Sundays have been often seen as a rest day in the sport of racing, where the stables wind down from their usual hectic schedules and the race meetings at venues around the country are often low grade affairs. A recent influx of prize money into the Sunday fixtures has seen an improvement of quality on the all-weather and a mammoth nine race card would take place at Newcastle.

As the days become ever shorter and October lurks around the corner, the focus will soon switch to the all-weather season which culminates in April with the Finals' Day. Some classy contests would take place over a range of distances and it featured some well known household names. A class two event over seven furlongs at the end of the card would be the feature race, the first stop of the road back to Newcastle for Finals' Day. 

Race One: The ARC All Weather £1Million Bonus Returns Apprentice Handicap (Div II) - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 11
The opening contest of this competitive handicap would see the apprentice riders show off their burgeoning talent in the saddle. This class five event would see a good turnout at the entry stage and by declaration day, the race would split into two divisions. 

Bryan Smart's horses are often worth following at this venue and he would saddle the top weight Blazing Son. The seven year old's last three wins have come here, including last week where he finished strongly and won narrowly.  Tim Easterby's Candonomore is capable of being better than this level, but the four year old hasn't achieved as much as he once promised. He began this season with a pair of wins, but has been inconsistent in recent starts. This would be a rare start on the all-weather. Kings Merchant was a sprinter going places last summer, but since a switch to the Phil Kirby stable, he hasn't been at his best this year. Despite this, he would run a much better race on his first try at seven furlongs last time. A runner for the John and Sean Quinn stable would be Finbar's Lad, who has run to a good standard on the all-weather this year. His best effort came when winning at Chelmsford in July before returning there last time out to take fourth. The Middleham Park Racing outfit would have plenty of runners on the card and would be responsible for Richard Fahey's Flying Fletcher. The grey has won both times at Newcastle and showed more encouragement last time out when a close third here last week. Al Muqdad improved massively for the switch to David O'Meara's yard last year and the first of four wins in 2024 came here. He has started to come back into form recently, as shown with a close second at Thirsk last time out. The pink and yellow silks of Ursa Major Racing are a regular sight at Newcastle and they would be carried by Katie Scott's Black Storm. The four year old has run very well in three starts for the yard, finishing in the placings in all starts, including over course and distance behind King's School. The progressive four year old Enpassant lined up for the Michael Herrington stable on the back of two wins from his last three starts. After winning at Leicester previous, the gelding showed a good attitude to hold on for the win over course and distance earlier in the month. Craig Lidster's Alreet Cha broke her maiden tag at this venue exactly a year ago, but has shown mixed form on the surface since then. After a good third at Pontefract in June, she would make her return to action in this contest. Iain Jardine would be represented by the six year old mare Sibyl Charm, who goes well at Gosforth Park. She would land her fourth career win last time at Ayr during the summer, which was also her first win away from Newcastle. She could be another to enjoy these surroundings. Completing the lineup would be another mare, the John Butler-trained Windsor Pass. She has won just once in her career so far, but often runs very well with numerous placings this year. She has gone well at this venue in the past.

Winner: CANDONOMORE (Almanzor x Tikitiki) - (#4) - J. Dickson - T. Easterby

A relatively warm autumnal afternoon would be shrouded in golden sunshine over Gosforth Park, providing a welcoming atmosphere to the racecourse. The opener would get underway to a relatively even break and from the outset, the flashy chestnut Blazing Sun would set off into the early lead under Ollie Carmichael. The last time out winner would be joined in the lead by the in form Enpassant while Finbar's Lad and Kings Merchant raced close up. The gambled on Black Storm would hinder his chances by racing keenly just behind the leaders as the two mares Windor Pass and Sibyl Charm were both slow to get into stride. The pack would migrate to the stands' side of the track as the riders determined it would be the best lane to race in. Ther would be little change in the order throughout the first half of the race, but the returning Alreet Cha would begin to show rustiness and headed backwards through the field. Blazing Son would still hold on to the lead approaching the two furlong pole, already knowing where the finish line was, but the eye was drawn to Candonomore, who travelled powerfully on the outside of the pack. With a swooping move, the four year old would dash away into the lead under Jake Dickson and soon open up a lead inside the final furlong. The race was practically sealed and it would be more of a contest to finish second. As Candonomore breezed away to a four length victory, Flying Fletcher made up late ground from mid division to grab second from the long time leader Blazing Son, who finished in the top three at Newcastle once again. Fourth would go the way of Sybil Charm, who did her best work at the finish. 

It would be a facile winner of the opening contest for the smart Candonomore, who showed his class in this contest. Tim Easterby's four year old was a promising sort a couple of seasons ago when fifth in a sales race at York and then contested in class two handicaps at the start of 2024. He would struggle for form for the rest of last year off a higher rating and after a gelding operation during the winter, he gained the benefit of a decent sized break. Returning to the track in April, he would record back to back wins at Wetherby and Leicester in the space of a fortnight which showed signs of a good season ahead. The remainder of this season have seen fits and starts of form, mostly at a higher class but he would line up at Newmarket just two days earlier. He would race prominently that day, but weakened into fourth. A quick turnaround appeared to have no affect on his condition and he would impress with the way he travelled on his return to this class five level. This will unlock the potential to race on during the winter in similar contests to this one. It would be the sixth career win for Jake Dickson, who made his debut in the saddle in the early months of this year and has continued to improve with the Tim Easterby stable. He will continue to gain valuable experience throughout the winter as he takes his career to the next step.

