After an enforced but much needed week long break in the flat racing scene, the action on the all-weather would spring back into life at Newcastle, the home of Northern synthetic racing. As the Gosforth Park venue geared up for its Grade One meeting over hurdles in a fortnight's time, the more quicker paced action would take place. Trainers, owners and jockeys will have been eagerly counting down the days before this return to action and it would also see a number of horses start out for new connections following the recent Horses In Training Sales at Newmarket a few weeks ago. 
The seven race card would feature a mixture of quality for all age groups and it would also be a "rider restricted" meeting, in which the jockeys involved have ridden less than thirty winners between October 2024 and September 2025.

Race One: The Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 7
The first race of the late afternoon meeting would be the classiest of the whole meeting, a class two event over ten furlongs. The longest contest of the day featured plenty of well known and talented faces, representing leading trainers in the sport. 

Carrying top weight would be the very smart handicapper Teumessias Fox, who lined up for Andrew Balding and he has a much better record on this surface compared to turf. The six year old won a similar race at Kempton back in March before finishing third in a listed race at the same venue a month later. More recently, he has finished midfield in handicaps on the turf and all-weather. A fascinating runner would be the William Haggas-trained Frances Ethel, who brought international form to Newcastle. The mare won a Grade Two in South Africa a few years ago, but finished tailed off in a listed race at Newmarket on her British debut. Savvy Victory won over course and distance a year ago in a similar event, but has yet to win since then. Sean Woods's six year old has been running well in defeat in hot races through the summer and autumn, so this would be a slightly easier task. The sole three year old in the field would be the once exciting Nebras, who has gone backwards since a promising debut win last autumn. The well bred sort ran well on his first start since a gelding operation at Newmarket earlier this month and has also placed at listed level this year. The lightly raced Bragbor has raced exclusively at Newcastle this year and has yet to finish out of the first three in all five starts. The four year old has recently joined the Richard Fahey stable and could be a smart recruit having finished second over a mile and a half last time out. Another horse making his debut for new connections would be Return To Dubai, who lined up for the Roger Fell stable. The six year old has a lightly raced profile, but hasn't been seen in action for over a year and a half. Yet another previous course and distance winner of the past would return to Newcastle, Ian Williams's Dream Harder. The six year old also has classy form over longer trips, but has yet to win at this class two level and his last success came at Chester in May. Despite this, some of his more recent races have been disappointing. 

Winner: NEBRAS (#4) (Dubawi x Princess Loulou) - L. Catton - J & T. Gosden

A small crowd would arrive at Newcastle for this start of the week race meeting and despite freezing temperatures, the sky remained clear with a golden sky overhead as the sun began to descend on the Newcastle landscape. All seven runners stood their ground as intended and the race remained a fascinating one.

As the gates opened to kick off proceedings, the three year old Nebras was sent straight into the lead under Luke Catton. The gelding would dictate the pace early on as he had Frances Ethel latched onto his tail with Dream Harder, Return To Dubai and Bragbor all racing prominently as the latter named raced keenly early on. Teumessias Fox had been slow from the gates on his return to the all-weather and brought up the rear with the blinkered Savvy Victory in the opening exchanges. The pace would remain at a dawdle down the back straight as Nebras was in no hurry to get on with things. He would bring the pack around the home bend and straightened up down the middle of the home straight with three furlongs to go. The leader would have a long way to go from here, but the race began to develop approaching the final furlong. Luke Catton was giving Nebras the full works in the saddle, but his mount kept responding as challengers loomed up behind. Bragbor had made good progress to challenge the leader and eventually joined Nebras inside the final half furlong. It looked likely that Richard Fahey's new recruit was set to make a perfect start as Nebras drifted to his left, but John and Thady Gosden's gelding wouldn't lie down and found an extra gear. Hitting the line as one, Nebras had stretched his neck far enough at the line to land the contest over Bragbor, who ran well at this venue yet again in second. In a race where not many horses got involved, Teumessias Fox stayed on from the back in conjunction with Savvy Victory and they would complete the first four placings.

