches his early speed, his tendency to fade could cost him late.