UK RETURNING TO ACTION, NEWCASTLE HORSE RACING MONDAY 1st JUNE

Monday 1st June 2020.
After around a ten week absence we can enjoy a return to horse racing action once more here at High Gosforth Park, Newcastle. Horse Racing in Britain has been suspended since 17th March because of the coronavirus pandemic and now we should be prepared to expect an ten-race opening fixture planned for Newcastle's all-weather track. That is all assuming that a return to action is approved by the government which we anticipate will be the correct course of action with health and safety of those involved in putting on this fixture paramount. The ten race card will have reduced field sizes (max 12 runners) in line with the BHA recommendations and other safety measures including masks and social distancing will be in place to enable racing to start once again this week. At the five day declaration stage the meeting had received a total of 369 entries, the meeting at Kempton tomorrow has over 450+. Racing is scheduled for meetings all this week and these will include the re-arranged Guineas Meetings at Newmarket next weekend which we will also be covering here.

Here's a link to this meeting's race card; RACECARD

Going and Weather -- The going on the Tapeta surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Monday is for a lot of sunshine and it's going to be rather humid day too so I might say there could be a snap shower during the day. Hopefully it's a good one for the return to action not that it really matters as we'll not be there!! We expect the temperature to reach a high of 20C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Today's Races and Selections;
13:00   1m 5y Welcome Back Handicap
(Class 6, 12 runners)
The opening contests are handicaps, not that surprisingly, and we kick off over a mile trip in a very compressed handicap with only 4lb splitting the twelve runner field. While there's strong words for Mick Appleby's STONE MASON a recruit from Roger Charlton and taking a big step back in trip and grade, but surely will be fit to go. TIERCEL is of interest as the elder statesman here and plenty of course experience including a win and has a 3lb claimer which could be significant.   Result - 1st  Zodiacos 22/1.

13:35   1m 5y Betway Handicap
(Class 4, 12 runners)
A tricky handicap over the mile, where Little Jo is the only course and distance winner but that was about two years ago and appears to struggle off this mark now so is overlooked. MOTAWAAFEQ has plenty of place form on the other all weather tracks and may well do enough to place here, while AMADEUS GREY was runner up here on only all weather start and subsequently raced in some competitive handicaps around the north so should enjoy this.   Result - 1st  Little Jo 9/1.

14:10   6f Betway Novice Stakes (Div One)
(Class 5, 12 runners)
First division of the two non handicap events on this afternoons card has four here that have run before and carry weight penalties against the newcomers. Ejtilaab might struggle with 10-3 to carry though the filly LITTLE RED SOCKS is a previous winner on the all weather at Wolves and only gives 2lb to the newcomers. Among those having their debut today is FREEDOM FLYER [Withdrawn NR] who should be well prepared by new training partnership Simon / Ed Crisford, the father and son pairing is already a popular practice in Australia and the sharing of the training licence has been approved by the BHA.   Result - 1st Edraak 16/1.

14:45   6f Betway Novice Stakes (Div Two)
(Class 5, 12 runners)
Second division of the Novice Stakes contest, where only ART POWER / MAGICAL JOURNEY have been out before and the winner is likely to come from that duo according to the early betting forecast. The newcomers will need a watching brief, but the filly CONTINENTAL gets a helping hand in the weights plus Megan Nicholls 3lb claim too.   Result - 1st Art Power  5/4F.

15:20   6f Betway Handicap

(Class 4, 12 runners)

Only 2lb separates the field here for this sprint handicap so the two that have shown the most consistent form when last seen are TATHMEEN who won here two starts back, and TRICKY DICKY who won five times last season and might still be one to follow. While support for the top rated HEATH CHARNOCK should be noted, even though could do with a bit of help from the handicapper has been well supported in recent races and is consistent off this sort of mark.    Result - Brian The Snail  13/2.

15:55   6f Betway Casino Handicap (3yo)
(Class 5, 12 runners)
The Crisford horses are likely to be popular here today, and they have another chance with ROCK OF DIAMONDS in the sprint handicap. Kevin Ryan saddles OAKENSHIELD who could be worth a shout having only raced on soft going but was well supported for his race at Hamilton. Down the bottom of the list CAPTAIN CORCORAN has his British debut for trainer Eric Alston having had several races over in Ireland winning at Navan.   Result - Oakenshield 11/2.

16:30   5f Betway Handicap
(Class 5, 12 runners)
Top weight Queen of Kalahari has good winning form but away at Southwell so is passed over for the win today, while BE PROUD has raced here the last seven times winning twice and filling the runner up position three times making him a banker place bet today for me. QUANAH is looking to secure a hat trick of wins, even with the extended break, though hasn't raced on the surface is the one question to answer.   Result - 1st  Queen of Kalahari 10/1.

17:05   1m 4f 98y Betway Handicap
(Class 3, 12 runners)
in terms of class and prize money on offer this is the best race on the card this afternoon, Mark Johnston saddles two including Star of the East who hasn't been seen out for two years so we'll watch that one. John Gosden sent GOOD TIDINGS up here to win a novice event last year and although he was last at Chelmsford that was over 1m6f which might have been too far at that stage in his career. Another to look at this season is ALIGNAK (Sir Michael Stoute) a lightly raced colt by Sea the Moon should appreciate this trip and has scored on the all weather at Kempton running out a 4 1/2L winner.   Result - 1st  Alignak  5/2jf.

17:40 1m 2f 42y Betway Maiden Stakes (Div One)
(Class 5, 12 runners)
We conclude today with the only other non handicap events a pair of maiden contests where most of the runners are having their debut there is not much form to speak of. John Gosden sends FRANKLY DARLING on the long journey to Northumberland for this Frankel filly having been runner up on her only start as a 2yo. DREAM WITH ME another Frankel offspring should be ready to go for Sir Michael Stoute and the only two I'd take out of the reckoning are the top two older horses Cracking Destiny (7yo) and Fair Sheriff (6yo) who come here from the NH sphere.   Result - 1st  Frankly Darling  10/11f .

18:15 1m 2f 42y Betway Maiden Stakes (Div Two)
(Class 5, 12 runners)
The second division of the concluding maiden contest has a similar profile with just five of the twelve runners having previously seen a racecourse. Miss Seery is the only 4yo here and only had one race before a NH Bumper, might be seen better in the long term over longer trips. WISE GLORY went off favourite for his only contest finishing 3rd and will be supported for the new licence partnership of Simon / Ed Crisford. Trainer Hugo Palmer runs ZORAN who having had two runs on the all weather has the experience to bring to the party. Of the newcomers the Galileo Filly LUCK ON SUNDAY could make the most of her allowance and has champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle.   Result - 1st  Valyrian Steel  11/4.

Results will appear here later during Monday afternoon as we enjoy racing's return to action. Some interesting races and a few good results along the way, much bigger meetings to come soon too, with the Guineas due next weekend, and Royal Ascot (without the Royals, or indeed crowds) from 16th-20th June.