It would be somewhat of a return to form for the three year old Nebras, who is on the road to recovery after a disappointing 2025. The son of Dubawi is a half brother to the high class, multiple Group One winning mare Nashwa and looked set for a big future in October 2024 after winning comfortably on debut at Newmarket. He was pitched straight into the highest company a few weeks later for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster just over a year ago, but struggled against the likes of Delacroix and Hotazhell by finishing seventh. Despite the defeat, he was still held in good regard, but suffered a surprise turn over at Southwell when second there in April and his path would take a different course than the one intended. Although he too second at Newmarket in a listed race, he ran below his best on his next two starts. After a break of three months and a gelding operation, he would show much better at Newmarket once again at the start of the month when second in handicap company at this trip.
The race would go his way, but it was a much more pleasing effort by Nebras and connections will hope he can improve further as a four year old in 2026, in a similar way to Nashwa who performed highly as a four year old as well.

Race Two: The Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Novice Stakes - Class Five - 2-Y-O Only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 5

Next up would be an ever intriguing juvenile novice over the straight course at Newcastle which has the potential to unearth a future star. Races of this kind in the latter stages of the year are often a breeding ground for an above average sort to potentially break their maiden tag, following in the footsteps of Enable, Stradivarius and Mostahdaf; all of whom became future Group One winners. This class five event would take place over seven furlongs and was unsurprisingly well supported by leading trainers.

Heading the card would the the Nigel Tinkler-trained gelding A Boy Named Mary, who showed a lot of signs of inexperience ahead of his first day at school back in September at York where he finished tailed off. A high profile Newmarket yard with a newcomer involved would be Roger Varian with Ilraawi. The colt comes from a family stacked of quality winners, but his breeding also suggests he will be better over longer distances in time. Jedd O'Keeffe would make the short journey from Middleham to Newcastle with his runner King Of Yorkshire. The gelding is related to a couple of useful winners in France, but has yet to show much in two starts on track so far; including over course and distance recently. A second debutante from the John and Thady Gosden stable would be My Love Is King, who comes from a very talented family. The son of Kingman would make his racecourse bow at a venue which has served his trainers very well in the past. Completing the line up would by Arc La Shari, who was aking her debut in this contest for Ivan Furtado. The daughter of Pinatubo is related to a couple of winners, but her trainer's juveniles tend to brought along slowly initially.

Winner: MY LOVE IS KING (#4) (Kingman x Fallen In Love) - L. Catton - J & T. Gosden

Just five horses would go to post for this novice race, but the betting market would focus on just two horses, the newcomers Ilraawi and My Love Is King. Paddock observers would take a keen interest in the preliminaries as My Love Is King appeared to be taking it all in while Ilraawi casually walked around the ring like an old hand.

As the race got underway, the field would break to a level start. My Love Is King gave his supporters a nervy moment as he drifted to his right leaving his gate and raced a bit keenly in the opening stages. It would be the longest priced runners in the line up who led the field early on as A Boy Named Mary was joined in close company by King Of Yorkshire. My Love Is King had recovered to sit handily on the stands' side of the pack as Ilraawi shadowed his main rival on the other side. Bringing up the rear would be the third newcomer Arc La Shari, who raced comfortably on the heels of the pack. The pace would begin to rise approaching the final furlong and the race quickly changed complexion. As the two early leaders faded away quickly, My Love Is King remained alongside Ilraawi. Roger Varian's juvenile would appear to be travelling better as My Love Is King was getting nudged along by Luke Catton. From further back, Arc La Shari also made headway and looked to be a threat to the two leading protagonists inside the closing stages. All three horses were under the cosh now and My Love Is King continued to show inexperience, drifting slightly off a true line. With Arc La Shari and Ilraawi drawing alongside, the penny quickly dropped for My Love Is King and once he straightened up; he began to pull clear approaching the line. The Gosden-trained colt passed the post just under two lengths clear of Ilraawi in second with Arc La Shari showing promising with a close up third. The race for fourth would go the way of A Boy Named Mary, but he returned a fair distance behind the first three.

