The busy schedule at Gosforth Park continued as the Newcastle venue hosted the second of three meetings within the space of a week with this low key flat meeting which saw plenty of good sized fields and a very interesting novice event.

Race One: The Build Your Acca With BetMGM Handicap - Class Five - 1 Mile, 4 Furlongs - Runners: 7

The longest race of the evening would be this low grade, long distance handicap which saw some in form runners and plenty of Newcastle regulars in the line up. 

The Malton based Ready To Shine has run below her absolute best in recent starts for Julie Camacho and was ridden by Ryan Sexton and be berthed with top weight. Captain Square remained a maiden on the flat but managed to win twice over hurdles in 2022. His recent stable debut for Mick Appleby came on the back of an eighteen month absence so was unsurprisingly rusty on the track. The Phil Kirby-trained Polar Princess has run well recently by finishing on the podium on her last four starts. David O'Meara's Churchella won a similar race here last September and in the process won for the first time. She won again since and confirmed her wellbeing with a second last time out. Easter Island showed improvement for the short distance move across Malton from Julie Camacho to Brian Ellison's yard when finishing second here on her penultimate start. Jim Goldie's Bobby Shaftoe is a four time winner at Newcastle and has run well over a range of trips this winter. Rose Light hadn't spent long with the Gemma Tutty yard and finally gained a first win at the thirteenth attempt on her most recent start. 

Winner: POLAR PRINCESS (#3) - Ulysses x Ice Palace - H. Doyle - P. Kirby

The already small field was reduced by one following the morning withdrawal of Rock N Roll Pinkie, but the race produced a well run contest and good finish. As the runners left the stalls with the stands behind them, Ready To Shine took up an early lead under Ryan Sexton and raced with a two length advantage in the opening stages. In behind, Captain Square kept the leader in his sights while the remaining quintet raced in a bunch at the rear. Easter Island raced a shade keenly and the favourite Polar Princess was trapped on the outside of the pack with no cover. Just like most Newcastle races, there was little change in the order until the home straight where the race complexion changed. Ready To Shine quickly retreated back through the field as Captain Square took over in front. Despite the awkward early position, Polar Princess moved stylishly under Holly Doyle and became the new leader in the final furlong. She burned off the attention of Captain Square and Churchella and despite a strong finish from Bobby Shaftoe from the rear, it would be a deserved win for Polar Princess. Captain Square held on for third ahead of the staying on Easter Island. 

It would be a first career win for the four year old filly who is a well bred sort by Cheveley Park Stud. A half sister to the listed winner Queen Of Ice, she was always expected to improve over this twelve furlong trip. Beginning her career with John and Thady Gosden, she moved north to Phil Kirby's stable where she has run well this year. After two thirds and two seconds in a row, she finally got her nose in front and has the potential to rank higher with the newfound confidence. 

Race Two: The Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Apprentice Handicap - Class Six - 7 Furlongs - Runners: 9

A competitive event for this grade saw a closely knit group of runners and some promising riders of the future who continue to show off their talents in the saddle.

There would be a quick return for a pair of winners from the weekend's meeting here.  Possible Ambition landed the honours of becoming the first winner for the new training combination of Sean and John Quinn. Another former course winner added to his Newcastle tally three days ago as Pallas Lord was striking while the iron was hot for Donald Whillans. Next up would be Bernie The Bear, who represented the in form Linda Perratt stable. The four year old had the assistance of rising star Tommie Jakes in the saddle. Fircombe Hall has won his fair share of races on the all-weather including at Newcastle previously and raced for the Phil Kirby yard. The Roger Fell and Sean Murray-trained Marie's Jewel remains winless but very lightly raced as four year old. The locally trained Martin's Brig is a three time winner in the past but has run his best races at Newcastle recently, including when beaten a neck last time out. The Michael Herrington-trained Kodebreaker hasn't won for nearly a year, but finished on the scene in most of his races since then. The Craig Lidster stable sent up Kananga, who showed a little more encouragement on his last start. The Jason Ward-trained Cammy was another to race on the previous Saturday, but has been slow to recapture his form following a two year absence.
Winner: PALLAS LORD (#2) - Dandy Man x Nutshell - A. Young - D. Whillans 

The betting market focussed mainly on the recent runners as Pallas Lord, Possible Ambition and Bernie The Bear were all well supported. Punters would experience mixed emotions in the opening stages as Possible Ambition broke well and led the field early on while Pallas Lord left his gate a touch slower than the others. Archie Young quickly hustled his mount back through the field and settled in second place. Bernie The Bear brought up the rear of a well bunched pack. Entering the final stages, the first five began to create a gap to the others struggling behind. Possible Ambition was swamped by his rivals but fought doggedly as Pallas Lord got first run. From slightly further back, the red silks of Marie's Jewel flew home down the stands side rail. Martin's Brig could get no closer than the hind quarters of Pallas Lord and the Donald Whillans-trained six year old held on to score his second win in the space of three days. It would be a good tactical ride by the youthful rider Archie Young, who has continued to improve and impress over the past year. 

