Straight but not straightforward: PJ McDonald on how to ride Newcastle

A first Group 1 on the all-weather in Britain at Newcastle on Friday offers up a variety of different challenges for those contesting the prize, not least tackling the Tapeta straight mile.

The new surface has been in operation since May 2016, and topping the charts as leading rider at the course is PJ McDonald. The jockey has had 57 winners from 485 rides at the track at a 12 per cent strike-rate, and on Monday he explained how the straight mile is anything but straightforward.

"People look at the straight mile and think it's simple, but the straight mile isn't the easiest trip to ride there and it's a tricky track," McDonald said.