March 21 / 18.30 Newcastle (AW)

18.30

Standard

Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

  • Prize money: £3768.48
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £65.10
  • Place: £5.40

Form: 5134-9

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Won a Wolverhampton nursery (7f, Tapeta) on his penultimate run for Richard Hughes but he's been out of sorts in two runs for new yard this winter; had wind surgery last month but he needs a major revival back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Smartanck

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Was having his first start since wind surgery when winning over 1m here in March, but the wheels have come off completely since; best watched for now.

50/1

10th

10

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smartanck

9st 2lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Recorded his second success, at Newcastle (1m, AW) in March off this mark, but has been beaten 43l, 58l and 27l since; first-time blinkers need to have a significant impact.

50/1

12th

6

(4)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:02 Newcastle (AW)

Smartanck

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

50-1 winner over 1m here (first start since wind surgery) in March; has failed to beat a rival in two subsequent starts, tailed off (beaten 58l) at Doncaster six weeks ago; difficult to know what to expect.

33/1

15/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 236-25

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who has finished runner-up in two of his handicaps but his form has been up and down so far and he didn't fire when stepped up to 1m here (3-1) last month; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:52 Ripon

Sailor Batt

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Remains a maiden after nine starts but he's been runner-up in two handicaps (including on turf) and was a close third at Newcastle (1m, AW) most recently; every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 028-24

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
20-1 second on handicap debut at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) in January but that was behind an emphatic winner and he was only fourth of seven here (7f) last month; remains unexposed after only five runs but he needs improvement back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Newmarket (July)

Norcross Brow

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Charlie Clover

In cracking form since joining this yard and he was winning his third race from his last four starts when always in command at Haydock (7f, good) last Saturday; goes up another 5lb but he's progressing well.

11/4

1st

2

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

16:09 Haydock

Norcross Brow

9st 10lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Charlie Clover

Thriving since joining Charlie Clover, justifying favouritism at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm; Napolian fourth) 11 days ago; may have more in the tank, although this is warmer and he's 5lb higher.

7/2

1st

4

(7)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Norcross Brow

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Clover

In good form since 8,000gns buy in April, winning off 5lb lower at Brighton in June (7f, good to firm; 8-11) before a good second to a subsequent winner at Doncaster nine days later (1m, good to firm); contender.

5/2

Form: 476-1 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Well held in three novice/maiden events at Kempton in the autumn but he returned after a gelding operation with a comfortable win on handicap debut here (7f) two weeks ago; up 4lb but he justified favouritism with that success and is open to more progress back up in trip; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 80y

Class 6

18:45 Ffos Las

Kingofthecarnival

9st 6lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Archie Watson

Made a successful reappearance/handicap debut at Newcastle (7f, AW) in March, but hasn't really kicked on since; something to prove now making his turf debut in first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

11th

8

(9)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Kingofthecarnival

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Returned from five months off to make a successful handicap debut at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) in March, but hasn't built on it albeit not disgraced when fourth of 12 here (7f) last month; return to this trip not sure to suit.

9/1

4th

6

(12)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Kempton (AW)

Kingofthecarnival

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Archie Watson

Emphatically got off the mark at Newcastle (7f) on his return but he went too freely when only seventh (6-5 favourite) in 1m handicap there later in March; he's worth another chance dropped back in trip.

11/1

Form: 88701- C

Last run: 135 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Struggled in first four runs but he found lots of improvement when winning by a nose in 7f handicap here (50-1) in November; 4lb higher on this step back up in trip but he still has potential and needs a close look on his return; didn't wear headgear last time but blinkers are now reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(7)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

16:43 Redcar

Secret Testimony

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Inconsistent sort who has been campaigned mostly over 7f, winning once (on AW); only a modest fourth at Redcar most recently; enough to prove back up in distance.

12/1

4th

4

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Redcar

Secret Testimony

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

50-1 when narrowly landing a Newcastle nursery (7f, AW) in November, but not matched that form in three starts since returning in April, including when attracting market support over C&D last month.

12/1

7th

1

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:43 Redcar

Secret Testimony

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Handed a 4lb rise for his shock Tapeta winner late last year (only decent effort thus far) and has finished well held in two runs back; will need to improve a deal on last year's turf work but this is easier.

8/1

10/1

Form: 81516- C

Last run: 149 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile but he scored twice on AW last year including an emphatic win here (1m2f) on his penultimate run; returns after five months off but he still has scope for further progress and his first win was over 7f; tongue-tie is added and he's not ruled out on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Captain Bruce

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Andrew Crook

Dual AW winner who has achieved little on turf, latterly for new stable; had wind surgery since last run; something to prove.

20/1

8th

9

(3)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:30 Pontefract

Captain Bruce

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Andrew Crook

Dual AW winner for previous yard; has achieved little on turf, latterly in two starts for new stable; enough to prove.

33/1

8th

8

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Ripon

Captain Bruce

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Andrew Crook

Won 7f/1m2f AW handicaps for Nigel Tinkler last year but has finished tailed off on all three starts this term, including back on turf for new yard 16 days ago.

40/1

Form: 04-54

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 3-06

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 789-6

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £298.50
Straight Forecast £403.32
Tricast £2396.43
Trifecta £1432.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kingofthecarnival

Telegraph:

Captain Bruce

RP RATINGS:

Kingofthecarnival

POSTDATA:

Kingofthecarnival

The Times:

Kingofthecarnival

The Guardian:

Kingofthecarnival

Daily Mail:

Kingofthecarnival

D Express:

Kingofthecarnival

Daily Mirror:

Kingofthecarnival

The Star:

Kingofthecarnival

Daily Record:

Kingofthecarnival