Newcastle at the end of each of year has been a preferred location for the John and Thady Gosden stable when it comes to introducing talented debutantes and My Love Is King would join the list of winners such as Enable, Stradivarius and Mostahdaf. The son of top class miler Kingman is a half brother to Loving Things, who won an Italian Group Two over ten furlongs and is also a distant relative to Fallen For You, the Coronation Stakes winner back in 2012 for the same owner-breeders Normandie Stud. Making his first day at school, almost everything would go wrong during the race as the colt veered right from the stalls and looked very green once the tempo rose. After looking in danger inside the final furlong, he strode out nicely to create a two length gap in a short space of time which caught the eye. The nature of this win suggests he is very much a horse for next year and he should stay further than seven furlongs. After a quiet year for John Gosden's two year olds, My Love Is King will provide something to look forward to next year.

Race Three: The Set Deposit Limits At BetMGM Nursery Handicap - Class Five - 2-Y-O Only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 7

The action would remain over seven furlongs for juveniles with this low grade nursery handicap. Races of this nature often come in large supply at Newcastle so a number of the runners in the lineup have already tasted similar race conditions and provided a competitive lineup.
Top weight would be carried by the Hugo Palmer-trained Mr Wonka, who is still seeking a first sweet success. The colt ran his best race so far at this venue at the end of September when second in a maiden before running well in a nursery at Newmarket which has since worked out well. Richard Fahey's Boy Named Sioux has shown a mixed bag of form in his first season of racing so far, but belatedly got off the mark on his latest start at Southwell where he seemed to appreciate the switch to this surface by winning a similar contest. Charlie Johnston's runners are a regular feature in contest like this and he would be represented here by Urgent Call. The son of Wootton Bassett has finished in the frame in all four starts, but hasn't threatened the winner in those events over a mile. Illy's Roo showed a chunk of improvement between debut and second start as he won nicely at the second attempt for Jack Channon. The gelding was last seen in action finishing a modest fifth in a similar race on turf, but would now switch his attention to the all-weather for the first time. Another leading Northern trainer with an involvement in the race would be Karl Burke with Light The Night Up. The filly has improved with each start despite remaining winless. She would take second over course and distance in September before doing too much too soon over a mile here recently and weakening into third. Ivan Furtado would saddle his filly Alkumatic Jo Jo, who has also shown race winning potential so far. After a pleasing debut third at Kempton, she would match that form with a third at Bath over a mile a few weeks ago. Archangel Josepi has been a slow burner so far for the locally born trainer Brian Ellison, but his fourth here two starts ago suggests he can do better over this new trip of seven furlongs as he completed the line up

Winner: URGENT CALL (#6) (Wootton Bassett x Oodnadatta) - J. Callan - C. Johnston

Darkness would begin to descend over Gosforth Park as night fell and temperatures dropped further. A field of seven would go to post as advertised for the first of two nursery handicaps.

As the gates opened, the two Middleham-based runners would dictate the early pace. The roan grey Light The Night Up was sent into the lead under Pierre-Louis Jamin, but she was soon joined by Urgent Call and Jack Callan. The majority of the field would race in a gaggle behind the two leaders down the home straight as Alkumatic Jo Jo sat and watched from the rear following a slow start. Once again, the pace would remain a steady one and the favourite Boy Named Sioux would race keenly in the opening half of the race. Illy's Roo would also over-race in the opening stages as Mr Wonka and Archangel Josepi completed the wall of horses behind the leaders. At the final furlong pole, Light The Night Up's time in front came to an end as Urgent Call showed plenty of urgency and opened up a gap in front. From the rear, Alumatic Jo Jo loomed up on the far side of the pack with a big challenge. The colt Urgent Call and the filly Alkumatic Jo Jo went head to head inside the final half furlong and began to pull clear of the rest. Urgent Call had just enough in reserve to hold off the persistent challenge and break new ground by recording his first victory. Alkumatic Jo Jo continued her improvement by taking second as the other filly Light The Night Up held on for third, a place ahead of Archangel Josepi who kept on into fourth on his first try at the trip.

