A competitive eight-race all-weather fixture takes place at Newcastle Racecourse on Tuesday, 24 February, with racing on the Tapeta surface from 2:12pm through to 5:42pm. The programme combines well-matched handicaps, an informative maiden, and a strong novice contest, with two races sharing the highest purse of £10,000.
The 2:12pm opener, The Midnite Building The Future Handicap Stakes, is a Class 4 event over 1m 2f 42y worth £9,500. With six runners declared, the extended ten-furlong trip could develop into a tactical contest where race positioning proves crucial.
At 2:42pm, the Join The Midnite Movement Handicap Stakes provides a sharp contrast ,a five-furlong Class 6 sprint worth £9,000. Ten runners are set to go to post, and early speed will be key down Newcastle’s straight.
One of the joint-highest prize races on the card, this competitive maiden has attracted eleven runners and features a fascinating blend of three-year-olds and older horses.
Among the three-year-old fillies is Space Moon (IRE) (P. J. McDonald), trained by Roger Fell, alongside The Cyprus Pearl (GB) (Barry McHugh) from the Brian Ellison yard. Whisky Dreams (GB), partnered by David Egan for Ivan Furtado, also adds depth to the younger contingent.
Comprador (GB), a colt trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Billy Loughnane, brings racecourse experience, while Tim Easterby’s Kode Grey (IRE) and Julie Camacho’s Celtic Arrow (FR) further strengthen the three-year-old representation. Lock’d Up Lane (GB), trained by Roger Fell and rated 60, adds a measurable form line to the field.
The older runners ensure this is no straightforward maiden. Teddy Shaw (GB) (James Sullivan) represents Ruth Carr, while Minnie Idol (GB) from the John Butler stable and Seven Fires (IRE), trained by Jack Channon, both step forward with prior experience. Completing the line-up is Bannerbrooke (IRE) from the John & Sean Quinn yard. With varied profiles and experience levels, this six-furlong contest promises to be one of the most revealing races of the afternoon.
The 3:42pm Midnite Upping The Game Handicap Stakes (Class 5, 6f, £7,100) features the largest field of the day with twelve declared runners, setting up a competitive sprint scenario.
The 4:12pm and 4:42pm handicaps over 7f 14y, both Class 6 events worth £6,000, add further depth to the mid-card, with double-figure fields likely to produce closely fought finishes.
The second joint-feature on the card is the 5:12pm novice stakes, another £10,000 contest, which has attracted a strong field of ten runners.
Among them is Alfred (GB) (David Nolan), a five-year-old trained by David O’Meara, while August Spring (GB) represents the Michael & David Easterby yard. The highest-rated runner in the line-up is Maestro Bernstein (IRE) (Cam Hardie), who brings a BHA rating of 80 into the contest for Antony Brittain, marking him as a key contender on official figures.
Grant Tuer’s Multanightothree (IRE) adds further experience, while the three-year-old brigade is headed by Domenico Contarini (IRE) (David Egan) for Kevin Philippart de Foy and Exmoor (GB) (P. J. McDonald), trained by Andrew Balding.
Haltonwood (IRE) from the Ivan Furtado yard, Leysthorpe Star (IRE) trained by Roger Fell, and Midsummer Storm (IRE) from the K. R. Burke stable all add further intrigue, alongside My Dad Frank (GB) trained by Alan Brown. With a mix of exposed older runners and progressive three-year-olds, this novice contest looks set to provide a compelling late highlight.
The finale at 5:42pm, the Midnite Golden Goals Handicap Stakes (Class 6, 1m 5y, £6,000), concludes the afternoon with ten runners declared, ensuring a competitive closing chapter to the meeting.
Overall, Tuesday’s Tapeta card at Newcastle blends competitive handicaps with two £10,000 features that stand out for depth and quality. The 3:12pm maiden and 5:12pm novice stakes, in particular, offer strong fields and the promise of emerging talent on display.
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