Hi all,
It's Good Friday, which means it's All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle. With over £1 million in prize money, the racing is competitive and high-quality. ITV Racing will broadcast six of the seven races live from Newcastle, along with four from Lingfield's All-Weather Vase card and one from Chelmsford.
I'm away for a couple of days over Easter, but I've prepared short previews for Good Friday and Saturday.
Here's my Good Friday preview, focusing on four key races at Newcastle:
Newcastle – All-Weather Finals Day
1:50 – BetMGM All-Weather 3-Year-Old Championships Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
So Darn Hot impressed with a C&D win two starts back and followed up with a determined victory in the All-Weather Championship 3-Year-Old Trial Handicap at Lingfield. The form has been boosted by the runner-up winning since. Now 6lb higher, but jockey Warren Fentiman claims 5lb, effectively offsetting the rise.
Hello Zaman won at Lingfield two starts ago and was narrowly beaten by a progressive rival in a novice event there 25 days ago. Still showing signs of greenness, he appears well-treated on handicap debut. Yard in good form.
3:00 – BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Kingdom Come was just a short head away from victory in this race last year off the same mark. He shaped well when a length third at Wolverhampton last month, his first run in three months, and should be fitter now. Went into my tracker for this race after his Wolverhampton run and has solid claims of going one better than 12 months ago.
3:35 – BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
We Never Stop benefited from a favourable track position when winning a Southwell handicap last month. He has a strong record on Tapeta, and although he's 4lb higher now, he can still be competitive.
Fivethousandtoone won this race last year off a 3lb lower mark for his previous trainer. He wasn't given a hard race when finishing fourth behind We Never Stop at Southwell last time and is now 4lb better off. With Oisin Murphy back in the saddle, he's a strong contender.
Saint Lawrence's last win came in the 2023 Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. He ran better than his seventh-place finish over C&D last time suggests, having been denied a clear run 2f out. After a short break he races off a favourable mark, he could be primed for a big run.
4:07 – BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle-Distance Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
Old Harrovian was a comfortable winner over C&D 91 days ago. He's been hit with a 9lb rise, but even that might not stop him from following up. He deserves his place at the head of the betting and looks to have a big chance.
Charlotte's Web, a C&D winner, narrowly missed out on a five-timer when second in the All-Weather Championship Middle Distance Trial at Lingfield. She's up another 5lb, but a 5lb apprentice takes over, so she should be in the mix again.
Power Of Destiny didn't get the best of runs when a close third to Charlotte's Web at Lingfield 90 days ago. She gets a 6lb pull with the winner and has a good chance of reversing the form, provided she gets a well-run race and handles the surface.
Claymore's last success came at Royal Ascot in 2022. He was below par in the Group 3 Winter Derby (1m 3f) at Southwell last time but wasn't disgraced when third over C&D in December. Now 7lb lower, he could outrun big odds and get into the places.
Good luck with your Good Friday bets.
John