Race Two: The ARC All Weather £1Million Bonus Returns Apprentice Handicap (Div II) - Class Five - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 10

Division two of the apprentice riders' handicap would look just as tightly packed as the first division, making it difficult for punters to split the field.

The four year old filly Brazilian Rose was in superb form for the Rebecca Menzies stable at the beginning of 2025 and she would return to Newcastle. After winning three times in quick succession, her form would level out on turf, but has been potentially held back with an all-weather campaign in mind. The team at Ian Williams's stable have been rewarded with an excellent year so far and the gelding Giant would represent the yard here. The five year old has shown useful form in the past and made a wining stable debut at Chelmsford in August before taking fourth at Chester recently. Lir Speciale has improved a small amount since joining the team at Brian Ellison's yard and the six year old has been finishing strongly into the placings lately over a mile. The stiff nature of this course could play to his strengths. The Gemma Tutty-trained King's School has spent the majority of the past twelve months racing at Newcastle, gaining plenty of wins along the way. The four year old would finish strongly to win after a long absence at the end of August. The Grant Tuer-trained Highland Olly has landed all of his three wins so far within the space of the past thirteen months, albeit at a lower level. The four year old would pull clear to win in good style at Musselburgh last month and made his first start at the venue. Yet another former course and distance winner would be Novak, from the in form Iain Jardine stable. He has been going through the motions on turf and on the all-weather recently, but he began to show his best form at the latter stages of last year so he could be building up towards a good spell. Yet another runner for David O'Meara would be Twilight Diamond, whose only win came on debut in January this year. The four year old seems to like the all-weather, as shown when second at Southwell last time out and would be one of the least exposed runners on his tenth start. Another runner for the Linda Perratt stable would be Judgment Call, a seven year old who finished a very close second here on two occasions last winter. After showing modest form on turf, a return to Newcastle could be a positive. Tim Easterby's Leap Day would make a quick return to action having run at the nearby Redcar during the week. The gelding hasn't been at his best in recent starts, but has some solid efforts in the past and her only win came on the all-weather. The four year old Petra Celera has built up plenty of experience for her age and has run well at Newcastle in the past. With similar form on this surface and on turf, she made good late headway into sixth at Southwell recently

Winner: NOVAK (Mastercraftsman x Parknasilla) - (#9) - A. Young - I. Jardine

Part two of the apprentice riders' handicap would get underway with a more competitive lineup. The field would be reduced by one as Twilight Diamond was deemed a non-runner on the morning of the race. Linda Perratt's Judgment Call would make the best start of all and moved into the early lead under Andrew Breslin as the previous race winner Jake Dickson joined the leader up front on Leap Day. Highland Olly had become worked up in the preliminaries and was sweating during the race, despite his eagerness, he would chase the leading pair alongside the strongly backed favourite Lir Speciale. The likes of Brazilian Rose, Giant and Novak would all race comfortably within themselves in a tightly bunched group. The slow starting Petra Celera missed the break and was already on the back foot from an early stage.

As the action began to heat up approaching the final furlong, Lir Speciale looked threatening as he made progress from further back, but his challenge would be a short lived one as he emptied out quickly. Andrew Breslin kicked for home at the furlong pole and Judgment Call opened up some breathing space in the lead. In a race where not many got into the race, the grey Novak gave chase under Archie Young and would arrive on the scene with a strong challenge. Novak would inch ahead of Judgment Call and knuckled down well, gaining the upper hand approaching the finish line and winning by half a length. Judgment Call would take a spirited second while King's School would once again do his best work at the finish by keeping on into third. Giant would stay on at the same pace and take a solid fourth place.

It would be a tenth career win for the grey Novak, who produced the red hot Iain Jardine stable with yet another winner. The six year old has built up an affinity with Gosforth Park as he has continuously run well here over the last few years. His previous win at the venue came on New Year's Day this year, but he went on to add another win at Wolverhampton. As the all-weather season came to a close, he would turn his focus to the turf during the summer and didn't run badly on most occasions. After finishing second at Musselburgh in July, he would finish a decent fifth on softer than ideal ground at Carlisle last time out. The nature of this success suggests that he was itching to return to the all-weather and it wouldn't be a surprise to see further victories during the winter months on this surface. Rising star of the saddle Archie Young has built up a solid reputation during his second full season. Attached to the Charlie Johnston stable, he has impressed with his tactical awareness on front runners in the past and this would be another well timed challenge to get up close home. 

Race Three: The ARC £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Handicap - Class Six - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 14
Next up would be this low quality handicap which took place over a mile and a half, making it the joint-longest race of the afternoon. 

