The action on the turf began to enter its twilight stage as the big races that took place during the summer start to become distant memories. In contrast, the darker evenings and late night action signalled one thing, the return of all-weather racing. 
The sound of thundering hooves have been sporadic at Newcastle following their valuable Northumberland Plate meeting in July, but over the last few weeks, race meetings have quietly become more regular on the calendar. As the turf gets softer, the all-weather surface provides a much welcomed opportunity for horses to keep race fit and continue their education on track.

This late afternoon meeting would be a run of the mill event with plenty of low grade contests and featured nine races on a bumper racecard.

Race One: The Get Raceday Ready Handicap - Class Six - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 12

The action would get underway with a handicap for stayers over twelve furlongs.

The weights would be headed by Val Bassett, who was trained locally by Rebecca Menzies. The six year old has run some encouraging races since moving to the stable, including over hurdles recently. The small scale yard of David Thompson regularly have winners at Newcastle and would saddle Berry Edge in this contest. The six year old hasn't been at his best at Newcastle in the past, but was successful at Carlisle earlier in the year. The battenberg silks of Ursa Major Racing would be carried by Punxsutawney Phil, who is a useful dual purpose horse. His sole win on the flat came on the all-weather but finished fourth in a class two at Cheltenham over hurdles a few seasons ago. Adam Nichol's Moonfleet Moment remains lightly raced and made his debut for the stable. His four previous starts have seen little in terms of performance. The famous green and gold silks of owner JP McManus would be seen in this low key event by the Ben Haslam-trained Flying Scotsman. The seven year old isn't the force of old but has mixed hurdling with flat racing this year. Tristan Davidson's Laudable has been in great form of late with three wins in his last six starts. He would struggle on heavy ground so had the potential to regain his good run on a better surface. Next up would be the Jedd O'Keeffe-trained Something, who has yet to win a race yet, but ran his best race to date last time when staying on into second in a similar race last time.  The Newmarket-based yard of Sean Woods would send up his filly Nancy P, who landed her first win impressively at Lingfield at this level. Another runner from Newmarket would be Zenato for the Ed Dunlop stable. He would begin his career in Ireland and has only recently changed stables. This would be a dramatic rise in distance. Tina Jackson would run her stable star Jamih in this contest, but his record on the all-weather isn't as strong. The nine year old landed back to back wins on the turf earlier in the season. Blazer Two would run here for the Lucinda Russell stable and has been a modest stayer for the past few years. He would make a return to the all-weather last time when running over an inadequate trip. The field would be rounded out by the lowly rated Meridian Way, who clearly isn't one of the stars of the Charlie Johnston stable. The choicely bred colt has been well beaten in three maidens, but at least moved into handicaps at a low level.

Winner: 

Race Two: The Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 12

The feature race would see a class four contest for three year olds and older, over the middle distance of ten furlongs. In recent years, the race has been won by Newmarket trainers with the likes of Roger Varian, Ed Dunlop and most recently Simon and Ed Crisford all saddling the winner. Twelve months ago, the race went the way of Oh So Grand for the Crisfords who went on to win the Winter Oaks at Lingfield.

