Racecourse Guide

Newcastle
National Hunt

Gosforth Park, Tyne and Wear · home of the Fighting Fifth and a genuine stamina test

⬤ National Hunt
Turf
Left-Handed
Galloping

Shape

Oval ~1m6f

Track Type

Galloping, Uphill Finish

Fences

10 per circuit

Hurdles

7 per circuit

Home Straight

4 fences

Run-in

Long sustained uphill

Direction

Left-handed

Course Highlight

Fighting Fifth Gr.1

Also at Newcastle

Newcastle also stages all-weather racing. Read the All-Weather racecourse guide →

Course Overview

What is Newcastle like as a jumps track?

Racing in the North East traces back more than 350 years, originating at Killingworth in the early 17th century before moving to Newcastle’s Town Moor, which hosted the first Northumberland Plate in 1833. In 1880 a syndicate bought the 800-acre High Gosforth Park estate, and the current course — flat and jumps together — opened in 1882, giving Newcastle a history stretching back over 140 years. Ownership passed from Northern Racing (1994) to the Reuben Brothers (2007) before Northern Racing’s 2012 merger into Arena Racing Company, which runs the track today.

An important distinction: Newcastle’s floodlit all-weather Tapeta surface, installed in 2016, replaced only the flat turf racing surface. The turf National Hunt course is a separate, much older track that the 2016 redevelopment never touched, and it continues to operate exactly as it did before. The jumps course itself is a left-handed oval of around a mile and three-quarters — relatively flat for most of its length, but building to a sustained, demanding climb over the final three to four furlongs to the winning post. That hill is the course’s defining feature: many races are ridden steadily until the home turn precisely because jockeys know they’ll need something left in reserve, and jockey Mick Fitzgerald has praised the track directly — “Newcastle ranks among Britain’s best tracks. The fences provide a very fair test.”

The Chase Course

Circuit Left-handed, ~1m6f, largely flat before a sustained uphill finish over the last 3–4 furlongs
Fences 10 stiff fences per circuit — 2 open ditches, no water jump; 5 round the back, 4 up the home straight, 1 on the side just after the post
Run-in Long and uphill — no published exact yardage, but consistently described as a genuine test saved for the very end
Run style A true stamina test; many races are run steadily until the home turn because jockeys save something for the climb

The Hurdles Course

Circuit Shares the same left-handed oval
Hurdles 7 flights per circuit — 3 down the back straight, 3 in the home straight, 1 on the side
Notable races Hosts the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, first leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling
Run style Accurate jumping at the last flight matters given the short run to the line from it

Notable Races

When does Newcastle race?

Grade 1 · Late Nov/Early Dec

Fighting Fifth Hurdle

About 2m1f, 9 hurdles. Established in 1969 and the first leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling alongside the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham — only Kribensis has won all three, in 1989–90. Nicky Henderson leads all trainers with eight wins; recent winners include Buveur D’Air (2016, 2017) and Constitution Hill (2022).

Premier Handicap · Same card as the Fighting Fifth

Rehearsal Chase

About 3 miles. Moved to Newcastle from Chepstow in 2005; the name reflects its role as an early-season formline for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Lost Listed status in 2022 along with all handicaps nationally.

Handicap Chase · February

Eider Chase

About 4m1½f, 24 fences. First run in 1952 and nicknamed “the Northern National” — a recognised Grand National trial. Notorious for weather disruption, with at least 21 editions lost to snow, frost or waterlogging since 1952; Comply or Die won this and the Grand National in the same year, 2008.

Pace Bias

The Number That Matters

No source publishes quantified pace-bias data for Newcastle’s jumps course specifically. Genuine percentage-based pace data does exist for the track’s separate all-weather Tapeta straight, but that surface and layout are entirely different from the turf jumps circuit and the two must not be conflated.