Race Three: The Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Maiden Stakes - Class Four - 7 Furlongs - Runners: 12

The most interesting race on the card would be a maiden race for older horses as some high quality pedigrees were on display. Newcastle often has a habit of unveiling a future star such as former course winners Enable, Stradivarius and Mostahdaf have proven, and this Tuesday evening race could be one for then notebook.

The main attention would be drawn to the Roger Varian-trained newcomer My Cloud. The three-year-old colt by Blue Point is a half brother to the outstanding Palace Pier, who was one of the best horses over a mile in recent years. Coramento represented the small yard of Ray Craggs and had been well beaten on both his starts. A similar remark applied to Julie Camacho's Court Of Roseann who also had a lot of improvement to find. Diamond Annie made her first start for the Dominic Ffrench Davis stable after failing to show much on her debut. Diligent Henry made his debut at Southwell last month and proved tricky at the stalls and during the race. Ideal Dragon has run twice at this venue in the space of a month and was outclassed in some good looking novice races. Welcome Dream has plenty of experience and ran in a few good races last year for Kevin Ryan. The newly gelded runner was a contender on previous form. The Ontoawinner syndicate ran two of their horses in this maiden. Quiet Resolve had the better form in the book with a pair of third places either side of New Year's Day and would be joined by Julie Camacho's Manhattan Sunday who finished towards the rear on his debut in November. The Camacho stable would saddle a third runner in the form of Mayo County who comes from a family the stable know well, but had managed two midfield starts to date. John and Sean Quinn ran Notion In Motion, whose two races have come in quick succession. The twelve strong field was completed by the Brian Ellison-trained Nobodys Girl, who looked to be a longer term prospect. 
Winner: QUIET RESOLVE (#7) - Showcasing x Stylish Design - J. Garritty - R. Fahey 
My Cloud was heavily supported in the morning betting which was unsurprising given his connections and 325,000 euro price tag. He would be sent off odds on favourite in what looked to be a three horse race on paper. Welcome Dream was sent to post ahead of the rest before the race and during the race he was led the group back home. The early pace was only average and plenty of runners behind him raced keenly. My Cloud settled into a good rhythm on his debut and moved into contention at the furlong pole. Taking the lead under Jack Mitchell, My Cloud looked set to float away but Quiet Resolve made his move at the same time. Entering the final stages, the pair of three-year-olds battled it out with experience gaining the upper hand over reputation as Quiet Resolve landed his first win by a neck. Welcome Dream settled for third while Mayo County did best of the rest in fourth.

Quiet Resolve would break his duck at the third attempt having finished third on both starts previously. He was noticed finishing strongly over six furlongs and this win was his first try at seven furlongs. A son of top sprinter Showcasing, Quiet Resolve is also a distant relative to plenty of talented sorts, including classy dual purpose horse Solent. Quiet Resolve showed a good attitude and put his head down in battle. Plenty of winners should emerge from this race in the future, so the likes of My Cloud and Welcome Dream are still worth following. 

Race Four: The Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap - Class Five - 7 Furlongs - Runners: 12
The action returned to the straight course with another ordinary looking handicap which looked wide open on paper. Some runners arrived at the top of their game while others have threatened to win in recent starts.

Gemma Tutty's Enola Grey has formed a good alliance with young jockey Ethan Jones and the pair won twice together before the end of 2023. The filly ran has run well in defeat since those wins. Archie Watson's four year old Elusive Empire made his debut less than a year ago and went close twice. He relied on the services of Hollie Doyle. Mick Appleby's sole runner in the field would be Razzam, who won on stable debut last year and has run with credit recently. Tim Easterby's Leap Day has turned a corner this winter and won for the first time in December. He has run in some competitive races on the all-weather. Flylikeaneagle represented the dual purpose yard of Lucinda Russell and ran a great race when second here in November. He has yet to run to that level since in two starts. The very consistent Cusack has finished lower than third only two times since September and was rewarded for his good form with a third win of the winter here last time out. The long absent Bora Bora made his return to action for the John Butler yard, his fourth trainer in a light career. The grey Novak is a talented sort for the Ian Jardine stable and has remained largely consistent recently. Michael Herrington's formerly smart Alexander James has a patchy look to his form and needs the cards to fall right to run well. Grey Force One is a former course winner but his two wins have come unexpectedly at odds of 50-1 on both occasions. The nine year old Global Spirit is a veteran of almost seventy races but has been in good form ever since the middle of last year. Micky Hammond's Arranmore is a talented sort and ran well when second here last month but is another who struggles to put two good runs together. Another Iain Jardine representative would be Kats Bob who has enjoyed a profitable winter but was unlucky on his latest start. 