The weights would be carried by Bear Force One, who is now trained in the area by Michael Dods. The eight year old was once a talented handicapper over seven furlongs at Newbury, but this year has been a disappointing one. The Charlie Johnston runner Knockbrex ran in some nice races last year over middle distances following his first win, but he has raced just once in the entire year; all the way back in April at Ripon. The very lightly raced Lordsbridge Blu made appeal having raced just three times. The colt has improved with each run and got off the mark at Wolverhampton over a slightly shorter trip. Simon and Ed Crisford's Liseo was once renowned for finishing second or third for a long time but has now gained three victories on the all-weather. The five year old's consistency has dropped a little but clearly likes the surface. Another raider from Newmarket would be Ed Dunlop's No Surrender looked to be a nice prospect last year but has struggled in some stronger looking races this year. He would have a recent freshener run following a mid season break. Lucinda Russell would be represented by the three year old Johnny Ringo who is lightly raced and won his first race at this venue eleven months ago. He since returned to Gosforth Park and went narrowly close to winning again back in June. The Andrew Balding-trained Celtic Warrior also broke his maiden on the all-weather and has run in some useful handicaps on turf this year. He would make a return to the surface for first time since his win in April. Bravo Zulu won a decent maiden at Kempton last winter in stylish fashion for Dan and Claire Kubler, but he was then unable to back it up on the turf. He remained lightly raced and open to progress. Ben Brookhouse's African Spirit won by a wide margin here on debut before running well enough in a valuable sales race at York last year. Since then, he has been seen just three times and towards the rear in good handicaps on turf. A runner for the Mick and David Easterby yard would be Unplugged, who is a consistent type. His easy going style often sees him ridden by amateur riders, but this time Jo Mason would get the leg up on the three time winner. Richard Fahey would be represented by Up The Jazz, a steadily progressive three year old who rarely runs a bad race. His last venture on the all-weather would be last year where he finished down the field at Southwell. The final runner would be the Alice Haynes-trained Tasmanian Legend, who is a former winner at Newcastle. He was in useful form in the early months of this year, but has been a little quieter recently.

Winner: 

Race Three: The Download The Raceday Ready App Nursery Handicap - Class Six - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 12

The first of the races on the straight track would be this low level nursery handicap for juveniles who have yet to find their form.

The top weight would be given to Katie Scott's Falaise Blanc, who was sent off a big prices in his three runs to date but this contest would be easier for him. He hinted at ability on a previous run here when keeping on from the rear. Another handicap debutant would be Dolly's Delight, now trained by Julie Camacho. The filly has finished no better than midfield in her three starts, but looked one for the future. The Gemma Tutty yard has been rising in profile throughout the season and she saddled Rose Of New Jersey, who looked to be improving with each start but disappointed on all-weather debut here last time out. The Adrian Nicholls stable would be represented by General Gordon, who made his debut in the Brocklesby Stakes back in March, but has been beaten by big margins on his next two starts. A second runner for the Gemma Tutty stable would be Mister Sky Blue, who also made his all-weather debut. He would be yet another to complete the mandated three starts in novice company before entering handicaps. Richard Fahey tends to do well in nursery handicaps here and saddled Gold Black in this contest. The gelding has gone backwards since his debut fourth, but shaped with encouragement on his only all-weather start not too long ago. Hawaii Five O would also step into this company at a lowly level for the Harry Charlton stable. He would post a trio of no shows in novice company, but ran better into fourth in a similar contest on turf last time when well supported in the market. The Nick Bradley Racing-owned Fastnet Jenkins would try the all-weather surface for the first time for trainer Grant Tuer. Handicaps have been the plan with him following three fairly quick appearances in novice company recently. The Ed Dunlop stable landed a nursery at this venue a fortnight ago and were looking for the same with Born Too Run, who would need to show improvement on his form so far. The Craig Lidster stable would be represented by Cuban Lynx, who was another with little achieved in novice company, but ran moderately better last time in a similar contest. The Alice Haynes-trained Clipsham Noble has one of the better form lines in the race with a third at Chelmsford two starts ago and that would put her amongst the leading contenders. The final runner in this tricky contest would be the Charlie Johnston-trained Mystical Sky, who has a modest pedigree and has finished last in all three starts on turf. 

Winner: 

Race Four: The Download The Raceday Ready App Novice Stakes - Class Five - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 9

One of the more interesting races would be this class five novice for juveniles which saw some leading stables and owners represented. 

