Friday night under the lights at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park promises some high-octane Tapeta action. With ITV4 cameras rolling for seven of the races, we’ve got a competitive card ranging from improving three-year-olds to seasoned sprint veterans.
The track is riding as a standard, fair surface – but as always at Newcastle, the long straight tests stamina to the limit.
So see below our Newcastle horse racing tips and key stats to take into the big Friday Night Live card on 6th February, 2026.
With seven of the monster nine-race card also being shown LIVE on the ITV Racing schedule.
Also get Andy Newton’s FREE daily cheat sheet here – including NAP, NB, Hot Trainers and much more.
Newcastle Horse Racing Tips: Take Silva To Land Gold In Friday Night Live Opener
🌟 Best Bet of the Day: Race 1 (4:30): MARIA DA SILVA
This Andrew Balding-trained filly looks a step ahead of the handicapper.
Her recent course win was impressive, despite only getting up by 3/4 of a length, as she got the job done despite taking a bit of a hold.
That track experience will be a plus back at Gosforth Park on Friday night.
And the Balding yard also boasts a cracking 29% SR with their 3yos at this track (20-70).
Plus, with a pedigree for further improvement (related to former Derby winner Golden Horn) we can expect more improvement over this 1m trip.
So, with the stable also in flying form, she is the “banker” of the evening.
Jason Watson rides – we’ll take Silva to land gold here.
Newcastle Best Bets and Stats: Race-By-Race Guide
4:30 – Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (Class 5)
MARIA DA SILVA secured a determined victory over 7f here 24 days ago.
But moving up to a mile looks ideal given her finishing effort last time and with some Epsom Derby pedigree in her bloodline should also improve for the step up.
Jockey Jason Watson is a plus in the saddle and an opening mark of 67 might seriously underestimate her potential.
While the Balding team boast an overall 27% SR with their runners at Newcastle.
Selections
🥇MARIA DA SILVA
🥈ELIZABETTY
🥉PINTS IN PEACEÂ
KEY STATS 📈
- David & Nicola Barron won this race in 2024
- Andrew Balding has a 29% SR with his 3yos here
5:00 – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Div I) Cl5 (4yo+ 0-70) 7f SKY
Course winners Goldmoyne and Flowstate are noted – as are recent Southwell winner Call Glory and the Mick Appleby runner Straight A.
But the Scott Dixon-trained BELLA BISBEE is the call after a good second at Wolves last month.
She’s up 2lbs for that run, but connections have booked Mikkel Mortensen to take off a handy 7lbs – meaning he’s still 5lbs better off.
Selections
🥇BELLA BISBEE
🥈STRAIGHT A
🥉GOLDMOYNEÂ
KEY STATS 📈
- Luke Morris is only 5-130 (5%) riding 4+ year-olds here
- Trainer Mick Appleby is just 12-195 (6%) with his 4+ year-olds here
5:30 – SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap (Div II) (Class 5)
NOVAK is a real course specialist for Iain Jardine – winning here three times in the past.
While his recent form figures (6th-7th) don’t jump off the page, he has dropped to a very dangerous mark 69 – with his last win coming off 71.
He was a winner off 3lb higher last year too and the booking of the experienced Andrew Mullen—who has ridden the horse before —catches the eye.
Sea Legend can go well too got the Goldie team after winning over 1m here last time.
But is dropped to 7f today and despite running off the same mark doesn’t have Laura Young claiming 5lbs this time.
Selections
🥇NOVAK
🥈SEA LEGEND
🥉ANTHROPOLOGIST
KEY STATS 📈
- Trainer Mark Usher has a 22% SR at the track
- Jockey Jack Garritty is just 12-184 (7%) at the track
6:00 – SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div I) (Class 5)
The Grant Tuer 4yo FARANDAWAY has been knocking on the door and was a shade unlucky not to finish closer at Wolverhampton last time out (4th).
He ran well for much of the way but just couldn’t see out the trip in that better grade.
But is down 2lbs today and eased slightly in grade (Class 5) and with Oliver Stammers in the plate, he looks fair value in a very open affair.
Pal Joey is also noted as the expected jolly and won here over CD last time (neck).
The Ben Haslam team are in fine form too (43%) but is up 5lbs for that win so a bit more is needed.
