From the horse’s mouth: trainers on their Newcastle runners on Monday

It’s Newcastle‘s biggest day in years with all eyes on the north-east track for Britain’s first day of racing in more than two months.

Here’s what trainers are saying about their chances of a day one winner.

1.00 Stone Mason

Mick Appleby

He goes well enough at home but he’s been off the track a fair while. He’s a big horse and might just need the run, so I’m surprised he’s been punted like he has. Having said that, he’s nice and probably on a decent enough mark. He should go close but I wouldn’t be backing him at 6-4.

1.35 Geizy Teizy

Marco Botti

You can probably disregard her last run. She never got any cover, ran keen and was beaten by halfway. She’s better than that and I think the track will suit. She’s in great order and definitely the best chance of our two runners on the card.

1.35 Mutasaamy

Roger Varian

He was a revelation in his attitude after we gelded him and won nicely at Kempton. He had a little setback so didn’t run again but this looks a nice starting point for his season.

1.35 Amadeus Grey

Tim Easterby

He’s training well and would have a little squeak. He’s run at Newcastle once before and goes on the surface which is a plus.

1.35 Cote D’Azur

Les Eyre

He’s in good heart but I’m not sure how the track will ride. On the form of his last run he’s got to have a fighting chance.

1.35 Little Jo

Brian Ellison

We’ve got four on the card but Little Jo would be my best chance. He’s certainly got a squeak in an open handicap and is there with a good each-way chance.

1.35 Dancin Boy

Michael Dods

He’s probably more of a mile and a quarter horse but we’ve got to take the races that are available. He looks very well and has run well over a mile before, but might be a little high in the handicap.

1.35 Saisons D’Or

Jedd O’Keeffe

I’d certainly give him a chance but there’s a lot of uncertainty after the break. He goes well fresh, has run well at Newcastle before but it’s a tight handicap.

1.35 Motawaafeq

Mick Appleby

He should go well and is fit enough. I think he’s decent and goes on the surface no problem.

2.45 Art Power

William Easterby, assistant

He’s an exciting horse, he’s done everything well at home and it’ll be good to learn a bit more about him.

We hope he can go far and we’ll take it as it comes. There’s talk of the Commonwealth and Dad’s mentioned the five-furlong handicap at Ascot but we’ll see how Monday goes.”

2.45 Magical Journey

James Tate

I thought she was unlucky at Newmarket, she ran very well. If she can repeat that I’d like to think she’d be hard to beat.

3.20 Heath Charnock

Michael Dods

Heath Charnock has not been an easy horse and has had his issues. His best form is probably at Chelmsford around a bend but he likes the all-weather surfaces and it looks the right type of race. He certainly looks well.

5.05 To Be Wild

Jane Chapple-Hyam

He likes it deep and the track has been harrowed deep so that will suit him well. He stays a bit further than this so it’s good to get him back out a there wasn’t anything else suitable for a while after this.

5.05 Makawee

David O’Meara

Hopefully she will run well. She has performed well up there before and hopefully will run okay.

5.05 December Sound and Ice Pyramid

Phil Kirby

They are two nice horses. Both won last time and were impressive. I’d imagine they will come on from the run but they are fit enough to do themselves justice first time out.

5.05 Cosmelli

Gay Kelleway

He likes the track but is probably racing over two furlongs short of his best. He’s better over a mile and six. But he won the consolation for the Northumberland Plate a couple of years ago and he loves the track having run well in the Northumberland Plate last year. When it’s deep, he likes it, but not too much when it’s quick during the winter. It’s a fairly competitive race but he worked well at Chelmsford last week and his preparation has been good. It’s good to get started and blow away the cobwebs.

5.05 To Be Wild

Jane Chapple-Hyam

He likes it deep and the track has been harrowed deep so that will suit him well. He stays a bit further than this so it’s good to get him back out as there wasn’t anything else suitable for a while after this.

5.05 Makawee

David O’Meara

Hopefully she will run well. She has performed well up there before and hopefully will run okay.

5.40 Frankly Darling

John Gosden

Frankly Darling ran with promise on her sole start as a two-year-old. It’ll be nice to get a race into her and she’s pleased us at home but these maidens are going to be tough to win – you could easily run into a Group horse, which never was the case before in June.

6.15 Byzantine Empire

John Gosden

Byzantine Empire goes in the second division and he had excuses for his last run as he came back with an ulcer under his jaw. He ran well on his first start and we expect him to be suited by the galloping nature of the track.

6.15 Luck On Sunday

John Quinn

She’s a nice filly but has been a bit slow to come to hand. We’ve been happy with her in the last six weeks. She’s fit and well and I feel she’ll run a good race but the experience won’t be lost on her.