December 21 / 18.00 Newcastle (AW)

18.00

Standard

Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 161848 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won twice on AW (including C&D) in the first half of the year but hasn't found his best form back from a break in recent months, never threatening back on AW last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

5

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Cajetan

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ruth Carr

Far from straightforward and his best form has come on AW; two good runs and three poor runs since joining Ruth Carr, his latest Newcastle fourth (blinkered first time) falling into the former category; not the most solid option but he is better than this level on his day and it is always worth a second look when Billy Loughnane is booked for the stable (four wins and four seconds from 22 rides).

10/1

4th

10

(8)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cajetan

8st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

5lb lower than when third on his stable debut in February; struggled since and connections now reach for blinkers; not solid but he's more than capable on his day.

16/1

10th

2

(10)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Cajetan

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

Blew hot and cold for Jack Channon and signs that it may be the same for new connections, shaping well at Wolverhampton in February but turning in lesser efforts twice since; well handicapped if this is one of his good days and the return of cheekpieces (first time for Ruth Carr) looks a plus.

9/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 007112 CD BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
His talent has never been in question and back to form with a bang at this venue since wind surgery, winning twice before a close second on Wednesday (all 5f); just as effective at 6f; another bold show likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Mondammej

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

9yo who has dropped down the weights and showed spark when second of four at Nottingham last month; however, well beaten at Thirsk since and he's winless on turf since September 2021; others appeal more.

50/1

12th

9

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Mondammej

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Talented veteran but has temperament to match his ability; no turf win since 2021 and when second at Nottingham 11 days ago there were only four runners; more minor money perhaps his best hope.

9/1

2nd

1

(4)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:50 Nottingham

Mondammej

10st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Winless on turf since 2021 but showed more on his second run back from a break last time, is now 2lb lower and this is easier than the handicaps he's used to contesting; tends to be held up and a speed-favouring 5f in a small field may not be optimal but he's capable.

6/1

OUR TIP

33/1

  • Place: £9.20

Form: 80-500 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Useful at his best for John Ryan but not seen this year until fifth at Ascot in September and went backwards from that run in two outings in October; changed hands for 12,000gns later in October; hard to fancy on 2024 form but his new stable has a reasonable record at reviving new recruits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

The Green Man

9st 2lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Philip Kirby

Seven wins include three on turf and it was a first success at 7f when scoring at Newcastle (AW; stays 1m) in December; took a good step forward from his return to turf when a keeping-on fourth at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; respected.

6/1

4th

11

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

The Green Man

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

A three-time 6f/7f scorer in 2025; kept busy and in good form (on the AW) this term until only 16th in 7f York handicap eight days ago; he's the type to bounce back though.

16/1

16th

18

(5)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

The Green Man

9st 2lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Philip Kirby

Has raced almost exclusively on Newcastle's AW since joining Phil Kirby last autumn, winning three times (6f/7f) and placed on six other occasions, including last four starts; three 6f turf wins earlier in career (including here on good to firm) provide hope that he can continue the good work now back on the grass.

10/1

Form: 060204 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Not long with Robert Cowell and made quite a promising return to AW when running on for a never-nearer fourth of nine at Wolverhampton (5f) 12 days ago; interesting back at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:10 Ascot

Rhythm N Hooves

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Robert Cowell

Capitalised on a good mark at Newbury (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; up 4lb but still feasibly weighted and this Royal Ascot winner should make another bold bid.

7/1

1st

10

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 34y

Class 3

13:55 Newbury

Rhythm N Hooves

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Won this 12 months ago off 9lb higher; 0-15 since and a change of headgear (retained) failed to stop the slide at Ascot three weeks ago.

6/1

8th

13

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Ascot

Rhythm N Hooves

8st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Robert Cowell

Won at Royal Ascot in 2023 and second in this race in 2025; the handicapper has been in command for much of 2026 but he went close at Windsor last month; not in the same form at Newmarket two weeks ago but the switch from cheekpieces to a visor could help; contender.

