January 22 / 18.30 Newcastle (AW)

18.30

Standard

Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 00675- CD

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Useful sort whose sole AW start resulted in a C&D win on his 2024 reappearance; operating a little below his best when last seen in the autumn but his mark has dropped as a result (now 6lb lower than when second at Hamilton last summer); capable of going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Vantheman

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Took this prize in 2024; back in fine form of late since fitted with blinkers, scoring at Hamilton (5f) in May and in the frame in big-field 5f handicaps at Thirsk and Newcastle since; ought to be thereabouts.

5/1

4th

12

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Vantheman

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; two wins this season, one of them C&D (2-2 here); back near his best when a close third of 17 at Thirsk last month but this is a stronger race.

10/1

3rd

1

(13)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Vantheman

9st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent but he surged back to form with a win at Hamilton (5f, good; made all) two weeks ago; that was only his second go in blinkers and he's again of interest off 4lb higher.

8/1

2nd
7 (1)
Arnhem

11/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 05377- D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Made a winning stable debut at Haydock (5f) in September; several good efforts have followed, including here, but latest 6f course seventh was a little disappointing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

He did well after joining this yard last year and he's on a handy mark; he should get back on track sooner or later but this 10yo has failed to shine on his last three outings, over C&D on last two starts.

25/1

9th

15

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

9st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran whose form has dipped in last two outings, latest over C&D eight days ago; doesn't look as if he's about to improve his poor strike-rate (long time between drinks).

20/1

8th

8

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Good turf spell in the autumn included a winning yard debut at Haydock (good) and a close second over C&D (soft); has run well on AW since but looks to have his share of weight; trainer runs five and won this in 2024.

14/1

11/8

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0/11- CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Absent for 15 months after finished well held on his turf debut but showed why connections have persevered with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December (here first occasion); up against some battle-hardened types on handicap debut but there could be plenty more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night Storm

10st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Tate

Low-mileage 4yo who won twice over 5f on Tapeta (once here) in the autumn and was placed over that trip on handicap debut at Newcastle in January; not quite in same form on turf last month but that run came after a break and he could quite plausibly have untapped potential over 6f back on AW.

4/1

4th

3

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Redcar

Night Storm

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: James Tate

Returned from 15-month absence with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December; advanced his form again when third of eight on 5f Newcastle handicap debut in January; remains with unexposed potential back from a further five months off; a heavy defeat on his 2024 Newmarket debut shouldn't be taken as evidence he won't prove effective on turf.

7/2

3rd

1

(7)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Night Storm

9st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Tate

Absent for 15 months after finished well held on his turf debut but showed why connections have persevered with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December (here first occasion); up against some battle-hardened types on handicap debut but there could be plenty more to come.

11/8

13/2

Form: 25/11- CD

Last run: 324 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Improved to win two C&D handicaps early last year; looked capable of even better but not seen since; new yard (same owner) among the winners and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Buzz Box

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Won early in 2025 on final two runs for Bryan Smart, both at Newcastle (5f, Tapeta), and he returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth on stable debut there this January (5f); he's back from some more time off today but with his trainer among the winners; could be a contender.

8/1

4th

2

(2)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Buzz Box

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Improved to win two C&D handicaps early last year; looked capable of even better but not seen since; new yard (same owner) among the winners and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

13/2

Form: 612-15 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three C&D wins, the latest on New Year's Day; a 3lb rise proved enough to find him out back here last week, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(10)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Kings Crown

10st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Now 3lb lower than when winning on AW at Newcastle (5f) in January; fair form on turf last twice, latest when 2l fourth at Thirsk (5f, good); has won on fast ground; each-way chance.

6/1

4th

3

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Kings Crown

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner who got back on track with third of ten in 5f Pontefract handicap 25 days ago; in the mix again.

7/1

3rd

3

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Kings Crown

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins this winter; never in the hunt at Wetherby last month on his return to turf but he is effective over C&D and seems to handle any ground; not ruled out.

8/1

Form: 22350- D

Last run: 110 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ended last year on a low note but finished runner-up over C&D off 6lb higher on his 2025 reappearance so a revival can't be ruled out back from a 110-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

On a near two-year losing spell but he's a four-time C&D winner and can't be dismissed off his reduced mark; made the frame in last two starts, latest back at Pontefract.

6/1

4th

2

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Four of his six wins have come over C&D, including the corresponding race in 2024; drew a blank in 2025 but retains ability and he has run some solid races in defeat this year too, keeping on for fourth at Beverley 18 days ago; drops in class but he has the widest stall to contend with.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

9yo who is on an 18-race losing run; good second over C&D last July (good to firm) and is now 3lb lower.

10/1

14/1

Form: 42346- D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Four-time turf winner; unplaced on all six AW starts but he did make headway before shaping as if his first outing for 112 days was possibly needed when sixth of ten over 6f here on yard debut at the end of December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:02 Hamilton

Pop Star

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Well-backed when winning over 5f at Carlisle two runs back; not disgraced off this 5lb higher mark when fourth to Stirrup Cup over 6f (soft) on same track last week; a possible.

5/1

4th

4

(5)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Carlisle

Pop Star

9st 11lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Ended a run of duck eggs with 5f success at Carlisle (good) ten days ago and although back up 5lb he remains well treated on historical data, which includes 6f win off current mark (two years ago); respected.

2/1

Form: 0083-9 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has won ten times on turf but took his AW record to 0-11 when down the field at Southwell 16 days ago; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Catterick

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two of 11 wins have been over C&D; latest success was at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but rather disappointing since; has a bit to prove.

9/1

15th

17

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; not disgraced at Ripon next time; should make another bold bid.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; there wasn't much separating the first five but he's only 2lb higher here and should give it another good shot.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.80
Straight Forecast £23.46
Tricast £29.35
Trifecta £46.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Night Storm

RP RATINGS:

Vantheman

Daily Mirror:

Buzz Box

TOPSPEED:

Arnhem

POSTDATA:

Glory Fighter

NEWMARKET:

Night Storm

The Times:

Night Storm

Telegraph:

Night Storm

The Guardian:

Night Storm

Daily Mail:

Night Storm

D Express:

Night Storm

Daily Record:

Night Storm

The Sun:

Vantheman

The Star:

Vantheman