The only previous winner in the field would be Karl Burke's Qaasem, who has has plenty more experience than some of his rivals and won for the only time back in August. He has since run well in nursery handicaps at the Ebor and St Leger festivals. A second runner for the Ed Bethell stable would be the newcomer Arkleside. He would be a half brother to a very classy juvenile from the same stable a few years ago.  Julie Camacho's Golborne made his debut recently at Redcar, but was given an easy time on soft ground when returning in eighth. His family would include some high quality sprinters from years gone by. Another newcomer from a leading yard would be the Archie Watson-trained L'Karama. He would be a half brother to last year's Group Three winner Greenland. Nigel Tinkler's Precious Spartan was gelded before his debut and his recent racecourse bow would be a low key affair when he finished tenth of eleven. This could potentially be the first of many visits to Newcastle in the future. Royal Alliance would make a belated return to action for the George Boughey stable. The son of Persian King made his debut at Newmarket behind an exciting talent whilst looking green. He was gelded soon after and made his first start since mid-June.  Jedd O'Keeffe's Trojan Soldier made his debut in a similar contest over a mile just over a week ago and showed promise when sixth. He would be related to a winning hurdler. Another newcomer would come from the Crisfords yard in the form of War Hawk. He is from a speedy family which includes the talented Mitbaahy. The final runner would be the Marco Botti-trained Yuvraaj, an American bred colt who handled the surface well here on his debut where he finished third over a mile. 

Winner: 

Race Five: The Tips For Every Race At racedayready.com Handicap - Class Six - Six Furlongs - Runners: 12

The floodlights would illuminate the racecourse for this class six sprint handicap and it also saw plenty of familiar faces at Newcastle. 

The first of the 'older generation' in the race would be Richard Fahey's Absolute Dream, who is still going strong at the age of eight. His most recent success came at Southwell in March this year and after a summer break, he has been sighted on the turf twice recently as a freshener for a return to this surface. The Tina Jackson-trained Missmimi took a while to find form but has done so with vengeance recently with plenty of top four finishes. The filly has won twice since June and appears to be versatile with distance. Danny Brooke's Flavius Titus was a smart sort back in his prime, but is operating at a much lower level nowadays. The nine year old won twice in quick succession at the end of July, including here. Ballyare is a seven year old now and has gone well at this track in the past for Lucinda Russell. He would be another to make a return to Newcastle for the first time since the early months of this year. Both of Noble Captain's career wins have come at Newcastle and at this level. Katie Scott's runner also enjoyed a summer holiday before having a warm up on the turf recently. The Seb Spencer-trained Muddy Lynn's first run on the all-weather was a successful one last year but she then failed to progress. Following a long break, she ran with credit at Kempton recently and should be fitter now. The Phillip Makin-trained She'sashambles has been running fairly consistently in recent times and has some good performances at Newcastle. After winning for the first time at Thirsk, she would finish close up behind Missmimi over this course and distance. The grey Boom Boom Pow lined up here for the Mark Usher stable. She holds just the one win to date, but has finished second on numerous occasions. This would be a first trip to Newcastle. Ann Duffield's seven year old Quercus is a regular at this level on the turf, especially at Catterick. The five time winner has yet to finish better than fifth in his five starts on the all-weather, but lined up on the surface for the first time in a while. Rain Cap can be a frustrating horse to follow with plenty of placings in his career, but he has run well on a couple of occasions at Newcastle. John Riches' runner would have the assistance of young rider Rhys Elliott. Another grey in the field would be Hailey Ya Mal, who is bred to be good, but remains a maiden. Now trained by Antony Brittain, he has shown glimpses of form. The lineup would be completed by the Nigel Tinkler-trained Socialise, a three year old taking on his elders. His only win to date came at this venue back in January and he would return to the surface following a summer on the turf.

Winner: 

Race Six: The Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap (Div. One) - Class Five - One Mile - Runners: 10

The quality would rise only slightly for this well contested handicap over a mile which saw decent prize money up for grabs. Due to a healthy amount of entries, the race would split and the first half of the contest would appear to be the stronger.

