We’re all set for a bumper Good Friday on Sky Sports Racing, headlined by Newcastle’s All-Weather Finals Day.
4.10 Newcastle – Improving Regal Ulixes takes on Gaucher
A cracking renewal of the Midnite All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap sees Regal Ulixes headline a field of 16 runners.
Andrew Balding’s four-year-old comfortably saw off Beylerbeyi to land a strong Lingfield handicap on his penultimate run, marking himself down as a handicapper to track. He followed that with a staying-on sixth in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton and he will appreciate stepping back up in distance.
Willie Mullins saddles Gaucher, who tops the weights under Billy Loughnane. A four-time hurdles winner, he has taken well to the all-weather, winning his last two outings at Dundalk. He must have chances despite a 5lb rise in the weights.
An open race sees plenty have each-way shouts including Duke’s Command, while Bragbor makes his debut for the Fahey team.
4.42 Newcastle – Top stayers Duke Of Oxford and Beylerbeyi clash
Classy stayers Duke Of Oxford and Beylerbeyi do battle in a stellar-looking Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate Marathon Handicap at 4.42pm.
Duke Of Oxford, fourth in this last season, seems to be at the peak of his powers right now and, having won the trial for this race in January, he ought to be in the mix. Up 6lbs, he has the size and scope to improve and he can give another good account.
The Ian Williams-trained Beylerbeyi will head the betting under Loughnane and rates the one to beat after stringing together a portfolio of placed efforts. In the money on his last three starts over much shorter, he is expected to relish the return to further.
Of the others, Dramatic Star warrants respect for his powerful connections, while Berkshire Dancer is another to note with first-time cheekpieces fitted.
3.35 Newcastle – Sir Les Patterson popular to defy rise
A competitive Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap sees Sir Les Patterson bid to continue the winning thread.
Stephen Thorne is a trainer on the up and he has high hopes that Sir Les Patterson can follow up his Dundalk success and complete the hat-trick under 3lb claimer Jack Kearney.
Pocklington has finished in the first two on all his all-weather starts and looks set for another bold bid having chased home The Caltonian in the trial over course and distance in January.
The Karl Burke-trained Marshman has plenty of back-class and it is wonderful to see Clifford Lee back in the saddle, while Sarab Star is an unexposed type who may advance his form again.
Best of the rest
The Gosforth Park card gets under way with Billecart, Andab and New Monarch headlining the Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes at 1.15pm, before Al Najashi goes for the five-timer in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap.
Stateira has obvious claims for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy in the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap before Chancellor and Blue Rc lock horns in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap at 3pm.
At Lingfield, Dark Ace and Apache Outlaw feature for Adrian McGuinness in the Midnite All-Weather Vase Sprint Handicap (2.40pm) prior to San Andreas and Unterberg taking each other on in the Midnite All-Weather Vase Middle Distance Handicap at 3.15pm.
Later in the evening, Keeneland plays host to the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes (10.16pm), with Kentucky Oaks fancy Zany headlining a quality field.
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