January 31 / 16.55 Newcastle (AW)

16.55

Standard

Midnite, Building The Future Of Betting Handicap

  • Prize money: £4396.56
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Midnite, Building The Future Of Betting Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 58857-

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Haydock (6f, good) last summer but he's not gone on from that and has been well held here (7f/6f) in last three starts; now 5lb lower than for his win but he has plenty to prove on this drop to 5f; tongue-tie reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Pal Joey

8st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ben Haslam

Found a Newcastle handicap run to suit when winning over this trip in January but has otherwise done most racing over further; the early impact of the visor may have worn off now and he was inclined to pull hard when well held back on turf a month ago.

33/1

16th

4

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Pal Joey

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Ran on well to win a 5f handicap at Newcastle in January; not quite so good back there six days later but he is feasibly weighted and 6f on good ground no problem; stable operating at a fine strike-rate in 2026.

12/1

7th

1

(3)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pal Joey

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Refitted with a tongue-strap when back to form to land C&D handicap six days ago; needs to back it up under a 5lb penalty with headgear retained.

9/4

11/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2153-5 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner who is unexposed on AW and was close third at Southwell (6f) last month; faded into fifth when favourite there last time but he took a strong hold and raced wider than ideal around the home bend; now 1lb lower than for his penultimate run and he looks interesting on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

I Need Your Love

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Heavy-ground turf win last October and he comes here on the back of second-place finishes at Newcastle (5f) and here (6f); sneaking back up the weights but should give it another good go.

4/1

2nd

10

(5)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

I Need Your Love

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Both of his wins have been on turf, with the most recent coming at Bath (5.7f, heavy) in October; went from the front when beaten a neck at Newcastle (5f, AW) 20 days ago and won't have an issue with the return to this trip.

7/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 806-69 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been on Tapeta (5f/6f), but he's finished down the field at Newcastle in his five starts; mark continues to fall but losing run is up to 12 and he needs a major revival back at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:21 Hamilton

Lions House

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Linda Perratt

Has only won on Tapeta and spends a lot of his time at Newcastle; finished well behind in his last two races on turf.

10/1

12th

10

(13)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Lions House

8st 13lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

Wins have all come on Tapeta and does most racing now at Newcastle; decent second there last time, back up from 5f, but this is stronger and he's far from certain to repeat the effort.

16/1

100/30

Form: 7664-2 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
His style of racing leaves him a hostage to fortune but he's a five-time Tapeta winner, who was runner-up at Wolverhampton (6f) last night; has claims if he can repeat that form and his penultimate win was over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:21 Hamilton

Water Of Leith

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Wolverhampton (6f, Class 5; 6-4 favourite) in March but below that level in three subsequent starts, 2l fifth of eight at Musselburgh (5f; 15-2) latest; vulnerable on those performances.

7/1

10/1

Form: 03056-

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in three handicaps (Tapeta/turf) last spring but he's been out of sorts in last three runs; continues to slide down the weights but he's now 0-13 and needs to turn things around after a break; cheekpieces worn last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(8)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Lucius Aurelius

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

Off the mark at the 17th attempt when leading late at Catterick last month (5f, good); beat a subsequent winner on that occasion but a 5lb rise might prove beyond him.

6/1

1st

7

(10)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:52 Catterick

Lucius Aurelius

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

16-race maiden but he's capable and got no run at Southwell (AW) on penultimate start and was poorly drawn at Pontefract (also 5f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; placed on all three starts here and the breakthrough is far from out of the question.

8/1

10th

9

(11)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Pontefract

Lucius Aurelius

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Exposed maiden but has plenty of ability for one of his rating; unable to show what he could do at Southwell four weeks ago when trapped behind a wall of horses from 2f out; double-figure draw to contend with today but he should be winning soon.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 623-13 D BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a favourable mark when scoring at Wolverhampton (5f) four weeks ago, but he was well below that form at Southwell last time; remains well handicapped on old form but he needs to step up again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Emperors Son

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Back to winning ways at Wolverhampton (5f) in January and suffered a poor run when sixth of ten over C&D last time; ought to be thereabouts.

7/1

6th

2

(4)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Emperors Son

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Took advantage of a favourable mark when scoring at Wolverhampton (5f) four weeks ago, but he was well below that form at Southwell last time; remains well handicapped on old form but he needs to step up again after that last run.

11/2

6th

1

(8)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Emperors Son

9st 12lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Dropped out over 5f two starts ago but good efforts at 6f either side of that and he's 11lb lower than a close fifth of ten over 5f on this track in January; can be on the premises.

7/1

12/1

Form: 6381-5 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(12)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Latin Five

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Has run well over C&D, including when a close third in this race 12 months ago, but the track doesn't always lend itself to his hold-up style; drawn widest and could prove vulnerable, for all he is attractively weighted.

7/1

6th

9

(8)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Pounced to grab Thank The Lord (who, when factoring in riding arrangements, is now 6lb better off) over C&D three starts back; has lacked the pace to stake a claim in two C&D starts since; likely to need everything to fall his way.

25/1

7th

10

(6)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

8st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 3451-2 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Made all when justifying support over C&D (Ganesha second) last month and he backed that up with a close second here 11 days ago; nudged up another 1lb but he remains well treated on old form and should make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle in March but well held back on turf at Doncaster later that month; freshened up since.

10/1

17th

14

(4)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle 24 days ago; should give his running but others may prove better treated.

12/1

2nd

10

(8)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Our Absent Friends

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Gained a third C&D success in December and largely in good nick since, fourth of nine over C&D two weeks ago; ought to be in the shake-up.

10/1

7/1

Form: 0422-7 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
First two wins were at Hamilton and last two have been over C&D; been a bit up and down since September and was only seventh here last time, but he had a couple of close calls over C&D last month; that form puts him in the picture and he should get a good tow into this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Latest 6f run not the one to judge him on and his earlier 5f runs this year were both encouraging enough; on a dangerous mark if the new headgear has the desired effect.

5/1

13th

3

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Just one win since October 2023 and that came on AW; operating off a reduced mark now though and he has been keeping on late in 5f handicaps this spring; has his first 6f start in nearly two years but a tongue-tie is now added and he's not discounted.

8/1

6th

5

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

Ganesha

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Four wins divided between turf and the AW; some sign of returning to form from off the pace at Newcastle 20 days ago (5f); possible.

6/1

Form: 39019- D

Last run: 106 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Landed a gamble when scoring at Pontefract (5f, soft) in October but he has a patchy profile and was out the back at Redcar in final run in the autumn; has something to prove again after a break and he's 0-7 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Wrestling Revenue

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Well backed when winning a 5f handicap at Pontefract (soft) last October but hasn't matched that since, including beating only one home over C&D three weeks ago; back on the mark he defied at Pontefract but would need to see money for him again.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £79.90
Straight Forecast £56.83
Tricast £503.02
Trifecta £946.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Absent Friends

POSTDATA:

Emperor's Son

Telegraph:

Water Of Leith

The Times:

Emperor's Son

D Express:

Water Of Leith

RP RATINGS:

Our Absent Friends

The Guardian:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Mail:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Mirror:

Our Absent Friends

The Star:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Record:

Our Absent Friends