Winner: CUSACK (#6) - Heeraat x Vera Richardson - J. Peate - D. Thompson 

The outcome of the race would be determined early as those positioned near the early leader would be in the prime spot at the finish. From the moment the gates opened, there would be a small drama. Jason Hart onboard Flylikeaneagle struggled to remove the blindfold on the gelding as it became stuck in the bridle. The blindfold eventually came off but the pair lost many lengths at the start. At the head of the field, the returning Bora Bora was fresh and raced keenly under Luke Morris. He would be joined in front by Leap Day with Cusack not far behind. Another recent winner Enola Grey was another to be slowly away from the stalls. Entering the business end of the race, it would simmer down to Cusack and Leap Day in the final furlong. The pair eyeballed each other as they pulled away from Razzam in third. It would be a case of heads up, heads down and crossing the line, Cusack's nose stretched ahead to score again. 
The six year old gelding has found a rich vein of form this winter and has improved rapidly. Every single start since September has been at Gosforth Park, so he knows where the finish line is. Arriving on the back of a win last time out, Cusack followed up in determined style under Jonny Peate and continued his impressive record of finishing in the top four on all bar one start since September. There will be undoubtedly more opportunities at Newcastle in the weeks to come with a strong likelihood of more success.  

Race Five: The Find More Big Deals With BetUK Handicap - Class Four - 6 Furlongs - Runners: 12

The most valuable race on the card would be this £12,500 handicap for sprinters which featured a competitive lineup and plenty of chances. 

Shobiz won at a higher level twice for Charlie Hills in the past and has joined the Roger Fell and Sean Murray yard during the winter. The six year old had the potential to improve from his comeback run in January. Tyke won for the third time in 2023 just before New Year's Eve and the four year old trained by Mick Appleby made a quick return to action after running four days ago. James Fanshawe's Master Dandy had the most eye-catching profile with just three career starts. He was a winner over course and distance in November and had excuses when second on his last start. Illusionist is a former class two winner for Grant Tuer and has run well in defeat over a variety of distances in recent months. Dark Side Thunder has served his trainer Jess Macey well with six wins on the all-weather in his career. He posted another good effort when a close third recently. Hallowed Time has seen plenty of racing and is a former winner in France. He represented Mark Loughnane with his son Billy in the saddle. Paul Midgley's Grant Wood confirmed the promise of his all weather debut by winning next time on his most recent start and was unexposed on this surface. Mark Walford's El Montejean defeated some smart older horses on his last start at Pontefract, but that was back in August and he had an absence to overcome. Sir Maxi was beaten by El Montejean the last time they faced against each other, but Richard Fahey's six year old has been in good form since then. Iain Jardine's Sibyll Charm has done well in recent starts by finishing second or first in his last four races and would arrive here in good spirits. Secret Road won here back in November and has since confirmed that the one poor run was a blip on the formbook since he switched to the all-weather surface. 

Winner: GRANT WOOD (#7) - Caravaggio x Azagba - J. Hart - P. Midgley
With plenty of natural front runners, there would be a decent pace in the early stages and that transpired as the gates opened. The only one to lose ground would be Shobiz who was steadily away from his stall. El Montejean cut out the running on his first start for over three months with the likes of Grant Wood, Tyke, Dark Side Thunder and Kat's Bob not far away. As the group entered the final furlong, the early leaders began to back pedal. Grant Wood took over as lead grey and burst clear under Jason Hart. From the rear, Sibyl Charm and Illusionist finished strongly but the improving four year old Grant Wood had already sailed clear. 

The grey son of Caravaggio has improved nicely since switching from Johnny Murtagh's yard in Ireland to Eric Alston's stable and now with Paul Midgley. Retaining a lightly raced profile on turf in Britain, Grant Wood has improved further on the artificial surfaces. After winning at Southwell in mid January, Grant Wood followed up with a smart performance and may not be finished with just yet. 