10/1

12/1

Form: 53-407 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Promising return to action at Beverley in April but below par at York's Dante meeting in May (final start for Nigel Tinkler) and not seen again until seventh to Alfa Whiteburd (True Promise third) over C&D 12 days ago, fading as if the run was needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(4)

21st Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lakota Blue

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Roger Fell

Promising return to action at Beverley in April but below par at York's Dante meeting in May (final start for Nigel Tinkler) and not seen again until seventh to Alfa Whiteburd (True Promise third) over C&D 12 days ago, fading as if the run was needed.

12/1

5th

7

(4)

21st Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lakota Blue

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Roger Fell

Promising return to action at Beverley in April but below par at York's Dante meeting in May (final start for Nigel Tinkler) and not seen again until seventh to Alfa Whiteburd (True Promise third) over C&D 12 days ago, fading as if the run was needed.

12/1

7th

12

(3)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lakota Blue

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell

took keen hold, started quickly, led narrowly, headed after 2f

25/1

15/2

Form: 155116 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has proved a bargain buy at only 1,000gns, winning four times since August (including C&D); too free when only sixth of seven at Chelmsford last time but he's not the type to stay down for long.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Fiscal Policy

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

6f win at Pontefract in June; up and down since but his latest Pontefract third came in a Class 3 event; it has been a long time since his last 7f run but this race might not be a searching test and it is a move that could pay off.

7/1

3rd

9

(9)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Fiscal Policy

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Below best on his last three starts but his recent Newmarket sixth was a step back in the right direction; made it 2-2 here when winning over C&D (good) in June and well worth a second look now back here.

11/1

6th

5

(5)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:12 Newmarket (July)

Fiscal Policy

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ruth Carr

Returns to rather calmer waters after coming up well short in bigger fields at York last month; in particularly good form in June, winning at Pontefract then placed twice over C&D; could go well.

6/1

11/4

Form: 821153 CD BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Good record on AW; including wins over 6f at Southwell and 5f here this autumn; beaten half a length for third behind Alfa Whiteburd over C&D 12 days ago; thereabouts from the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

True Promise

10st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Fionn McSharry

Better on AW than turf so two defeats on the grass aren't especially damaging to his claims here; won easily at Wolverhampton (5f) on his most recent start and he is respected back on Tapeta.

8/1

9th

1

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

True Promise

10st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Wasn't winning out of turn when taking a 5f handicap at Wolverhampton in May; didn't get the clearest run at Chester three weeks ago but that took his turf record to 0-11; others are more appealing.

10/1

Form: 770-48 D

Last run: 210 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Useful at his best; down in the weights and big eyecatcher when fourth on 6f Thirsk stable debut in May, running into numerous dead ends from 2f out before keeping on well once in the clear; a slow start left him with a lot to do at York three weeks later and he shaped well again in running on for eighth of 21; off since but has a good AW record and it'll be very interesting to see what the betting makes of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(12)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Royal Pleasure

10st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Karen Jewell

Produced a telling turn of foot to prevail in a bunch finish in a slowly run contest at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) 15 days ago, ending a 21-race losing run; only 2lb higher, but steps up in trip again so his stamina will be tested further, especially if this is more truly run.

5/1

8

(4)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Lingfield (AW)

Royal Pleasure

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Karen Jewell

Runner-up in two of his five runs for this yard, once at this track (1m); not straightforward though, often slowly away, and his stamina for this trip has to be taken on trust.

16/1

Non-runners

Alfa Whiteburd

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.50
Straight Forecast £11.07
Tricast £289.57
Trifecta £309.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Mondammej

POSTDATA:

True Promise

SPOTLIGHT:

Rhythm N Hooves

Telegraph:

Cajetan

The Star:

Fiscal Policy

D Express:

True Promise

The Sun:

True Promise

NEWMARKET:

Rhythm N Hooves

The Times:

Rhythm N Hooves

TOPSPEED:

Mondammej

The Guardian:

Mondammej

Daily Mail:

Mondammej

Daily Mirror:

Mondammej

Daily Record:

Mondammej