As the calendar flipped over another month, October began with more all-weather action at Newcastle as the winter series began to warm up. A nine race card would be on offer for punters during the closing hours of the day and a pair of class four handicaps would feature prominently. An interesting maiden race which involved plenty of leading yards would be worth keeping an eye on as well. This would be a new addition to Newcastle's fixture list as the meeting had previously taken place at Southwell. 

Race One: The Download The Raceday Ready App Nursery Handicap - Class Six - 2-Y-O Only - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 11

The twilight racing action would get underway with a low grade nursery handicap over a trip that is fairly rare for juveniles, ten furlongs. The test of stamina for the youngsters will be suited better to those with stout pedigrees and others who are expected to progress with age and distance.

Top weight would belong to the Tim Easterby-trained Bebside, who has progressed gradually with each start and one of his best results came here over seven furlongs in June when a close third. This would be the furthest trip he has been over so far. The Newmarket-based stable of Simon Pearce would send up their recent winner Gretna Dreams, who improved for the step up to nine furlongs and was involved in a dramatic finish at Wolverhampton where she forced a dead-heat for the win. Having suffered interference, she was then awarded the race outright in the stewards' room. Middleham's Charlie Johnston would saddle Corpus Juris, who has run five times already this season, but is getting closer with each run. Following a gelding operation, the son of Masar came home in third a fortnight ago at Wolverhampton in a similar contest. High profile trainer Ed Dunlop would also send up a runner for this race from Newmarket, in the form of Moonlit Stage. The gelding showed minor promise in his initial starts, but went close at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago on his nursery debut so looked open to progress at this level. The Kevin Ryan stable often produce successful raids at Newcastle and would be represented by Hickton. The gelding showed plenty of promise on his debut back in May, but has gone backwards quickly in all starts since, including at this course last time. The second recent winner in the line up would be the Craig Lidster-trained Force Of Honour, who was slow to get the hang of things but has started to click in recent starts. After bumping into a subsequent winner here two starts ago, the gelding got off the mark at Redcar last week in nice style. Another leading stable from Yorkshire would be represented as John and Sean Quinn's Capricorn King took his place in the lineup. The lightly raced and nicely bred gelding made his all-weather debut on the back of a good effort at Redcar last week. Next up would be a pair of runners for the Ollie Pears yard. The first would be Owt For Nowt, who was making his seventh career start. He would be another to shape with promise on the all-weather following a decent third last time over a mile. His stablemate Newton Lass has been well held in her four starts, but finished a place behind Owt For Nowt a few weeks ago at this venue. The final two runners have both achieved little of not so far, but their hopes would be pinned on improving for this new distance. The filly Sun Petal is bred to be talented, but has failed to live up to her breeding so far. Previously trained by Charlie Johnston, she has yet to feature in six starts but ran a better race last time when a close up fifth at Musselburgh. She would make her debut for the Simon West yard here. Lastly, a second runner for the Richard Fahey would be Dark Rainbow. There would be a glimmer of promise on her first attempt on the all-weather, so she could be better suited to this surface.

Winner: MOONLIT STAGE (#5) (Showcasing x Lunearia) - D. Tudhope - E. Dunlop

As the daylight hours drew towards its end, the action at Newcastle was only just beginning. This useful looking nursery handicap brought about plenty of unknowns in terms of stamina, but produced an exciting finish to warm up the crowd for the evening.

The early gallop would be no more than a steady canter down the back straight and through the first few furlongs and a large number of the runners raced keenly. The overall leader would be Sun Petal, who pulled hard under young apprentice Rhys Elliott while a similar story could be said about those racing prominently, Force Of Honour, Gretna Dreams and Moonlit Stage. The likes of Capricorn King, Hickton and Dark Rainbow would all watch on from the rear, but were all still within touching distance of the pace setters.