It would be a very well judged ride by the up and coming apprentice rider Jack Callan, the son of veteran jockey Neil. The youngster has been impressing onlookers in recent weeks and months as he continues to hone in his skills in the saddle. With plenty of opportunities on the all-weather throughout the winter, there will be more success to come for Callan and the only way is up. His winning ride on Urgent Call provided the horse with his first win at the fifth attempt. The Charlie Johnston-trained colt had been held in decent regard at home prior to his debut, but hadn't quite lived up to it so far. The son of Wootton Bassett had finished third twice in his three novice races, qualifying for low grade handicaps from thereafter. His nursery debut proved disappointing at Kempton where he ran out of character and dropped away tamely over a mile. A return to front running tactics proved vital as he dictated a steady pace and had enough in the tank to hit the line in front. The first foal of a Group One placed racemare probably won't reach the same heights, but he has shown he is able to win similar races on the all-weather scene throughout the winter months.

Race Four: The Take Time Out With #SGWeek25! Nursery Handicap - Class Six - 2-Y-O Only - One Mile - Runners: 7

The second nursery contest in a row would take place, this time over the full length of the mile straight. Just like in the preceding race, a number of these runners will have crossed paths at some point in their first season and this would be a competitive event for the lowly grade.

Parole Officer has recently joined the Ewan Whillans stable and would carry top weight here for his stable debut. The gelding has placed on a number of starts for previous connections earlier in the season, so could be a smart purchase for the yard. Panthere Noir held an entry over seven furlongs in the previous race for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, but connections opted for the longer test. The colt finished third on his previous attempt at this trip and this would also be his first try on the surface. Another to switch stables ahead of this contest would be Farabove The Limit, who debuted for the Phil Makin stable. After starting life in Ireland, he struggled to make an impact, but a drop to this sort of race could provide improvement. Charlie Johnston's runner in this contest would be Maxwellcan, who also made his handicap debut. He comes from the family of some strong stayers, some of which the stable know well, but the colt has struggled in novice races on the turf so far. Hugo Palmer would send over the filly Emerald Coast from his Cheshire base for this contest on the North East. She would make a promising start when third at Chester before running in some competitive races subsequently, but she ran very poorly on handicap debut at Bath last time out. Ivan Furtado would be represented in this contest by his filly Alfa Patisserie. She would run very well in a warm York novice race on debut in May, but has finished closer to last in her subsequent starts and made a return to action for the first time since July. Another Yorkshire based runner would be Popty Ping from the David O'Meara stable. She would produce her best result over seven furlongs here in July when second, but after a short break ahead of the winter, finished third over course and distance last time out. 

Winner: ALFA PATISSERIE (#6) (Kodi Bear x Puff Pastry) - P. L. Jamin - I. Furtado

Just like in the proceeding nursery handicap, a field of seven would go to post and it also looked a tricky contest to solve.

Starting at the furthest point away from the start at the far end of the straight, the runners remained a spec on the horizon through the early stages. Panthere Noir would take a narrow lead early on under Ryan Sexton as the pack remained on the far side channel of the course. The pace would once again remain a steady one as the chasing pack was led by the keen going Popty Ping. Next up would be Parole Officer along with the favourite Maxwellcan sitting in fourth for the previous race winning connections. Emerald Coast would also sit close to the sedate pace with the slow starting Alfa Patisserie and Farabove The Limit rounding out the running order. The field would grow larger for those in the stands with every stride as the furlong markers were ticked off one by one. Panthere Noir began to wobble in front and looked vulnerable as Popty Ping made her challenge at the final furlong stage. Parole Officer would also retreat as Alfa Pattiserie was the last to challenge. Quickening up rapidly between the second last and last fulongs, she would move alongside Popty Ping at the half furlong marker and the momentum carried her further ahead approaching the line. She would cross the line a length and a quarter to the good over Popty Ping in second with the same margin back to third which went to Farabove The Limit, who also made late headway. 

The winner Alfa Patisserie would continue the theme of the past two races as she gained her first career win in this contest. The daughter of Kodi Bear made her debut in a novice at York back in May where she finished fifth, not beaten far by the likes of Group Three winner Tadej and the Group-class maiden Do Or Do Not. After that promising debut, she took a couple of backwards steps; firstly at Doncaster where she was fifth again and then at Pontefract where she trailed home in eighth. She was given time to develop after three relatively quick races and this was her first start since the end of June. Clearly a fresher horse than others, she clearly enjoyed her first taste of the all-weather and headgear to finally deliver some of the debut promise. She has the scope to continue her winning ways throughout the winter in similar company.

