The massive grandstands at Gosforth stand barely a tenth full today diminishing from the atmosphere
It is a recurring trend in this study that the cost of entry is out of synch with the quality of the fare. Maybe the fact that it was going to be a popular evening event and that this was a grade one course with very good facilities supports the price charged on this occasion. However for a lacklustre pre Cheltenham jump meeting I would have thought we could have had all enclosures available for the same price rather than about £21 for 'access all areas'. The concourse is very roomy and all under cover. There are plenty of bars and places to get decent food with tables to eat of while seated is a luxury not always present at other venues. Viewing at Newcastle is very good although on the round course the runners disappear from sight for about 100 yards at the seven furlong pole. But as the course management hire in the giant close circuit TV screen punters miss none of the action. The course is a stiff gallop with easy bends and is slightly uphill along the straight. There is a galloping mile long straight and the round course joins this at around a half mile out. The round course is about a mile and three quarters in circumference.
The Aesthetic Beauty Centre with branches in Newcastle and Sunderland took the opportunity to sponsor all six races on this Ladies Night card. Inside the racecard there is advice as to what to do with your betting slip after a race has finished. Although there are plenty of circumstances where the result given by the judge is overturned, it is a ritual of punters to discard the losing ticket. It is almost a casting out of the demons as soon as possible to ensure a clean slate and clear head to regain the loses incurred.
Gosforth Park stages many high profile races in the year. These include the Beeswing flat race, the Fighting Fifth hurdle race and The Eider steeplechase. However it is the late June Northumberland Plate meeting which is without doubt the biggest of the year.
Inside the racecard there is advice as to what to do with your betting slip after a race has finished. Although there are plenty of circumstances where the result given by the judge is overturned, it is a ritual of punters to discard the losing ticket. It is almost a casting out of the demons as soon as possible to ensure a clean slate and clear head to regain the loses incurred. However I have a confessions to make. Back at the 1979 plate meeting I went on the Thursday afternoon opening day. In the 2 year old stake which kicked the meeting off I had backed the even money favourite Awanamy Lady. She looked for all the world the winner about 2 furlongs out but weakened quickly to be beaten 3 lengths into second place. After a good few minutes the announcement that there was an objection by the second to the winner on the basis of the jockey having struck the runner up with his whip on the filly's nose obviously attracted my interest. Unbelievably the positions were reversed. I then frantically began searching for my betting slip which by good fortune I had written my bet on the back. Equally luckily I found two other disgarded slips one an even score the other a tenner at 5/4. Nervously I hung around the bookies who had the other bets struck and when things had calmed down a bit I claimed the other two bets as well. Completely without scrupples but there you go. This blog is turning out to be a good confessional box!
Racing
The opening event was novice hurdle over 16f where the field was composed of maidens. The going was soft but appeared not to be too holding. The winner was Jukebox Melody who had shown ability when winning a couple of bumpers but had appeared a problem when running far too freely on debut. Seemed to settle much better today and won in reasonable style however I would think he will find following up with a penalty difficult. Alpha One surprisingly finished second after some poor runs. Much the same can be said of the third home Andreo Bambaleo who had been well held in bumpers. Lucky Sunny was given a very easy ride finishing 5th and has previously looked to have some ability but has a tendency to hang. It could be that he will find himself on a useful handicap mark. In a similar vein I did not think Next To Nowhere was pushed too hard for a second easy and if given a rating on this is sure to improve. It is well worthwhile keeping these two onside and look at the weights. If they appear fair to the finishing position today taking an interest in their handicap debuts could prove profitable.
