The fun and festivities of Christmas may have only just settled down, but in the racing world it is anything but settled as one of the busiest periods on the racing calendar takes place. Following the mountain of racing action on Boxing Day around the country, there was plenty of opportunities for racing fans up and down Britain to squeeze in one more raceday before time is called on 2023.

A run of the mill evening meeting took place on Newcastle and despite the stormy winds and bracing temperatures, the midweek fixture received a healthy turnout of racegoers. The most valuable prize on the night would be a class four handicap over the intermediate seven furlong trip as they continued through the winter with the All-Weather Championship Finals on their agenda. As often is the case with Newcastle, the two novice events were naturally interesting with the potential for a newcomer to announce themselves at this late stage of the year. Elsewhere, there would be plenty of class five action over a range of distances. It has been another successful year for Newcastle in 2023, despite the loss of their flagship Fighting Fifth Hurdle meeting. Highlights on the track included the popular stayer Calling The Wind winning the summer centre piece, the Northumberland Plate, as well as the Finals Day of the All-Weather Championships back in April. The Good Friday feast of action saw a card full of competitive races and classy winners. 
There wouldn't be long to wait for the next meeting at Newcastle with racing resuming on New Year's Day to begin 2024 in the best way possible.

Race One: The BetUK, Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap - Class Five - 1 mile, 2 furlongs - Runners: 8
Winner: BLUE YONDER (#7) (Gutaifan x Senafe) - B. Garritty - R. Fahey

The opening race of the evening kicked off under the fading daylight with this ten furlong handicap. There would be a rich mix of course regulars, veterans and up-and-coming three year olds. There would be plenty of good recent form on display with a large portion of the field finishing within the top four on their penultimate or latest start. 

The weights were headed by the four-year-old Typical Woman who  has been consistent in recent months over longer distances but made the sharp drop to this trip here. Bringbackmemories would have a chance on his formlines on turf this year, but would be making his debut in the all-weather scene.  Flindrikin is well bred and represented strong connections. The three year old filly has been edging closer to a first win which would boost her value at stud. Reel Prospect remains a lightly raced four year old and looked a smart prospect when breaking his duck at the course in October. Showmethemoney has been a busy horse in 2023, having run on this card last year and kept running twelve months later. The pair of Graces Quest and My Roxanne have gone well on this course and distance recently. Blue Yonder won twice earlier in the year and had made a gradual return to form recently while Tilsitt rounded out the lineup and could lay claim to being a former course and distance winner in the field. 

The early pace in the race was very modest, as is the norm with races on the round course at Newcastle, which led to most of those held up running a shade keenly. Reel Prospect would be a reluctant leader under Danny Tudhope with the well fancied Flindrikin, Graces Quest, Bringbackmemories and Blue Yonder all close up in the early stages. The race began in earnest when the group faced up to the long run in home. Reel Prospect cried enough and retreated through the field while Blue Yonder took advantage of his handy position to take over the lead at the furlong pole. Flindrikin made it two three-year-olds in contention as the pair began to battle it out. From slightly further back, Bringbackmemories finished well inside the final furlong. The early move by Blue Yonder proved to be a winning one as the blinkered grey held off all comers to make a return to the winner's enclosure. Bringbackmemories ran a pleasing race on his first run since September and Flindrikin finished placed once again, just losing out on second. The held up Our Roxanne did her best work at the finish, staying on well into fourth on her first attempt at the trip. It would be a third win of the season and career for Blue Yonder who provided the magic milestone of passing £2,500,000 in prize money won this year for owners Middleham Park Racing. The grey son of Gutaifan had been knocking on the door recently in similar races and the call was answered this time.    

Race Two: The Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap (Div. I)  - Class Five - 1 mile - Runners: 9
Winner: COSMOS RAJ (#1) (Iffraaj x Cosmos Pink) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara 

The class five handicap over a mile looked set to be a competitive affair for the lowly grade with plenty of runners with form that entwines with each other. Due to oversubscription, the race would be split into two divisions. 

