Evening Action at Gosforth Park
Wednesday's seven-race card at Newcastle offers a solid evening's entertainment under the lights. The good going will suit those with a bit of pace, which is crucial around this sharp track that rewards horses who can travel and quicken when it matters.
I've always found Newcastle's evening meetings have a different feel to the afternoon fare. There's something about racing under the floodlights that brings out the best in certain horses, particularly those who appreciate the faster surface conditions we're seeing today.
Feature Race: St. Austell Brewery Handicap Chase
The £15,000 St. Austell Brewery Handicap Steeplechase over three miles and a furlong is the evening's centrepiece, and it's hard to look beyond Viroflay at the head of the weights. Paul Nicholls' nine-year-old carries a hefty 140 rating but has the class to give weight away to this field.
What catches the eye is Miss Olive Nicholls taking the ride. The trainer's daughter knows this horse inside out, and when the Nicholls team book her for a ride like this, they're serious about winning. Viroflay's experience over the trip is crucial - at this level, stamina management becomes everything over three miles plus.
Certainly Red presents the main danger despite being twelve years old. That's getting on a bit for most chasers, but Marc Goldstein's booking suggests connections believe there's still fire in the belly. The 137 rating puts him right in the mix.
Novice Hurdle Standouts
The opening novices' hurdle sees some intriguing runners making their debuts over timber. Arctic Voyage brings solid form from the point-to-point field, and Harry Reed rarely gets leg-ups for Michael Blake without good reason.
However, my eye is drawn to Lirone du Seuil with Harry Skelton aboard for Dan Skelton. That 113 rating suggests serious ability, and the Skelton team have been in flying form recently. The good ground will suit this one's style perfectly.
Don't overlook Louis des Landes either. Joe Tizzard's string are going well, and Freddie Gingell has struck up an excellent partnership with the yard this season.
Mares' Handicap Hurdle Analysis
The mares' handicap hurdle looks competitive on paper, but Blackwater Lilly stands out at the top of the weights. That 100 rating tells its own story, and Jack Quinlan knows his way around Newcastle better than most.
Evening Tess for the Skeltons could be the value play here. The four-year-old is lightly raced and could have more improvement to come. Harry Skelton taking the ride again suggests this is a live contender.
Course winner Reel Orange can't be dismissed lightly. That [C] next to the name means everything at a track like Newcastle where local knowledge pays dividends.
Small Field, Big Opportunities
The 7:00 handicap hurdle presents just five runners, but sometimes these small fields throw up the best betting opportunities. Blacksamssenorita brings both course and distance form to the table - those [D] markers are gold dust in handicaps.
Cobbler's Boy is another with course form, and the Skelton team's double-handed assault suggests they fancy their chances. When you see [C,D] next to a runner's name, you sit up and take notice.
The good going will particularly suit One Island, who showed promise for Paul Nicholls last time. Sam Twiston-Davies knows how to get the best from Nicholls' horses, and this four-year-old could have more to offer.
Ones to Watch
Looking at tonight's Newcastle racecard, several horses stand out for different reasons:
- Viroflay in the feature chase - class will tell over three miles
- Lirone du Seuil in the opener - Skelton team firing on all cylinders
- Blackwater Lilly in the mares' hurdle - topweight for a reason
- Cobbler's Boy - course form invaluable at this sharp track
The good ground plays into the hands of the more athletic types tonight. Newcastle rewards horses who can travel and quicken, rather than those who need to grind out victories. Keep that in mind when weighing up the betting opportunities across what should be a cracking evening's sport under the Gosforth Park lights.