Race Five: The Stay In Control With BetMGM EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes - Class Four - 2-Y-O Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 6
The theme of the future would continue with another event for two-year-olds, this time a six furlong dash and an opportunity to land a first career win.
The card would be headed by the only previous winner, Ed Bethell's Applesandpears. After chasing home a talented sort on her debut at Leicester, she got off the mark in stylish fashion next time out at Chelmsford and could rank higher in the coming months. The first of the maidens would be led by Ben Haslam's grey filly Charcon. She would need to step up in a major way after two lifeless performances on track so far at Redcar and Newcastle. The husband and wife team of Dan and Claire Kubler have recently set sail for Bahrain, but continue to operate in Britain. They would be represented by the promising filly Clementines Star. She looked very inexperienced on debut over course and distance last month, but kept on into third and was open to improvement. The first newcomer in the field would come in the form of Ivan Furtado's Dolos Dream. Related to a handful of winners, she would make her debut here in an open looking contest. Another who showed promise on debut would be the Ed Walker-trained Euphonia. The daughter of Mehmas made the long journey North from Lambourn having taken fourth on debut at Haydock back in July and has since enjoyed a break. Tim Easterby's Luck Money took her place in the line up having shown no more than a small amount of ability in two starts. She still looked inexperienced on her second start at Catterick over five furlongs, but made a return to this distance for her first try on the surface.  Karl Burke's juveniles have been carrying all before them this year and the latest to emerge from the Middleham stable would be Gardening. The daughter of the late Dandy Man is related to plenty of talented sprinters, including a Group Two winner in the late 2000's.

Winner: APPLESANDPEARS (#1) (Havana Gold x Strawberryandcream) - J. Callan - E. Bethell

There would be another small turnout for the final juvenile event of the evening with six fillies going to post. Despite the challenging conditions, the sextet would behave well in the preliminaries as the betting market was dominated by Applesandpears.

The favourite would get away to the best start of all and found herself in a clear lead under Jack Callan on the far side rail. Her rivals would race two lanes to her right and a small bunch was led by second favourite Clementines Star and the long priced Charcon. The chestnut Luck Money and grey Dolos Dream came next as the next pair of runners as the newcomer Gardening was slow to start from the stalls. In a fairly uneventful race, Applesandpears kicked for home at the final furlong pole and found plenty under pressure. She would quickly find herself clear of her rivals, stretching further clear with each stride. As she took her second career victory, Applesandpears would do so by three and a half lengths. Dolos Dream had raced close up in the pack but pulled clear to take a clear second on debut, another to show promise for the Furtado stable, while Clementines Star returned in third having done most of the hard work up front. Chacron would run her best race by taking fourth for the Ben Haslam team.

The race was expected to be a routine success for the Ed Bethell-trained Applesandpears and everything would go as planned for the smart looking prospect. The daughter of Havana Gold is the latest talented filly for her owner-breeders and is a half sister to Orangesandlemons, who also won twice this year. Further back in the family, she is a distant relative to multiple sprint winner Apricot Sky, so there should be plenty more success for Applesandpears. She would make her debut as recently as mid October at Leicester over six furlongs. She would make good late headway into second that day, only finding a horse who had finished fourth in a Group Thre previously, Figjam, too strong. Making her next start just two weeks later at Chelmsford, Applesandpears defied a sluggish start to emphatically get off the mark by three lengths over seven furlongs. Dropping back to six furlongs, this race would be a case of confirming her ability and her connections can look forward to a productive season in 2026 back on turf. 

Race Six: The Make The Move To Midnite Handicap - Class Three - Six Furlongs - Runners: 14
The elder horses would make an overdue return to the fray with this good quality handicap over six furlongs. With the turf season now completed for another year, the action would move to the all-weather to keep these popular sprinters active. A potential destination of the Championship Finals meeting in April will be on the minds of the trainers represented in this contest.

