January 17 / 14.45 Newcastle (AW)

14.45

Standard

Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0073-2

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo; registered his two AW novice wins (in 2023) by an aggregate of 14l, looking a useful sort; placed in two 1m3f handicaps since returned to this sphere, close second at Southwell latest; threatening to regain the winning thread.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear, good headway over 1f out, pressed winner final strides, did well in the circumstances

7/2

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Cruised into contention and breezed clear for an easy win over C&D in January when last seen, taking AW record to 3-6 and looking a suitable type for this prize; could well defy a 9lb rise.

7/2

1st

6

(5)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

travelled strongly, held up in rear, steady headway when short of room from 2f out, switched right and led final 110yds, soon niggled along briefly and went clear, readily

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 74/83-

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who is a 7f winner; ran well at Kempton (1m) last month on second run back from lengthy absence, shaping as if this new trip is worth exploring; possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Metallo

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Butler

0-13 in handicaps and usually seen over further than this, but he did run well when fourth of nine over 7f here in March; with a couple in here that like to go forward, he may have the race run to suit and drops into a 0-80 for the first time; hood removed; interesting.

13/2

4th

6

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Metallo

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: John Butler

On a long losing run but he comes here in decent form for his current yard, sixth of 14 in 1m2f handicap here 24 days ago; possibilities on his first go at this trip.

8/1

6th

12

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Metallo

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Butler

0-11 in handicaps, but is closely matched with Wyld Bill on February's C&D running and ran at least as well as could have been expected when fourth of nine over 7f here a week ago; drawn wider than ideal, but not dismissed entirely.

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 33012-

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Couple of good performances in this grade since returned to AW, winning at Southwell (1m4f; strong form) then going very close over C&D; may have more to offer this winter and still looks attractively handicapped (peak mark was 10lb higher); major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Dark Moon Rising

8st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner in 2023; no joy anywhere last season (mostly at this track) but the closest he came was a neck defeat here (1m2f; 4lb higher today) on final start; not far away on AW last three starts this year and the same may be possible on today's return to turf.

16/1

4th

6

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Losing run now up to 14, but his last couple of efforts have been encouraging as when second of six in a slightly stronger contest at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) last month; still on his last winning mark and holds each-way claims.

10/1

2nd

4

(5)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Drew a blank in 2025 but he ended that campaign with a good second in a big-field 10.2f handicap at York; two respectable AW runs this year but he will need to raise his game to take this.

5/1

7/1

Form: 651-11 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Front-runner whose Class 4 success last Saturday took his record for new stable to 3-3 and C&D score to 4-5; faces a tougher task under 5lb penalty upped further in grade but brings impressive stats.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(16)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Midnight Lion

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

24 visits to Newcastle have yielded nine wins, seven over C&D; the latest came on New Year's Day when beating five rivals; fifth of 12 at Southwell since and could better that performance now back here, but there's a suspicion today's contest will prove too competitive.

25/1

5th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Midnight Lion

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Enhanced his outstanding Newcastle record (all nine AW wins there) on New Year's Day when fending off five rivals; only 2lb higher and he'll probably be ridden positively as usual; has only raced twice here (unplaced).

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 90334- D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Takes a drop back in grade (from Listed level) but the 8yo remains on a difficult mark and others look better treated; has never won above Class 3.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(4)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Fantasy Believer

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

8yo who has been in and out this year and was soundly beaten at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time but prior to that he won over today's C&D (soft) and can't be ruled out off this 4lb higher mark.

10/1

6th

3

(2)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

16:05 Epsom

Fantasy Believer

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

Retains ability aged eight and bagged a Class 2 prize at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) most recently, taking record to 10-56; back on career-high mark but drops back in grade; may well remain competitive.

9/2

6

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:50 Doncaster

Fantasy Believer

8st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

In top form when racking up a hat-trick last summer and back at that level when third over 1m2f at Newcastle (AW) and Chepstow (good to soft) this summer; never a threat after a slow start at Southwell last time but more than capable off this mark and Oisin Murphy takes the reins.

8/1

Form: 62662- CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bagged runner-up honours at Wolverhampton (1m4f) on Boxing Day, albeit proving no match for a rival who was beaten by Dark Moon Rising the time before; losing run is mounting up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Epsom

Dream Harder

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Good second off this mark in better race over C&D on Derby day, having scored at Chester the time before; not in the same form since and suffered a heavy defeat last Sunday.

16/1

4

(11)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Dream Harder

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has only won over 1m4f at Chester in his last 26 starts; feasibly handicapped but he hasn't threatened in last four runs and others are more persuasive; 0-2 here.

11/1

Form: 45971- D

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Registered a Class 4 success at Chelmsford last month on third start for new yard, taking his 1m2f form figures to 421; upped a couple of grades but may have more to offer at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Mighty Nebula

8st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Stuart Williams

Twice well held at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) since winning from 1lb lower over C&D (well behind Metallo on the first occasion); needs to bounce back in the first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

7th

3

(3)

1st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mighty Nebula

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Stuart Williams

mounted in chute, in touch with leaders, weakened inside final furlong

8/1

7th

9

(8)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Mighty Nebula

8st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Registered a Class 4 success at Chelmsford last month on third start for new yard, taking his 1m2f form figures to 421; upped a couple of grades but may have more to offer at this distance.

10/1

Form: 223-1 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Nicely bred colt whose turf form (1m/1m2f) has worked out well; comfortably justified favouritism in 12.5f novice event here last week on debut for new stable and second attempt on AW; incurs 5lb penalty but should build on that success; respected handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Naas

Northern Ruler

11st 12lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps; has struggled in two maiden hurdle starts.

100/1

12th

7

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

14:00 Naas

Northern Ruler

11st 12lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps and finished last of all on hurdling debut at 125-1 at Thurles last time; ruled out.

100/1

17th

8

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 34y

14:17 Thurles

Northern Ruler

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps for this yard; no hurdling experience.

25/1

10/1

Form: 64636- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Respectable third over C&D in most recent 1m2f attempt but is still badly out of the winning habit and may struggle to defy top weight in this field; losing spell goes back to Royal Ascot win in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Claymore

9st 6lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Campaigned in the UAE this winter, last seen finishing tailed off at Meydan; still 4lb higher than for his last win in Britain and probably best watched after three months off.

20/1

2

(2)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Windsor

Claymore

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Career highlight was at Royal Ascot 2022 but he capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month; long list of possible excuses next time and not disgraced at Ascot last Saturday, so he needs a second look.

10/1

2

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Claymore

10st 1lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Career highlight was at Royal Ascot 2022 but he capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month; long list of possible excuses at Yarmouth 12 days later, so he remains of interest.

6/1

Non-runners

Kings Code

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £13.96
Tricast £42.83
Trifecta £59.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Northern Ruler

RP RATINGS:

Dark Moon Rising

The Times:

King's Code

The Guardian:

Midnight Lion

NEWMARKET:

Claymore

D Express:

Old Harrovian

TOPSPEED:

Northern Ruler

Daily Mail:

Northern Ruler

The Star:

Northern Ruler

Daily Record:

Northern Ruler

Daily Mirror:

King's Code

POSTDATA:

Dark Moon Rising

Telegraph:

Dark Moon Rising

The Sun:

Dark Moon Rising