Newcastle double for Jason Gray

Gray grabs two at Newcastle on Thursday night

Jason Gray was the man to follow at Newcastle last night, sending two runners to the track and returning with a 20/1 double. Kellies Emerald continues to impress, adding to his recent wins at Towcester and Sheffield with a brave run up the inside at the opening corner to give himself the space to kick clear down the back. 

The stayers contest saw a win for Loxleys Forest to bring up a quickfire double. He was a little bit unfortunate to get knocked out of the first round of the 3 Steps To Victory on Sunday afternoon but connections gained a modicum of consolation with this success, the 19th of his career.

Quickest over 480m was Droopys Bookem who bounced back to winning ways for Tom Heilbron. The return to his home track sparked him back to life with the contest unfolding perfectly in front of him for his power-packed finish. The Northern Flat is up next for him, a competition he made the final of last year. 

There was an excellent sprint contest which was won by Glenn Foot's Foulkscourt Bono. He had to contend with a couple who came away better than him, but in the end that just set the race up for him, getting up to nail Niosfearrnabolt close to the line. He has taken well to sprinting, winning five of his first 10 starts for the kennel over two bends, including setting a new clock at Star Pelaw. 

 A bitches contest to kick off the opens saw Fabulous Show beat three rivals for Joe Edgar. Travel Safe had picked up a hat-trick of wins at Star Pelaw but the extra 45m just caught her out late on in the piece with the winner proving too strong for her coming home. 

Winhaw Tam took the last open on the night for Brian Fairbairn. He was one who smashed out the lids and never saw another rival on a night where most winners came from a little bit off the speed. A winner on his debut for Fairbairn last week, his early gears should stand him in good stead in the long run.