Heading the weights would be the Sara Ender-trained Mr Zippi. The well bred gelding was unable to build on a promising start to his career and finds himself at this lowly level. His best effort on the flat would come last time out when second at Southwell, but that came in late April and he has been absent since. Phil Kirby's filly Recobella has spent most of her career in France, but found a jolt of improvement once moving to Britain. She would win at Nottingham two starts ago and then back it up with a second at Beverley. This would be another test back up in distance however. Another filly would be Brian Ellison's in form runner Queen Roslyn, who was successful over two miles at this course just last week. It would be a confirmation of her improvement as she had also won at Beverley over this trip two starts before. The Newmarket-based yard of George Boughey have been in hot form of late and would run Both Of Us. The gelding has taken off in recent weeks and arrived here in search of a hat trick of wins. The three year old landed a second successive win at Southwell earlier in the week. Simon Whitaker's Tiberio Force has improved with experience and lined up here as another in form contender. A string of placed efforts would be complimented by a win at Catterick two starts ago before he chased home a runaway winner over a shorter trip here recently. Yet another North-East based stable with a runner here would be Adam Nicol with Lady Phoebe. The four year old filly landed her first career win in nice style at Musselburgh three starts ago and has followed it up with a pair of placings on turf. She hasn't been at her best at Newcastle in the past though. The Charlie Johnston-trained Wadacre Giorgio is still searching for an elusive first win, but has improved this season with a handful of second places. He would empty quickly in disappointing style on his latest run at Musselburgh and needs to bounce back. Toronto Raptor has been largely disappointing throughout his racing career, but seems to enjoy Pontefract as he placed twice at that venue. Liam Bailey's four year old could only manage fifth last week over ten furlongs at this course. The most unexposed runner in the line up would be Gemma Tutty's three year old Alfred Spero, who made his handicap debut on fourth career start. The son of Golden Horn has taken on some exciting prospects so far, so low grade handicaps should suit him better here. Another three year old would be Arie Gordye from the Roger Fell stable. She remains winless to date, but ran her best race at Beverley when second; albeit in a selling contest. Another horse looking for their first win would be David O'Meara's Spring Festival. The four year old has finished in the placings on a small handful of starts, but has raced mostly over a mile. Despite this, he would return fourth on his only attempt at this trip last year. The six year old Storm Asset has moved around plenty of stables, but would make his fiftieth race start here. He would run a mighty race last time out, going down narrowly into second on stable debut for Micky Hammond after a long layoff. Another runner for the Ian Williams stable would be Saachi, who has also made a mid-season transfer. The four year old has yet to finish higher than third so far, but offered a bit to work on at Leicester when fourth on stable debut. Phil Kirby would hold multiple entries in this race as he also saddled Yurinov. The five year old went backwards from his debut second in 2024 and has also struggled in this country of late since returning from a spell in France.

Winner: QUEEN ROSLYN (Postponed x Sarah Grey) (#3) - C. Rodriguez - B. Ellison

The race would appear to be all about one horse in the betting, the recent winner Both Of Us, who was sent off a short priced favourite. As the gates swung open, there would be plenty of competition for the early lead. Saachi would bag the early lead from his inside draw, but Wadacre Giorgio was forced to race wider than ideal as he challenged Saachi for front running duties. Despite the presence of multiple front runners, the early pace would be a steady one which led to a number of horses racing keenly. The likes of Lady Phoebe, Queen Roslyn and Storm Asset would pull hard and make life difficult for their riders, despite the well grouped field. Tiberio Force would come next as Both Of Us settled into midfield under a patient Billy Loughnane. The field would make their way around the Gosforth Park circuit but the order remained the same at the approach to the home straight.
Queen Roslyn would edge closer under Callum Rodriguez and joined the leader Saachi as Wadacre Giorgio began to weaken away. Storm Asset would be another to make a forward move into front rank, but the strong stayer Queen Roslyn was sent for home at the final furlong pole. The filly would respond to the pressure and would grind out a clear margin in the lead. The distance between the leader and the rest would continue to grow and the in form filly crossed the line in isolation, four and a half lengths to the good. Both Of Us had no answer for the winner, but did best of the rest by staying on into second, overhauling Storm Asset and relegating that rival into third. A small gap would stretch back to Alfred Spero, who ran an encouraging race on handicap debut, staying on at the death into fourth. 

It would be another impressive winner of the afternoon as the filly Queen Roslyn continued her recent improvement. The daughter of Postponed seemed to possess limited ability on the basis of four runs between the end of 2023 and start of 2024, but she was given a lengthy break from the track. Returning to action in May of this year, things wouldn't improve initially but a wind operation has been the transformation needed for the four year old. A first career success came in a selling contest at Beverley in July before she lined up in a much more competitive contest over two miles here in the Racing League. She would finish seventh that day, but a return to Gosforth Park would be a successful one last week as she saw out the two mile trip nicely and that performance guaranteed her stamina as she dropped in trip here. She appears to be the type to continue her progression over the winter at this sort of trip. 

Race Four: The Border Minstrel Dog Friendly Pub Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 10
The quality would begin to rise for the first time as the action moved to the intermediate trip of ten furlongs and a class four contest for four year olds and older.

