May 02 / 21.00 Newcastle (AW)

21.00

Standard

Alfie’s Bar Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Alfie’s Bar Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly sunny

1st
12 (6)
Poet

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £40.10
  • Place: £7.90

Form: 60/7-5 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
1-22 the win coming well over three years ago; hard to recommend on what he's shown in just two starts in the last couple of seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(14)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:25 Chepstow

Poet

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a run of finishing last when seventh of 11 at Brighton nine days ago; easy enough to swerve.

66/1

7th

10

(11)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

18:20 Brighton

Poet

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Scott Dixon

Has finished stone last on his last nine starts; impossible to recommend.

100/1

7th

7

(4)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:33 Chepstow

Poet

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Scott Dixon

Has failed to beat a rival in his last eight races; hard to fancy back from a three-month break.

33/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 7-5436 CD

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
C&D and 7f AW winner; inconsistent but now back on his last winning mark, so may be capable of making a greater impact again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has risen to new heights this year, winning six times, the most recent three over 7f on turf (good and soft), but his charmed run ended at Musselburgh last week; runs off the same mark today and has ground to make up on Abduction; may need weight off his back now.

10/1

5th

5

(3)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

The Gay Blade

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Arrives in the form of his life, completing a turf hat-trick at Ayr (7f, soft) 11 days ago; that made it six wins from his last nine starts and he is respected despite the 6lb rise and stronger opposition.

4/1

1st

7

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

18:40 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Resurgent 7yo who completed a 7f Carlisle double on Monday and has now won five times this year; has 4lb penalty to carry but he won't mind if the ground eases; commands respect in current mood.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 442287 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
6f and 7f AW winner; back on a handy mark based on March's Wolverhampton form, also on Tapeta, but well held latest and there's a bit for him to prove at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

27th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Thunder

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Wins have been here over 6f and at Chelmsford over 7f; recent efforts not overly encouraging, the latest here four days ago.

9/1

5th

7

(6)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

15:02 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Thunder

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner; ended 2025 with some fair runs here but he needs to raise his game if he is to record a second win.

10/1

25/1

Form: 437388 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
6f Tapeta and turf winner; beaten 4l when third in a C&D classified event in February; down the field on his last two starts; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Tommytwohoots

8st 10lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Last run was too bad to be true and had made a positive start for this yard, and he's closely matched with Dr Ali; possibilities.

10/1

12th

15

(17)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Thirsk

Tommytwohoots

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

On a long losing sequence but he has started life well for John Mackie on last two outings, fourth of 12 in 5f Catterick handicap ten days ago; very much one to consider off the same mark with cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

4th

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Tommytwohoots

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John Mackie

Finished second in this race in 2023 (soft) and 2024 (heavy); good second at Wolverhampton on his stable debut (6f) two weeks ago; well drawn back on turf but his 18 turf runs have seen him steer clear of anything faster than good to soft.

6/1

Form: 638835 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Six-time C&D winner who has struggled to make a serious impact so far this year; 5lb better off with Asadjumeirah for just over 3l here in February and back on a more competitive mark and over his preferred trip; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Tough 9yo who has won four 6f handicaps here this year; form dipped last time, however, and returning to 7f isn't enough to tempt.

9/1

9th

1

(2)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

9st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Has won four of his five races, all over C&D, this year, his latest win coming last Tuesday when getting home by 0.5l; up 6lb but has won off higher marks in the past; should go well

7/2

1st

9

(7)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sprightly 9yo who completed a quick hat-trick of front-running C&D wins last month and lost out only by a neck off today's mark here on Wednesday; upped in grade but likely to give another good account.

5/1

8/1

Form: 642526 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Multiple sprint winner on AW and turf; placed over C&D; recent form inconsistent but if producing his optimum he has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(9)

2nd May 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

May Remain

9st 0lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

led narrowly against near rail, headed and weakened inside final furlong

8/1

6th

10

(9)

2nd May 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

May Remain

9st 0lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

led narrowly against near rail, headed and weakened inside final furlong

8/1

6th

7

(7)

28th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

May Remain

9st 0lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Veteran who is 0-10 this year; went close over 6f here on Saturday but didn't shape as if he's crying out for this return to 5f.

