February 20 / 19.00 Newcastle (AW)

19.00

Standard

Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap (Rider Restricted Race)

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap (Rider Restricted Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

Form: 03000- CD

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Not won since 2023 and mainly out of sorts since returning from a break in October; has had wind done and now gets tongue-tie/refitted cheekpieces; trainer has won with four of last five runners and interesting down in grade with 5lb claimer enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

10

(6)

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:20 Beverley

Likeashadow

8st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Alan Brown

Ran well on AW as recently as last November and he's tumbled down the weights since, but for good reason; needs to get back on track.

33/1

Form: -51212 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner this year and another solid effort over 7f here last time; won't mind the return to this trip and rider claims full allowance this time; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Concert Boy

9st 8lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Katie Scott

Well handicapped on pick of this year's AW form but finished well down the field on both starts last month (1m1f/7f) and is now 0-23 on turf.

40/1

8th

6

(8)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:15 Musselburgh

Concert Boy

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Kept busy and largely in good form without winning on the AW this season; beat one back on turf in 1m1f Carlisle handicap two weeks ago though so has a bit to prove.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8768-4 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner at this venue and shaped as though coming to hand in a race that threw up winners last time; another to consider in an open event back at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Six of his seven wins have been on AW and yet to win beyond 8.5f; second of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago where he stayed on to suggest this longer trip should suit.

11/2

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader from over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

11/2

2nd

3

(7)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Odd Socks Havana

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Seb Spencer

Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).

9/1

Form: 746-97

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Posted best effort over similar trip on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last March but below that level since and makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(2)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Pilgrim Of Culture

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Still a maiden and she came in last of 11 in 1m handicap here three weeks ago; cheekpieces are reached for now.

8/1

4

(7)

20th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pilgrim Of Culture

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Posted best effort over similar trip on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last March but below that level since and makes little appeal.

33/1

7th

2

(6)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

13:58 Newcastle (AW)

Pilgrim Of Culture

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

ducked right start, took keen hold, prominent early, led after 2f

33/1

6/1

Form: 434-35 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in September who is now lower in the weights and bit better than she's been able to show on last two starts at Southwell; John Egan an interesting booking and the market should guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

18:00 Pontefract

Balqaa

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Resumed winning ways in classified event at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in March; winless on turf though and only eighth of 13 in 1m Ripon handicap last time; others appeal more.

12/1

8th

7

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Balqaa

9st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

All five wins have came on AW; usually ridden with hold-up tactics and will need plenty of luck in running to get her head in front here.

10/1

5th

5

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Balqaa

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

It was a classified race she won over C&D last month but this mark isn't beyond her and a slow start was no help at Southwell.

10/1

Form: 01256- CD

Last run: 73 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Both AW wins have been at this venue but hasn't been at best on last two starts; returns following a short break but will have to fare better if she's to return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:39 Carlisle

Wheres The Crumpet

10st 0lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: David Thompson

Two runs here feature a defeat of Top Gun Tina over C&D (good to soft) last May and a fourth in a division of this race last year; return to this venue will need to prompt a revival after some moderate efforts, however.

33/1

9th

10

(10)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Wheres The Crumpet

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: David Thompson

Scored at Carlisle (1m) last May but her more recent form is much less encouraging, beating just one in 1m2f Redcar handicap eight days ago; this C&D scorer needs to take a major step forward.

25/1

11th

9

(2)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Wheres The Crumpet

9st 0lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: David Thompson

Creditable third at Southwell in January (1m) but not so good since; seems to stay 1m2f and wouldn't rule out.

16/1

Form: 45-215 C BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Free-going sort but back to winning ways in classified event at Southwell on penultimate start; not far off that back in handicap last time, albeit held by Concert Boy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

20:11 Chepstow

Just Typical

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Five of his six wins have come on AW; didn't look straightforward without usual hood or tongue-tie (back on here) when fourth of seven at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) 12 days ago; two things in his favour here are that he is the only distance winner in the field and this represents a drop in grade, so he needs to be considered seriously.