Selections
🥇FARANDAWAY
🥈PAL JOEY
🥉GOOD EARTHÂ
KEY STATS 📈
- Trainer Ben Haslam comes here with a 43% SR in the last 14 days
- Trainer Phillip Makin is just 4-76 (4%) with his 4yos at the track
- Luke Morris is only 5-130 (5%) riding 4+ year-olds here
6:30 – SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div II) (Class 5)
Ruth Carr has the veteran 8yo DIGITAL in the form of his life.
He arrives seeking a double after fending off his rivals over this C&D 17 days ago – and before that ran two decent seconds.
Up 3lb, but this rise is fair for a horse who clearly loves the Tapeta.
Plus, despite not getting any younger, has won off 77 just 18 months ago to suggest his mark of 62 is still within range.
Joanna Mason rides.
Selections
🥇DIGITAL
🥈WATER OF LEITH
🥉AMERJEET
KEY STATS 📈
- Cam Hardie is only 32-543 (6%) riding 4+ year-olds here
- Rhys Elliott is only 7-117 (6%) riding 4+ year-olds here
7:00 – SBK: No Casino Just Sports Handicap (Class 3)
The Geoff Oldroyd do well here at Newcastle, with a cracking 24% SR with their 4+ year-olds and so AIR FORCE ONE is the call to fly home.
This 5yo is down 2lbs for his last run at Southwell (6th) but is also down a tad in grade here – into a Class 3.
Has also been freshened up with 2 1/2 months off and will have the experienced hands of PJ McDonald in the plate.
Selections
🥇AIR FORCE ONE
🥈BADRI
🥉ELEGANT ERINÂ
KEY STATS 📈
- Trainer Geoff Oldroyd has a 24% SR with his 4+ year-olds here
- Trainer David and Nicola Baron are just 3-59 (5%) with their 4+yos at the track
7:30 – Best Odds Guaranteed At SBK Handicap (Class 4)
CD winner Mostar Dreams is noted with the Keatley yard having a fair return with their runners here.
But so does jockey Sean D Bowen – who brings a 24% SR to the table when riding 4+ year-olds.
He rides the John Butler-trained FINAL NIGHT, who is on a three-timer after two wins at Kempton.
Up 3lbs for the last of those looks fair and a 51-day break will have him itching to get back on the track.
Selections
🥇FINAL NIGHT
🥈MOSTAR DREAMS
🥉ADVANCINGÂ
KEY STATS 📈
- Longhaired General won this race last season
- Jockey Sean D Bowen has a 24% riding 4+yolds here
- Trainer Adrian Paul Keatley has a 22% SR with his older horses here
- Trainer David and Nicola Baron are just 3-59 (5%) with their 4+yos at the track
8:00 – SBK Betting Podcast Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 7f ITV4
It’s hard to ignore the SR of the Clive Cox team here with their older horses – so recent Southwell scorer Dragon King is shortlisted.
As are two more recent winners Maximising and North View. While the Ben Haslam yard are going well and they run Sunriseontheboyne.
But the call is to side with the Charlie Johnston runner BENARCE, who was a good second at here at the end of January.
He’s on the same mark since that run and is well drawn in 5 to run another big race.
Selections
🥇BENARCE
🥈DRAGON KING
🥉SUNRISEONTHEBOYNE
KEY STATS 📈
- Trainer Ben Haslam comes here with a 43% SR in the last 14 days
- Trainer Clive Cox has a 38% SR with his 4+ year-olds here
- Trainer David and Nicola Baron are just 3-59 (5%) with their 4+yos at the track
8:30 – SBK: Real Racing, Real People Handicap (Class 4)
Brian Ellison’s charge NORTHERN SPIRIT was a slight eye-catcher just six days ago here over 7f – when slowly away.
Will need a better start, but with all his career wins over shorter the drop back (from 7f) to 6f looks a good move by connections.
His mark of 80 is within reach too, with his last success coming off 79 here back in August.
Regular rider Ben Robinson is doing the steering.
Selections
🥇NORTHERN SPIRIT
🥈SERGEANT PEPÂ
🥉FORTAMOUR
KEY STATS 📈
- Trainer Ben Haslam comes here with a 43% SR in the last 14 days
- Trainer Clive Cox has a 38% SR with his 4+ year-olds here
- Trainer Liam Bailey is just 11-174 (6%) with his runners here
Note: All stats on this page are subject to changeÂ
