Young Merlin can weave his magic at Newcastle

YOUNG Merlin will not be winning out of turn if he can get his head in front in the Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap at Newcastle.

- By ASHLEY IVESON

The 10-year-old has won six times during spells with a few different trainers and left Newmarket and Amy Murphy last year to join County Durham-based Rebecca Menzies.

The dual-purpose performer has been placed in five of his six races since, most recently finishing third over hurdles at Carlisle, and reverts to the Flat off a lowly mark of 55.

He is in the latter stages of his career and may not be the force of old, but he is well handicapped and the booking of Hollie Doyle suggests a big run is expected.

Lethal Nymph is the pick in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap.

The seven-year-old won over this course and distance in early November and was beaten half a length in his followup bid a couple of weeks later.