Carrying top weight would be Linda Perratt's The Caltonian, who is a course specialist and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back to form at his favourite venue. The five time winner at Gosforth Park hasn't been at his best on turf recently, but this is his time of the year. The once very smart Coachello is a former course and distance winner at a higher level, but he has been out of form recently for the Mark Loughnane stable. His last win came almost a year ago and was trailed home in the Ayr Silver Cup in September when last seen. The first three year old in the line up would be Uncle Don, who has been frustrating this year for the Richard Fahey yard, but ran his best race when third on heavy ground at Haydock last time out. Stratusnine would make an overdue comeback for the Hugo Palmer stable, on his first start in over a year. The one time winner was last seen finishing second in a valuable contest at York thirteen months ago. Not much has gone right for Germanic since his switch to the Julie Camacho stable a year ago, but he has competed in some strong handicaps this season and another positive would be his second over course and distance back in May. Bryan Smart has a very good record with his runners at Gosforth Park and would be represented here by the talented grey Secret Guest. The five year old ran well into the placings here this time last year and has been gearing up for another all-weather campaign this winter. A second grey would be Maelstrom, carrying the Cheveley Park silks for William Haggas. The three year old looked to progressing nicely earlier in the season with a trio of wins and ran well last month at Haydock following a lengthy break. A second runner for the Middleham Park Racing syndicate would be Charlie Johnston's Mr Cool. The three year old has been sparingly raced this year, but has been consistent when seen. He has finished in the top three in all bar one of his five starts in 2025. The once classy Orne has struggled for form since moving to the Antony Brittain stable, but his trainer has found plenty of success at this venue in recent times. The four year old offered a slightly better showing when fourth at Pontefract in October. Jim Goldie is one of the leading trainers at Newcastle and would be represented by the revitalised nine year old Arnhem. He would win over five furlongs on stable debut before going on a run of form, but ran poorly on soft ground last time out at Pontefract. He would be joined by stablemate Oriental Prince, who clearly loves Gosforth Park with five wins here in 2025. The latest of those came in emphatic style over five furlongs earlier this month. Irish Nectar is a speedy and smart sort when at his best and the four year old would make his first start for the Michael Herrington stable. After showing good form on softer ground at the back end of the turf season, this would be his first attempt on the all-weather. Another yard local to the area would be Grant Tuer, who saddled The Turpinator. The eight year old was a winner here on his first start of the year, but has raced over seven furlongs since then without much success. Heavenly Heather caused one of the biggest shocks in British racing at this venue back in April, winning at 200-1 and has been campaigned over a range of trips since then. She is also a regular at Gosforth Park so aimed to give local trainer Tracey Waggott another winner.

Winner: GERMANIC (#5) (Saxon Warrior x Alice Liddel) - R. Sexton - J. Camacho

The classy line up for the contest would be reduced by one as Mark Loughnane's Coachello would give the race a miss with a self certificate. Despite his absence, it would leave a competitive field of thirteen to go to post.

The early pace angle would come from course specialist Oriental Prince, who showed his customary early speed in the opening stages. A trio of three year olds would help to force the pace early, the first of them being the returning Stratusnine, who pestered the leader for the lead. The Middleham Park pair of Uncle Don and Mr Cool came next down the centre of the course as Orne was also in the firing line. The pack would race across the width of the course and approaching the final furlong, it looked to be anyone's race. The eye was drawn to Heavenly Heather who had travelled through the race with plenty of purpose, but Germanic switched to the far side and swooped around his rivals and into the lead. The four year old began to grind out further progress inside the final furlong and turned this competitive contest into his own. A length and a half would seperate the winner and Heavenly Heather, who returned to her best, while the grey Secret Guest overcame a slow start to take another top three finish at the venue. Another to make late headway would be The Caltonian, who showed he is ready to strike here again in the near future by taking fourth. 

A return to the North East proved to be the catalyst to success for the four year old Germanic, who landed his first win since joining the Julie Camacho stable a year ago. The son of Saxon Warrior looked an above average prospect during his time with William Haggas where he broke his maiden tag by a whopping eleven lengths over seven furlongs here back in June 2024. He then placed in a couple of useful handicaps so looked a fascinating recruit for the Malton-based Camacho stable. Despite his potential at the start of this season, things didn't work out too well for Germanic as he struggled in turf handicaps throughout the summer. A beacon of hope came in May where Germanic took a close second on his most recent visit to Newcastle and clearly the layout of the course suits him to a T with a second career success. His connections may already have one eye on the valuable class two handicap on Good Friday for All Weather Finals Day here in the spring.