The first division of this class five handicap looked trappy with plenty of hit and miss profiles in the lineup. The Ben Haslam-trained Sandret is entering his veteran stage nowadays but was very unlucky when second on his most recent start at the end of October. Cosmos Raj won on the turf halfway through the year and is often a victim of his own luck, given his running style. Ian Jardine's Showmedemoney finished fourth in this race last year and has since won three times in 2023 including at Newcastle. Surprise Picture enjoyed a mini revival in the spring but has disapppointed recently, not being able to trouble the judge in his last three starts. The three year old Finn Russell looked set to be very limited, until a change in tactics sparked a quickfire double at the start of the month. Cusack has a good record at Gosforth Park and has been running consistently well recently. Rocket Rod is often hard to predict, but has finished in the frame on recent starts while the once promising Lady Mojito made a first appearance on Newcastle's racetrack. They would joined by recent winner Struck Gold, who arrived here as a progressive three year old for John Butler. 

Individual tactics proved to be interesting in the opening exchanges of the race. Cam Hardie cut out the early running aboard Lady Mojito and brought the chasing group over the near side rails where the best channel of ground was perceived. Andrew Mullen would race a little wider of the pack with Showmedemoney before gradually easing across to join the main group after two furlongs. As Lady Mojito's petrol gauge flashed up as empty, she quickly faded from the picture which left the in form pair of Struck Gold and Finn Russell to take up the lead. They would soon be swallowed up however by the top weight Cosmos Raj and strong finishing Cusack. The race changed complexion once more and it would be Cosmos Raj who found plenty of spirit to hold off the ever closing Cusack with Rocket Rod catching the eye once again with his customary strong travelling and finishing kick. Struck Gold's hat trick attempt ended up with a fourth place this time. The five year old winner, a son of Iffraaj, would be breaking his duck on the all weather surface having finished placed on six of his twelve previous attempts. A three time winner at his beloved Ripon, this success would be his seventh lifetime victory. 

Race Three: The Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap (Div II) - Class Five - 1 Mile - Runners: 7
Winner:

Division two of this class five handicap over the straight mile looked the strongest of the two with a handful of in form candidates taking to the start. Two non runners would reduce the field to seven which proved frustrating for each way punters, but there would still be just three pounds seperating the top five on ratings. 

There would be plenty of horses who made the long journey from the south, but they would hold the strongest claims on paper. Inverlochy was saddled with top weight for the Simon and Ed Crisford yard, but is a well bred filly and had won her previous two starts. Fellow Newmarket handler Dylan Cunha has enjoyed recent success with his Newcastle raids and was represented by Clipsham Gold but the filly had form to reverse with Inverlochy from their previous meeting. A third runner from HQ would be Forward Flight, now in the care of Kevin de Foy. Despite winning a few starts ago, the gelding has been largely out of form. Enola Grey snapped a spell of seconditis when winning last time out recently and has shown signs of resurgence since moving to Gemma Tutty stable. Bobby Joe Leg has won plenty of races at Newcastle so the Ruth Carr veteran knows this place well. Pembrokeshire made an overdue return to the winners' enclosure on his penultimate start for Ian Jardine, but was unable to back it up recently. The field was rounded out by Ledger, whose trainer Lucinda Russell is best known as a dual Grand National winner but regularly enjoys success at Newcastle. 

From the moment the stalls opened, Inverlochy put in a perfect start and found herself at the head of the group in the early stages. In contrast, her old rival Enola Grey would be slow from her gate and found herself with work to do. There would be little change in the order through the race as the average pace gave a chance to all involved. Forward Flight would be the first off the bridle along with Ledger and Bobby Joe Leg, but up front it still looked good for Inverlochy. Responding to each urging from Harry Davies, the hat trick was looking safely secured. However, from the tail of the field, Enola Grey had gradually picked off her rivals one by one and loomed large in the rear view mirror under young Ethan Jones. The grey filly picked up well and reversed the form with Inverlochy to win going away at the finish. Clipsham Gold ran another creditable race with a third place while Ledger kept on at the same pace to take home a held fourth. The winning daughter of Havana Grey had some smart form in her book from last season where she finished placed at class two level before breaking her maiden. She would lose her form until the halfway point of this year and left the Johnny Portman stable to join the Gemma Tutty yard up north. Since then, Enola Grey finished second four times in a row until getting her nose in front on her previous start in a similar event. Clearly full of confidence again, Enola Grey remains well treated on her old form and compliments would be in store for the calm and collected ride from Ethan Jones in the saddle who refused to panic following a bad start.

