Fahey’s seven-year-old looks the Right Touch at Newcastle

London – Right Touch could be the solution to a fascinating sprint at Newcastle’s evening meeting. Richard Fahey’s seven-yearold has not won for an age – last July, to be precise – but he came reasonably close in the autumn and should once again be not too far away.

The gelded son of Royal Applause struggled in the summer, though the changing of the seasons brought with it an upturn in form.  After finishing second in a deep race at Musselburgh in October, he then did just as well in a similarly competitive event at Doncaster on 11 November. Right Touch was knocked off his stride late so must have pleased Fahey by finishing fourth in a 1400m handicap, in which he was beaten under two lengths by Speculative Bid. The Malton handler will also be quietly satisfied by the fact the assessor has left him alone on a mark of 89, which is six points lower than the last time he returned to the winner’s enclosure.

Perhaps just as importantly is a return to 1200m for the Betway Casino Handicap as he has done most of his winning over that distance. Muwalla deserves a change of luck when he vies for top honours in a 3200m handicap chase at Musselburgh. Lisa Harrison’s 10-year-old has made a reassuring return to form of late, having finished runner-up at Market Rasen and then at Newcastle.

His last effort two weeks ago was especially pleasing as, despite running from 2.5kg out of the handicap, he still got to within 1.25 lengths of Rear Admiral over 4000m in a much better race than this. The return to 3200m will also hold no terrors as Muwalla occupied second spot over that distance at Market Rasen, while the prospect of drying ground can be considered a good thing. Cosmic Diamond can back up a stout performance at Huntingdon with victory at Towcester. Paul Webber’s mare is hardly a handicap snip, but connections will be expectant of a big show after she got to within 1.50 lengths of Occasionally Yours in a decent race over 4000m.

This mares’ handicap hurdle over 4200m could be there for the taking. Joe Farrell has a couple of runs under his belt already and he should feel the benefit as he lines up in the Bet totequadpot At betfred.com Chase at Taunton. He seems to produce his better efforts on quicker ground, so the likelihood of good conditions here is a definite plus and he has certainly improved with each of his fencing outings to date. – Press Association.