Race Seven: The BetMGM: Stay Golden With Responsible Play Fillies' Handicap - Class Four - One Mile- Runners: 9

Next up would be the turn of the fillies with this good looking handicap over the straight mile. This contest may only a class four, but the conditions often provide a competitive lineup and this one would be no different. 

Grant Tuer's tough and consistent filly Bellarachi would carry top weight in this contest and the four year old has been around for what feels like forever. Despite her array of experience, she has won nine times in her career, on the turf and on the all-weather. After winning at Musselburgh a few months ago, she has since struggled in her last two starts, including at this venue. The Newmarket based yard of Peter Chappe-Hyam often finds success at this time of the year at Newcastle and looked to continue that trend with Queen Of Atlantis. The four year old has won twice on the all-weather in the past and her best run of the season came at Ascot where she finished second in July. Joining her from Newmarket would be James Ferguson's well bred filly Bernalda. She would take a while to break her maiden tag, but made it two wins in succession here in impressive style in September. Her latest start at Southwell saw her race too keenly and languish in fifth. The Yorkshire trained Elsie's Ruan looked a smart prospect for the Gemma Tutty yard after a winning debut at York and Group Three third, but since then, the three year old has struggled. She would switch to the all-weather for the first time and revert back to a mile. Andrew Balding would also be represented in this contest with the returning Stateira. After making a winning debut at the start of the year, she has raced mainly on the all-weather this year and run to a decent standard. This would be her first start since a disappointing run at Southwell back in July. The three year old Donna Nook transferred from Ireland to North Yorkshire with the David O'Meara stable halfway through the year and produced her best effort when second at Southwell. In more recent times, she would take fourth at Lingfield on her latest start. The Ivan Furtado-trained Selection has been lightly raced this year, but returned from a lengthy break to win nicely at this course in October. She would run below her best after a quick turnaround following that win. George Boughey's La Scanderbeide didn't make her debut until July this year, but it was a winning one at Yarmouth and she has since run well in decent company. She would return in fifth on her latest start over ten furlongs at Goodwood last month. Karl Burke's well bred filly Wonderbolt found a surge of improvement during the summer to win twice, but has dropped out of form once again in her latest two starts. She has only run adequately on the all-weather on her previous attempts, including at Southwell last time.

Winner: STATEIRA (#5) (Persian King x Douda) - W. Carver - A. Balding
The evening would begin to wind down, but the competitive action wasn't going to to let off just yet as this fillies' only handicap was next to take to the stage.

The money had come in droves for the Andrew Balding-trained chestnut Stateira throughout the day and the filly gave her supporters cause for positiveness with a quick start into the lead. She would back the running rail on the far side and would set no more than an ordinary gallop under rider Will Carver. Further back in the field, all-weather debutante Elsie's Ruan would make a sluggish getaway and was already on the back foot, along with another in form filly, Bernalda. As Stateira galloped happily down the mile-long straight, Wonderbolt would follow her in second but raced keenly. Recent winner Selection travelled strongly as usual in a share of third with Queen Of Atlantis and the field would remain well bunched throughout the contest. Approaching the final furlong, Will Carver would drop the anchor on Stateira and his filly would respond immediately with a change of pace which saw the race put to bed. She would put clear daylight between herself and the chasing rivals and this competitive contest was turned into a one horse race as Stateira crossed the line five lengths clear. The "race" for second was much closer as Donna Nook had made nice progress from the rear to take second on the line from the battling Selection and La Scanderbeide. 

The Andrew Balding stable had just two runners for the meeting and their horses are always respected here due to the long journey north from Berkshire. The return leg of the journey would be made all the more sweeter with an emphatic success for the three year old Stateira. The daughter of French sire Persian King made a perfect start to her career with a debut win at Southwell in February and then took third behind a pair of listed level horses in Kon Tiki and Life Is Beautiful. After the promise of that run, she produced a low key effort on turf at Goodwood and since remained on the all-weather. She would be trapped out wide early on at Southwell back in July on her latest run, but looked a much better horse here after a break and will surely continue to improve back the ladder throughout the winter.