Race Four: The BetMGM It's Showtime Novice Stakes - Class Five - 1 mile - Runners: 8

Winner: BYSTANDER (#4) (Dark Angel x Witnessed) - C. Lee - K. Burke

The first of two novice races on the card was open to older horses who have perhaps been slow to develop or have frustrated connections with their performances. 

The two four year olds switched from the National Hunt game to the flat game and Rebecca Menzies' Coco Loco had yet to complete a race so far. Similarly Chris Grant's Knight Of Magic was well beaten in a bumper, then down the field in his first flat race here recently. Mick Appleby's three year old August was the clear pick on recent form having finished second in handicap company on stable debut. His owners The Horsewatchers are renowned for making profit on their new recruits and the second string  would be carrying new colours for the Rebecca Menzies outfit. Night Over Egypt looked to be promising last year but has gone backwards this year. Hopes were pinned on a transformation following the stable switch. Bystander made his debut for the Karl Burke stable having moved north from Newmarket. It would be a first start since April where he looked very inexperienced.  Fellow Newmarket trainer George Boughey sent up Yasmina to make her stable debut. It would be a first start for the three year old in over a year, but she bumped into the exciting Slipofthepen on her last run. Very Classy is another to hail from a high class family, but had yet to show anything more than ordinary promise. The interesting line up would be completed by Wath Court, who ran a huge race when second on debut at 200-1 but has finished midfield on his next starts. 

From the stalls, the flat newcomer Coco Loco would get a very slow start and was possibly not as clued up on the stalls process. The thrice raced Wath Court made the running at a very modest pace under Faye McManoman as the experienced August watched on at a comfortable distance. The yellow and black silks of Bystander kept away from the main group under Clifford Lee as the field were tightly packed. As the early leader began to backpedal, it looked set to be August's day in December as he took over the lead. His market rival Bystander had also made his move and it would be Karl Burke's three-year-old who finished the strongest. As the horses finished at intervals, Bystander galloped on strongly to record a near-five length victory on his second start. August settled for second yet again with the returning Yasmina running well in third. Very Classy would continue her slow progression by taking fourth. The market moves were strong for Bystander who made a winning stable debut for the Burke yard. A son of Dark Angel, Bystander is also a full brother to Stage Magic, a Group Three winner for Godolphin. His family also stretches to the Breeders Cup Turf winner Talismanic. While this race appeared to be very weak, Bystander won in good style and was much improved from his debut back in April. 

Race Five: The Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap - Class Four - 7 Furlongs - Runners: 10
Winner: SWISS ACE (#6) (Kingman x Swiss Lake) - J. Mason - R. Carr

The classiest race of the evening saw a talented lineup for the class four sprint with plenty of competitors having run well on the all weather in recent weeks.

The weights would be headed by the veteran Scottish Summit on the eve of turning eleven. The Geoff Harker-trained gelding has shown no signs of slowing down by running well in defeat throughout the year. The Turpinator has shown himself to be a bargain purchase and made it two wins this year last time out in a similar event. Al Farabi is bred to be much better than this level and remained a lightly raced sort with plenty of progress inside him. The one time smart Illusionist has crept back into form to suggest he remains on a winnable rating as he stepped back up in distance. The three year old Jahidin has shown himself to be a Newcastle specialist and won at Gosforth Park for the second time by the narrowest of margins at the start of the month. Swiss Ace had yet to finish lower than sixth this year until recently where the lack of a recent run showed. Gobi Sunset made a winning stable debut for Ian Jardine but has been in the grip of the handicapper on his next two starts. Sir Maxi was strongest at the finish here last month but then found the slower ground conditions not to his liking last time out. One More Dream needed to drop into the lowest level to gain his most recent win and has been outclassed in this grade before. Alexander James would have outstanding claims on some of his earlier form, but age has begun to catch up with him in recent starts. 

