October 17 / 20.00 Newcastle (AW)

20.00

Standard

Happy Birthday Phil From Probio-Energy Handicap

  • Prize money: £3977.84
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy Birthday Phil From Probio-Energy Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 202732

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
His only win came in a small-field selling handicap at Thirsk last summer (1m, good to firm; final run for George Boughey); several good runs for new yard this year, however, and only went down by a neck over C&D four weeks ago; up 2lb; now tried in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Yaajooz

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Picked up a Thirsk selling handicap (1m, good to firm) in July 2024 on his final start for George Boughey; that remains his only success in 22 starts, however; career-low mark but the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

7/1

6th

10

(7)

18th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Yaajooz

9st 7lb

J: Robbie Downey

T: Michael & David Easterby

Only win came in a selling handicap and beaten in 20 other races; close third last time at Newcastle (7f) but wouldn't be a good thing to back that up.

7/1

Form: 723-45

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Cost 600,000gns as a breezer in April 2024; consistent rather than progressive to date and although he wasn't beaten far at Wolverhampton 13 days ago, he didn't look an easy ride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(9)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Bambalam

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Cost 600,000gns as a breezer in April 2024; consistent rather than progressive to date and although he wasn't beaten far at Wolverhampton 13 days ago, he didn't look an easy ride.

8/1

5th

1

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bambalam

9st 12lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Richard Fahey

Made rather disappointing return from 343-day absence when well-held fourth in 1m Pontefract maiden last month but his three 2yo runs were all promising and he remains unexposed; switches to AW for handicap debut.

5/1

4th

2

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:23 Pontefract

Bambalam

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Absent since last October (gelded in interim) but could be a contender if retaining the promise shown on his three 2yo starts (7f/1m, good to firm/good); interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

4/1

Form: 956313 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won twice over C&D last December and he added a third win when defying a five-month absence to score here in August; another solid effort when third 19 days ago and likely to be in the shake up again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(7)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:50 Ayr

Kings School

9st 6lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Gemma Tutty

Four wins on AW but 0-7 on turf; has shown promise on good to soft but others bring more pressing claims.

16/1

5th

11

(8)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Kings School

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gemma Tutty

Newcastle regular (four wins) but well held in both visits here; still 4lb above his last winning mark and others make greater appeal.

14/1

8th

14

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Thirsk

Kings School

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Gemma Tutty

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (7f) in May, and good second at Chester (7f, good to soft) in June; however, only fifth of ten at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time and has to leave that run behind if he's to get off the mark on turf at the seventh attempt.

33/1

Form: 21-450 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
7f novice winner at Catterick as a 2yo; no progress in handicaps this year, the latest at Catterick 16 days ago after a summer break; connections now reach for a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(7)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:46 Chester

Kirkdale

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Edward Bethell

Dual 6f AW scorer in the spring and resumed from five months off with an improved second of 12 in 6f Southwell handicap 16 days ago; won on soft ground as a juvenile so he's a big player nudged up 2lb back on turf.

7/2

2nd

4

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Kirkdale

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

In excellent form in April, winning at Wolverhampton (blinkered) and over C&D (visor); could still have more improvement to come but subsequent 145-day break may have checked his momentum.

5/1

Form: -44418 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
He had been threatening prior to winning a 7f handicap at Doncaster in July; lacklustre effort over 1m last month; no surprise to see him resume his progress with Silvestre de Sousa booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(11)

14th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:21 Thirsk

The Childe Of Hale

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Rejuvenated by the fitting of cheekpieces and doubled his tally in 7f Redcar handicap five days ago; well drawn there but scored emphatically so not taken lightly under a 5lb penalty.

7/2

1st

3

(18)

9th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:51 Redcar

The Childe Of Hale

10st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ivan Furtado

His sole success came at Doncaster (7f) on good to soft ground last July and he stepped up on a couple of modest efforts this term when fairly close fifth of 12 over that C&D (good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) last month; has dropped to a workable mark and may have a say if widest stall proves no barrier.

8/1

5th

11

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

The Childe Of Hale

9st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Gained a first win over C&D last July but well below that level in five subsequent starts, although he suffered a poor run when tenth of 12 in 1m Ripon handicap in June; cheekpieces go on after a break.

16/1

Form: 067061 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Back to form when coming from off the pace to win a five-runner fillies' handicap over C&D 13 days ago; 5lb rise looks stiff enough, even given her back class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Samra Star

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Linda Perratt

Gave willingly to brush off a 5lb penalty at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) 11 days ago; steps up in grade (from 4lb higher) in pursuit of the hat-trick for an in-form trainer; no issue with this track, so obvious claims with Oisin Murphy aboard.

11/4

1st

2

(1)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

13:50 Musselburgh

Samra Star

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Linda Perratt

Came from off the pace to collar odds-on favourite and cause 25-1 surprise at Ayr (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago; only to due to go up 4lb for that but takes her chance under a 5lb penalty here and remains well handicapped on older form.

