A Summer Sunday in the North — What Awaits Us at Newcastle
Right then, pull up a stool and let me tell you about what's in store at Newcastle this fine Sunday afternoon. Six races of National Hunt action in the height of summer — and before anyone starts moaning about jumps racing in July, let me tell you, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday than watching decent horses pop over obstacles in the sunshine. The going is Good, Good to Firm in places, which is absolutely crucial today and will sort the men from the boys, or more accurately, the fleet-footed from the plodders. If your fancy needs cut in the ground to show their best, you can park them firmly in the bin today.
It's a six-race card with a healthy spread of hurdles and chases, juveniles and veterans, maidens and handicappers. Check out the full Newcastle racecard before you commit a penny, because there's plenty to unpick here. Let's get into it.
The Feature Race: Zero To Exit Handicap Hurdle (16:50, 3m 2f)
The race that catches my eye as the standout contest of the day is the Zero To Exit Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles two furlongs at 16:50. It might only be Class 4 with a £10k pot, but the quality at the top of the weights is genuine, and the stamina test on this ground will be revealing.
Byzantium (6yo, rated 112) heads the weights for Paul Nicholls and gets the leg-up from Paddy Hanlon. He's course-proven [C] and that matters enormously over this sort of trip at Newcastle. Nicholls doesn't send them north for a day out — when the Ditcheat operation loads a horse on a lorry for a summer Sunday, they fancy their chances. The Good to Firm ground shouldn't inconvenience Byzantium if he's as good as his rating suggests, and at the top of the weights he's the one they all have to beat.
Right behind him in the ratings is Time To Bite (11yo, rated 111) for Chris Honour, also course-proven [C]. Now, eleven years old in July jumping hurdles — some would say that's a horse who's seen more summers than sense, but veterans at this level don't lie about their ability. Bryan Carver takes the ride and if Time To Bite is in good nick, he'll make Byzantium work for every yard of that three-mile-plus slog.
The non-runner Muskerry Rock (Dan Skelton, rated 105) would have been interesting, but we work with what we have. Keep an eye on Jager Time (7yo, rated 103) for Fergal O'Brien, ridden by Fern O'Brien — a yard in decent nick and a horse who could outrun his mark if the pace is honest.
Key Runners to Watch Across the Card
15:40 — Dick Oliver Handicap Chase: It's A Breeze and The Gypsy Davey
The handicap chase over two and a half miles is a cracking little puzzle. It's A Breeze (7yo, rated 91) for Paul Nicholls carries the course and distance form [C,D] — that's the kind of tick-box that makes a selector's heart sing on fast ground. Paddy Hanlon is in the plate and Nicholls, as I've said, doesn't waste a journey. On Good to Firm, a horse who's already proven they handle this track and trip is worth serious consideration.
The Gypsy Davey (8yo, rated 97) tops the ratings and is distance-proven [D] for Mrs C. Williams. Conor Ring rides and the horse is clearly the classiest in the field on paper. The question is whether the top weight can dominate on ground that might be a touch quick for him — but at 97 he's entitled to be favourite and respected accordingly.
Callum Pritchard takes the mount on Chillhi (6yo, rated 88) for Barry Murphy — the youngest horse in the field at six, and on quick ground youth and freshness can count for plenty. One to keep onside each-way if the price is right.
17:22 — Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Chase: Premier Fantasy
The closer over three miles one furlong is the Sun Racing Summer Jumps Championship Handicap Chase, and Premier Fantasy (7yo, rated 103) for Nick Scholfield and Jack Quinlan looks the one to be on. Top-rated, in the care of a shrewd handler, and on ground that rewards horses with a bit of pace about them. Brendan Powell takes the ride on No More No (7yo, rated 102) — only a pound lower in the weights and well worth a second look. Powell is a capable handler of a chaser and if No More No travels well on the Good to Firm, he could make it a proper race.
Great d'Ange (10yo, rated 97) has course and distance form [C,D] for Alexander Gibbons, and Tom Broughton takes the ride. At ten years old he's a seasoned campaigner who knows his way around, and on a track he's already conquered, he shouldn't be dismissed lightly. Age is just a number when the form is there.
14:30 — Juvenile Maiden Hurdle: High Aura
Opening the card is the juvenile maiden hurdle, and with five unrated three-year-olds, this is more of a guessing game than a science. But if you're asking me to stick my neck out — and that's precisely why you're reading this — High Aura for Dan Skelton with Harry Skelton in the saddle is the one I'd side with. The Skelton operation is a well-oiled machine and Harry doesn't take rides on horses he doesn't think can win. On quick ground, a Skelton-trained juvenile with a bit of class about them is as reliable a starting point as any.
James Best rides My Champion for Harriet Dickin — Best is a competent jockey who doesn't get on many fancied runners without reason, so keep an eye on the market moves for that one before the off.
Going Conditions — The Ground Is the Story Today
Good, Good to Firm in places at Newcastle in July — that's summer jumping in a nutshell, and it fundamentally shapes how you approach this card. Stamina plodders need not apply. Horses who want soft or heavy ground to grind out their wins will be found wanting today. Instead, look for athletes — horses with a bit of a flat pedigree or a flat-race background, those who travel well and jump slickly rather than those who rely on attrition.
Course and distance form [C,D] is even more valuable than usual today because it tells you the horse has already handled this track's configuration on comparable ground. Newcastle has its own unique rhythm and the Good to Firm surface will expose any horse who's been flattered by easier conditions elsewhere.
Best Bets — Tom's Ones to Watch
- Byzantium (16:50) — Top-rated, course-proven, Nicholls in the corner. The selection of the day.
- It's A Breeze (15:40) — Course and distance winner [C,D] for Nicholls. Goes well fresh on quick ground.
- High Aura (14:30) — Harry Skelton up for the Skelton yard. Trust the operation in a wide-open juvenile.
- Premier Fantasy (17:22) — Top weight in the closer, Nick Scholfield knows how to place a horse.
- Time To Bite (16:50) — Don't dismiss the old warrior. Course form [C] and 111 rating tells its own story.
That's your lot from me. Six races, plenty of intrigue, and ground that will find out the pretenders sharpish. Get the full Newcastle racecard in front of you, do your homework, and for the love of all that's holy, don't be backing horses who need soft ground on a July afternoon in the northeast. Good luck — you'll need it, but hopefully a little less of it with these selections in your corner.