Plenty of runners in this race liked to race prominently which gave some pace into the equation. Previous course winner Jahidin bowled along in front under Clifford Lee, but the pack behind him was tightly bunched. The Turpinator, Sir Maxi, Swiss Ace and Al Farabi were all on the heels of the early leader but the race began to heat up in the final stages. On the far side flank, Al Farabi made his move and nosed in front but on the near side, Swiss Ace joined him in battle. Under a strong Jo Mason drive, Swiss Ace produced one of his better days to win by a comfortable length over the lightly raced Al Farabi with Sir Maxi back in third. The old boy Scottish Summit ran a great race once again to take fourth, doing his best work at the death once again. Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien as a juvenile, Swiss Ace has become a popular member of the Ruth Carr stable and now has a good record at Newcastle. His below par display last time out was blamed on a lack of fitness following a midsummer's break, but the five year old travelled well throughout the race and his challenge was timed to perfection by the in form Jo Mason. 

Race Six: The Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM EBF Novice Stakes - 2-Y-O Only - Class Four - 6 Furlongs - Runners: 7

Winner: FILLY ONE (#4) (Calyx x Forever's Girl) - H. Russell - G. Oldroyd

An interesting novice race for juveniles which was restricted to those with no more than three career runs to date. It would be one last run for these horses before they all turn officially three-year-olds on New Year's Day. 

Craig Lidster has enjoyed a profitable year with his youngsters and he saddled East Bank, who made a return to racing following three months off. He was burdened with a winners' penalty having looked useful when winning on his racecourse debut at Beverley back in April. The team of Nicola and David Barron sometimes unveil a classy juvenile and they ran the newcomer Angel Of The Bay, a first foal of a mare who showed little on the track but came from a decent family. Richard Fahey presumably expected more of Toy Boy on his debut, but the colt was slowly away and never involved a few weeks ago. Filly One defied market expectations by making a perfect start here in November. The well bred filly had the chance to show it wasn't a fluke. Himawari made the trip from Newmarket for trainer Marco Botti and could only manage a midfield finish on her debut. Better would be expected with the experience under her belt. Ruth Langmore made her debut for breeder/owner David Lowe whose green and black silks have seen plenty of all-weather success, namely from the rapid Kachy. Dollarindex is nicely bred and managed a midfield finish on her debut here a few weeks ago. 

With a small field, there would be an air of uncertainty about tactics. However, Harry Russell sent the favourite Filly One forward and into an early lead. The returning East Bank raced keenly for a furlong but the remainder appeared to be moving comfortably through the early stages. Toy Boy would keep Filly One busy at the head of the field but Richard Fahey's colt weakened when push came to shove. Filly One began to extend her advantage and it would appear that the race was in safe keeping. The chestnut filly would keep on nicely to score by two and half lengths and remain unbeaten from two starts. Himawari did best of the rest by staying on into second with Ruth Langmore posting a good debut effort in third. Angel Of The Bay was the cause of a brief delay to the start after rearing and giving jockey Ryan Sexton a bloody lip, but the gelding was another to catch the eye with his best work at the finish into fourth. The race may not have been very strong, but Filly One produced a likable display and it will be interesting to see where she ends up next time. The form of her debut has yet to work out and she was a surprise winner that day, but here a win was highly expected. 

Race Seven: The Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Nursery Handicap - 2-Y-O Only - Class Five - 6 Furlongs - Runners: 11

Winner: FLYING FLETCHER (#6) (Muharaar x Tropical Paradise) - D. Nolan - R. Fahey.