Run Style Bias — Chases & Hurdles (qualitative)

▲ Held-up / Patient

─ Favoured

─ Prominent

─ Competitive

▼ Front-runners

─ Fades Late

Treat these bars as a reasoned read on the course’s well-documented character rather than a data-backed statistic. The logic follows directly from the track’s defining feature: a long, sustained uphill finish that punishes horses ridden too keenly early. Chase form is generally thought to read truer than hurdle form here, because the stiffer fences genuinely sort out stamina, whereas many hurdle races are jockeyed at a steady gallop until the straight — which can flatter some form and make true stamina tests look closer than they really are.

Statistics · Since 2010

Which trainers and jockeys win most at Newcastle?

Trainer	Runs	Wins	Win%	Places	Place%	A/E	P/L
1 Russell, Miss Lucinda V	498	68	13.65%	158	31.73%	0.84	-108.29
2 Smith, Mrs S J	360	55	15.28%	133	36.94%	0.88	-80.85
3 McCain Jnr, D	325	54	16.62%	121	37.23%	0.80	-38.39
4 Richards, N G	263	48	18.25%	107	40.68%	0.91	-57.44
5 Hammond, Micky	324	37	11.42%	87	26.85%	1.04	-65.77
6 Menzies, Rebecca	241	37	15.35%	81	33.61%	1.17	+24.50
7 Alexander, N W	306	35	11.44%	73	23.86%	0.89	-101.73
8 Ellison, B	202	29	14.36%	67	33.17%	0.83	-86.22
9 Thomson, A M	175	29	16.57%	62	35.43%	0.97	+134.05
10 Kirby, P A	240	28	11.67%	61	25.42%	0.99	-66.95
11 Grant, C	325	26	8.00%	75	23.08%	0.76	-189.11
12 Candlish, Jennie	99	21	21.21%	39	39.39%	1.14	+3.88
13 Skelton, Daniel	79	21	26.58%	42	53.16%	0.93	-0.60
14 Haslam, B M R	89	18	20.22%	30	33.71%	1.63	+54.06
15 Hamilton, Mrs A	98	17	17.35%	40	40.82%	0.96	-39.92
16 Walford, Mark	118	16	13.56%	41	34.75%	0.94	+11.75
17 Easterby, T D	113	15	13.27%	34	30.09%	0.92	-8.21
18 Henderson, N J	24	15	62.50%	19	79.17%	1.34	+3.80
19 Corbett, Mrs Susan	148	14	9.46%	44	29.73%	1.31	+37.25

Newcastle NH, since 2010. Not one yard in the visible table turns a level-stakes profit and only Micky Hammond clears A/E 1.00. Lucinda Russell leads on winners (68) at A/E 0.84, with Donald McCain Jnr at 0.80. The real value is all below the table and it is substantial: Jedd O’Keeffe has returned +£38.75 from 45 runners at A/E 1.83, B M R Haslam +£54.06 from 89 at 1.63 and Mrs J M Walton +£48.50 from 51 at 1.93. Oppose W S Coltherd (159 runners, A/E 0.70) and J P L Ewart (230, A/E 0.72). At Newcastle the visible table is a list of who runs, not who pays.
newcastle NH · Current trainers, since 2010