An old favourite on the Northern circuit would be the David O'Meara-trained Blue For You. Best known for his exploits at York, the seven year old has won at a much higher level, but has been far from his best this year. He would also race further than a mile for the first time in his career. The shrewd stable of Daniel and Claire Kubler are building up for their new venture in the Middle East, but continue to send out winners in Britain. They would saddle Londoner in this contest and the five year old won over course and distance back in May before running well in defeat in recent starts. The totally unexposed four year old Bragbor lined up for the George Scott stable and landed a Racing League contest on just his third start in August, making it two wins from three starts. He has raced exclusively at Newcastle so far and would continue that theme. Padishakh is now with yet another trainer, this time with Ed Bethell. The formerly smart five year old dropped down to this level to win on stable debut at Nottingham, but has yet to kick on in four subsequent starts. The very smart but frustrating handicapper Crack Shot would win this sort of race easily if at his absolute best, but he often finds one or two reasons to misfire. Now with the James Owen yard, the five year old has started to run better since moving to his current stable a few weeks ago. Tim Easterby has managed to revitalise the quirky Per Contra this summer and has been rewarded with a string of excellent placed efforts at York and Newcastle. He would make a big challenge at York last time out, but failed to see the race out. The sole runner for George Boughey would be the four year old North View. Carrying the Simon Munir double green silks that are seen more often over jumps, the gelding has a solid profile around this sort of level and finished fourth at Newbury on his latest start. The Charlie Johnston-trained Bamburgh has just the solitary win to his name which came at Redcar in July, but the four year old has been generally reliable with good efforts at this distance. He would undoubtedly be giving it his all once again. Richard Fahey's Glistening Nights has improved plenty since the last time he raced on the all-weather by winning five times on the turf over the last two years. The four year old has been in good form recently, winning easily at Chester in August before struggling in a higher grade at the same venue last time out. The Gemma Tutty-trained Light Speed broke his maiden tag at this course nearly three years ago and has turned into a decent sort in this sort of company. After a brief lull in form, he looked revitalised with a win and a second during August, but finished down the field at Chester last time out. The filly Jujubella made most of her vast improvement at this venue at the start of the year as Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's four year old won three times here. She has since run excellent races in stronger company at York and Ayr and now dropped back down in grade on her return to Gosforth Park.

Winner: PER CONTRA (Footstepsinthesand x Nonetheless) (#4) - S. Kirrane - T. Easterby

This would be a very competitive looking class four contest with a number of in form runners and some who were dropping down in grade. The early lead would be held by the lightly raced four year old Bragbor, who has raced exclusively at Newcastle in his short career. The much more experienced Crack Shot would chase the leader in second on a rare attempt at this trip as Per Contra settled in third, travelling strongly as usual. Light Speed would sit handily behind the front trio as Londoner, Glistening Nights and Bamburgh were also close up. 

Exiting the bend into the home straight, the field remained down the middle of the track and the pace began to increase. Bragbor would gamely hold on to his advantage at the two furlong pole, but Londoner and Per Contra travelled eye-catchingly well on either side of the pack. Tim Easterby's four year old Per Contra nosed into the lead at the furlong pole and never looked back as he quickened up stylishly under Sean Kirrane, leaving his rivals for dust. The son of Footstepsinthesand turned this good looking race into a one sided affair as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Crack Shot, who saw out this longer trip well by taking second. Bragbor had been swamped by his two rivals and had to settle for third this time as Londoner's threatening challenge petered out into fourth place.

It would be a much deserved return to the winners' enclosure for Per Contra, who has been transformed since joining the Malton-based Tim Easterby stable. He was a very exciting prospect as a juvenile, winning his first two starts in 2023 with Group race potential. After being purchased by Wathnan Racing, he then finished fifth in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in the same year. 2024 would begin with promise as he made a winning reappearance at Wolverhampton, but it was after then where the wheels began to fall off. The gelding appeared to struggle with his finishing application and ended up tailed off on more than one occasion. He would leave Ollie Sangster's stable to head north to Tim Easterby and once he settled into a new routine, he began to improve. A total of six placings during this summer came at venues such as Newcastle, York and Ripon, most notably a narrow defeat in class two competition at the Ebor Festival. His latest start came at York once again where he travelled well, but could only manage seventh. Now dropped down to class four level, this was an easier opportunity which he took with both hands. It would be an advertisement for the skill of Tim Easterby as he has found a way for this once-frustrating horse to win for the first time in eighteen months. 

Race Five: The Gosforth Bark Raw Pet Food Specialists Handicap - Class Three - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 10
Next up would see the starting point move back to a mile and a half with this competitive looking class three contest that was filled with unexposed types and well known faces. 

Heading the weights would be the in form Siempre Arturo, trained by Dan and Claire Kubler. The five year old has won almost half of his career starts and has bounced back with a vengeance recently, winning good contests at Windsor and Kempton in comfortable style. Charlie Johnston's four year old Align The Stars was a highly progressive stayer last summer, but the wheels have come off this year. He has been capable of good efforts in strong company, including a fourth in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock and he switched to the all-weather in search of better fortune. The Ian Williams-trained veteran Enemy hasn't been at his true best of late connections would be pinning their hopes on a return to the all-weather bringing about some improvement. The eight year old has some classy form on this surface, but has been out of form recently on the turf. The Dylan Cunha yard enjoyed a big festival winner at York in August with Asgard's Captain, a horse who they have transformed in recent years. The six year old has won twice here in the past and saw out this trip really well at York last time out. Skycutter would make a long awaited return to action, now trained by Stella Barclay. The seven year old was once an exciting prospect over hurdles and even won over fences for the Dan Skelton stable. This would be his first appearance since December last year and first run on the flat since October 2022. Another four year old whose progress has stalled of late is the George Boughey-trained Fouroneohfever. After completing a hat trick early in 2024, he finished in the frame of that year's Royal Ascot meeting. Since then, he has shown flashes of potential with thirds at Newmarket and Chester, but hasn't achieved as much as hoped. The three year old Prince Of The Seas would take on older rivals in this contest for the Ralph Beckett stable. The son of Sea The Stars was aimed at listed races earlier in the year, but returned to winning ways in a similar contest at Goodwood last time out. Representing the Andrew Balding stable would be the progressive four year old Candyman Stan. After winning a valuable handicap at Lingfield in May, he suffered heavy defeats on his next two starts. Despite this, he has run slightly better with a pair of seventh placed finishes lately. The dual purpose yard of James Owen would be represented by the four year old Sportingsilvermine, who has been another horse to have improved under the care of Owen. After winning on stable debut in March, he has since finished in the top four in all subsequent starts this summer, most recently when third in a good contest at Doncaster's St Leger Festival recently. The Juddmonte silks would also be spotted in this class three handicap by the Harry Charlton-trained Gran Descans. The well bred son of Frankel won twice earlier in the year and has run to a good level, including a second at this venue on his only visit. 