100/30

1st

7

(9)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Ayr

Samra Star

9st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Linda Perratt

All three wins have been on AW (7f/1m); fair second to in-form rival at Musselburgh in May (1m1f, good) but a bit more needed.

8/1

Form: 567336 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
None too consistent for Ed Dunlop but he starts out for his new stable (sold 8,500gns last month) off a handy mark; cheekpieces the headgear of choice this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(2)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Lessay

9st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

7f win at Wolverhampton in June; absent 66 days until reappearing with a fourth to Beattie Is Back (dead-heated with stablemate Tasever) over C&D 23 days ago; needs to up his game a notch.

16/1

4th

11

(6)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lessay

9st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Came from the rear to gain his fourth success (all on the AW) when winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) two months ago; a 5lb rise still leaves him well treated on his previous form so can't be discounted in his bid to follow up.

9/2

Form: 511702 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Nine wins and a further 12 placed efforts from his 38 starts at Newcastle; running himself back into form after a summer break, second of seven over 1m three weeks ago; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(2)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 12lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: David Thompson

Solid strike-rate on AW at up to 1m2f but he struggled in two starts (both here; 7f/1m) this year; placed in all three outings over 1m4f but the latest of those was back in 2023; needs a revival.

20/1

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

Form: 791549

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Infrequent winner but he is effective on Tapeta and has undergone wind surgery since his latest start; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(9)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Political Power

9st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Charlie Clover

Got off the mark at Newmarket (1m, good) in June; showed the benefit of wind surgery when showing improved form when beaten a head by an unexposed sort at Newcastle (7f, AW) last month; looks sure to go close.

11/4

9

(5)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Political Power

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Clover

Infrequent winner but he is effective on Tapeta and has undergone wind surgery since his latest start; not ruled out.

10/1

9th

8

(7)

8th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:14 Newmarket (July)

Political Power

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Clover

Only one win (14 races) but that 1m handicap in June was at this track; ran respectably next time and rallied into a close fourth of five for slowly run race on latest; needs to find extra but his tongue-tie (worn two and three starts back) is restored and new trip now looks worth a go.

8/1

Form: 7-2870

Last run: 201 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Losing run stands at 16 and he ran poorly at Doncaster when last seen in March; chance on last winter's best form but may benefit from this outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(10)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Newcastle (AW)

Angel Of England

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Alan Brown

Only 1-32 and should have run better in a classified here last week as he stays 7f.

14/1

6th

1

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Angel Of England

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

Has modest 1-31 strike-rate but gave good account when third of 13 in 6f handicap here last month and now dips into this basement grade for the first time; fine over 7f; high on the list.

5/1

3rd

5

(6)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:38 Newcastle (AW)

Angel Of England

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Alan Brown

Inconsistent 5yo whose losing run goes back 27 races and he was below par at Wetherby last week, however he was a close second at Ripon (6f, good) prior to that and is effective here; each-way claims if back on song.

12/1

Form: 667837 CD

Last run: 151 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
All three British wins have come over C&D and the latest of them was off an 11lb higher mark; that was back in December 2023 though and although he can go well fresh, he is likely to benefit from this first start since May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(6)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Swiss Ace

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Fairly useful on his day but is on a long losing sequence and current mark reflects a general decline in his form; a regular at Newcastle and rarely seen at Wolverhampton.

16/1

6th

6

(2)

19th Feb 2026

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 1lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; ran okay over C&D in November off a 7lb higher mark but he hasn't built on it since.

16/1

7th

9

(10)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:02 Southwell (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; not beaten far at Newcastle in November (7f) but that is flanked by lesser efforts; blinkers back on today but others appeal more.

18/1

Form: 750050

Last run: 77 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; tumbled down the weights and now tried in cheekpieces but he is eligible for weaker races than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(1)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sole success came on Kempton AW in 2023 when trained by the Crisfords; hasn't been placed since joining this yard in 2024 and didn't offer enough in two comeback outings over 6f last month to suggest that's likely to change now.

16/1

7th

6

(3)

15th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

16:28 Wolverhampton (AW)

Neapolitan

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sole success came at Kempton AW in 2023 when trained by the Crisfords; hasn't been placed since joining this yard in 2024; first-time visor worn for last week's reappearance is retained, but easy to look elsewhere.

25/1

7th

7

(6)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:03 Catterick

Neapolitan

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sharply regressive for this yard and goes in another new form of headgear back from the best part of a year off; would be a surprise winner on just his third turf start.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.20
Straight Forecast £25.92
Tricast £180.38
Trifecta £274.00

Selections

The Times:

Bambalam

POSTDATA:

Yaajooz

Telegraph:

Samra Star

D Express:

Kirkdale

SPOTLIGHT:

The Childe Of Hale

NEWMARKET:

Political Power

Daily Mirror:

King's School

RP RATINGS:

Swiss Ace

The Guardian:

Bambalam

The Star:

Bambalam

Daily Record:

Samra Star

Daily Mail:

Yaajooz

The Sun:

Yaajooz