All weather finals day
All weather finals day is typically held on good Friday , formally held at Lingfield from 2013 until moving to Newcastle in 2022. With 1 million pounds in prize money it is the richest all weather raceday in Europe.
There are six categories
3 year old.
Fillies and mares.
Sprint.
Marathon.
Mile.
Middle Distance.
To qualify for these races the horse must have run three times on the all weather and achieved an high enough BHA rating or by winning one of the fast track qualifying races. There are fast track qualifiers throughout the season and also two trial days at Lingfield and Newcastle. There are bonus prizes for horses winning a trial and then winning on finals day. Plenty of opportunity to qualify a horse if good enough and pick up some great prize money.
To supplement the finals day Lingfield now holds The All Weather Vase meeting with £390,00 in prize money up for the taking.
It will closely follow the format of Newcastle but will be class 3 and class 4 handicaps so will offer a chance to horses not getting the opportunity to run in the Newcastle races.
There will also be a mile and a half race for apprentices only.
These meeting have richly enhanced all weather racing in this country.
Top Jockeys on the AW include Billy Loughnane, Luke Morris and Rossa Ryan. Billy should be crowned champion AW Jockey.
Apprentice Jockeys Ryan Kavanagh, Jack Callan,Jack Dace and Ashley Lewis have all ridden double figure amounts of winners.
Trainers Tony Carroll, James Owen, Andrew Balding and Ian Williams have sent out many winners this season. A special mention goes to Michael Appleby who won the title in 6 consecutive years from 2014 to 2019.
Horses Yorkshire Glory and Aisling Oscar have fought out the AW horse of the year with 8 wins each, Yorkshire Glory has more placed efforts and leads.
The Racecorses
Newcastle is a tapeta track and it has a straight mile. Draw bias is a little unpredictable but mainly the jockeys seem to favour the stands side which is the high draw side. Trainer to note is Andrew Balding with an excellent strike rate at this track. Jockey to note would be Cieren Fallon who is 11 from 35 for over 30% winning rate.
Lingfield surface is polytrack. There are bends to negotiate here with low numbers stalled horses favoured although if the horse is not quick out the stalls the jockey can soon find himself short of room. A middle draw is okay as you can cut the bend some but again gate speed is essential. From the two to four furlong pole is downhill and you will see jockeys beginning there move around three/two out.
Trainer Simon Crisford does not send too many here but he’s to be noted when he does with a over 305 strike rate. Jockey Rossa Ryan is particularly good at Lingfield with a near 28% win rate. Two slightly lesser known names that do well are Kieren Shoemarl and Marco Ghianni.
Selections
Selections.
There are 11 races to be shown on ITV and plenty of betting opportunities.
1.50 Newcastle
Andrew Balding has trained the past 3 runnings of this contest and his silent strike looks to have a great chance of making it 4 with Oisin Murphy riding.
I also want to include Cotai Lights who I think is looks to be somewhat of a plot horse by Adrian Paul Keetley. He has 3 lengths to make up with Silent strike on there running over C&D on the 6th of March. He was returning from a break and is now 7lb better off today. Looked to have a prep run at Naas recently and can out run his odds.
1 point Each way Silent Strike
0.5 points each way Cotai Lights.
4 places generally available
2.25 Newcastle
Stateria look a solid option given the ease of his victory last time out. He is though plenty short enough and not a bet I am willing to take on.
Indigo Dream should be closer to the favourite this time given the pull in the weights and is an eachway alternative with Jamie Spencer booked to ride.
0.5 points each way Indigo Dream. If possible take the 11/1 to4 places bet 365
3.00 Newcastle
Lots of chances here with interlocking formlines. It should be run at a good gallop and this may suit Dosman and Witch hunter, they will obviously need some luck in running to find the gaps.
0 .5 points each way Witch Hunter
0.5 points each way Dosman.
4 places generally available.
3.35 Newcastle
Pocklington form looks to be solid enough and he is well drawn for one that likes to either lead or race prominently.
Fivethousandtoone is an hold up performer who looks to be coming to hand and can go close if he gets the breaks at the right time.
0.75 points each way Pocklington
0.5 points each way Fivethousandtoone
There are a few firms going to 5 places take those if possible.
4.10 Newcastle
Regal Ulixes manner of victory over this distance on his penultimate start is very good form. Messrs Balding and Murphy are a trainer/jockey combo who do very well here.
Brasil Power looks to be overpriced and worthy of a small each way.
Regal Ulixes 2 point win
Brasil Power 0.5 points each way
Brasil Power is available at 40/1 at betfred, paddypower and AK bets take that if possible.
4.42 Newcastle
Duke of Oxford comes here in terrific form but the ease of his victory last time out puts him on a career high mark. Decent chance nonetheless
Prydwen won the corresponding race in 2024 and has slipped down to an attractive looking handicap mark and a repeat is not out of the question.
Duke Of Oxford 1 point each way
Prydwen 0.5 points each way
Take 4 places if possible available with several firms
I have noted places available and a few prices all results though will be recorded to standard BSP win and place.
Hope you enjoyed this article and good luck with any bets.
John at Viewpoint on the AW.
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