Winner: GRAN DESCANS (Frankel x Big Break) (#10) - C. Rodriguez - H. Charlton

The field would be reduced by one as Ian Williams's Enemy was deemed a non-runner after pulling a shoe off on the morning of the race. It would leave ten runners to go to post, but this would look another strong contest for the class. As the gates opened, the three year old Prince Of The Seas was sent into the lead by Hector Crouch, but on the wide outside, Align The Stars ran solo along the far side rail under Dan Muscutt before apexing the first bend and joining Prince Of The Seas in the lead. Fourohonefever would sit in third as the remaining horses bunched up in a close pack. The favourite Gran Descans's pink cap was barely visible in a sea of bodies as the leaders made their way around the home bend. Halfway down the home straight, Prince Of The Seas looked to be in trouble and quickly weakened out of contention, ending up being eased down by his rider. That would leave Align The Stars with a share of the lead, but his rivals would be travelling better at this stage. The consistent Sportingsilvermine was in the process of running another big race as he moved forward to challenge Align The Stars and Gran Descans emerged on the scene as well. It would briefly look to be an exciting finish between the front two, but once the three year old Gran Descans reached top gear, he began to draw right away under Callum Rodriguez. The colt would reach for the ground with each stride, pulling further clear approaching the line and scoring by just under four lengths. Sportingsilvermine would "win" the race for second as a small gap would follow to Asgard's Captain, who was never nearer than at the finish. Align The Stars would show a little encouragement by taking fourth, his best run for a while.

In what looked like a wide open contest, it would be turned into a procession by the lightly raced and improving three year old Gran Descans. The colt caught the eye in the paddock as he bore striking resemblance to his sire Frankel with the small dash on his forehead and cross nose band. His debut effort at Sandown in June caught the eye of the stewards as he was described as a raw type and the instruction was to not go hard on him at an early stage of his career. He would improve massively on his second start at Doncaster, where he gained his first career win in July; always well positioned and held on bravely. He would follow up for a second win in novice company at Lingfield and it was clear that he is already a useful type. Next up came his first try on the all-weather, which came over course and distance in a Racing League contest and he would race further back than ideal but stayed on strongly into second. His latest start came in a valuable staying handicap over a mile and three quarters at Haydock, but his stamina gauge ran low towards the finish on soft ground. The style of this win suggests Harry Charlton's colt remains on the rise and he should be set for a good 2026. A half brother to listed race winner Georgeville, he is also a distant relative to the excellent Famous Name, who won twenty Group races through his career, albeit never at Group One level. Gran Descans looks one to follow with big races potentially on the agenda next year.

Race Six The Newcastle Dog & Cat Cat Shelter Fillies' Novice Stakes - Class Three - 2-Y-O Only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 4
The focus would switch to the potential stars of tomorrow with two novice races for juveniles. The first of them would be limited to fillies over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs. A mix of speedy and staying types would line up here with connections looking forward to next year already.

A disappointing turnout would taint this intriguing novice contest as just four runners went to post. Despite this, each of them have shown race-winning potential in previous starts and are also well bred individuals. Karl Burke would be responsible for half of the field, the first of them being Leading Dancer. She is bred to be very speedy as a relation to some high class sprinters, which makes the fact she races over seven furlongs very interesting. The daughter of Starman looked green on debut in a stronger race at Doncaster, but caught the eye with a strong finish into third. The second runner from the Burke stable would be Light The Night Up, racing in the Middleham Park Racing silks. The roan-coated filly is more stoutly bred than her stablemate so should have a good future. She would race too keenly on her debut at Doncaster back in June, but hasn't been seen in action since then. Phil Kirby's runner Skirt Around has shown minor promise so far and would make a quick return to action. The American-bred filly blew the start when sixth on debut at Haydock, but improved slightly when taking fourth down the road at Redcar four days ago. Completing the quartet would be another Middleham-based runner in Yy Spirit from the Ed Bethell stable. The daughter of Invincible Spirit comes from a useful family of winners and also made a debut filled with promise. She would make late progress into third at Wolverhampton, but gained valuable experience on this surface.