Jockey	Runs	Wins	Win%	Places	Place%	A/E	P/L
1 Hughes, Brian	640	118	18.44%	249	38.91%	0.85	-156.87
2 Quinlan, Sean	353	42	11.90%	98	27.76%	0.83	-59.92
3 Reveley, James	198	36	18.18%	79	39.90%	1.00	-2.60
4 Mania, Ryan	250	35	14.00%	77	30.80%	1.01	+127.01
5 McMenamin, Daniel	211	35	16.59%	79	37.44%	0.95	-58.97
6 Nichol, Craig	312	25	8.01%	89	28.53%	0.62	-149.66
7 Hamilton, Jamie	249	23	9.24%	68	27.31%	0.78	-55.53
8 Moscrop, Nathan	164	22	13.41%	53	32.32%	1.16	+2.74
9 O’Farrell, C	198	21	10.61%	52	26.26%	0.98	-43.68
10 Chapman, Ross	192	19	9.90%	46	23.96%	1.01	-40.86
11 Fox, Derek R	143	15	10.49%	36	25.17%	0.69	-65.75
12 Bewley, Callum	191	13	6.81%	50	26.18%	0.68	-124.33
13 Wadge, P	77	12	15.58%	21	27.27%	1.02	-6.22
14 McLernon, R P	66	12	18.18%	22	33.33%	1.53	+10.13
15 O’Regan, Denis	60	12	20.00%	21	35.00%	1.36	+1.58
16 Skelton, Harry	51	12	23.53%	31	60.78%	0.72	-9.86
17 England, Jonathan	125	11	8.80%	40	32.00%	0.63	-60.29
18 Sheehan, Gavin	30	11	36.67%	17	56.67%	1.19	+0.63
19 Mulqueen, S	153	10	6.54%	30	19.61%	0.72	-95.44
20 Midgley, Tom	98	10	10.20%	29	29.59%	1.05	-23.25

Newcastle NH, since 2010. Brian Hughes dominates the winner count (118 from 640) and is the biggest loss on the page at £156.87 and A/E 0.85. Ryan Mania is the one to note — a fair A/E 1.01 but +£127.01 to level stakes, comfortably the largest rider profit here, which means his winners come at generous prices. James Reveley is level at A/E 1.00. Below the table, R P McLernon has returned A/E 1.53 from 66 rides and Denis O’Regan 1.36 from 60. Oppose Craig Nichol (312 rides, A/E 0.62, £149.66 down) and Callum Bewley (A/E 0.68).
newcastle NH · Current riders, since 2010

Sire Statistics · Since 2010

Which sires do best at Newcastle?

Sire	Runs	Wins	Win%	Places	Place%	A/E	P/L
1 Flemensfirth (USA)	216	35	16.20%	68	31.48%	1.05	-31.27
2 Kayf Tara	168	27	16.07%	49	29.17%	0.99	+40.59
3 Presenting	159	26	16.35%	53	33.33%	1.07	+68.81
4 Beneficial	153	21	13.73%	49	32.03%	0.99	-5.09
5 Fame And Glory	102	21	20.59%	47	46.08%	1.14	-7.03
6 Westerner	148	20	13.51%	48	32.43%	0.80	-34.56
7 Getaway (GER)	136	20	14.71%	57	41.91%	0.89	-38.77
8 Shirocco (GER)	93	20	21.51%	32	34.41%	1.25	-11.24
9 Milan	188	19	10.11%	55	29.26%	0.72	-94.29
10 Midnight Legend	80	15	18.75%	22	27.50%	1.15	+0.76
11 Kapgarde (FR)	70	15	21.43%	24	34.29%	1.24	+14.66
12 Shantou (USA)	70	15	21.43%	31	44.29%	1.15	-3.43
13 Yeats (IRE)	115	14	12.17%	39	33.91%	0.80	+18.55
14 Oscar (IRE)	123	13	10.57%	40	32.52%	0.60	-68.94
15 Malinas (GER)	58	13	22.41%	23	39.66%	1.33	+29.10
16 Alflora (IRE)	95	12	12.63%	29	30.53%	0.96	-13.93
17 Cloudings (IRE)	74	12	16.22%	19	25.68%	1.45	+12.00
18 Kalanisi (IRE)	69	12	17.39%	28	40.58%	1.28	-10.31
19 Walk In The Park (IRE)	62	12	19.35%	27	43.55%	1.05	-6.33
20 Brian Boru	58	12	20.69%	21	36.21%	1.23	-9.29

