Last Updated on 29/03/2026 by Andy Clark
The weekend’s televised horse racing action kicks off on Friday evening with seven live races on the all-weather at Newcastle, and we go through the evening’s ITV Racing coverage on the eve of the new flat turf season, which kicks off on Saturday at Doncaster and features the famous Lincoln Handicap.
5:30 – Newcastle (AW) – Tipping Tom On SBK Bet Feed Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 1m
LORD CAPULET is 3-4 over C&D and ran well in defeat latest at Southwell when finishing third behind Packetofbiscuits, beaten two lengths.
Kevin Ryan’s pacesetter had a subsequent winner behind him that day, and the form of his earlier win here in February has been boosted by a couple of winners coming out of that race.
The Make Believe gelding is unchanged in the handicap for this latest outing, and having had a short break, he could regain winning ways now reunited with jockey Shane Grey.
6:00 – Newcastle (AW) – Bet Responsibly With SBK Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 7f
Consistent performer PIT BOSS can follow up his win here last Saturday in an apprentice’s contest.
Liam Bailey’s charge also struck here back in February, and he made the frame on all subsequent outings, including a near-miss over C&D prior to getting up close home here six days ago.
The Ardad gelding is quickly turned out, having escaped a penalty for that last victory, and this extra furlong is no ideal. He’s due to go up 3lbs in future, but a good claimer takes 5lbs off his back so he looks handicapped to go close here.
6:30 – Newcastle (AW) – SBK: No Casino Just Sports Handicap Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 6f
TEARDROPS has a decent record here and, having bounced back from a lesser run two starts ago with a near-miss over C&D, it might be worth chancing Richard Spencer’s charge to go one better.
The Tasleet gelding has won three times over C&D with a further four in-the-frame efforts, and he was only touched off by a half-length latest when run down late by the winner with the pair clear.
A 2lbs rise in the weights for that effort is offset by his rider’s 5lbs claim, and another big run wouldn’t come as a surprise, for all this is a tougher grade than he’s used to.
7:00 – Newcastle (AW) – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap Cl3 (4yo+ 0-90) 6f
WHEELS OF FIRE is unexposed on the all-weather and Richard Hannon’s charge can resume winning ways in a competitive contest.
The Mehmas gelding was victorious off a higher mark on the polytrack at Lingfield a couple of seasons ago, but he’s largely contested on turf and added to his tally at Windsor last September, beating Rage Of Thunder.
Subsequent runs were better than the bare results, his latest seeing him beaten just over four lengths at Goodwood and back from a break he may be capable of a big run on the all-weather. He’s had just three previous starts on artificial surfaces, going close at Southwell on his last all-weather start and off this sort of mark, he can be competitive on the pick of his turf form.
7:30 – Newcastle (AW) – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 1m
BREWING won off a mark of 93 when trained by William Haggas, and the Showcasing gelding returns to the UK for the first time since finishing last at Chester on his final run for that handler prior to joining Kevin Coleman in Ireland.
He’s winless in nine starts in Ireland, but he has made the frame in his last three outings at Dundalk, most recently when beaten just over one length by Neo Smart.
A regular winner at this venue in his younger days – four wins from seven starts – he’s on a very winnable mark back here for the first time since beating Empirestateofmind over C&D back in January 2025.
8:00 – Newcastle (AW) – SBK: Don’t Settle For Less Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 7f
BEALE STREET has done most of his winning at six furlongs, but Bryan Smart’s charge has no issue with this additional distance, and the Zoffany gelding can follow up on his latest course win two weeks ago.
A four-time course winner, he got the better of Juan Les Pins by a short-head in that last victory, having been denied by a head the time before and the way he hit the line suggests a return to this trip shouldn’t be a barrier to further success.
The runner-up has won since, and although 2lbs higher this time around, he should continue to remain competitive.
8:30 – Newcastle (AW) – SBK Betting Podcast Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 5f
TIRIAC is unexposed on the all-weather with just three starts on tapeta – all over C&D – and the Sixties Icon gelding can notch up further success.
A fair sort on turf for Jack Channon, he has won off this 78 rating on grass previously, and while his form since his switch to Paul Midgley has been a little in and out, he has shown up very well switching to artificial surfaces.
A winner over C&D in November last year, he ran well in third on his next outing under a penalty and quickly resumed winning ways when last seen, beating King’s Crown by the thick end of one length.
The runner-up, fifth and sixth horses home in that race have all won since, and while he’s up 6lbs now, he remains fairly treated on his old turf form. Assuming he can return from his break in similar form, then he should give a good account and every chance he can go close if fitness isn’t an issue.
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Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.