When Quality Meets Opportunity
There's something rather magical about evening racing at Newcastle on a crisp May evening. Reminds me of those summer evenings as a lad when Dad would drive us up from Yorkshire, windows down, radio crackling with commentary as we wound through the Northumberland countryside. "Evening cards often throw up the surprises," he'd say, and Wednesday's Newcastle racecard proved him right once again.
Seven races, good ground, and a card that had genuine depth from top to bottom. This wasn't your typical midweek afterthought – this was proper National Hunt racing with stories to tell and futures to shape.
Skelton Shows His Class
If you were looking for a masterclass in tactical riding, Harry Skelton provided it in spades. The champion jockey's book read like a who's who of progressive types, and he didn't disappoint those of us who'd backed his mounts with confidence.
In the opening novices' hurdle, Lirone du Seuil caught the eye despite carrying a 113 rating into what looked a competitive affair. Skelton's patient approach on the French import suggested there's plenty more to come from this one. The way he travelled through the race and quickened when asked tells you everything you need to know – this horse has a big future ahead of him.
But it was his ride on Evening Tess in the mares' handicap hurdle that really got the blood pumping. Off a mark of 96, she looked well handicapped on her best form, and Skelton's confident ride suggested the stable knew exactly what they had underneath them. The mare's jumping was slick throughout, and she'll be one to keep firmly on the radar for similar contests.
The Feature Race Delivers
The St. Austell Brewery Handicap Steeplechase over three miles and a furlong was always going to be the race that separated the wheat from the chaff, and what a contest it shaped up to be. Viroflay under Miss Olive Nicholls carried the hopes of many, and rightly so off a mark of 140.
But it was the presence of Certainly Red with Marc Goldstein aboard that added real spice to proceedings. Rated just 3lb inferior to the favourite, this was a horse who'd shown glimpses of real class in previous outings. The extended trip looked certain to suit, and the good ground was a positive.
Sam Twiston-Davies on Lord Baddesley provided the each-way interest. Off a mark of 122, he looked to have conditions in his favour, and Twiston-Davies' 5lb claim suddenly looked very useful indeed in a race of this calibre.
Ones to Follow From the Supporting Cast
While the headline acts grabbed the attention, it was some of the supporting players who provided the real notebook material for future reference.
Arctic Voyage in the opener looked a horse going places. Harry Reed's mount showed the sort of professional attitude that suggests he'll improve markedly for the experience. Off a rating of 112, there looked to be plenty of scope for improvement, and connections will surely have bigger targets in mind.
The mares' contest threw up Isabella Islay as a fascinating prospect. Stan Sheppard's booking caught the attention, and off a mark of 97, she looked competitively treated if reproducing her best form. Mares' races can often be tactical affairs, but this one had the look of a horse ready to step forward.
In the hunters' chase, Regatta de Blanc under Mr Charlie Marshall looked the class act in the field. A rating of 115 made him hard to oppose in this company, and amateur riders' contests often throw up horses who can make the step up to professional ranks with the right handling.
Looking Ahead: Where Next?
The beauty of a card like this is that it provides a roadmap for the weeks and months ahead. Several of tonight's performers will undoubtedly pop up in more prestigious contests as the season progresses.
Lirone du Seuil looks tailor-made for a step up in class, possibly targeting one of the better novice hurdles at the summer festivals. His French breeding suggests stamina won't be an issue, and Skelton's confident ride hinted at a horse with plenty in reserve.
The winner of that feature chase will surely have Kelso or Hexham in their sights, while some of the mares from the handicap hurdle could easily find themselves at Perth or Cartmel in the coming weeks.
It's evenings like these that remind you why National Hunt racing remains the most compelling sport on earth. Quality horses, top jockeys, and that indefinable sense that you're witnessing the next chapter in some wonderful stories. Dad would have loved every minute of it.