Winner: LEADING DANCER (Starman x Get Up And Dance) (#1) - C. Lee - K. Burke

The betting market would be all about one horse in the build up to race as Leading Dancer was displayed at prohibitive odds. However, as she went to post, there would be support for Ed Bethell's YY Spirit which eased the price of the favourite. This fascinating contest would get underway and Leading Dancer would take command of her rivals and make the running under Clifford Lee. Her stablemate Light The Night Up would sit in second place with Skirt Around and YY Spirit taking the final two spots as the pack raced in Indian file. 

The race had been relatively routine for Leading Dancer and Clifford Lee began to turn the screw on the leader approaching the final furlong. His filly began to lengthen, catching Light The Night Up off guard briefly and allowing Skirt Around to move into second. YY Spirit made a brief challenge, but that would soon amount to nothing as the leader continued to pull away. In a relatively uneventful race, Leading Dancer had the race sealed from the halfway stage and crossed the line four and three-quarters to the good in the style of a talented filly. Light The Night Up rallied inside the final furlong to regain second from Skirt Around as YY Spirit proved to be disappointing in fourth.

The Karl Burke stable has been in electric form of late and this would cap off a superb weekend which included a Group race win at Newmarket and a second successive win in the Cambridgeshire Handicap twenty-four hours earlier. They look to have another useful prospect on their hands in the form of Leading Dancer, who showed a lot of promise on her debut at Doncaster. Taking part in a traditionally strong maiden at the St Leger meeting a few weeks ago, she would look inexperienced early on but kept on nicely into third and didn't have to improve a great amount to win this race. She would see out the seven furlong trip strongly, which is intriguing as her pedigree is all about speed. A daughter of first season sire Starman, she is a half sister to Seven Questions, who won last year's Palace House Stakes over five furlongs. Further back in the pedigree comes the high class Group One winner Pearl Secret, who landed the Temple Stakes; also over five furlongs. Whichever direction she goes into next year, she remains one to follow as part of an exciting team for Karl Burke in 2026. 

Race Seven: The Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter Lottery Novice Stakes - Class Three - 2-Y-O Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 4
The second of the novice events for juveniles would see the turn of the colts as well as fillies with a drop in distance back to six furlongs. Just like in the previous race, the allure of improved prize money and a competitive level to aim at would attract horses from big stables; providing a fascinating contest. 

Just like in the preceding fillies' contest, there would be a lower than average turnout in numbers with four competitors. Heading the quartet would be Brian Ellison's Archangel Josepi. Already gelded before his first start, he would finish well down the order here but ran a better race when third at Redcar last time out. Despite the improvement, that effort would come in a selling race. The first of the Newmarket challengers would be the James Fanshawe-trained Augustus Gloop, who has improved his form with each run. The chestnut colt is related to some winning milers and has raced on the all-weather so far in his short career. After returning home in fifth over seven furlongs at Kempton on debut, he would come with a late charge into second at Lingfield over this trip. Karl Burke has been a regular source of juvenile winners at Newcastle this season and the latest newcomer from the yard would be Foxtrot Flyer. With plenty of smart horses in his pedigree, the son of Sergei Prokofiev should be a winner in time and would be an interesting debutante here. Completing the field of four would be George Scott's Major Neigh Sayer, who also made the journey from Newmarket for this contest. The well named son of No Nay Never made his debut over the minimum trip at Ripon and kept on into third, showing promise to stay this extra furlong.

Winner: AUGUSTUS GLOOP (St Mark's Basilica x Minnaloushe) - (#2) - D. Muscutt - J. Fanshawe

Tactics would be once again the source of conversation in this contest with four runners once again. The newcomer Foxtrot Flyer showed signs of temperament in the parade ring, rearing up on a number of occasions ahead of his racecourse debut. He would thankfully settle once he reached the stalls and all four horses walked into their gate without issue. 

It would be Foxtrot Flyer who gained the best start of all and was sent on into the lead under Clifford Lee as the outsider Archangel Josepi joined him under Faye McManoman. The well backed Major Neigh Sayer would sit in third, a place ahead of Augustus Gloop but there would be little between the four runners in the early stages. The race would begin in earnest approaching the final furlong pole as Archangel Josepi began to feel the pinch and was left behind. Foxtrot Flyer was asked to quicken but showed signs of inexperience by drifting off a true line. Major Neigh Sayer was outpaced at a critical stage but Augustus Gloop would show a smart turn of pace and show his rivals a clean pair of hooves. The chestnut quickened away in the final stages to take his first win at the third attempt by two and a half lengths. Major Neigh Sayer would chase in vain before grabbing second on the line from Foxtrot Flyer, who will have learned plenty in third. Archangel Josepi would return in fourth as expected.

Experience would come to the fore in this contest as the attractive chestnut Augustus Gloop made it a happy journey from Newmarket for trainer James Fanshawe. The son of St Mark's Basilica made his debut at Kempton over seven furlongs in July and after being held up at the rear, he would fade away inside he final furlong into fifth. With that experience under his belt, he would line up at Lingfield next time, dropping down to six furlongs. He raced closer to the pace on the sharp track and finished strongly down the home straight, but was denied by a nose. The culmination of those two runs saw a much more polished performance to win easily. A half brother to the listed race winning filly She Do, this improving colt could develop into another talented sprinter for a stable who excel with horses of this type. 

