There’s a competitive looking card on the all-weather at Newcastle on Friday, with eight races to get stuck into, all sponsored by BetUK & BetMGM.
GG editor Tom Aldridge runs through the full card, giving his selections for all eight races on the card, including a confident pick at 4.45pm and one he’s taking a chance on in the Handicap at 5.45pm.
Back his selections with BetMGM’s HUGE new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you deposit and bet £10!
3.10pm – BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap (Class 5)
BOBBY SHAFTOE stayed on strongly to just edge out Purple Gown over C&D last month, and he’s only been raised 1lb in the ratings for it. When you factor in jockey Mark Winn’s 3lb claim in here, he’s effectively 2lb better off this time around and I think he looks a solid option to land the opener. Spirit Of Ash looks the chief danger having won on his last two races over C&D, but he’s now on a career high mark and I’d sooner be on the side of Bobby Shaftoe, who can get us off to a winning start.
3.45pm – Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap (Class 4)
I’m predicting that young Mark Winn will have an excellent start on Friday, as I’m also backing him to land the second race on board HORTZADAR. The 8YO made the perfect all-weather debut when edging out stablemate Star Shield just over a month ago over C&D, and with his jockey’s claim he’s effectively 2lb better off with that rival here, so should be able to confirm that form. Trais Fluors could give him most to think about, after his C&D win on his first start since joining the Linda Perrett yard, but Hortzadar is a classy horse and I think he should be able to prove that.
4.15pm – BetMGM: It’s Showtime Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4)
I’m taking a bit of a chance that PARISH COUNCILLOR is ready to strike first time out after a 308 day break, but providing he is, he should take all the beating in this. His C&D win last time out in February was a better race that what he will contest here on Friday and the form of that race has worked out nicely. The runner-up Flash Bardot is now rated 85, so considering Parish Councillor runs off just 77 here, he might not even have to be 100% ready to land this. Ribble Rouser could be his biggest danger, but he tends to find one or two too good each race and I’m confident Parish Councillor will have the measure of him.
4.45pm – Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap *Div I* (Class 5)
COLD STARE could only finish a two length 4th behind Sir Maxi last time out over C&D four weeks ago, but it was a bizarre ride that day and I think that form could easily reverse here. Young Mikkel Mortensen had him detatched at the rear of the field, but flew home when asked for his effort, and providing Daniel Tudhope doesn’t make the same mistake I think he can land this. He’s also now 4lb better off with Sir Maxi this time, so I’m confident we’ll see that form reverse and I would be shocked if Cold Stare isn’t thereabouts at the finish.
5.15pm – Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap *Div II* (Class 5)
This is a difficult race, one of the hardest on the card in my opinion, but I’m taking a chance on STAR ZINC. He won nicely over C&D on his last visit here and I’m willing to forgive the run last time out, when sixth at Wolverhampton, after a bit of a nightmare run which saw him detached and struggling to find a gap. P J McDonald is on board here and I’m happy with that, so he gets my vote in a hard race to predict. Jahidin could be the big danger, but he might just need this run, and I’d sooner side with Star Zinc who has race fitness guaranteed.
10 To Follow – Tom Aldridge’s Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. Next up it’s the turn of GG’s chief editor Tom Aldridge to give his selections, which include one he thinks could take on Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, plus one he…
Wed 25 Oct 20235.45pm – Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap (Class 6)
I’m taking a bit of a chance that the return to Newcastle can see ODD SOCKS HAVANA outrun his odds. This year, his record over C&D reads 17122 (2-5), compared to a 53248 (0-5) elsewhere, so I’m confident the return to Newcastle will see him to better effect. Apprentice jockey Morgan Cole is in excellent form of late (22% strike-rate over the past two weeks) so his 5lb claim is another boost to his chances. I’m not sold on the chances of those at the head of the betting so I’d sooner side with Odd Socks Havana and hope that the return to Newcastle can revitalise him, after a couple of poorer efforts at Wolverhampton recently.
6.15pm – Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 5)
Photosynthesis could be tough to beat if he takes to the all-weather, but trainer Tom Clover doesn’t have a good record at Newcastle (no winners from 23 runners), so I’m going to take him on with CAST NO SHADOW. Hugo Palmer is in excellent form currently (four winners from last ten runners) and he only just failed to win last time out over C&D, just failing to catch Monks Dream in the dying stages. He flex home that day though, and having improved with each run, I think this will be fourth time lucky and he can shed his maiden tag, hopefully in devastating fashion!
6.45pm – BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap (Class 5)
PEPSI CAT has hit the crossbar in each of her last four races, but it’s surely only a matter of time before she gets her head in front again and I think this could be the time she does it. She finished almost two lengths ahead of Zuffolo over C&D last month when she had her path blocked at a cruical time, and Zuffolo has since boosted the form by winning next time out. Both line up in here and I’m confident Pepsi Cat will be able to confirm that form, especially considering she’s 1lb better off with that rival this time around. She can hopefully sign us off with a win on what looks a decent card at Newcastle.
Newcastle Through-The-Card Tips
Safer Gambling Week 2025
This year Safer Gambling Week runs from Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd November, with the intention to educate bettors around the importance of responsible gambling. Here at GG we fully support the initiative and have pulled some information together about how people can evaluate whether they are betting safely and the tools offered by bookmakers…
Wed 12 Nov 2025Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.