Over the second last and Jukebox Melody has kicked on to win opener
A class 5 handicap hurdle over 20f was won by a horse I have been keeping an eye on since it finished a staying on third at Wetherby in January. In the blog that followed I made a strong case for the hands and heels events as a clear case that use of the whip to encourage extra effort as being unnecessary. However if we look at today’s winner Cute N You Know It we can see that in the hands and heels she plugged on at one pace without getting into a serious challenging position. Today however she led from 4 out and under very hard driving she plugged on resolutely to win. She is often equipped with cheekpieces so has a possible concentration issue and it has to be said that without vigorous urging she would not have prevailed. I think she needs to prominent if not forcing the pace over 2m4 to be seen at best advantage. She may find her new mark following this victory will halt further progress. Miss Tarantella was a bit of a disappointment. She really should have maintained her lead when she headed the winner on the run in but appeared to lack resolution. I would say she is well left alone. Top weight Final Veto had every chance 4 out but was soon beaten getting home in his own time to finish third although he was well clear of the rest.
Early on and Cutenyouknowit is prominent in third on her way to a gutsy win
Novice chase over three miles attracted only four runners but was a race which looked quite open. The winner Lockstown appears a very difficult ride probably needing to be held up. He jumped ok and was the best on the day but he did not beat much therefore I would say he will find carrying a penalty difficult. The second Bear Dancing looked very well in the paddock and was showing improved form today. But was very ponderous at his fences today and is not a natural jumper. He will find winning difficult. The other two were well beated, The Ferbane Man looked to be carrying a bit of condition and jumped sketchily whilst Cloonawillin Lady pulled more than was good for her.
There was absolutely no gallop in the class 4 handicap hurdle over 16f. The muddle led to a half mile sprint where Willie Hall bounced back having given up the lead before the last got up close home. He looks like a pair of blinds would held no end. The runner up was Rolecarr who was not comfortable with the pace and is much better in mud. Given a stronger run race and deep ground I think he remains on a good mark and can gain recompense. Difficult to say too much positive about the rest.
I cannot see this doing much appears to be the thought of the jockey
The 20f novice was a much better class event than the 16f opener to today’s racing. It was run at a good pace and won at odds on by chaser in the making Tiptoeaway. He had some fair form coming into the race but didn’t run away with this race and was not always fluent. I would say he will struggle to win again over hurdles but look forward to seeing him chase next season when he could well be a force. I was much taken by the runner up mare Lua De Itaoan who despite being tapped for toe till over halfway, slowly gained ground looking like she will be very much at home over 20f but really needing a stiffer more undulating track such as Carlisle or Leicester to maximise advantage. Money Tree finished third having every chance but despite appearing consistent genuine is just not good enough. Of the others front-running Diamond D’amour just cannot hurdle well, Direct Approach can hurdle but appears paceless (maybe needs better ground?) Doctor Light (appears useless) were all well beaten.
Rounding off the jump racing today was a well contested class 3 chase over 20f which was a victory for the handicapper. Most held a good chance heading to the third last. However it was the excellent jumping of Categorical which won the day for the topweight who continues to announce the great nick Revely’s stable is now following the doldrums of the new year.
In the red and Categorical held up and jumping smoothly takes an early fence on the way to victory
The most impressive runner of the day was the filly Chapter Five in the newcomer bumper over 16f. She won pulling a cart easing through from the distance to win very easily. Representing the Reveley stable and confirming the useful form the yard is currently enjoying
Impressive mare Chapter Five in the winner's enclosure
Notebook
Lucky Sunny
NR
Not seen after this run at Newcastle so I have binned him as looking at finishing off the to follow
Next To Nowhere
NR
Also not seen out again and I will close it off now
Rolecarr up £183
0 1(18/1)1(10/3) 4 2 0 4 3 1 (9/2)
Has been a great one to follow because not only has he picked up threewins he has been an each way interest at 10/1 and 25/1. Went up the handicap but looked well worth following and has now begun his chasing career with a lot of promise and I am keeping him onside with my Hexham to follow rather than this one so I will close off his hurdling to follow.
Tiptoeaway (Negative) up £12
P 4 1 (5/6)
Well btn in only subsequent hurdle. More promising over fences including an odds on win last run. Left alone now
Chapter Five
NR
Yet to race subsequently in NHF or hurdles so although an interesting recruit we have binned following her
Currently £213.33 up