Race Eight: The Mini Golf At High Gosforth Park Handicap - Class Four - One Mile - Runners: 13
The quality action would continue as the skies grew darker and the sun began to set. This class four contest over a mile looked to be stronger than average with a full sized field of classy sorts. 

Carrying top weight in this classy contest would be David O'Meara's Sword, who is a smart operator on his day. The former course winner produced a best effort of third at Ascot during the summer, but has been quiet since then. Newmarket based trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam would send up Rogue Encore to a place he likes. The four year old progressed over the winter last year, winning twice at this venue, before returning here in July and taking a close second. The Malton based yard of Nigel Tinkler would saddle Isla Kai, who was once a very smart handicapper a few years ago. After missing a couple of seasons, he has made his return recently, but still looked rusty in both starts. The formerly French trained Zryan looks to be a typical recruit for the David O'Meara stable and has run well in three starts in Britain. He would go very close when third at Southwell just a week ago. Charlie Johnston would be represented here by Urban Sprawl, who has been kept busy throughout this year. His last two wins have come in similar races over a mile, including at Beverley two starts ago, but was outclassed at Doncaster recently. A third runner for the David O'Meara stable would be Capital Guarantee. The five year old hasn't run on the all-weather in nearly two years, but has won an impressive six times since joining his current trainer. The chestnut Spirit Catcher was a very smart horse in his younger days, winning at a higher level, but he has been absent for a while as he makes his debut for new trainer Phil Kirby. This would be his first start since November last year, but he has finished second on the all-weather in the past. Richard Hannon would make the long journey north from his Hampshire base with Signcastle City. Despite not winning on this surface, he has run some of his better races on the all-weather; including a pair of placed efforts recently. He would finish down the order on turf last weekend, but had the potential to bounce back. The popular stable of Mick and David Easterby would look for a valuable winner with Stanage. The well bred four year old won for connections at Doncaster way back in March, but has run in varying types of races since then. His two starts over a mile this year have been decent ones at York when sixth both times. Another tough and consistent sort in the lineup would be the Tim Easterby-trained Barley. The six year old has spent a lot of time racing since his last win in 2024, but he has run with plenty of credit this season. He would struggle in a stronger race at Ayr last time, but had finished in the frame in his previous three starts. The Horse Watchers operation are experts at picking out future winners and have been rewarded with recent recruit War Howl. The four year old has won twice since joining the Mick Appleby stable and ran another good race into second at Newbury last time. The once quirky Leadenhall has started to show his potential for the Tim Easterby stable and was successful at Haydock in August. He would keep on into a midfield finish at Ayr last time and he is expected to make headway at the death once again. Feel The Need has a good record at York and his latest win came at the Yorkshire track in June, but Michael Herrington's five year old has finished in the placings here in the past. The Sam England-trained Mr Mistoffelees is a regular runner at Newcastle and has finished in the frame on numerous occasions. He would weaken in the closing stages over ten furlongs in August and returned to a more suitable distance. 

Winner: ROGUE ENCORE (Kodiac x Encore L'Amore) - (#2) - PJ McDonald - P. Chapple-Hyam

The more experienced horses would return to the fray for the final two contests and this event would be reduced by one as the well fancied Zryan was made a non-runner earlier in the day. As expected from runners from the Charlie Johnston stable, Urban Sprawl was sent straight into the lead by Archie Young, but he would face competition for the lead in the opening stages. Course regular Mr Mistoffelees would pester the leader along with Isla Kai and Capital Guarantee as the slow starting Leadenhall and Signcastle City brought up the rear. 
The pace would be an average one as the pack stuck to the central to near side of the track. Mr Mistoffelees would pull his way into a narrow lead, engaging in a duel with Urban Sprawl. The race would begin to develop at the furlong pole as space became a premium for some. Those who raced further back in the order such as Sword and Stanage, were briefly checked in their run approaching the final furlong and lost ground for a few strides. Rogue Encore remained on the wide outside of the group and enjoyed a trouble free run under PJ McDonald, quickening up well when asked for an effort inside the final furlong. He go eye to eye with Urban Sprawl in the final fifty yards, but gained the upper hand to win by a neck crossing the line. Leadenhall would perform his usual act of staying on strongly at the death and taking third place. Feel The Need would also make good late headway under Billy Loughnane, never nearer than at the finish and returning in fourth.

The all-weather circuit can often produce course specialists and this has been the case for Peter Chapple-Hyam's Rogue Encore, who provided another win on the evening for the Newmarket trainers. The four year old took a while to gain his first win, but it came in November last year in a similar event over course and distance. It took him seven attempts to win, but he would quickly follow up a fortnight later over the same course and distance and race type.  This year has seen a stop/start theme as he reappeared in the Spring Mile at Doncaster but finished down the order. He take a good third at Yarmouth later in the summer, but the all-weather has been his speciality as he was denied by a short head back here in July. A quiet show on turf preceded this race, but he looked at home once again by winning for the third time at Newcastle as well as in his career. This course clearly plays to his strengths and it is highly likely that he will make the journey back to North East on more occasions during the autumn and winter months. 

Race Nine: The High Gosforth Park Golf Club Handicap - Class Two - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 10

The finale of the afternoon would be keep in line with the theme of quality and good prize money with the highest ranked race of the card, a class two contest over seven furlongs. It is unusual for the best race to close out the card, but this would be a case of well worth the wait for punters.

