A Fine Autumn Afternoon at Newcastle — Let's Get Stuck In

Well now, if this isn't the kind of card to have you rubbing your hands together on a Friday afternoon, I don't know what is. Seven races at Newcastle, Good ground underfoot, and a mix of novice hurdles, handicap chases and a Summer Jumps Championship finale to round things off. The going is perfect — proper Good, the kind that lets a horse show its true colours without the lottery of deep ground or the jar of firm. No excuses today, ladies and gentlemen. The best horse will win, and that's the way it should be.

Check out the full Newcastle racecard before you dive in, because there's a lot to get through and I won't be holding your hand for every penny-each-way on the card. But I will point you in the right direction — that much I promise.

The Feature Race: Colin Willcocks Memorial Handicap Hurdle (16:22, Class 3)

With £15,000 on the line and a cracking spread of rated horses, the Colin Willcocks Memorial Handicap Hurdle over 2m 5f 122y is the race I'll be glued to this afternoon. Seven runners, a proper competitive Class 3, and Harry Skelton in the saddle for the Dan Skelton yard on Service Minimum — the top-rated horse in the field at 126. Now, I know what you're thinking: Skelton on the top weight, obvious play, where's the value? And you'd be right to question it. But here's the thing — Service Minimum is only six years old, there's plenty of improvement still in him, and on Good ground over this trip he's the one they all have to beat.

That said, I wouldn't be writing off Bold Endeavour at a tick over ten years old. Bryan Carver takes the ride for Chris Honour's yard and this lad is rated 123 — only three pounds off the top. A decade on the clock doesn't mean the fire's gone out, and if Skelton's lad has a hard race in front of him, old Bold Endeavour might just pinch it late. The 5lb claimer King of The Bronx for Syd Hosie, ridden by Ellis Collier, is one to keep an eye on at the bottom of the weights — five-year-olds with a bit of dash can make fools of us all on Good ground.

Key Runners to Watch Across the Card

Penzance — 14:02 Maiden Hurdle

The opening maiden hurdle over 2m 5f is a fascinating puzzle. You've got a handful of unrated debutants mixed in with some horses who've been around the block. Penzance, trained by John Joseph Hanlon and ridden by Paddy Hanlon, comes in rated 105 — the highest-rated in the field — and over this trip on Good ground, he's got every right to boss this. Hanlon's yard know how to produce a horse ready to run, and at 2m 5f you need a bit of staying power. I like him here. Jack Quinlan takes the ride on Devon Red for Nick Scholfield — rated 88, he'll need to find improvement, but Quinlan is a sharp jockey who can squeeze a tune out of a modest performer.

Fine Thing — 14:37 Mares' Novices' Hurdle

The mares' novices' hurdle is essentially a procession if Fine Thing turns up in the form her rating suggests. Rated 120, she's head and shoulders above this field on paper, and Harry Skelton doesn't ride horses like this to finish second. The Dan Skelton operation is firing on all cylinders and Fine Thing should have too much class for her rivals over 2m 167y on Good going. The one I'd watch with interest is Yeld To Call (rated 102, Ciaran Gethings) — if Fine Thing has an off day, she's the one to capitalise.

Intosomethinggood — 15:12 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Three runners in this Class 3 novices' chase, but don't let the small field fool you — there's a proper race here. Intosomethinggood is rated 133 and has course and distance form to his name — that [D] flag is not to be ignored. Sam Twiston-Davies rides for the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies yard, a combination that knows Newcastle well. At 2m 4f 216y on Good ground, stamina is key and this lad has it in spades. Thickthorn Tom (rated 117, Harry Skelton) carries both course and distance form [C,D] for Dan Skelton and will make him work for it — but I think Intosomethinggood's superior rating tells in the end.

Fiskardo — 15:47 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Now here's where it gets interesting. The 3m 1f conditional jockeys' chase is a proper staying test and Fiskardo, a six-year-old rated 100 for Mickey Bowen, gets the nod from Shane Fenelon. He's joint top-rated alongside Great d'Ange, but Fiskardo is the younger horse with more to give. On Good ground over this marathon trip, you want a horse that travels well and jumps clean — Fenelon is a tidy jockey who won't ask unnecessary questions. Great d'Ange (10yo, course and distance form [C,D]) has the experience but the years are catching up. I'll take the younger legs.

God of Fire — 17:30 Summer Jumps Championship Finale

The closing race is a proper 11-runner handicap hurdle — a Summer Jumps Championship Finale, no less — and with Jonjo O'Neill Jr. aboard God of Fire for the O'Neill family yard, this one has each-way written all over it. Rated 102 with course form [C], he's a horse that clearly goes on Good ground and Jonjo Jr. is one of the sharpest young jockeys in the game. Robbie David takes the ride on Reteti (rated 105, top weight) — the highest-rated in the field and a course-and-distance winner [D]. It'll be tight between those two, but I fancy God of Fire to nick it at a better price.

How the Good Ground Shapes the Day

Good ground at Newcastle in September is a genuine gift. This track has enough undulation and length to reward the genuine stayer, and on quick-ish ground the premium is on horses that travel fluently and jump with confidence rather than those that rely on grinding opponents into submission in the mud. That's why I'm keen on Intosomethinggood in the chase — he's a horse built to gallop on top of the ground, not through it. Similarly, Fine Thing in the mares' hurdle will love the conditions. The one thing I'd caution is that Good ground can occasionally catch out horses who've been campaigned through the summer on faster going — watch for any that look a touch leg-weary as the card goes on.

Best Bets & Ones to Watch — Tom's Summary

  • Best Bet: Intosomethinggood (15:12) — top-rated, course and distance form, strong stable. Hard to oppose.
  • Each-Way Play: God of Fire (17:30) — Jonjo Jr. in the saddle, course form, big field to hide in early.
  • Banker in the Novice Hurdle: Fine Thing (14:37) — if she's right, this is a penalty kick for Skelton.
  • Handicap Value: Fiskardo (15:47) — younger legs in a staying chase, Fenelon a shrewd booking.
  • One to Watch: Service Minimum (16:22) — top-rated in the feature, Skelton won't be coming to Newcastle for the scenery.

That's your lot from me for this Friday afternoon. Seven races, Good ground, and more than enough to keep you busy. Get yourself over to the full Newcastle racecard, do your homework, and may your winners be plentiful and your losers few. As we say back home — ná bíodh deifir ort — don't be in a rush. Pick your spots. Good luck to all.