Pride Of America makes his first appearance of 2024 in the BetUK: It's Where The UK Bets Handicap (3.13pm), the class two highlight over 10 furlongs at Newcastle on Friday, December 6.
Winner of the John Smith’s Cup at York in 2023, the seven-year-old has been sidelined since going down by a neck in the Listed James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket last November.
Amy Murphy’s runner has a 50 per cent strike rate on the all-weather from six starts, including a course and distance success on his stable debut in March, 2022.
Murphy said: “Pride Of America is coming in on the back of a long lay-off, but he seems in great form.
“We are looking forward to getting him back on the track as we have missed him a lot this year – he has been a real flagbearer for us.
“He tends to run well fresh, although that can become harder as they get older, but I think he will run a nice race.
“The plan is for him to target conditions races through the winter, with All-Weather Championships Finals Day being the ultimate aim.”
The 11-strong lineup includes three Stakes winners, with Savvy Victory (Sean Woods) joined by Claymore (Jane Chapple-Hyam) and Chichester (Lucinda Russell).
Savvy Victory and Claymore reoppose after finishing fourth and sixth behind The Foxes in the Listed BetUK Churchill Stakes at the track last month.
Chichester meanwhile bids to build on his good course record, which includes a second in the 2023 All-Weather Mile Championships.
Dark Moon Rising drops back in trip for Kevin Ryan after finishing strongly to take a 12-furlong handicap at Southwell.
King’s Code also arrives on the back of a victory, with David Evans’ four-year-old having scored easily in an extended nine-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton.
The Mick Appleby-trained Penzance, who was second in last season’s BetUK Easter Classic, and Charlie Johnston’s Wadacre Gomez return to the track after being involved in a void race at Chelmsford.
Ian Williams is doubly represented, with Racing League handicap victor Parlando accompanied by Shergar Cup Mile runner-up Yantarni.
George Boughey’s Mr Alan switches to the all-weather following a turf campaign, most recently finishing fifth at Doncaster in October.
Newcastle’s nine-race programme also includes the Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap (5.20pm) over a mile, in which a full field of 14 go to post.
McManaman heads the weights for Ian Williams after a good second in class two company at Wolverhampton, while the lightly raced Dolce Courage is an interesting stable debutant for James Horton.