The lesser spotted six year old The Wizard Of Eye would make his return to action, this time debuting for the Tom Clover stable. The gelding has won at listed level in the past and even finished a close sixth in Group One company last summer. He would carry top weight here, but holds plenty of quality. Richard Fahey's Golden Mind was a very smart juvenile in 2023, but has started to recapture some of his best form of late. He would win over course and distance in a similar contest in August, but failed to get involved at Chester last time. Witch Hunter is a specialist over this trip for Richard Hannon and is another high class horse on his day. The former Group Two winner hasn't been at his best in recent starts, but could strike at any moment. Oliver Show has proven himself to be a bargain purchase by connections as George Boughey's four year old finished second in Bahrain and then the Lincoln Handicap earlier in the season and is a previous winner at Newcastle. David O'Meara's Akkadian Thunder is yet another previous winner at Newcastle in his earlier days and has shown a mixed bag of form on the turf recently. The five year old looked unlucky in running at Newbury on his latest start. Archie Watson's in form Grand Traverse showed the benefit of a year's absence to improve this season, winning two of his last five starts. After winning at Doncaster in June, he would follow up at Kempton recently before going down narrowly at the same venue last time out. John Gallagher's talented mare Havana Pusey finished a close up fourth in a Group Three here as recently as June and has held her form in good style. She would blow the start on her latest run at Doncaster earlier in the month and never featured. Streets Of Gold still hasn't won since his unbeaten juvenile season in 2022, but he has shown promise on occasions. Now trained by Julie Camacho, he ran his best race of the year when fourth over course and distance in June. Simon and Ed Crisford's Telemark looked a smart prospect for handicaps last year by winning at Doncaster, but that remains his last win to date. He looked better on his last two starts, over course and distance and then at Ascot when sixth in a big field. A runner for the "boys in blue" Godolphin operation would be Saeed bin Suroor's Movie Maker. The four year old grey has won twice at Newbury in the past, but struggled to be competitive when last seen in Meydan at the start of the year. Nikovo has been an improver since joining the Michael Herrington stable and has built up a good record at Newcastle. After winning twice during last winter, he would finish with a flourish over a mile last time out. James Fanshawe's four year old Heathcliff has raced solely on the all-weather during his career. The gelding has won here in the past but was outpaced over six furlongs on his latest start. Linda Perratt's multiple winner The Caltonian comes into his own during each winter at the course, as shown by winning for the fifth time at Newcastle on New Year's Day. The six year old has been quiet on the turf of late, but a return to this venue to spark life into him. Ed Dunlop's four year old Superposition belatedly landed a first win at the start of the year before adding a second not long after. His record on the all-weather is much better than on the turf but he went off too hard over a mile at Kempton last time out.

Winner: WITCH HUNTER (Siyouni x Sorciere) - (#3) - T. Cameron - R. Hannon

This classy contest would see the field reduced by two as the long absent Movie Maker and course regular The Caltonian were deemed non-runners, but the remaining ten have achieved plenty between themselves over the year.

As the sun began to set on the action, the closing event would get underway with a level break. As the horses found their stride, the well fancied Superposition appeared to stumble and his rider Jason Watson did an excellent job in staying onboard. The pair would recover though and settled into a prominent position behind the leader Golden Mind. Heathcliff raced with enthusiasm under Dan Muscutt, but used up plenty of energy by pulling his way into the lead after a furlong. Nikovo and Grand Traverse would sit just behind the leaders along with Havana Pusey. With the better quality of horse on display, the pace would be a decent one and the race had already surpassed the halfway stage. Heathcliff remained in the lead approaching the final furlong, but the challengers lined up behind him. Despite his shaky start, Superposition was in the firing line and as Heathcliff began to tread on water, Superposition took over in front. On the outside of the pack, Witch Hunter had made stealthy progress from the rear and was in the process of running one of his better races. The pair went head to head inside the final furlong with little between them. Superposition would dig deep under Jason Watson, but Witch Hunter had a little more under his sleeve and began to inch ahead as they approached the line. The well travelled six year old would cross the line three quarters of a length to the good over a valiant Superposition, who was arguably unlucky with his early race mishap. The Wizard Of Eye ran a bold race with top weight to take third on his comeback as Telemark flashed home inside the final furlong to take fourth, catching the eye in the process. 

It would be a case of "form is temporary, class is permanent" as the very smart Witch Hunter would win for the first time since August 2023. Richard Hannon's six year old gained notoriety for being a strong travelling sort in valuable handicaps over seven furlongs and often finishing in the frame. His first big moment came in 2023 at Royal Ascot where he would weave through rivals under Jamie Spencer and win the Buckingham Palace Handicap in dramatic style. Later that year, he would boost his reputation by winning the Group Two Hungerford Stakes at Newbury which remained his latest victory prior to this race. During 2024, he would be a regular in pattern company, finishing third in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury before taking second in the Hungerford Stakes at his beloved track. This year, the six year old has generally struggled for consistency, despite taking second in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton in March. Some heavy defeats would follow in strong handicaps, but he offered more when sixth over course and distance in August which was followed by another sixth place at Ascot last time out. A tricky horse to win with, but a high class one when it all falls together. With a well judged challenge from young rider Tyrese Cameron, it would be heartwarming for punters to see an old favourite return to winning ways for the first time in over two years.