Raceday LIVE – Cast No Shadow
Related horse(s):
Cast No ShadowRead our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Cast No Shadow's lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Cast No Shadow arrives at Newcastle today in search of his third success over the course and distance at Gosforth Park, after winning here in March and then again in June.
His first victory came as no surprise, as he had finished a close second on two occasions in the buildup to that race, once at Newcastle and once on the same surface at Southwell. He was sent off a very short 2/7 on that winning day, and led from start to finish in what looked an easy success.
Following that, he was gelded and given a short break before getting a run on the turf over summer. He finished seventh out of seven runners in both of his turf starts, which made Hugo Palmer switch him back to the all-weather and sure enough on his next start he made all again under the guidance of Silvestre De Sousa to score nicely over some smart rivals.
That victory sent his handicap mark up to 76, which meant he was no longer eligible for the Class 5 contests he was competing in to that point (75 max) and his next two races were in Class 4 and Class 3 events, which proved to be far too hot for our gelding. Although he was beaten soundly in those higher level contests, he didn't disgrace himself and finished in good order both times, at relatively big prices.
Following his most recent run, his mark was dropped back to 75, meaning he was once again eligible for races that are what we believe is his perceived level at this point in his career, and he should stand a far better chance in today's type of contest as opposed to the higher standard ones.
He will run off of top weight today, which isn't a massive concern given that he won carrying the maximum weight in his first victory, and was two pounds below the top rated horse in his second win. He's also been drawn in 9, which is advantageous on Newcastle's straight 5f track, as he'll have cover on both sides and won't get lonely, or crowded in up against the rail on either side of the course. Given the way in which he's won in the past, regular partner Jason Hart will likely try and get to the front early to dictate the pace of the race and try to win it from the front, as that's one of his strong suits.
Raceday message from Hugo Palmer
"I’ve been very happy with Cast No Shadow since his last run, in a 0 – 88 handicap at Newcastle, we knew he was running in a grade above the level he’d won at, but he was ready to run, and there hadn’t been any opportunities for him for a while, so it made sense to have a go. As it turned out, he was thrown in the deep end that day, but at least we learned what his level is.
He’s back in that level this time, joint top rated in this 0 – 75, so he’s only a pound lower than his winning mark three runs ago. We know he runs this course and distance well in this grade, and I think we’re drawn on the right side in stall 9. We know his running style, it’s fairly one dimensional but it works for him and Jason Hart knows him well.
As I say, he’s been in good form at home, he’s been moving really well on the gallops, and back down in grade, I think he goes there with a real chance."
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Hugo Palmer has been typically quiet for this time of year, given that there was no flat racing at all in the UK last week, and the turf season having completely wrapped up until spring now. He has sent out 7 runners in the last fortnight however, with his last one coming home third of 12 at Lingfield on Wednesday. The Cheshire based trainer has found relative success on the all-weather at Newcastle, having had 47 winners at the course in his career, and seven of those winners have come this season, with two of those being Cast No Shadow himself.
Jason Hart hasn't had a winner in the last fortnight from his 21 rides, but has finished in the top three on six occasions. He's been a good jockey for Hugo Palmer to turn to, having landed 17 winners from 90 runners for the trainer, including Cast No Shadow. He's had 105 winners from just over 1000 rides on the all-weather track at Newcastle, with 17 of those coming so far this year.
Cast No Shadow's Owners for the Day
As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Cast No Shadow's run at Newcastle this evening.
Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Newcastle Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Cast No Shadow and the Hugo Palmer team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Cast No Shadow.
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £7,100 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,716 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,743 | 3rd: £871 | 4th: £435 | 5th: £217
Chris Dixon, Racing TV Analyst, previews Cast No Shadow's chances in this evening's race and who his most likely challengers will be
Cast No Shadow has been below form on a couple of starts since making all for a second career win over this course and distance in June but he could fare better again following a short break and return to the same grade as for his last win. This track clearly suits him well but he was in a competitive race in a higher grade when running here last time and though this race is again competitive, at least it’s in a lower class. His draw in stall 9 looks a plus but his chance may be compromised to some extent by pace pressure from other potential front runners.
Given Cast No Shadow has made all for both his victories, he’s most likely to be seen to best advantage in races that favour those racing on the pace and the fear here is that looks unlikely to be the case with the likes of Zuffalo, Strong Johnson and Parisian, all other regular front runners, likely to want a piece of the early action. If that’s the case it will suit the likes of Mondammej, Loyola and Buzz Box who all have sound form claims.
Mondammej took advantage of a sliding mark to win here last time, snapping a long losing run on his first start since wind surgery. Given his back form off much higher marks than his current mark of 71, he remains very well handicapped and should have a strong chance if the race goes his way. Loyola is less obviously well-treated but does come into the race on the back of a good run while Buzz Box was value for being closer than he finished when third behind an improver here last time and looks nicely handicapped. A case can also be made for Sweet Carolina who is unexposed but has been off a good while and Ganesha who is well-handicapped on old form and ran better than he had for a while on his latest start.
17:50 NEWCASTLE – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 17:50 to watch Cast No Shadow's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.