September 08 / 20.40 Newcastle (AW)

20.40

Standard To Slow

Arc £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Arc £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly sunny

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 47-409

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Early promise for Andrew Balding; not so good in 2025 but he is tumbling down the weights and drops in trip with blinkers fitted; still relatively low mileage for a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(5)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

16:37 Southwell (AW)

Alhather

9st 5lb

J: J F Egan

T: Daniel James Murphy

Dropped to 5f and sporting blinkers for the first time he produced an impressive display at Newcastle 13 days ago, travelling strongly and looking a cut above Class 6 level; up 6lb against stronger opposition this time but could well have more to offer at the trip.

5/1

1st

2

(2)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Newcastle (AW)

Alhather

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Daniel James Murphy

Early promise for Andrew Balding; not so good in 2025 but he is tumbling down the weights and drops in trip with blinkers fitted; still relatively low mileage for a race of this nature.

10/1

2

(6)

21st Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Alhather

10st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Daniel James Murphy

Failed to build on a promising start for Andrew Balding and beaten in a maiden and a claimer in two Irish runs; makes handicap debut for another new yard on first sighting since February; enough to prove.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 710255 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in January; added a Wetherby handicap in June but mixed bag since, including behind Henery Hawk over C&D in July; others appeal more today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(2)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Of The Garr

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tracy Waggott

C&D winner; big player on her 2025 best and she was successful over C&D on her last foray into 0-50 company; absent 80 days but has run well after similar breaks in the past; withdrawn having got upset in the stalls on last intended outing.

9/2

14th

10

(10)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Of The Garr

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tracy Waggott

Won a 0-50 classified event over C&D in January and a handicap at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) in July; only beaten just over a length off this mark back here the last twice, but she may struggle to confirm latest running with Bibendum; cheekpieces given a go.

10/1

14th

10

(10)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Of The Garr

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tracy Waggott

Won a 0-50 classified event over C&D in January and a handicap at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) in July; only beaten just over a length off this mark back here the last twice, but she may struggle to confirm latest running with Bibendum; cheekpieces given a go.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 20-595

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; effective over C&D but she has work to do with Dorothy May on their recent C&D run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(4)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Northerner

9st 0lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Brian Ellison

Maiden who has bits of respectable 5f form at Newcastle; gives the impression this return to 6f is worth exploring on first run since wind surgery; one for the shortlist.

10/1

14

(2)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Northerner

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

0-13 but she has shown winning potential, including over C&D; respectable effort in a handicap here 11 days ago but she was behind Lady Of The Garr on that occasion.

10/1

3rd

10

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Newcastle (AW)

Northerner

8st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

12-race maiden; effective over C&D but she has work to do with Dorothy May on their recent C&D run.

8/1

13/2

Form: -15879 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Nothing wrong with the form of his C&D win in March but he has struggled since, including after wind surgery in May; tongue-tie added for the first time and cheekpieces replace blinkers; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(9)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Newcastle (AW)

The Vital Spark

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Nothing wrong with the form of his C&D win in March but he has struggled since, including after wind surgery in May; tongue-tie added for the first time and cheekpieces replace blinkers; not discounted.

13/2

9

(12)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:23 Ripon

The Vital Spark

9st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Can make the running as when gaining his sole success at Newcastle (5f, AW) in March, but his three efforts since returning to turf have been underwhelming; 1lb lower than for his win, but still has enough to prove.

20/1

7th

11

(6)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

The Vital Spark

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Made all in a Newcastle handicap (5f, AW) in March but he's been disappointing in both runs since, including after wind surgery at Pontefract two weeks ago; blinkers are now added and he has quite a bit to prove again back up in trip.

16/1

Form: 009621 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Two solid runs since switched to AW, second at Wolverhampton before a C&D win ten days ago (0-50 classified); that wasn't a bad race for the grade and she's a leading contender back in a handicap despite the 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(14)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Dorothy May

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sole success in 14 starts came in a 0-50 classified event in August; form since then has been patchy, but she is 1lb lower than when third of 12 at Southwell on her penultimate start, so a case can be made.

8/1

10th

11

(14)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Dorothy May

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sole success in 14 starts came in a 0-50 classified event in August; form since then has been patchy, but she is 1lb lower than when third of 12 at Southwell on her penultimate start, so a case can be made.

8/1

6th

4

(2)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Dorothy May

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Off the mark in AW classified event in August; subsequent handicap form features placed efforts at Musselburgh and Southwell; each-way possibilities.

12/1

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 621727 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in June on his most recent AW start; three runs since, with two lesser efforts sandwiching a good second at Beverley (5f, good to firm); back down in class today and he's one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

Form: 822404

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins last season; two good second placings on turf in midsummer; less good on her last three runs though and she has more to prove on AW (well held in one C&D run)
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Newcastle (AW)

A Girl Named Ivy

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two 6f wins last season; two good second placings on turf in midsummer; less good on her last three runs though and she has more to prove on AW (well held in one C&D run)

11/2

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

20:05 Hamilton

A Girl Named Ivy

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

A dual 6f winner in 2024 but she comes here out of sorts, last of ten in 6f Thirsk handicap 20 days ago; others appeal more.

14/1

2

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Thirsk

A Girl Named Ivy

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Michael Dods

Twice runner-up (5.5f/5f) before below-par fourth of seven at Haydock two weeks ago; others appeal more for the win.

8/1

25/1

Form: 506606 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
5f win on Polytrack for Archie Watson last summer; struggled so far in 2025, including in both starts for his new connections, but Cam Hardie replaces a 7lb claimer and returning to AW might help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(10)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

17:15 Wetherby

Amerjeet

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Well handicapped on some of his winter AW form but was safely held when back on turf at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last week and remains without a win since summer 2024; others preferred.

20/1

5th

8

(7)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Beverley

Amerjeet

9st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Michael Herrington

Sole win on AW and his rare turf handicap runs haven't seen him to best advantage, admittedly when higher in the weights than he is now; beaten favourite four times from last six runs though and others higher up the list.

10/1

7th

8

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Amerjeet

8st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Michael Herrington

Poor strike-rate and hasn't always looked the most eager under pressure; conditions no problem and on a dangerous mark so can't rule out another prominent showing.

9/2

Form: 756121 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
In top form on AW this summer, winning minor events at Wolverhampton and C&D either side of a close second at Wolverhampton; sneaking back up the weights but he's still a strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Henery Hawk

9st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

Hit the line strongly at Wolverhampton (5f; from 6lb lower) over three weeks ago; he's 7-39 on AW, but is yet to win on turf (0-20); handicap mark is still a fair one, particularly with Tom Kiely-Marshall taking off 5lb, and this is the right type of race; don't discount.

13/2

1st

9

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Henery Hawk

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

C&D winner; two good runs here last month but he was never in the hunt back here 18 days ago; has the ability to feature but he will need luck in running from stall 1 given his racing style.

9/1

6th

1

(11)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Henery Hawk

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Linda Perratt

Dual C&D winner who has ran well here behind Kento on his last two starts, most recently a close third 16 days ago; holds good claims but his hold-up style means that things need to fall right.

5/1

Non-runners

Jeany May

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.00
Straight Forecast £37.20
Tricast £471.12
Trifecta £362.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dorothy May

Telegraph:

Henery Hawk

POSTDATA:

Herakles

Daily Mail:

The Vital Spark

The Guardian:

A Girl Named Ivy

RP RATINGS:

Dorothy May

The Times:

Dorothy May

Daily Record:

Dorothy May

Daily Mirror:

Herakles

D Express:

Henery Hawk

The Sun:

Henery Hawk

The Star:

Henery Hawk