February 24 / 17.42 Newcastle (AW)

17.42

Standard

Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 8 runners
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Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 475-23 BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Went handicapping off a high mark after two good runs in AW maiden and novice events; on this career-low mark for last two starts at Wolverhampton (about 1m) and involved in a tight finish there last week; not far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:42 Newcastle (AW)

Corundum

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Lucy Wadham

Went handicapping off a high mark after two good runs in AW maiden and novice events; on this career-low mark for last two starts at Wolverhampton (about 1m) and involved in a tight finish there last week; not far away.

3/1

3rd

8

(3)

17th Feb 2026

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Corundum

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Lucy Wadham

0-14, but appears to have reached a mark he can win from judging by his second of nine behind a subsequent winner over C&D six weeks ago; a player if building on that.

100/30

11/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: -37112 CD BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
In fine fettle, the return to 1m working really well this year, winning with more authority over C&D than the narrow margin suggests and impressively racing clear at Southwell after; found wanting back over 7f there on Friday but has more to come at this trip if some quick races haven't taken the edge off her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:15 Yarmouth

Dream Illusion

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Four-time Tapeta winner, including three times this year, all off lower marks; turned in a career best on turf five weeks ago (7f, good to firm) and holds claims on that for a yard among the winners.

7/2

2nd

4

(2)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:42 Wetherby

Dream Illusion

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Gained all four wins on Tapeta, the last three over 1m this year; well down the field when back on turf last month, though, and this drop back to 7f may not be ideal.

20/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 07-338

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Maiden; down the field over 7f at Southwell on Friday in refitted cheekpieces (discarded here); had run well over that C&D in two earlier races but he has a bigger stamina question to answer back at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

(7)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Asian Journey

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Sam England

Had been expensive to follow but he got off the mark at the 17th attempt at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) this month and has since been runner-up there (9.4f); also effective here and he's an each-way player.

10/1

2nd

8

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:54 Wolverhampton (AW)

Asian Journey

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

String of defeats at short prices before finally off the mark over 8.6f here a fortnight ago off a 2lb lower mark in 0-60 company; has not always looked the easiest and has to prove his stamina going into a deeper race.

4/1

1st

3

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Asian Journey

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Sam England

String of defeats at short prices this spring, remains a maiden and hasn't always looked the easiest; the return to Tapeta and step back up from 7f will help, though, and he holds claims under Tom Marquand.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 48-631 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Awarded a 1m race on Southwell Tapeta; three 1m turf wins on stiff tracks in 2025 and Lingfield's easy test looked on the sharp side when leading near the line (first-time cheekpieces, retained) ten days ago; back up 2lb; this greater stamina test may well suit; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:55 Kempton (AW)

Union Island

9st 8lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Gained second win of 2026 at Leicester (1m) in May and has continued in good form, refitted in cheekpieces when fourth of seven at Musselburgh (1m) 16 days ago; that form has been franked so he can go well again.

11/2

4th

1

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

17:15 Musselburgh

Union Island

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Charlie Johnston

Gained his second win of 2026 at Leicester (1m) in May and posted a good third of 12 in 1m Carlisle handicap a week ago; this course winner rates a player off an unchanged mark.

5/2

3rd

1

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

15:50 Carlisle

Union Island

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Just 1lb higher than for this season's two wins, the latest a last-gasp success at Leicester last month (1m, good to firm); unplaced twice since; others appeal more.

14/1

5/1

Form: 22-993 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Best effort since back from a short break when close up over 1m2f here ten days ago; not weighted out of it but he hasn't run over 1m since winning on turf in August 2023 so the trip does raise some questions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Leicester

Jack Sparowe

9st 9lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

Ended a lengthy losing run when winning in first-time blinkers at Yarmouth (1m2f, good) last month and ran another good race when second of 12 at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) 15 days ago; up another 2lb but he's a lively contender.

5/1

2nd

6

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jack Sparowe

10st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: John Butler

Blinkered when ending a lengthy losing sequence in good style at Yarmouth nine days ago, drawing clear last 1f; up 6lb but another bold showing is on the cards with headgear retained and good amateur Henry Callan up.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Jack Sparowe

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Butler

On a losing run and can get it wrong at the start; well handicapped on 2025 best, however, and he stayed on for fourth at Newcastle 19 days ago; conditions shouldn't be an issue and he commands respect with new blinkers now replacing cheekpieces.

8/1

33/1

Form: 7480-0 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Now 3lb lower than a Nottingham win (about 1m) last May but he ran poorly on final two starts in 2025 and finished last of 12 at Southwell (7f) for new yard last month; best watched in first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Leicester

Mini Mac

9st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

A repeat of the form which netted him a C&D second last month (good to firm) off today's mark would take him close; hard to blame his Doncaster flop since on the return to a 1m trip he has won over before.

8/1

11th

15

(3)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

17:15 Doncaster

Mini Mac

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Jessica Macey

Back in better form over 7f at Doncaster and Leicester the last twice; still attractively treated, having gained sole handicap win off 12lb higher (over 1m); respected.

5/1

2nd

8

(7)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:04 Leicester

Mini Mac

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

His form has deteriorated since his last win last May but he took a step back in the right direction when fourth of 16 at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) nine days ago; has another career-low mark today and is not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 00770- C

Last run: 77 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Broke duck over 1m2f here last February but nothing noteworthy for new yard (refitted cheekpieces latest, now discarded) and now back at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(1)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Nine-race maiden on turf, best recent run when third at Catterick in April (1m4f, good); hasn't done as well since.

14/1

6th

10

(10)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Just one win from his 25 starts but he was a good third over C&D last month and didn't see out 1m6f when fifth to Free Pic here last time; each-way claims back down in trip.

14/1

5th

5

(1)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Rock Armour

8st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

In the hands of John Butler when sporting first-time blinkers to score at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February; that's her only success but a keeping-on third here (1m4f, good) was a respectable effort a fortnight ago and this new trip is probably worth a go.

9/2

20/1

Form: -23478 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Multiple AW wins, most recently over 1m and 7f on this course late last year, but his recent runs here need some explaining; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wyvern

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Does most racing now at Newcastle, the scene of his last three wins; off for six weeks since finishing well held behind Captain Pickles over C&D.

20/1

Non-runners

Hows The Guvnor, Lessay

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £7.30
Tricast £18.79
Trifecta £34.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dream Illusion

POSTDATA:

Corundum

Daily Mirror:

Union Island

The Guardian:

Lessay

RP RATINGS:

Dream Illusion

The Times:

Dream Illusion

Telegraph:

Dream Illusion

The Sun:

Dream Illusion

The Star:

Dream Illusion

Daily Record:

Dream Illusion

Daily Mail:

Corundum

D Express:

Corundum