The nursery handicap for two year olds looked wide open with plenty of chances in the lineup.
 Professor Tickle made a return to the winners' enclosure on his latest start and has been a likable sort this season. Magic Fluke narrowly denied the aforementioned Professor Tickle when they last faced up and the Marco Botti-trained gelding ran well once again last time out. King Street made it a pair of runners for trainer David Loughnane, but had an in and out profile so far. Moyola was very impressive when winning a nursery on this course but ran way below expectations on his last start. Keen Interest represented the William Haggas stable and is nicely bred. The gelding has finished gradually closer on each start. Flying Fletcher had been well regarded earlier in the season but produced one of his better efforts in a similar race earlier in the month. Reprised represented leading connections but had yet to win so far, but had shown ability to date. Ravensbourne has run well in defeat in his four starts to date and a return to a straight track could suit. Havana Smoke represented the Dylan Cunha stable and ran well on her penultimate start when third. A high draw was to blame for a poor showing recently. Hand Jive had yet to show anything like his half brother Buratino's form on track and had a best career performance of fourth so far.

With plenty of runners and question marks hovering over most of them, the race had an open feel to it and it produced an exciting finish. Professor Tickle was late to leave the paddock but quick to make his way home as he raced keenly in the led. The favourite Magic Fluke, Keen Interest and Havana Smoke raced keenly but up close while Ravensbourne was quick to regain the ground she lost with a slow start. The maiden Reprised showed the best change of gear and burst out of the pack into the lead for Danny Tudhope and David O'Meara, but from further back, Flying Fletcher weaved his way through the field to win by a wide margin. There was another gap to the third placed Magic Fluke while Havana Smoke would go back to Newmarket with a fourth place. It would be an impressive to win his first race for the grey Flying Fletcher who made it a double for his trainer Richard Fahey and owners Middleham Park Racing. The son of Muhaarar ran pleasingly in a similar race when fifth here on the back of a three month absence. Dropping a furlong in distance, he finally delivered the long awaited win for his joyful owners. 

Race Eight: The BetUK It's Where The UK Bets Handicap - Class Five - 6 Furlongs - Runners: 12

Winner: THE CALTONIAN (#6) (Swiss Spirit x Azelle) - J. Peate - L. Perratt.

The racing ended with this jigsaw puzzle of a handicap and it would be difficult to solve the conundrum of backing the winner. The race would also see the largest field of the evening with twelve runners going to post. 

Grant Wood had been relatively lightly raced as a four year old and represented the Paul Midgely stable on his British all-weather debut. Phoenix Beach scored here in November and then found himself with too much to do on his latest start. Hour By Hour went close in a higher graded race at the start of the year but has slowly slipped down the ratings recently. Tristan Davidson's Secret Road was another to win at Newcastle this winter and produced a better effort at Southwell last time out. Kats Bob has been running well recently and holds good form over this course and distance. The Caltonian has enjoyed a recent purple patch of form recently with two wins and three placings albeit in lower grades. Thaki was narrowly denied by Secret Road back in November and making a quick return to action, a week after her previous start. Julie Camacho's three year old filly Wasdale has endured a stop-start career date but is already a dual winner at Newcastle. After John won this race last year and clearly loves this course as the Ian Jardine-trained seven year old landed his fourth Newcastle win last time out. His stablemate Sybil Charm showed promise on his penultimate start when fourth, but ran as if something were amiss last time out. The three-year-old filly Absolutelyflawless was a precocious juvenile last year, but appears to have lost her form badly in recent times. The Jim Goldie-trained Rory has been on a good spell recently following his win a few weeks ago and recent second in which he ran well in defeat.

Hour By Hour led the field in the early stages as the keen going Grant Wood, Thaki, Phoenix Beach and Secret Road all kept close tabs on the leader. With little change in the order, it was set up for an exciting finish. The Caltonian had been well placed just behind the leaders under Jonny Peate and the favourite showed a smart turn of pace to bolt clear of his rivals, quickly putting daylight between himself and the chasing pack under the night sky. The four year old The Caltonian crossed the line alone ahead of the staying on Sibyl Charm in second with the grey Grant Wood holding onto third. It would be the continuation of the red hot form of The Caltonian who has been transformed by the all-weather. Winless on the turf, he won for the first time at Newcastle in October and followed up at Wolverhampton. With three more second and third placings, the four year old has risen by twelve pounds in the ratings. The style of this win suggests more could follow even still. It would be another win at Newcastle for jockey Jonny Peate who has developed a strong partnership with all-weather sprinters trained by Linda Perratt.