Regal Ulixes and Gaucher Lead Newcastle Finals Day

Sky Sports Racing returns for a packed Good Friday card, with Newcastle's All-Weather Finals Day providing the highlight of the afternoon.

4.10pm Newcastle – Regal Ulixes vs Gaucher

The Midnite All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap looks competitive, with Andrew Balding's improving Regal Ulixes among 16 entries. The four-year-old produced a convincing victory over Beylerbeyi in a solid Lingfield handicap on his penultimate start and followed that with a staying-on sixth in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton. A return to a longer trip should suit him.

Willie Mullins saddles Gaucher, who tops the weights and is partnered by Billy Loughnane. A four-time winner over hurdles, Gaucher has taken to the all-weather well, scoring in his last two outings at Dundalk. He carries a 5lb rise but remains a key contender. The race is wide open with plenty of each-way options; Duke's Command is among the likely placefirms, and Bragbor runs for the Fahey yard on debut for his new stable.

3.35pm Newcastle – Sprint feature

The Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap looks lively, with Sir Les Patterson bidding to make it a treble. Trainer Stephen Thorne hopes the recent Dundalk winner can follow up under 3lb claimer Jack Kearney. Pocklington has been consistent on the all-weather, finishing first or second in every start and should be competitive after chasing home The Caltonian in the course-and-distance trial in January. Karl Burke's Marshman brings strong form and Clifford Lee returns to the saddle, while the unexposed Sarab Star could progress again.

4.42pm Newcastle – Marathon clash

The Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate Marathon Handicap features classy stayers Duke Of Oxford and Beylerbeyi. Duke Of Oxford, fourth in this race last season and a January trial winner, appears to be in peak form and, despite a 6lb rise, has the scope to improve further. Ian Williams's Beylerbeyi, ridden by Loughnane, has been stringing together solid placed efforts and looks well-handicapped returning to a longer trip. Dramatic Star is respected on connections, and Berkshire Dancer is worth noting with first-time cheekpieces.

Other highlights

Gosforth Park opens the day with the Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes at 1.15pm, featuring Billecart, Andab and New Monarch. Al Najashi goes for a fifth consecutive win in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap. Stateira carries Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy's colours in the BetMGM Fillies' and Mares' event, while Chancellor and Blue Rc meet in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile at 3pm.

At Lingfield, Adrian McGuinness runs Dark Ace and Apache Outlaw in the Midnite All-Weather Vase Sprint (2.40pm), with San Andreas and Unterberg set to contest the Middle Distance division at 3.15pm.

Later tonight Keeneland hosts the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes (10.16pm), a strong renewal headed by Kentucky Oaks hopeful Zany.