7/1

Form: 522582 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Multiple C&D winner; latest success came in February when 5lb lower and he's been competitive from this mark here since; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

(14)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Asadjumeirah

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Three wins on AW last year but his last turf success was in April 2022 and he returned to this sphere with a well-held sixth at Thirsk (6f, good; 12-1) last month; others are more appealing.

16/1

6th

15

(17)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Asadjumeirah

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Antony Brittain

His last turf success came over this C&D (good) but back in April 2022; this is his level now but others are more appealing for win purposes.

20/1

8th

12

(6)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Asadjumeirah

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time C&D winner; unable to justify favouritism in a 0-55 here 11 days ago and he has more on his plate at this level.

12/1

9/1

Form: 752475 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Multiple course winner, including twice over this trip; just held over C&D when 1lb higher in February and looks to have each-way claims if producing his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Blackcurrent

8st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Veteran who ended a long losing run when making all at Beverley (5f, good) in May; did not repeat the form in his two subsequent outings, also under Shay Farmer, and does not seem the percentage call.

16/1

9

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Blackcurrent

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Ended a long losing run when making all on a rare turf outing at Beverley (5f, good) in May but he dropped out on his return visit on Monday; the soft ground may have dulled his powers but he's not easy to predict and others are more solid; change of headgear.

16/1

Form: 556320 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Veteran winner of 11 races here, mostly over this trip; hasn't got his nose in front for 15 months but was placed over C&D when just 1lb lower earlier in the year; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Athollblair Boy

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Veteran who is a multiple course winner and perhaps needed latest run (back from layoff); losing sequence is mounting up, however.

12/1

9th

4

(11)

2nd May 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Athollblair Boy

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Veteran winner of 11 races here, mostly over this trip; hasn't got his nose in front for 15 months but was placed over C&D when just 1lb lower earlier in the year; not ruled out.

7/1

9th

4

(11)

2nd May 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Newcastle (AW)

Athollblair Boy

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

took keen hold, prominent, not clear run over 2f out, weakened final 110yds

7/1

12/1

Form: 544

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Moderate form in three qualifying starts here over 7f-1m; dam a half-sister to a couple of 6f winners, so this drop in trip for his handicap debut may prove beneficial; check the market for any clues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(6)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:12 Redcar

Woodrafff

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Tends to be slowly away and is the type who needs everything to drop right if he's to win, but he's run several good races on AW this year and was fourth of 14 back on turf at Thirsk (7f, good) recently; in the mix.

7/1

4th

16

(10)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Thirsk

Woodrafff

9st 1lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ruth Carr

Three-time winner who is fine at 7f or 1m; has been running well for a while and latest effort in the new visor at Newcastle can be upgraded.

14/1

7th

11

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Woodrafff

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Running well at this level in recent weeks, coming from last to first over 1m here before finishing second at Wolverhampton (8.6f) and Southwell (1m); just as effective at 7f; the blinkers he's worn on his last five starts are now replaced by a first-time visor; should go well again.

11/4

20/1

Form: 19686- CD

Last run: 199 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Six-time C&D winner; 9lb lower than when scoring here last October; has been placed twice here when 5lb higher since then and he's another not totally written off now back over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(8)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:53 Newcastle (AW)

Flavius Titus

9st 9lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Danny Brooke

Dead-heated for first in this race 12 months ago; he's one to keep an eye on in the betting and his chance is not dismissed, but this 10yo has struggled in the main this season.

12/1

9th

9

(11)

27th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Pontefract

Flavius Titus

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Danny Brooke

Needs to improve on his 2025 efforts; however, won this race (off 4lb higher) last year and has a good chance if back to that form.

20/1

4th

11

(2)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:38 Ripon

Flavius Titus

8st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Danny Brooke

Chased home Gis A Sub in the corresponding race 12 months ago; not really got going in 2025 and others appeal more for win purposes.

25/1

Non-runners

Flash The Dash

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £282.80
Straight Forecast £172.70
Tricast £1165.58
Trifecta £2201.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Asadjumeirah

Daily Mail:

Blackcurrent

POSTDATA:

Rogue Thunder

Daily Mirror:

The Gay Blade

The Guardian:

Poet

Telegraph:

Spartan Fighter

The Star:

Athollblair Boy

RP RATINGS:

Asadjumeirah

The Times:

Asadjumeirah

The Sun:

Asadjumeirah

Daily Record:

Asadjumeirah

D Express:

Blackcurrent