Race Six: The Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap - Class Five - 5 Furlongs - Runners: 9

An interesting handicap would be next for three-year-olds only over the sprint distance of five furlongs. All the runners looked closely matched on paper with varying profiles and some big name stables represented. 

Buzz Box made a perfect start to life with his new trainer Bryan Smart when dead-heating for the win in a novice here in January. Newmarket trainer Archie Watson sent the well-bred The Liegeman on the long trip to Newcastle and the gelding has held his form well recently. His Newmarket neighbour George Boughey relied on Better, who was a very easy winner last time out on his first start in a handicap. The Karl Burke-trained Graceful Mary has squeezed in plenty of racing since making her debut in November but has yet to add to the solitary win. Lucinda Russell's Moyola has more experience than his rivals and won as recently as October, but he would need to improve on recent form to be a contender. Tim Easterby's Soul Singer has yet to find the right notes on track and looked limited so far. Havana Prince showed some talent at the start of the season last year and eventually won for the first time here in September. He would run for the newly formed training partnership of Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood. Adrian Nicholls' Tees Douge has placed twice in minor company but generally hasn't looked up to this level so far. Pinpoint won for Richard Hannon last year before placing on a few other runs. He joined the Ewan Whillans yard over the winter and posted an eyecatching run last time out. 
Winner: MOYOLA (#5) - Adaay x Nellie Ellis - R. Sexton - L. Russell 

From an early stage, Pinpoint was keen to make the running under Jason Hart and he formed the head of an arrow formation as the chasing group followed closely. A few took their time to find their stride from the stalls such as Graceful Mary, Havana Prince and Moyola. As the runaway leader began to weaken, those at the rear of the pack suddenly found themselves in contention. Tees Douge travelled powerfully into contention and challenged for the lead in the final furlong along with Better and Buzz Box on the wide outside. It looked set for another Newcastle win for Buzz Box, but from the clouds Moyola's challenge was late and fast. Moyola would land the race close home under Ryan Sexton in a bunched finish for the first four. 

It would be a second win of the winter for Lucinda Russell's gelding after scoring at Newcastle last October. His form began to level off since then but he had run over six furlongs before this race. Dropping down in trip, Moyola saw the distance out strongly and landed this useful handicap in good style. 

Race Seven: The Build Your Acca With BetUK Classified Stakes - Class Six - 6 Furlongs - Runners: 12

The evening would finish with a basement level race, but despite its class six status, there would be plenty of contenders in the lineup.

Mick Appleby's Fantasy Navigator won for the first time in over a year when justifying favouritism in a similar event here last week. Alan Brown's Blackcurrent was narrowly denied at the start of January and arrived here on the back of a trio of fourth placings, including behind Fantasy Navigator last time out. Butterfly Island remains a maiden after twenty five starts, but the Liam Bailey-trained mare has been placed on occasions. Cubanista has posted some good runs recently for Olly Williams and came with a winning run last time before getting collared close home by Fantasy Navigator last time out. The veteran Dandy's Gold retains his love for racing and has gone through the motions recently after winning back in November. Jim Goldie's Global Humour is another well travelled sort who completed a double of wins last summer. He has since just missed out on the podium places this winter. Kittybrewster appears happier on the all-weather and produced her best effort in recent starts when a close fourth in October. The eleven year old Muatadel is fast approaching a tonne of races in his career so would be looking for an overdue win for trainer John Wainwright. Katie Scott's Noble Captain showed plenty of guts to fend off Blackcurrent and win for the first time back in January and has since run well in defeat. The second string for the Liam Bailey yard would be Quanah, who was out of form and hadn't raced since September. Royal Mariner is another who has struggled to win in a long while and managed no better than midfield finishes recently.

Winner: GLOBAL HUMOR (#7) - Distorted Humor x In Bloom - J. Mason - J. Goldie

With plenty of in form runners and last time out winners in the line up, this classified stakes looked strong for the grade. The well supported Blackcurrant cut out the running at a rate of knots. The chasing pack were headed by Royal Mariner and Kittybrewster, but many bided their time. From the rear, Global Humor emerged from the crowd to bolt clear in the final furlong under Jo Mason. Dandy's Gold had to sit and suffer in traffic but once the door opened, he flashed home but did too much too late. Back in third would be Noble Captain for his pleased owners.

The nine year old Global Humor is a quirky sort and does things his own way which was proven by going to post early. Despite having a slow start, he travelled powerfully throughout the race and picked up when asked. Winning for the eleventh time in his career, the Jim Goldie-trained gelding was winning for the first time since a brace at Ayr last summer. His running style can leave him vulnerable to fate, but as he showed here, he is very good when the cards fall right.