Newcastle NH, since 2010. An unusually positive sire page. Presenting is worth backing here — 26 winners from 159 at 16.35%, A/E 1.07 and +£68.81, the biggest profit on the page and a reversal of his record almost everywhere else in this set. Fame And Glory (A/E 1.14), Flemensfirth (1.05) and Kayf Tara (0.99, +£40.59) are all at or near fair value. Milan is the one to oppose at A/E 0.72 across 188 runners. Below the table, Trans Island has returned +£37.82 from 48 runners at A/E 1.73 and Dylan Thomas 1.46 from 64.
newcastle NH · Since 2010

How to read these tables. The figures are a first-party pull for this course and code covering runs since 1 January 2010, taken as a snapshot rather than updated live. A/E compares actual wins with the wins implied by starting price, so a figure above 1.00 means the group has won more often than its SP suggested. P/L is profit or loss to £1 win stakes at starting price.

Insider Knowledge

Betting Angles

🏔️

Respect the Hill, Not Just the Pace

The sustained uphill finish rewards patient rides; many races are run steadily until the home turn precisely because jockeys know they’ll need something in reserve.

🏇

Follow Rebecca Menzies

Miss Lucinda V Russell leads the page on volume (A/E 0.84), though the market prices that in; the real value signals are B M R Haslam (A/E 1.63, +£54.06), Keith Dalgleish (A/E 1.38, +£50.47) and Rebecca Menzies (A/E 1.17, +£24.50). Oppose the over-bet J P L Ewart (A/E 0.72), C Grant (A/E 0.76) and D McCain Jnr (A/E 0.80).

🎯

McCain and Hughes Both Travel Well Here

Donald McCain has been one of the leading NH trainers at Newcastle over the past five seasons, with Brian Hughes the leading jumps jockey in the same period.

🌧️

Expect the Ground to Ride Soft

Newcastle’s exposed, slow-draining track regularly produces soft or heavy going through the winter — the Eider Chase’s extraordinary abandonment record (21+ editions lost since 1952) is the clearest evidence.

📐

Hug the Stand Rail in the Straight

The stand-side ground in the home straight has a reputation for riding faster, especially in hurdles races — watch where the senior jockeys choose to position.

🐎

Chase Form Reads Truer Than Hurdle Form

The stiffer fences genuinely sort out stamina, while many hurdle races are jockeyed at a steady gallop until the straight, which can flatter some form.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying the course’s all-weather Tapeta pace data to the jumps course — they are separate tracks and the numbers don’t transfer.
Discounting a horse’s pre-2016 Newcastle form as outdated. The 2016 redevelopment installed the all-weather Tapeta surface for Flat racing only — the turf National Hunt course is the same track it always was, so older jumps form here still reads true.
Trusting hurdle form here as much as chase form. The stiffer fences properly sort out stamina, while many hurdle races are just jockeyed at a steady gallop until the straight, which can flatter the form.
Assuming the Rehearsal Chase still carries Listed status — it lost that status in 2022 along with all handicaps nationally and is now a Premier Handicap.

Common Questions

Newcastle Racecourse FAQs

Is Newcastle’s jumps course the same as its all-weather track?

No. The floodlit Tapeta all-weather surface, installed in 2016, replaced only the flat turf racing surface. The turf National Hunt course is a separate, much older track that the 2016 redevelopment didn’t touch.

What is the Triple Crown of Hurdling?

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Only Kribensis has won all three, across the 1989–90 season.

Is there a genuine pace bias at Newcastle over jumps?

No quantified data exists for the jumps course specifically. Qualitatively, the sustained uphill finish means many races are run steadily until the home turn, generally favouring patient rides over out-and-out front-runners.

Why is the Eider Chase abandoned so often?

Run every February over a marathon 4m1½f trip, it’s exposed to the worst of the North East’s winter weather — at least 21 editions have been lost to snow, frost or waterlogging since the race began in 1952.

Explore

Other Jumps Tracks

Aintree

Home of the Grand National — Mildmay and National courses.

Kempton Park

Home of the King George — and the Christmas Hurdle, the Triple Crown’s second leg.

Doncaster

Fair, galloping left-hander — the Great Yorkshire Chase.

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