A Midsummer Jump Card at Newcastle — Don't Let the Sun Fool You

Right then, pull up a stool and let me tell you about what's on offer at Newcastle this Friday afternoon. Six National Hunt races in early July might raise an eyebrow or two — sure, shouldn't they all be at the beach? — but summer jumps racing has its own peculiar charm, and Newcastle is one of the better tracks for it. The ground is riding Good, Good to Firm in places, a 50:50 split, and that matters enormously today. We're not talking bottomless winter mud here; this is a proper test of athleticism and jumping technique. Horses that want soft ground to mask their limitations will be found out, and that's exactly how I like it.

Check out the full Newcastle racecard before you have a flutter, but let me walk you through what I make of the afternoon's action.

The Feature Race: Howden Insurance Handicap Chase (15:55, Class 3, 2m 75y)

With £15,000 on the line — shared with the Gordon Rowe Memorial Hurdle later — the Howden Insurance Handicap Steeple Chase at 15:55 is the race I'd call the headline act. Four runners over two miles on a sharp track, and the ratings are compressed tighter than a jockey's breeches. We've got Duke of Luckley (123), Krak (121), Schmilsson (120) and the big outsider Gore Point (96) thrown in for good measure.

Now, Gore Point carries the C,D course-and-distance form, and at 96 rated he's giving away a mountain of weight to the others. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride for Anthony Honeyball, and I'd never dismiss a horse with course knowledge in a small field — but the gap in class is a steep hill to climb, even with a stone-plus in hand.

Schmilsson is the one that catches my eye. The seven-year-old has course form (D — distance winner), Sean Bowen is in the saddle for Olly Murphy, and on Good to Firm ground this lad should be absolutely in his element. Murphy's horses are invariably well-presented in summer, and Bowen is the kind of jockey who reads a small field beautifully. He won't be messing about.

Krak at 121 with Harry Skelton on board is the obvious market mover and the Skelton yard have been in cracking form. But I'll take the course-and-distance angle with Schmilsson and let Krak prove it to me. In a four-runner race on quick ground, jumping fluency wins it — and Schmilsson's profile suggests he's got that in spades.

The Gordon Rowe Memorial Handicap Hurdle (16:30, Class 3, 2m 167y)

This is a lovely little puzzle of a race. Five runners, £15k in prize money, and a spread of ratings from 104 to 124. Charlus heads the market on 124 with Harry Skelton riding again for Dan Skelton — the brother-sister combination that's been hoovering up prizes all season. Continuance (122) has course form for Martin Keighley, and Max of Stars at 117 carries both C and D flags — course AND distance winner — for local handler Ollie Pears with Brian Hughes aboard.

Now here's where I'll be a bold man. Max of Stars is my each-way fancy in this one. Yes, Charlus is the class act and Skelton won't be going there for a day out, but Max of Stars knows every blade of grass on this track, Brian Hughes is as good as it gets in the north, and the Good to Firm ground is tailor-made for a horse that's already shown he can win here. Ollie Pears is an underrated trainer who does his best work in summer, and at what should be a decent price, I'd be on.

Emerald Time at the bottom of the weights with Tom Bellamy is one to keep an eye on if the market drifts — Dom Elsworth knows how to place a horse, and 104 off the bottom could be a generous mark if this lad's in form.

The Opener and the Mares' Races — Value to Be Found

The opening Mares' Maiden Hurdle at 14:10 is a wide-open affair. Elated is the only rated runner at 98 and Ben Pauling's five-year-old will take plenty of beating. Ben Jones is a smart operator and knows how to ride a maiden, but I'm intrigued by For Her Glory for Olly Murphy with Sean Bowen in the plate. A four-year-old with no rating suggests she's lightly raced, and Murphy doesn't send horses to Newcastle in July without a reason.

Keep a close eye on Getmyfriend too — unrated, but trained by Dan Skelton with Harry Skelton riding. That combination in a maiden hurdle is rarely a coincidence. The Good to Firm ground will suit a sharp, athletic type, and if Getmyfriend has any ability at all, Skelton will find it out today.

Jonjo O'Neill Jr. takes the ride on Likewhatyousee for the family yard, and while that's always worth noting, I'd want to see market confidence before getting too excited.

In the Mares' Handicap Hurdle at 15:20 over two and a half miles, Northern Symphonie is the standout on paper — rated 97, C,D form, and handled by the progressive Harriet Dickin. Miss Megan Bevan takes the ride and this looks a solid each-way proposition in a race where the top weight usually goes close. Northern Symphonie has already shown she handles this track and trip, and on quicker ground she could be hard to peg back from the front.

The Staying Chase to Close — Great d'Ange Looks the Part

The card closes with a three-mile-plus handicap chase at 17:05, and at 3m 1f 170y on Good to Firm ground, stamina and jumping accuracy are everything. Eight runners, and the course-and-distance form points directly at Great d'Ange — a ten-year-old who carries both C and D flags for Alexander Gibbons. The old boy is rated 97 and top of the weights, but he clearly loves it here.

Winning Paddy (C,D) is another with strong course claims for Alexandra Dunn with Richie McLernon aboard, and at 94 rated he's only 3lb behind. He Is A Cracker has distance form (D) too, but at ten years old and 82 rated, he's up against it.

I'll take Great d'Ange to see it out. Experience counts for a lot over three miles, the course form is there, and Gibbons has him in good nick by the looks of things. The Good to Firm ground won't inconvenience a horse that's been winning here — it just means the race will be run at a proper gallop from the off.

Best Bets — Tom's Ones to Watch

  • SCHMILSSON (15:55) — Course form, Sean Bowen, Olly Murphy in summer. Nap of the day.
  • MAX OF STARS (16:30) — Course and distance winner, Brian Hughes, each-way value at likely odds.
  • NORTHERN SYMPHONIE (15:20) — Top-rated mares' race, C,D form, should go close.
  • GREAT D'ANGE (17:05) — Experienced stayer with course-and-distance form, handles the trip.
  • GETMYFRIEND (14:10) — Skelton/Skelton in a maiden. Watch the market.

It's a cracking afternoon's sport and the good ground will ensure a fast, fair test. Get the full breakdown on the Newcastle racecard and enjoy every fence. Good luck — you'll need some of it, but you'll need less if you follow the course form today.