As the field rounded the home bend, the pace began to lift slightly. Sun Petal would still hold a narrow advantage, but the Tim Easterby-trained Bebside moved forward to challenge halfway down the straight. The pack remained in the central strip of the course and the race would begin in earnest. Force Of Honour loomed large on the back of last week's win and looked set to double his tally, but he was joined by the well supported favourite Moonlit Stage. As the new leader Bebside kicked on, Moonlit Stage would be the only one to go with him. The pair would eyeball each other inside the final furlong and began to pull a big gap back to Force Of Honour back in third. Under a strong drive from Danny Tudhope, Moonlit Stage began to win the argument with Bebside and edged in front crossing the line to record his first win. Bebside produced his best run to date on his first try at this distance while the sizable Force Of Honour was another five lengths back in third, just holding off Gretna Dreams.

It would be a winner for Newmarket as Ed Dunlop's string would enjoy a good trip north to Gosforth Park. The son of Showcasing has a healthy mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree which was backed up by his previous starts coming over six furlongs, seven furlongs and a mile. Moonlit Stage would return home in fourth on his first two starts, but was still beaten over fifteen lengths on both occasions. His third and final start in novice company would see him finish midfield in a race won by the very classy Bay City Roller. Switching to handicaps brought about improvement. Having undergone a gelding operation, Moonlit Stage showed plenty of determination to overcome an uncompromising position and stay on into second over nine furlongs at Wolverhampton. Arriving at Newcastle over a furlong further, Moonlit Stage showed heart to win for the first time and he should pay his way at this sort of level in the coming years. 

Race Two: The Get The Inside Track With Raceday-Ready.co.uk Handicap - Class Five - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 9

Next up would be the turn of the older horses with this class five handicap, staying at the distance of ten furlongs. The field would be a competitive one with just ten pounds separating the runners. 

Top weight would be carried by Natzor, who represented the David O'Meara stable. The four year old has a decent record at the venue and won a similar race over course and distance back in May. Next up would be Richard Fahey's Craven, who was running on the all-weather for just the third time in his career. The four year old narrowly landed a better quality race at York in July, but has struggled since. This would also be a first start at further than a mile so his stamina needed to be proven. The sole runner from the Charlie Johnston stable would be Alpen Power. The gelding went close on his previous visit to Newcastle when second in May, but has since won again at Kempton over twelve furlongs two starts ago. Star Zinc is another to have won at Newcastle in the past, but Rebecca Menzies's gelding has shown quirks recently. After returning from a summer break recently, he has been slow to start and even refused to race last time out. The Fionn McSharry-trained Sol Cayo was a decent prospect for previous connections, but has been seen sporadically since. The four year old would get stuck in the mud at York last time out and had the potential to do better. Ed Dunlop's Royal Dream has been largely consistent at this level on all surfaces this year and was last successful in March. He produced another solid run last time when second at Kempton a fortnight ago. The Tim Easterby yard would be represented by Highwaygrey, who has been a likable sort in recent seasons. The eight year old won over course and distance on his final start of last season, but has continued to make his owners proud this year. The four year old Eagle Eye Tom is now with the third trainer of his short career, Mark Loughnane, but hasn't spent long with his new connections. Following a third at Nottingham on stable debut, he would be disappointing at Newbury last time out and switched back to the all-weather. Alan Brown's Princess Niyla enjoyed a small burst of form during the summer as she won at Beverley in July. She has since struggled in a slightly better grade recently.

Winner: NATZOR (#1) (Almanzor x Natty) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara 

Iain Jardine's Midnight Lion would be the only non runner in the field as he raced at Musselburgh the day before. The field would be reduced even further when as the gates opened to start the race, Star Zinc had other ideas. The gelding planted himself at the start and took no part, reproducing the antics of his previous race.

The now eight strong field would be in no rush through the early stages and the early pace would be a steady one. The reluctant leader would be the mare Princess Niyla as Royal Dream raced alongside her, racing keenly. The favourite Natzor would race in third, just ahead of Sol Cayo, Eagle Eye Tom and Alpen Power as the slow starting Highwaygrey and Craven raced at the back of the pack. Just like the previous race, the jockeys opted to race down the center of the track as the field rounded the home bend. As the pace began to rise, Princess Niyla suddenly looked vulnerable as Royal Dream moved up to dispute the lead. Natzor would be another to be ideally placed and suddenly the race whittled down to two contenders once again. Natzor and Royal Dream began to move clear of their rivals but the favourite Natzor was clearly gaining the upper hand. From further back in the field, Sol Cayo finished with a flourish but the race had already been sealed for the four year old Natzor, who crossed the line a length and a half to the good. Sol Cayo would produce his best run for a while in second while Royal Dream's keen going tendency in the early stages cost him at the finish as he returned in third. Fourth would go to the Charlie Johnston-trained Alpen Power, who was never nearer than midfield. 

It would be a quickfire double for leading Northern rider Danny Tudhope, who rides very well at Newcastle. It would be a milestone ticked off with Tudhope's 100th winner this season. The winning four year old gelding Natzor has built up a liking for Newcastle with a handful of placings and his first career win came at this venue back in April. Given his connections, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Natzor return to Newcastle plenty of times over the winter with a host of options at this level in the coming months.

Race Three: The Arc Weekend On Sky Sports Racing Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 7

The next race would be the strongest of the evening in terms of quality and this class four contest would attract a useful field for the prize money. 

The Godolphin silks would make an appearance in this race, carried by the top weight Big Team for the Saeed bin Suroor stable. Now a seven year old, he still has relatively few miles on the clock but seems to enjoy the warmer climes of Dubai, where he was once placed in a listed race.  A relatively unknown quantity would be the former French based runner Haptics, who is now trained by David O'Meara. The four year old won a couple of minor races in his home land, but was below par on British debut. However, he would be the type is trainer finds the key to relatively quickly. The Sean Woods stable would be represented by Appier, a five year old who has rarely run a bad race this year. The previous course and distance winner has been in and around the frame in recent starts. Saratoga Gold rattled in a hat trick during the summer of 2022 and landed a nice prize at Kempton last year before joining the Kevin Frost yard. He has finished closer with each start for the yard and his form suggested he was ready to strike back on the all-weather. The Kevin Ryan-trained Thundering has a very inconsistent profile but he is talented when on song as shown at Ayr last year. He produced a good run over course and distance on his latest start in July. The very lightly raced Machete Beach would be totally unexposed in this contest for the Roger Charlton stable. The three year old won on his first two starts before finishing second on handicap debut last time. Ed Dunlop's Damascus Steel has more placings than wins, but his recent form has been patchy. He would be successful at Kempton two starts ago, but was outclassed in a Racing League contest at the end of August.

Winner: DAMASCUS STEEL (#7) (Mastercraftsman x Shanjia) - PJ McDonald - E. Dunlop

The field would be reduced by one as Richard Fahey's veteran Furzig raced at his beloved Catterick just twenty four hours earlier.

The theme of steadily run races would continue in the longest contest of the evening. The short priced favourite Machete Beach would cut out the early running under Callum Rodriguez, but at a sedate gallop. He would be joined by the Godolphin runner Big Team, Saratoga Gold and the former French-trained Haptics. In a tightly grouped pack, Thundering and Damascus Steel would watch on from the rear. There would be little change in the order throughout the contest as the runners made their way around the Newcastle circuit. Halfway down the home straight, the race began to unravel. The consistent Appier made a move forward to challenge for the lead, but the eye would be drawn to the far side where the pale silks of Thundering and Tom Eaves were motionless as the leader Machete Beach came under pressure. Big Team and Haptics would be first two horses to be beaten off as the grey Damascus Steel cut through the pack. As it looked set to be Thundering's day in the sun, the blinkered Damascus Steel would be last to challenge and began to pull clear under PJ McDonald. The pair would land the feature race by a comfortable half length and provide a second winner for the Ed Dunlop stable. Thundering had to settle for second while Appier continued to hold his form in third, ahead of the plugging on Saratoga Gold in fourth.

It would be a shock result for punters as the outsider of the field would be successful at 25-1. The four year old entered the race with a decent record on the all-weather and was arguably overpriced. This season alone, the son of Mastercraftsman had won twice at Kempton earlier in the year with a pair of placings on the artificial surfaces also on his resume. With proven form over two miles in the past, the test of stamina suited the grey down to a T and he returned to winning ways after a low key effort last time out at Southwell in a competitive Racing League race last month.

 Race Four: The Tips For Every Race At Raceday-Ready.com EBF Maiden Stakes - 2-y-o Only - Class Five - One Mile - Runners: 11

The most intriguing contest of the evening would be this juvenile maiden contest over a mile which had the potential to unveil a future star. Races of these type towards the latter end of the year are a good starting point for horses who are bred for middle distances and others who were expensive purchases. Newcastle's all-weather surface profits respite from the likely soft ground on turf which sees leading stables represented. The Gosforth Park has also been the site of the first win for future Classic heroes Enable and Eldar Eldarov as well as Group One mainstays Nashwa and Mostahdaf. 

The John and Thady Gosden stable often send up a potentially classy two-year-old to Newcastle and would be strongly represented here. Byblos carried the silks of Juddmonte and is a half brother to Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin. The Frankel colt did his best work at the finish when fourth at Kempton. Another from a Newmarket stable would be James Fanshawe's Enrolled, a gelding who has looked to be a work in progress with a pair of plugging on fourth. The twice raced Half Moon Bay would represent the William Haggas stable. The son of New Bay has shown greenness in his two starts in which he finished fifth on both occasions. The smaller scale yard of Alan Brown would introduce the debutant Invincible Shadow. He has already been gelded ahead of his first run and was cheaply bought. One of the more experienced runners in the field would be the Ismail Mohammed-trained Must Believe. The son of Make Believe has tasted heavy defeats twice on the turf, but has shown encouragement in both all-weather starts. Godolphin would be doubly represented in this contest, the first of them being Charlie Appleby's Reign Of Honour. The colt is the first foal of a Group Three placed mare and made his debut. The Archie Watson-trained Sedate was sent off a big price on his debut at Newmarket and ran as his odds suggested when a well beaten sixth. He was another to have been gelded already. The second runner for the powerful Godolphin operationwould be Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert showed promise on his debut recently when third at Lingfield. He looked green that day and is bred to stay further. The Jedd O'Keeffe stable would saddle the newcomer Trojan Soldier in this hot contest. The gelded son of Ulysses could be another to watch with a view to the future. The first of the fillies would be the Adrian Nicholls-trained Arie Gordye. All three of her close relatives have won so she would be one for the future. The final runner in the lineup would be the George Boughey-trained filly Camzara, who is related to some smart sorts. The stable are capable of readying a horse first time out, including at Newcastle. 

Winner: TORNADO ALERT (#8) (Too Darn Hot x Bint Altamar) - D. Tudhope - S. Bin Suroor

Notebooks would be at the ready for the this intriguing contest and those with a close eye on the race will find a trio of promising types to take out of the race.

The first of the races on the straight mile course would get underway to a relative even break. As the group once again opted for the middle of the track, the early leader of the contest would be Half Moon Bay under Cieren Fallon. The William Haggas-runner wouldn't get a soft lead however as Must Believe hassled him in the early stages and the keen going Enrolled would be on the heels of the leading pair. The Juddmonte silks would be buried in the pack as Kieren Shoemark kept things quiet on Byblos in the first few furlongs. The Godolphin duo of Reign Of Honour would be close up as Tornado Alert raced on the outer wing of the group. As the race began to heat up, the white cap of Tornado Alert was spotted travelling smoothly under Dan Tudhope. Favourite backers began to sweat as Byblos would be under pressure to make his challenge and the writing was soon on the wall. Byblos and Tornado Alert kicked clear in the final furlong, but it would be Godolphin's runner who gained first run and didn't look in danger of surrendering his advantage in the final stages. Byblos kept on gamely, but settled for second by just over a length. There would be a five length gap to the third, Reign Of Honour who wasn't given a hard race on debut. One of the early leaders Enrolled settled for a distant fourth, filling that position for the third time. 
It would be a first career win for the Godolphin owned winner Tornado Alert, who built on the promise of his debut in September. Wearing the white cap of his owners which is perceived as the lesser fancied chance, the son of first season sire Too Darn Hot was well on top at the finish. Making his debut at Lingfield three weeks ago, Tornado Alert raced keenly that day and looked unsuited by the sharp bends at that venue. The colt is bred for stamina as a half brother to the smart hurdler Perseus Way, who placed in a Grade Two over obstacles. Further back in the family comes Master Of The Seas, a three time Grade One winner in North America including the Breeders' Cup Mile. This good looking colt has now gained an all important first win and has the potential to rate higher in the near future. 

Race Five: The Get Raceday Ready Handicap (Div I) - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 12

The second class four event of the evening would focus on the speedier sorts with this six furlong sprint under the lights. The race would attract plenty of runners at first entry stage which led to the eventual splitting of the race. 

The weights would be topped by  Geoff Harker's Animate, who landed a first win for his new stable back in June but has also gone well at this course in the past. Another for the younger generation would be the three year old Pen Portrait, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. He would win on his second career start last year, but has been frustrating so far this season. The four year old Bright has enjoyed a good season this year with three wins; the latest of those coming at Newcastle where he defeated a subsequent winner. Lately, Mark Loughnane's gelding could only manage fourth at Redcar in a similar contest. Archie Watson's three year old Secret Bid has been a regular over seven furlongs during his light career and has won twice already. His two starts over six furlongs haven't been as strong, but he would be looking for a quick pace to aim at. The Bryan Smart team have been in good form recently and would saddle Blazing Son, a dual winner at Gosforth Park. The six year old has a good record on the all-weather and was a winner at Southwell two starts ago. David Loughnane's Kit Gabriel has a good record on the all-weather, as shown by a third at Chelmsford when finishing strongly into third over a longer trip. The gelded True Promise made his debut at the start of the year and quickly won her first two starts for Kevin Ryan. Since then, the three year old has been disappointing in handicap company. Infinity Blue looked to be an interesting transfer to the Julie Camacho stable at the start of the year and got off the mark at Newmarket in August. This would be his first attempt at an all-weather surface. South Shore is still a three year old but has now joined his third different trainer in the form of Ruth Carr. The winner at Windsor earlier in the season has been disappointing in his latest starts. Antony Brittain's Dark Kestrel went close at Newcastle on three occasions over five furlongs, but has yet to convince he stays the extra distance so far. The Nigel Tinkler-trained As If By Chance has more experience than some in this field and the six year old has run well in defeat on numerous starts this season. The Tim Easterby-trained Glendown rounded out the first half of the sprint handicap. He gained a win from out of the blue earlier in the season at Pontefract and he is another with little experience on the all-weather. 

Winner:  BRIGHT (#3) (Starspangledbanner x Heavenly Song) - B. Loughnane - M. Loughnane

The first of the sprint handicaps looked a tricky contest on paper and it lived up to the billing with an exciting finish. 

The Bryan Smart runner Blazing Son went to post a long time before the rest, but was keen to return home as he led in the early stages. There would be plenty of competition for the outright lead as True Promise, Secret Bid and Animate all helped to force the pace. The race had quickly entered the final stages and the group fanned out across the track. True Promise nosed into a narrow lead under Tom Eaves with Blazing Son still close up. From the rear, the purple silks of Bright arrived on the scene under the near side rail. Under a late challenge from Billy Loughnane, the four year old flashed home to steal the win and become another winning favourite. True Promise bounced back to form at the scene of his first two wins, Blazing Son held on third and Dark Kestrel finished strongly in fourth following a slow start.

It would be the fourth win of the year for the four year old Bright, who has improved a bundle since joining the Mark Loughnane stable almost a year ago. After scoring at Wolverhampton back in January, the son of Starspangledbanner completed back to back successes on turf in July and August at Doncaster and Newcastle respectively. The improving sprinter finished fourth last time at Redcar a few weeks ago and a return to the North East saw another visit to the winner's enclosure. It would be a family occasion as trainer Mark and brilliant young jockey son Billy combined once more. 

Race Six: The Get Raceday Ready Handicap (Div II) - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 12
Division two of the sprint handicap would appear to be the weaker of the two, but still featured plenty of mainstays at Newcastle and at this level.

Craig Lidster's Dickieburd would carry top weight in this contest and tends to run well at this venue. Since his last start here in January, he has been running in good company on the turf and gone close to winning on numerous times. The ten year old veteran Equiano Springs remains his quirky ways but has stayed in decent form this year for the Tom Tate stable. The five time winner at Newcastle finished a close up third recently at Newmarket. The formerly Ballydoyle based Londoner has been campaigned ambitiously by current trainer Jim Goldie over a range of distances, but has yet to go close to winning. He was last seen tailed off in the Ayr Silver Cup. The Godolphin-owned Rayat won on debut over much further but made a successful drop to six furlongs back in July, but has been held since then. He remained fairly lightly raced though. Another lightly raced sort would be the filly Etoile d'Alexandre, who placed in a Racing League contest during the summer for George Boughey but wasn't in the same form last time out. The five year old Beattie Is Back has endured an interrupted campaign, but his first career win came at this venue and Richard Fahey's runner has been running well in two starts this year. Ian Jardine's mare Catherine Chroi was a winning machine earlier in the season, but her form has plateaued somewhat in recent starts. Her last start at Newcastle would be a successful one. The grey Ezra Cee has joined the Adrian Nicholls stable in recent months and made an encouraging first start for the yard at Newmarket. Her two starts on the all-weather saw her finish in the placings. Tristan Davidson would saddle the seven year old mare Rough Diamond, who won plenty of races on Dundalk's all-weather surface. She got a taster for Newcastle recently when finishing a good second. The Julie Camacho stable would be represented by the three-year-old Reveiller. The gelding was highly tried after winning on debut last year, but has seemingly struggled against his rating recently. The Michael Dods-trained Deputy often comes into his own on softer ground, as shown by his latest win at Doncaster at the end of 2022, but the six year old has run twice twice this year. He would be tried in blinkers for the first time in search of a return to form. The lineup would be completed by the Tim Easterby-trained Snash, who was once a useful type on the turf but has been going through the motions recently. The six year old has been making late headway in recent races at Southwell and Newcastle.

Winner: RAYAT (#4) (Starspangledbanner x Violet's Gift) - D. Tudhope - S. bin Suroor 

Prior to the race, Ezra Cee would prove reluctant to go to post, causing rider Connor Murtagh to dismount and walk a few furlongs before his mount finally cooperated and galloped to post to take her place.

Division two of the handicap would see another strongly run race as the main group was headed by the filly Etoile d'Alexandre. She would be joined by Dickieburd and Rough Diamond. For the first time of the evening, there would be a split in opinions of the jockeys. A group of three runners moved to the far side, away from the main pack. Godolphin's runner Rayat showed plenty of bright speed over on the far side and would be the narrow overall leader under Dan Tudhope. He would be shadowed by Equiano Springs and Snash as the race began to enter its closing stages. Rayat would still hold the outright lead as those in the centre also held every chance. Rough Diamond would take it up to Rayat in the final stages, but it would be a brief challenge as Jim Goldie's Londoner finished with a rattle and closed down on Rayat. The late surge was all in vain as the four year old Rayat had done enough to seal the race with a good turn of pace inside the final half furlong. Londoner posted his best effort for the stable so far in second with Rough Diamond adapting to life in Britain with a good third. Snash would also keep on well into fourth. The win of Rayat would be a remarkable fourth success of the night for Dan Tudhope, who remains in white hot form after riding a treble at Newcastle just two days earlier.

It would be a third success for Godolphin's five year old, who has only a handful of starts following an interrupted career. After sharing the win at Wolverhampton over a mile on his debut in April 2023, the son of Starspangledbanner was tried over ten furlongs subsequently, without any further progress. Making the harsh drop in trip to six furlongs, Rayat made all to win easily at Nottingham back in July before contesting some useful turf handicaps. It is evident now that the key has been found to Rayat and it wouldn't be a surprise to join Godolphin's team in Dubai, racing at Meydan in the first three months of next year. 

Race Seven: The Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap - Class Five - Seven Furlongs - Runners:12

The action would continue into the darkness of night with this lower grade contest for three year olds over the straight mile. 

First on the racecard would come the Tim Easterby-trained Oligopoly, who has shown ability over a range of trips so far in his career but this would be his first taste of the all-weather. The filly High Violet landed her first victory earlier in the year at a lowly level and has held her form since then. She would be making a return to the all-weather surface for the first time since the start of the year. Geoff Oldroyd's Project Geofin looked useful when winning narrowly over course and distance. In three starts this year, he has been far from disgraced on the turf. Profit Street has built up a liking for Newcastle with a pair of victories and a close second in his three starts at the venue. Nigel Tinkler's charge also has plenty of decent efforts on the turf this year. Another former winner at the course would be Mereside Madness, who was successful back in Feburary. David and Nicola Barron's gelding went close to adding further success on two occasions this year. Fletcher's Dream made a winning debut at this course last winter which remains his only success, but his form has tailed off badly since the first few months of this year. The Bryan Smart stable often find success in races like these and would be represented by the maiden Beale Street. The gelding has run well without threatening the principles and had the potential to win a race sometime soon. Richard Fahey's Apocalyx made a promising debut on the turf last year but has since finished towards the rear in all starts since. He would need to improve dramatically here as he doesn't look to be a leading light for the yard. Another all-weather debutant would be the Kevin Ryan-trained Borderline Boss, whose best efforts have come on softer ground. He has yet to go on from a second on seasonal reappearance earlier this year. The filly Lady Masar has produced just one run of note so far when fourth at Southwell, but her chances could improve for the Ben Haslam stable now entering handicap company. The gelded King's School has plenty of knowledge of the all-weather surfaces but has yet to win so far. Now with the Gemma Tutty yard, he ran well in fifth behind a successful stablemate. The final runner Korroor won by a narrow margin at Newcastle on his final start of last year before moving to the Julie Camacho stable. He has been disappointing this year, but a return to this venue could spark improvement.

Winner: PROJECT GEOFIN (#3) (Calyx x Bond Artist) - PJ McDonald - G. Oldroyd

The night had well and truly set in and floodlights dominated the sky to illuminate the action.

As the stalls opened, the field got away to a level break. Apocalyx would be the only one to get away awkwardly as he veered to his right unceremoniously. The early gallop would be an even one albeit far from breakneck speed. The early leader would be Fletchers Dream, who held just a narrow lead over Borderline Boss, the keen going Lady Masar and Apocalyx, who had recovered from the tardy start. The race began to develop at the two furlong pole as Borderline Boss and Lady Masar both emptied quickly. Those held up early on would then suffer traffic issues at a crucial stage. The well fancied Profit Street was unable to get a clear run inside the final two furlongs and once the gap opened up, it would be all too late for his chances of winning. Further ahead, Project Geofin timed his challenge to perfection under PJ McDonald and the gelding burst through to lead. The last to challenge would be the strong finishing King's School, but Geoff Oldroyd's runner had enough up his sleeve to hold his pursuers at bay. King's School backed up the promise of his latest run by finishing second, just ahead of Beale Street who nosed into the lead a furlong out. Mereside Madness would be another to close up late on but only managed fourth.

It would be the second win of Project Geofin's career, both of which have come at Newcastle. He would carry the colours of owners Bond Thoroughbred Limited, who have landed regular and high profile successes in the North. In 2023, the son of Calyx ran well on debut to finish a well held second at Beverley, but his form took a backwards step after that. After a fourth and seventh in novice company, the gelding made a winning handicap debut over course and distance in August last year. This season promised plenty after an encouraging fourth at York before two disappointing runs. A return to Newcastle would be a winning one, some thirteen months on from his first. It would also be a second winner on the night for jockey PJ McDonald. With many more similar races to come at Newcastle throughout the winter, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Project Geofin back at Gosforth Park.

Race Eight: The Free Digital Racecard At Raceday-Ready.com Handicap - Class Six - Five Furlongs - Runners: 10
The action would move to the minimum trip of five furlongs with this low grade contest open to three-year-olds and older. 

The old boy Stone Of Destiny isn't at the same level as the height of his career, but remains on the go for the Mick Appleby stable. The nine year old was last successful at Southwell in December but this would be his first start since January this year. David O'Meara's Sound Reason is a smart type when on song, but he has frustrated connections with a winless spell this year. The six year old has gone close to winning at Beverley on a couple of occasions but returned to this surface as a former Newcastle winner. The Paul Midgley stable is often well represented in races like these and they would be represented by Herakles here. The four year old made a good start to the year by winning over course and distance and despite winning at Ripon later in the year, he has been finishing in midfield recently. The Michael Dods-trained Taygar lost his way after winning as a juvenile last year, but returned to the winner's enclosure at Ayr in July. This would be his first run on an artificial surface. Another from the Paul Midgley yard would be Leodis Dream, who is useful on his day and has snippets of good form at Newcastle. The six year old's latest win came at Southwell in April and he has been gradually coming back into form. Betweenthesticks is a speedy type but has also gained plenty of experience in his two full seasons. He recently joined the Ruth Carr stable and produced a low key debut for new connections, but needed more time to settle in. The generally consistent Let's Go Hugo comfortably scored over course and distance back in April and has been running well on turf this season for the Ollie Pears yard. He would return to the scene of his latest victory. Kevin Ryan's DC Flyer's two wins have come at lowly level but the most recent came at Newcastle in a handicap. The three year old has also improved his form with a duo of places that sandwich the latest win. Another three year old in the field would be Geoff Oldroyd's Lady Nunthorpe. The filly is bred to be speedy and all her starts have come over the five furlong trip. Despite managing a best result of third place last year, she retained scope to improve with time. Brian Ellison's Northerner has yet to win in six starts, but has shown race winning potential with a pair of second placings. His latest start came over six furlongs where he weakened in the final stages but he would also be making his first start on the all-weather. 

Winner: LEODIS DREAM (#5) (Dandy Man x Paddy Again) - D. Costello - P. Midgley

The action would be fast and furious in the shortest race of the evening and saw a veteran return to winning ways.

As the gates opened, Leodis Dream opted to stay straight and true by sticking to the near side rail. The remaining nine runners bunched together down the centre of the course and the pack would be headed by the equally speedy Betweenthesticks. Lady Nunthorpe, DC Flyer and Herakles would all be close up, but they were still adrift of the tearaway leader. As the field hurtled towards the final furlong, On the near side, Leodis Dream kept up the gallop and held on to the overall lead under Dougie Costello. Lady Nunthorpe nosed into the lead down the centre, but there was no stopping Leodis Dream in this mood and the eight year old made it an all-the-way success. Let's Go Hugo did best of the rest by emerging out of the pack into second, just ahead of Lady Nunthorpe with Northerner back in fourth.

It would be a landmark tenth victory for the likable sprinter Leodis Dream, who has been a regular at this level in recent years. At the height of his powers as a younger horse, the son of Dandy Man won three times at class two level for David O'Meara before steadily descending back through the ranks. After moving to Malton with the Paul Midgley stable, it wouldn't be long before he would return to form and the gelding finished second in the "Jumps Jockey's Nunthorpe Handicap" at York two years ago. More recently, Leodis Dream made a winning seasonal debut at Southwell back in April and once again showed his liking for the all-weather here. A popular member of the stable, it was good to see life in the old boy still.