The burden of top weight would fall on the Kevin Ryan-trained Shaladar, who still hasn't won since 2022 but has been finishing closer in a pair of amateur rider events at Ascot recently. A former inmate of the Kevin Ryan yard is The Cookstown Cafu, who seemingly lost his way in recent seasons and was moved to the David O'Meara stable. The move paid off as the five year old returned to winning ways here two starts ago. The Michael Dods-trained Prairie Falcon landed a nursery handicap at Glorious Goodwood two years ago and has yet to win since his juvenile days. He went very close here in March and has been going through the motions on turf recently. John and Sean Quinn's Power of Gold has been a frustrating type with just the solitary win to his name and the best he could manage this year was a second on the turf earlier in the season. The first of the three year olds would be Simon and Ed Crisford's gelding Cavalry Call, who got off the mark at the eighth attempt but had excuses for his latest poor run at Kempton. The second Newmarket based runner would carry the silks of Juddmonte at this lower level. Harry Charlton's well bred Inversion has raced just three times with a best finish of fourth. He would be making his all-weather and handicap debut in this contest. Petra Celera has a useful strike rate in her career so far and the Nick Bradley Racing-owned filly has been in good form recently. Her latest win came on the all-weather and she had previously gone close last year at this venue. Racing's TV celebrity Showtime Mahomes lined up for the Grant Tuer stable. With a handful of starts on the all-weather, his best result would be a third at this venue last year. He remained unexposed on the surface though. Another lightly raced sort would be George Boughey's Walson's Law, who showed little in novice company but found plenty of improvement here two weeks ago when collared on the line at this distance. Completing the lineup would be Katie Scott's Clasina, who has been doing her best work at the finish over seven furlongs and stepped up to a mile for the first time.

Winner: 

Race Seven: The Download The Raceday App Raceday Ready Handicap (Div. Two) - Class Five - One Mile - Runners: 9

Division two of the class five handicap would see a similar turnout over the straight mile and the prize would be well contested over. 

The five year old Parthenopaeus lined up here for the Richard Fahey stable and made a late start to his racing life. He would carry top weight having run well in novice races before appearing to need the run last time on his first start in six months. Another returnee would be the David Thompson-trained Cusack, who loves the place. At the start of the year, he was in top form and landed back to back wins but his return to Newcastle saw him run poorly. The three year old Commander Of Life made his stable debut for trainer Jessica Macey and seemingly enjoys this surface. He has been finishing in and around the placings recently and would make a first visit to Newcastle. The locally trained Roaring Ralph lined up here for the Michael Dods stable and his four wins have come on turf and all-weather equally. After winning at Southwell, his next two starts have been only modest. The interesting runner would represent the William Haggas yard. The gelding Bullet Point is bred to be much better than this level but has finished no better than fourth in his four career starts. Mick and David Easterby would saddle the long absent Yorkstone, who was in great form when last seen. The four year old has won three of his last five starts on the flat and was narrowly denied at Southwell last time out, albeit way back in January this year. The in form jockey Kaiya Fraser would partner Million Thanks, who is now with his third different trainer, Rebecca Menzies. The five year old won in nice style on seasonal comeback at Pontefract, but his form has dipped since then. Charlie Johnston would be another high profile stable involved here with three year old Swordplay, who is capable when in the mood but has been a little disappointing in recent starts. The final runner in the lineup would be Ravishing Beauty for the Jedd O'Keeffe yard. The filly is bred to be useful but didn't last long in Newmarket and her two starts for the yard in handicaps have yet to inspire. 

Winner: 

Race Eight: The Free Digital Racecard At racedayready.com Handicap (Div. Two) - Class Six - One Mile - Runners: 12

The racing would remain at the mile starting point for this class six contest which saw more previous visitors return to Newcastle once more. 