11/8

4th

3

(9)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Newmarket (July)

Just Typical

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Rarely seen on turf and below best since a close call on AW before Christmas but he had swamped his rivals at Redcar (1m, good) last September and was seriously hampered on the Rowley course after; weighted to go well and respected; usual aids missing but two wins minus headgear in 2025.

8/1

8th

13

(2)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Just Typical

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

1m turf win last September off 4lb lower; in and out since, often conceding ground at the start, but Ryan Kavanagh takes off a valuable 5lb; below his best in one Kempton appearance.

20/1

Form: 81700- D

Last run: 115 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Flat and hurdle winner for Ben Haslam but well beaten under both codes prior to falling at Hexham in November; not seen since and bit to prove after break for new trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

On The Bubble

9st 0lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Gary Rutherford

Ran well from out of the handicap at Catterick (1m4f, good to firm) last week, poaching a big lead but reeled in close home; whether she can repeat that form in this bigger field remains to be seen.

12/1

2nd

6

(1)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:10 Catterick

On The Bubble

10st 0lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Gary Rutherford

Winner under both codes in 2024; creditable second over 1m1f at Musselburgh in April but below that level since, including weakening when stepped back up to around 1m4f last time.

14/1

5th

6

(3)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:30 Musselburgh

On The Bubble

9st 2lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Gary Rutherford

Winner under both codes in 2024 but hasn't convinced when going beyond 1m1f on the Flat previously.

11/1

Form: 2-5942 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Has had plenty of chances since last win nearly two years ago but went close in classified event over C&D last time; more needed to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Urban Dandy

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

In consistent form in the spring when finishing a close second five times, including over C&D, as well as winning a 1m classified event at Newcastle; however, he hasn't been in the same form since back from a break, drastically so last time out; others are much preferred.

16/1

6

(6)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Urban Dandy

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

In consistent form in the spring when finishing a close second five times, including over C&D, as well as winning a 1m classified event at Newcastle; however, he hasn't been in the same form since back from a break, drastically so last time out; others are much preferred.

16/1

Form: 8-2535 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner last year who has been running respectably in classified company, although held by Urban Dandy on most recent run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(6)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Catterick

Martins Brig

9st 0lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: David Thompson

Two wins in 2025, the second over 7f on good to firm at Wetherby; hasn't done as well this year, although fair efforts the last twice, most recently over 7f at Redcar (good to firm) last month.

20/1

6th

11

(5)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:57 Redcar

Martins Brig

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: David Thompson

Winner at Wetherby in April 2025 (7f, good to firm) and some fair runs since; hasn't been in much form on the AW this year and perhaps best watched for now.

33/1

7th

13

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Martins Brig

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David Thompson

Triple C&D winner but he's finished in rear in his last three runs and and his last win was 12 months ago; one of three runners for the yard and he needs to turn things around.

16/1

Form: 05-476 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Multiple C&D winner but whose form has been patchy since last win in October; below best in classified events the last twice and others appeal more now back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:37 Bath

Pop Favorite

8st 9lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

Eight times an AW winner but he has run just three times on turf and offered little on each occasion; plenty to prove.

33/1

8th

10

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Hasn't troubled the judge since returning in December from a short break and finished well behind Spirit Of Bowland over C&D last time.

33/1

9th

8

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Last win away from Newcastle was in 2021; slow starts have been holding him back so both classified fourths over C&D this month can arguably be upgraded; chance rests largely on the start.

20/1

Selections

THE NORTH:

Concert Boy

Telegraph:

Odd Socks Havana

POSTDATA:

Just Typical

SPOTLIGHT:

Likeashadow

RP RATINGS:

Urban Dandy

The Times:

Just Typical

The Guardian:

Likeashadow

Daily Mirror:

Urban Dandy

Daily Mail:

Concert Boy

The Sun:

Concert Boy

Daily Record:

Concert Boy

D Express:

Odd Socks Havana

The Star:

Odd Socks Havana