A Monday Jumps Card Worth Getting Off the Sofa For

Right, settle in. I know it's a Monday and I know it's early September, but Newcastle has put together a decent seven-race National Hunt card this afternoon, and if you're the sort who turns their nose up at summer jumping, well, more fool you. There's money to be made and fun to be had, so let's get stuck in.

The going is Good, Good to Firm in places — the reading was taken during a watering cycle, so there's a bit of moisture in there, but don't be fooled. We're still talking about a surface that'll suit a quick, fluent jumper over a horse that wants to be grinding through bottomless ground in January. Horses with a flat pedigree or a turn of foot will be at a premium today. Keep that in your back pocket as we go through the card. You can see the full Newcastle racecard for all the details.

The Feature Race: Par Inn Handicap Hurdle (16:00, Class 3)

Your feature race today is the Par Inn Handicap Hurdle at 16:00 — a Class 3 over 2m 167y with £15,000 in prize money. Only four runners, but don't let the small field fool you. This is a proper contest and the form book is worth reading carefully.

Edelak (4yo, rated 124) heads the market and rightly so. Harry Skelton takes the ride for his brother Dan, and when those two are in sync, you ignore them at your peril. The horse has course and distance form [D], which on a track like Newcastle — where the hurdle track can be a bit of a slog for those who don't know their way around — is a serious tick in the box. Rated 124, he's giving weight to everything in the race, but the Skelton operation doesn't send horses up to Newcastle in September for the fresh air. This is a well-laid plan, and I'd be surprised if Edelak doesn't go very close.

Arctic Voyage (4yo, rated 116) is the one I'd be most interested in against him. Course and distance winner [C,D], which is a big deal, and Harry Reed gets the leg up for Michael Blake. He's 8lb lower in the ratings than Edelak, and on a track he clearly loves, that weight advantage could be telling. Watch the market here — if Arctic Voyage is fancied, I'd be very tempted to side with him at the bigger price.

War Correspondent (7yo, rated 117) is trained by John Joseph Hanlon and ridden by Paddy Hanlon. The Hanlons are flying over from Ireland for this card — they've got runners scattered throughout the afternoon — and you'd have to think they've done their homework. War Correspondent has experience on his side over the younger horses, and on ground this quick, that tactical nous matters.

Juvenile Hurdle (14:00) — The Skeltons Strike Again?

We kick off with the Sky Sports Racing Juvenile Hurdle at 14:00, and with 14 three-year-olds going over timber for the first time or thereabouts, this is always a lottery. But there are a few pointers.

Moment of Light carries the Skelton silks again — Harry Skelton in the saddle for Dan — and that combination alone demands respect. On Good to Firm ground, a well-bred juvenile who can travel and jump fluently will have a huge advantage over something that's still learning its trade.

Timely Salute (trained by Max Comley, ridden by Freddie Mitchell) catches the eye with both course and distance form [C,D]. In a race full of unknowns, that experience of winning around here is worth its weight in gold. Mitchell is a sharp jockey who knows how to ride a race, and I wouldn't be surprised if Timely Salute goes off favourite.

Jerseygeordie is trained by Harry Derham and ridden by Paul O'Brien. Derham is a trainer who's been quietly building a very decent string, and O'Brien is a competent pilot. Worth keeping onside at a price.

The Chasing Action: Two Handicaps to Savour

The St. Austell Brewery Handicap Chase at 15:00 (2m 75y, Class 4) is a tight enough contest over the minimum trip for chasers, and on this quick ground, jumping cleanly and slickly will be everything. Melton Mossy (7yo, rated 109, trained by Mrs C. Williams, ridden by Adam Wedge) has course and distance form [C,D] and is the highest-rated horse in the race. He's a battle-hardened sort and Wedge is a reliable partner. Saint Polo (6yo, rated 104, Jennie Candlish) also has the [C,D] flag and is only 5lb lower. These two look like the ones to beat, and I'd lean towards Melton Mossy on ratings, but Saint Polo could easily turn the tables if the weights play out.

The Grandad Swales Conditional Jockeys' Chase at 16:30 is a lovely little race for the younger riders. My Cullen (6yo, rated 93) is trained by John Joseph Hanlon — the Hanlons are having a proper day out up here — and Freddie Keighley takes the ride. Jetty May (6yo, rated 90) is a Paul Nicholls runner with course form [C], which is never to be dismissed lightly. On this going, Nicholls horses tend to travel sweetly, and I'd make Jetty May a very solid each-way proposition.

The Stayers' Test: 3m 2f Handicap Hurdle (15:30)

The Devonport Royal Dockyard Handicap Hurdle over 3m 2f 105y is the stamina test of the day, and on Good to Firm ground, that's a serious ask. You want horses that are genuinely stout in the staying department, not ones who've been campaigned at two miles and are being tried over the trip for the first time.

Jager Time (7yo, rated 109, Fergal O'Brien, ridden by Fern O'Brien) has course and distance form [C,D] and is the top-rated runner. Fergal O'Brien is a shrewd handler, and a horse with that C,D badge over this sort of trip at Newcastle is exactly what you want to be backing. My Girl Katie (9yo, rated 96, Grace Harris) also has the [C,D] flag and has been around the block enough times to know what's required. At the weights, she's an interesting each-way option.

Nicolai (ridden by Bradley Harris for Neil Mulholland) is one to note in the juvenile opener if you fancy a longer-priced runner. Harris is a capable conditional who's been getting better with every ride.

Best Bets & Ones to Watch

  • BEST BET: Edelak (16:00) — Skelton double act, course form, top-rated. Hard to oppose.
  • EACH-WAY PLAY: Arctic Voyage (16:00) — C,D form, 8lb below the top weight, could be the value in the feature.
  • WATCH: Timely Salute (14:00) — Course and distance form in a juvenile lottery makes him standout.
  • EACH-WAY: Jetty May (16:30) — Nicholls, course form, and conditionals' race suits a slick jumper on quick ground.
  • DARK HORSE: Jager Time (15:30) — C,D over the marathon trip. Fergal O'Brien doesn't run these for fun.

It's a cracking Monday card, and the Good to Firm ground should ensure a proper pace throughout. Get the Newcastle racecard pulled up, have a good look at the market moves before the off, and enjoy the racing. As ever, bet responsibly — but bet with conviction. Good luck, and I'll see you on the other side.