The long absent Point Louise has been campaigned in the amateur riders' scene joining the Mick and David Easterby yard, but ran well when second over a longer trip here last year. The six year old would making her first start since August 2023. A veteran of the Roger Fell yard is the seven year old End Zone, who is a regular in these sort of races and last won in August last year. His latest run would be a sign that he could be returning to form. The lightly raced three year old Jujubella had more time on her side than others as she made her debut for the Lucinda Russell stable. She has produced low key performances in her four starts to date. Another well travelled sort in the race would be Nigel Tinkler's Whatwouldyouknow, who did well here last winter and his latest came just under a year ago. Yet another golden oldie would be Mr Strutter for the locally based David Thompson yard. The ten year old had been kept on the go on turf this summer and made a return to Newcastle over a trip that was a shade too far last time out. Michael Dods's Masterpainter has just the one win to his name but ran well on two occasions here at the start of the year. His latest fourth at the track bodes well for a good winter campaign here. A second runner in the race for the Lucinda Russell stable would be Our Noble Lord, who has achieved little to date with the exception of a third at Ayr two starts ago. He still needed to prove the result wasn't a fluke. A popular figure at Newcastle would line up again, in the form of David Thompson's Where's The Crumpet. The six year old regularly runs well at this venue, having won here back in March. Another well named horse in the lineup would be Mr Heinz, who has won twice at this course; most recently in September. He is gradually developing into a course specialist. Pop Favourite would travel to Newcastle for the Southwell based stable of Scott Dixon. The six year old's most recent win came here in January and has been finishing strongly in his last two starts. The lowly rated Curious Mrs Fox has shown glimpses of potential when finishing second and third on the turf, but remains winless. John Davies's filly has run over varying distances here recently. The line up would be completed by the similarly rated Gregorianna for the Julie Camacho stable. She ran her best race here in June when third at huge odds, but her progress has stalled again since moving up in distance. 

Winner: 

Race Eight: The Get The Inside Track With racedayready.com Handicap - Class Six - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 10

The ninth and final race would continue the theme of the night with a competitive but low quality handicap over the straight seven furlongs.

Top weight would be carried by the John Davies-trained Garifullina, who has been in useful form recently. The four year old filly has shown improvement at this level to win twice on the turf before finishing second on her latest start. This would be a return to the all-weather for the first time this year. Julie Camacho's Korroor was noted making good late headway in a similar contest here two weeks ago and was looking to build on that promise. His only win came at a similar level over course and distance last year. Drakeholes clearly enjoys it at Newcastle as all three of his wins have come at this venue. After winning here at the start of the year, Alison Hamilton's runner was successful once again last time out. Ann Duffield's Front Gunner shown a small amount of potential in his novice races last winter where he finished third at Newcastle. Since then, he has raced over a range of trips and wasn't beaten far on his latest run back on the all-weather. The three year old Dandy Lichious won a modest claiming race at Dundalk in March this year before transferring to the Tristan Davidson yard. She would be interesting on her first start on the all-weather in this country. One of the most in form runners would be Antony Brittain's Yaa Hobby, who arrives here in search of a hat trick of wins. The five year old has defied slow starts to win his last two races at this venue and was hoping to repeat the feat. Nigel Tinkler's Barossa landed a small race here during the summer and had previously shown form to suggest he will do well at Newcastle like so many of his stablemates. He would be caught close home by Yaa Hobby two starts ago and weakened out of the frame behind Drakeholes last time. The Katie Scott-trained Concert Boy was another victim of Yaa Hobby's last gasp antics when beaten narrowly by him last time out. His only win came at Newcastle and he has been running fairly well throughout the year. The Sam England stable would be represented by No Saint, ridden by Billy Loughnane. Some of the better runs from the four year old have come on the all-weather and he would be hampered last time out when fourth. The final horse on the card would be the ten year old veteran Mr Coco Bean, who was lucky to escape a nasty fall here earlier in the season and has been caught in traffic in his latest starts. 

Winner: