The city of Newcastle has been in constant party mood ever since their beloved Magpies' trophy win over the previous weekend and the sporting theme continued with a midweek race meeting at Gosforth Park. The turf season may have already begun in Ireland and with just ten days to go until the start of the British turf season, this would be the beginning of the end for the all-weather season.
A seven race card would take place with the feature contest coming in the form of a valuable class two handicap, a rare treat for what would usually be a run of the mill meeting. Elsewhere, the lower grade races would continue alongside a very interesting novice contest which featured numerous previous winners.

Race One: The Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Apprentice Handicap - Class Six - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 5
The fixture would open with a view to the future as this handicap limited to apprentice riders would provide clues of the next big stars of the saddle. The class six event over the straight seven furlongs would see a small field go to post, but those involved would give more invaluable experience for the jockeys onboard.

Top weight would be carried by War Memorial, who would make his debut for the Craig Lidster stable in this contest. The four year old remains winless, but showed much better last time when going down by a neck at Southwell. He would need to confirm his upturn in form here though under Shay Farmer. The five year old Reginald Charles showed some very smart form on the turf and was highly tried on occasions. He would make a perfect start to life with Geoff Oldroyd by winning for the first time at Southwell and had the assistance of the shining talent Warren Fentiman. Linda Perratt would saddle Keep Me Stable at Newcastle once again and the five year old knows this place very well. She was last successful here in September last year, but has continued to perform well in defeat, including when narrowly denied over course and distance at the start of the month. The Anthony Brittain-trained Spartan Fighter has plenty of miles on the clock but is another Newcastle regular. Seven of his eleven wins have come at this venue, the latest in October. The eight year old has been hit and miss of late, so would need to bounce back. The Mick and David Easterby-trained Yorkstone rattled in a handful of wins at the end of 2023, but hasn't been in the same form since a break of almost a year. The five year old has seemingly struggled with higher ratings and would need some help from the handicapper. The speedily bred Art Fantastique has proven to be frustrating since winning twice in 2023. Mark Usher's filly has tried this trip just once, but the stamina debate proved inconclusive and she would complete the six strong line up for the opener.

Winner: REGINALD CHARLES (#2) (Zoustar x Melbourne Memories) - W. Fentiman - G. Oldroyd

The already small lineup would be depleted by one as War Memorial was deemed a non-runner in the morning and it left a quintet of horses to take the start. Despite this, the field would tightly bunched on ratings and a case could be made for each of the five runners.

The race would get underway to a relatively level break, but the short priced favourite Reginald Charles would miss the beat by a stride or two. The early pace would be set by the blinkered Spartan Fighter, who knew his way back home at this venue. Next up would be the Scottish challenger Keep Me Stable, followed by the keen going Art Fantastique, who raced slightly more exuberantly than ideal at this new distance. Bringing up the rear would be Yorkstone and the slow starting Reginald Charles, who was in no rush to make up for lost ground. Approaching the final stages, the order began to change. Long time leader Spartan Fighter began to plug on at the same pace as Keep Me Stable overtook him up front. Art Fantastique's keen going ways proved costly at the finish as he also weakened away. It would leave Reginald Charles to cut through the inviting gap under Warren Fentiman and quickly open up a lead. The five year old pulled clear of his toiling rivals to land the opener in comfortable style. Keep Me Stable would run another good race at this venue in second as Spartan Fighter picked up the final place on the podium.

The five year old winner has finally started to deliver on the promise he once showed as a younger horse. Starting his career with the Bryan Smart team in Thirsk, the son of Zoustar was inconsistent but showed ability with third placings at venues such as Redcar and York. He would be limited to just one race in 2024 which took place in January of that year before missing a year of action. He would move to Pocklington and join up with trainer Geoff Oldroyd. The stable do well with new recruits and that proved to be right as Reginald Charles landed his first career win at Southwell just under a month ago. Partnered by Warren Fentiman on that day, the apprentice jockey find of the winter was retained for this race and they have developed a good partnership. Despite a slow start, Fentiman never panicked when the pace began to increase and smoothly guided his horse through the gap towards victory. It may have been a small prize to win, but Reginald Charles should continue to run well at this level in the coming months.

Race Two: The Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 11
Next up would see a ten furlong handicap which took place at an unusually later time, thanks to the belated sunset in mid-March. This would be a tightly contested and competitive race as plenty of Newmarket-based yards took on those based in the North. 

Carrying top weight would be the Dylan Cunha-trained Asgard's Captain, representing Newmarket. The five year old has a likeable profile having placed at a higher level in the past. He would win five times last year with three of those coming at Newcastle. He would nearly make it four here last time out by losing out to the narrowest of margins. The six year old Cougar was once highly touted in his earlier days, but now finds himself at the Iain Jardine-stable. The former Ballydoyle inmate lost his way on the flat and over hurdles so this latest stable switch will need to reinvigorate the gelding. The Owners Group silks would be spotted courtesy of Beraz, trained by Julie Camacho. The seven year old ran well in better company last year, but was below par here last time out when only fifth at the start of the month. Another Yorkshire based seven year old in the line up would be Ruth Carr's Lord Protector. He would run a blinder in the Zetland Gold Cup last May before competing in strong handicaps through the summer. He was last seen in action at the Ebor Festival and this would be his first try at class four level. This race would see the return of the long-absent Harrappan, now trained by John Butler. The American-bred five year old quickly developed into a promising stayer in 2023 with two wins, but hasn't been seen since a poor run in September of that year. David Simcock is a regular visitor to Newcastle from his Newmarket base and would be represented here by the consistent Charlie's Choice. The five year old was last successful over a mile, but has run well over even longer trips. Saturn Five would be another horse making a belated return to action. Charlie Fellowes's six year old was last seen on track in May 2023 and has a few miles on the clock. Midnight Lion has gone from strength to strength since joining the Jim Goldie stable at the end of last year. The five year old won three times around the New Year before running well in stronger contests and longer distances. The Micky Hammond-trained Value Added was expected to do better as she was bred by the Royal Family, but the six year old has only won once to date. She would make a low key stable debut in February and needed to improve on that showing. The seven year old Simple Star has been a useful dual purpose sort for trainer Dianne Sayer and his latest victory came over hurdles last summer. He would struggle over two and a quarter miles last time out and this trip would be more to his liking. A second runner for the Iain Jardine stable would be Elemental Eye. The four year old finished second on two occasions last season on grass, but remains winless. He would then run moderately on his first attempts at this surface at the start of the year. 

Winner: MIDNIGHT LION (#8) (Nathaniel x Coyote) - L. Young - J. Goldie

The competitive handicap was run under a golden sky as the sun began to set over the North East. Tactics would be an interesting concept of the race without a natural front runner. As the stalls opened, the returning Saturn Five and Harappan would miss the break by a stride but that would be excusable considering their respective absences.

The early pace would come from the black and white silks of Midnight Lion. He would set just a steady gallop under Lauren Young and had the likes of Lord Protector and Beraz in close company. Next up would come the outsiders Simple Star and Value Added as Harappan and last year's winner Asgard's Captain raced in midfield. The tail of the field would be brought up by the keen going Saturn Five and Charlie's Choice as the pack made their way around the long home bend into the straight. The leader Midnight Lion took the field down the centre of the racecourse and began to turn the screw. The five year old responded to pressure from his rider and opened up a small gap to the chasing pack. Lord Protector and Beraz attempted to go with the leader as not many horses would land a blow in the contest. Harappan was spotted travelling well until two furlongs out, but the lack of a recent run proved costly and he quickly folded away. Midnight Lion kept on galloping towards the finish line, maintaining a healthy advantage to his rivals. He would cross the line an eased up length and a half to the good as Lord Protector won the race for second over Beraz. Back in fourth, Saturn Five made a pleasing return to action after eighteen months away.

Newcastle is often a venue that suits course specialists and that would be proven once more with Midnight Lion winning here for the fifth time since April 2024. After swapping the Iain Jardine stable for Jim Goldie's, the five year old won three in a row at Newcastle over the New Year period before running well in stronger company over a range of distances. His proven stamina was taken advantage of in this contest as apprentice rider Lauren Young kept things positive by making every yard of the running. He wasn't stopping at the finish and the gelding has been a credit to his trainer for keeping him happy and sound.

Race Three: The Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Extra Handicap - Class Five - Six Furlongs - Runners: 7

Next would see the turn of the sprinters with this class five handicap restricted to three year olds. There would be plenty of familiar faces in this contest as the three-year-old program through the winter offers plenty of opportunities.

The weights would be headed by Jennie Candlish's Frankies Dream. The gelding has been in hot form since the turn of the year with four wins in 2025. Two of those wins came over course and distance and would be narrowly denied back here over five furlongs last week. The Kevin Ryan stable often have plenty of success in races like this and would be represented by Platinum Crystal, who comes from a smart family. The filly showed promise in three novice races and looks set to improve now entering handicap company. Another unexposed runner would be the Karl Burke-trained Diamont Katie, who broke her maiden tag at the second attempt last time out. She would do the job nicely that day and looked open to progress. The George Boughey-trained Tolerance travelled up from Newmarket for this contest and is well bred. She has shown inconsistent form to date, but would make her first start since July last year. The Battenberg silks of Ursa Major Racing would be spotted here with the Katie Scott-trained Tarlac. The gelding is bred to win races, but has yet to show his full potential so far. Another former winner here would take her place in the lineup. Laurens Dream won twice at Newcastle towards the end of last year for the Mick Easterby stable and was unlucky on final start when hampered on numerous occasions. The small field would be completed by Grant Tuer's Kitten In The Sky, who was making her all-weather debut. She would show promise when placed in her first two starts, but took a few backward steps when last seen in action.

Winner: PLATINUM CRYSTAL (#2) (Iffraaj x Deveron) - K. Stott - K. Ryan

All seven of the intended runners stood their ground for this tightly contested handicap which looked a very tricky puzzle for punters to solve.

The group of unexposed sprinters broke away to a level break and once again came down the centre of the course. They would curiously race in Noah's Arc formation in a two by two pattern. Up front, Diamont Katie and Platinum Crystal would set a decent gallop as the next pair of Laurens Dream and Tarlac came next. Towards the rear came Kitten In The Sky and Tolerance as the favourite Frankies Dream raced solo at the back of the pack following a slow start. The order would remain largely the same throughout the six furlong contest and it soon appeared that the leading pair were travelling much better than the rest. Inside the final furlong, Platinum Crystal and Diamont Katie were still locked in battle as they went eye to eye in the closing stages. The red silks of Frankies Dream began to motor inside the final fifty yards and made a late bid for an unlikely win. The three contenders crossed the line as one and the judge was required. In a photo finish, Platinum Crystal's head was stretched out just in time ahead of Frankies Dream and Diamont Katie a nose back in third. No sooner had the result been announced, the dreaded bong of the stewards' enquiry alert sounded. Inside the final furlong, Platinum Crystal edged to the left under pressure and in turn took Diamont Katie off a true line. The interference was clear, but the stewards' job was made harder by Frankies Dream finishing in second, seperating the pair. As promoting the third placed horse to first would be unprecedented, the final decision was made that placings remained unaltered and Platinum Crystal held on to a first win.

There would be a long wait for confirmation, but the Kevin Ryan stable would land this race for the second year running. In 2024, they introduced the subsequently progressive sprinter Sergeant Wilko in this race and could have another improving sort this year. The filly joined the Kevin Ryan stable midway through 2024 without running her race, but she improved with each start at the end of the year. Starting over a mile and latterly seven furlongs, the daughter of Iffraaj weakened inside the final furlong which prompted another drop in trip. With a small break under her belt, she would show plenty of bright speed early on and toughed it out for the breakthrough first win. She comes from a talented family too as a half sister to listed race winners Lamar and Haddaf, as well as the useful filly Cloudbreaker. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear more about this filly in the coming months. 

Race Four: The Win £1m With BetMGM'S Golden Goals Novice Stakes - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 5
One of the more interesting races of the evening would be this class four novice race for three year olds and older, as this contest had the potential to produce a very smart sort or two for the future. Novice events at Newcastle are often worth making a note of due to the rising quality of winners. Three years ago, in mid-March, a certain Mostahdaf would make a winning debut before going on to be the best horse in the world in 2023. 

The competitive lineup would be headed by a number of previous winner. The four year old Believe The Storm overcame inexperience on debut in December to finish best of all at Wolverhampton. Charlie Fellowes' gelding comes from a top class distant family too. The next four year old in the field would be Archie Watson's Commanding Prince, who hails from a high class family. The gelding made a belated start to his career and after a close second on debut, pulled away to win over a mile here last time out. The sole debutant in the line up would be the John Butler-trained gelding Environment. The four year old is bred to be useful, but would be starting out in a potentially hot novice event. The Yorkshire based stable of Adrian Nicholls would saddle Woodrafff in this contest and the four year old has shown a small handful of ability. The gelding is bred for speed, but has raced over this trip and a mile in his two starts so far. Another horse from a well known family would be Sogannie, who made her debut for the Ruth Carr stable. The four year old is a half sister to the yard's legend Bobby Joe Leg, who has numerous of wins at this venue in the past. She would be looking to keep it in the family. The final runner would be a second representative for the David O'Meara yard. The four year old Toralou made a promising debut in 2023 when runner up at Haydock before missing the whole of 2024. She would then make a recent return to action when only fourth behind stablemate Twilight Diamond. 

Winner: COMMANDING PRINCE (#2) (Too Darn Hot x Khawlah) - H. Doyle - A. Watson

This class four novice looked to be a match on paper between Commanding Prince and Believe The Storm, but the withdrawal of the last named runner robbed the race of its interest. 

As the floodlights began to wake into life, the race got underway. The five strong field would be lead by hot favourite Commanding Prince, who was guided to the near side running rail by Hollie Doyle. The chasing pack would conform of debutante Sogannie, Toralou and Woodrafff in the opening stages as the flashy chestnut Environment looked green at the rear on his first start. The pace would only be a steady one, but Hollie Doyle began to increase it on Commanding Prince approaching the final furlong. The four year old lengthened nicely and opened up a gap to Toralou. As expected, the short priced favourite pulled clear inside the final furlong and only needed to be pushed out under Doyle. In an uncompetitive contest, Toralou kept on nicely to win the race for second and showed she still had ability, as did Sogannie who made a promising debut in third. Back in fourth would be Woodrafff, who will be eligible for handicaps from now on.

The task was made much easier for Commanding Prince following the morning withdrawal of Believe The Storm, but the gelding still needed to turn up and do a job. Keeping things simple from the front, the four year old son of top class miler Too Darn Hot made it two wins from three starts and provided Hollie Doyle with her 999th career win in the UK. 
The bay gelding was sold unraced from the Godolphin operation and is bred to be high class as a half brother to Masar, winner of the 2018 Epsom Derby. He wouldn't make his debut until January this year where he was beaten a head by a winner who had already shown smart form in novice company. Making his second start at this course over a mile just a fortnight ago, Commanding Prince was impressive in brushing aside a previous winner. With a top class family and likeable running style, this could be the start of an exciting season for the horse and his trainer Archie Watson. Premier handicaps such as the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot could be on the cards this summer.

Race Five: The BetUK: It's Where The UK Bets Handicap - Class Two - Five Furlongs - Runners: 7

The feature race of the evening would be this strongly contested and valuable handicap over six furlongs. This class two handicap will serve as a useful pipe opener for those aiming at spring festivals on turf such as Newmarket, York and Chester, but in the mean time, this prize is worth winning.

The weights would be headed by the very speedy Tees Spirit, lining up for the Adrian Nicholls team. He continued to fly the flag for the yard last year with three wins. In recent starts though, he hasn't been at his best and is surely warming up for the turf. The Jack Channon-trained mare Miss Rebecca showed good handicap form on turf last season and made a winning debut on this surface at Southwell last time out. The five year old remains unexposed on the all-weather and is open to improvement. Another five year old in the field would be Richard Fahey's Prince Of Pillo, who won at listed level a few years ago before his career was interrupted at times. He would return to his best when winning at Lingfield two starts ago but was disappointing last time out. He would drop back to the minimal trip here. The quirky but talented Bergerac has plenty of good form at this venue as his last win came here last June. He would be headed in the closing stages last time out over course and distance. The rapidly progressive Paddy's Day has climbed the ranks this season by winning three times in a row since the New Year. Nigel Tinkler's five year old is a regular at this course and tried his hand in this stronger company. The Paul Midgley stable is often well represented at Newcastle and they would rely on the eight year old Ventura Express in this contest. The gelding has often struggled in this grade, but is more than capable on his day. His latest effort in October would be a fast finishing third and he had the service of Warren Fentiman on board. Another course regular would be the Bryan Smart-trained Buzz Box, who has raced 80% of his career at Newcastle. The four year old has started this year brightly with back to back wins, but would need to step up again in this contest. Anthony Brittain's Mondammej was once unpredictable, but he has mellowed out somewhat and begun to show what he is capable of. The eight year old won four times between November and January and has continued to run well in defeat. The final runner in the lineup would be Mark Usher's Fahrenheit Seven, who was on an upward curve when last seen. The four year old won three times last year in his first season, including at Newcastle over a furlong longer. He is versatile with distance and was open to improvement. 

Winner: PADDY'S DAY (#5) (Starspangledbanner x Elusive Gold) - A. Jary - N. Tinkler

The feature race of the evening would be another hotly contested race and punters were unclear on a definitive favourite in the betting. Paddy's Day, Bergerac and Miss Attitude would touch co-favourites at one point as the money came down on the three contestants. Punters would also be robbed of a third place for each way terms as top weight Tees Spirit and course specialist Buzz Box were non-runners which left a field of seven.

There would be plenty of pace in the field and the race would be a blink and you'll miss it event. As the gates opened, the group migrated towards the near side running rail once again. The yellow silks of Paddy's Day would show bright speed under Alex Jary and held a narrow lead over Ventura Express and Bergerac. Another front runner Mondammej opted for a prominent position this time along with Fahrenheit Seven. The back marker in the early stages would be Prince Of Pillo, who found the initial pace a bit too hot. Despite this, the field would be covered by just four lengths from first to last. 

As the furlongs were ticked off one by one, the finish line grew ever larger. Ventura Express joined Paddy's Day in the lead and nosed ever so slightly in front under Warren Fentiman. Boxed in behind the leaders would be Miss Attitude, but the eye was drawn to how well she travelled through the race and looked a danger. Paddy's Day would show plenty of willingness to regain the lead inside the final stages and crossed the line three quarters of a length ahead of Ventura Express. Back in third would be Fahrenheit Seven who was always well positioned. The unlucky loser would be Miss Attitude back in fourth as she found space all too late in the day.

It would be the latest win of an impressive spell for the five year old Paddy's Day, who was a topically named winner after the Irish National Day just three days previously. He has developed into a talented sprinter at a lower level since joining the Nigel Tinkler stable in mid 2023 and this year has seen him go strength to strength. A win at class four level at the end of January kicked off the first of three successive course and distance victories and the latest of them came at class three level. This would be a much stiffer contest, but this display of speed and determination was also a good advertisement of how important high confidence is for an in form sprinter. Whether this is his ceiling or just the beginning for Paddy's Day remains to be seen, but he is a transformed character this year.