Hi all,
Invades and ITV Racing finally launch the ARC “Friday Night Live” series at Newcastle. We should already have had one fixture, but last month’s Wolverhampton meeting fell victim to snow.
Newcastle will be buzzing. Students will pack the place. Expect plenty of drinking. DJs too. There’s even speed dating. And yes, some horse racing thrown in for good measure.
The racing itself is competitive. The prize money is strong, at least for the final four races, and it’s comfortably better than the Racing League. You can follow the action on and off the track live on ITV4 this evening.
Inside today’s main piece, I’ve looked at five of the Friday Night Live races.
Newcastle
6:00 – Sprint Handicap (Class 5) – 5f
Dark Kestrel returned to form when a 2¾-length sixth to Digital over C&D 17 days ago. A previous C&D winner, he’s been dropped 2lb and now sits 2lb below his last winning mark. Ethan Tindall claims 7lb, which leaves the 6yo very well treated. On a going day, he’s handicapped to strike.
6:30 – Sprint Handicap (Class 5) – 5f
Digital got back to winning ways over C&D last time. He’s up 3lb but remains on a workable mark and should go well again.
Amerjeet bounced back to form when third at Wolverhampton 10 days ago after dropping back to 5f. He didn’t get the clearest run 1f out and the handicapper has eased him 1lb. If in the same form, can go close.
7:00 – Sprint Handicap (Class 3) – 5f
Pilgrim makes his AW debut but is capable of winning off this mark. He hasn’t been seen since York in May but goes well fresh and ran well on his seasonal return last spring. If he takes to the surface, he’s a major player.
Badri has gone close on his last two starts here, beaten just a neck over 6f last time. He’s up 1lb and drops back to 5f but remains firmly on a winning mark.
Air Force One wasn’t at his best on when sixth on AW debut at Southwell in November. Back from a short break, he’s nicely handicapped if he proves as effective on the synthetic as on turf.
7:30 – Handicap (Class 4) – 1m
Champagne Powder returned to form with a career-best on RPR’s when a head second at Chelmsford last month. Drawn wide in stall 1 but likely to go forward. Off the same mark, with Tom Marquand booked, he has a strong chance.
8:30 – Sprint Handicap (Class 4) – 6f
Julie Camacho holds a strong hand with Hundred Caps and Raatea.
Hundred Caps won at Southwell 17 days ago after a three-month break. His form figures since wind surgery reads 2121. He’s up 5lb from last time but still looks capable of better on the AW.
Raatea is 2 from 5 over C&D and was a neck second here 13 days ago. Not guaranteed to reproduce that form, but more than capable of winning this if he does.
Sergeant Pep chased home Hundred Caps last time and now gets a 4lb pull. He’s on a competitive mark, but Hundred Caps will be hard to beat if progressing again.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John