Race Eight: The Midnite Ain't Your Grandad's Bookie Handicap - Class Five - Five Furlongs - Runners: 10
The evening's action would be completed by a class five dash for the cash over five furlongs. The sprint race finale would see plenty of Newcastle regulars and well known faces, providing a challenge for punters to find the last race winner. 

The Nick Bradley Racing-owned J Street has switched yards recently from Ivan Furtado to the popular Mick and David Easterby stable and hopes are high for a productive winter on the all-weather. The three year old finished strongly into second at Wolverhampton last time out. The Easterby clan would also be represented by Tim Easterby's Spirit Of Applause. The five year old won here in the autumn of last year and would break a lengthy losing streak by winning at Southwell recently. Since then, he gelding returned in third over course and distance at the start of the month. Jim Goldie would be looking for more success at Gosforth Park with the three year old JM Jhingree. The gelding has been running consistently well around this level on the turf and added two more victories to his CV in the summer. He would make his all-weather debut for a stable with such a good record at the course. The Grant Tuer-trained mare Mersea caused a surprise when winning at a big price here in March, but has been running at a lower level for most of the season. After winning once more at Musselburgh, she would struggle in a similar race here last time out. Another Yorkshire based runner would be Ay Gee Ell for the Richard Fahey stable. Despite remaining a maiden, the gelding has finished second on a couple of occasions at Wolverhampton, so has shown potential to win races through the winter. Paul Midgley's horses are a regular sight in races of this nature and he would be represented by Tiriac. The five year old has shown a liking for softer ground in the past, but he began to look exposed on turf so he began a fresh start on the all-weather for this contest. Dandy Dinmont is another former Newcastle winner returning to Gosforth Park and the six year old is a largely consistent type. He has finished third in his last three starts, including here at the start of the month. The once frustrating Macarone has turned a corner in recent times for the Ivan Furtado stable and arrives here on the verge of a hat trick. The four year old has been well positioned to win twice in a row at Wolverhampton this autumn. Our Absent Friends is a smart performer at this level for Tristan Davidson and has also won at Newcastle in the past. After winning down the road at Redcar in September, the seven year old has run well on his last two starts. The final runner in the lineup would come in the form of Brian Rothwell's Opal Storm, a five year old mare. She has been a useful sort on turf but has only recently turned her attentions to the all-weather where she ran well over six furlongs and then go going too late over course and distance a few weeks ago. 

Winner: TIRIAC (#6) (Sixties Icon x Rough Courte) - B. McHugh - P. Midgley

The finale of the meeting would finally come around, mercifully for the brave few who had outlasted the weather conditions at the course. Jim Goldie's JM Jhingree would be the sole non-runner in the field, leaving a group of nine to go to post. 

The action would get underway to a relatively level break, but Our Absent Friends veered to his left and cannoned into Opal Storm and Dandy Dinmont in the process. The in form Macarone moved into the early lead, despite his keen going ways and would be hounded up front by former stablemate J Street as the pair brought the pack to the centre of the track once again. Dandy Dinmont recovered to take up a prominent position along with Spirit of Applause as Mersea and Tiriac both watched on from the rear. The furlong markers were passed at speed and soon the field had reached the final stages of the contest. J Street and Macarone would be the first ones beaten as they both folded quickly which left Our Absent Friends in the lead with Dandy Dinmont challenging for the win. They would be surpassed by the strong finishing Tiriac over on the far side and the gelding began to pull clear in the final strides and win with a bit in hand. Dandy Dinmont would return into the placings yet again while Spirit of Applause stayed on for third. Our Absent Friends would complete the top four despite his wayward start as the racecourse staff began to quickly pack up their things for home.

Tiriac was the only runner of the night for trainer Paul Midgley, who is highly effective in these sorts of races. The five year old joined the Malton stable from the Jack Channon yard at the start of the year and has been slightly inconsistent on the turf in similar contests. The five time winner produced a season's best finish of fourth at Beverley in September and matched that position on his latest run at Nottingham at the start of the month. Having dropped 10lbs in the ratings since his most recent win at York in May 2024, the gelding had found himself very well handicapped at his best. A strong burst of acceleration brought him into contention and he was able to land a win on this surface at the first attempt. With a large number of these races on offer throughout the winter, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Tiriac become a regular at Newcastle.