April 20 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

Follow @AtTheRaces On X Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Follow @AtTheRaces On X Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -74114 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Returned to winning ways in a couple of classified events over C&D in February with cheekpieces back on; unable to land the three-timer back in a handicap over C&D last month; headgear left off here and looks vulnerable at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has risen to new heights this year, winning six times, the most recent three over 7f on turf (good and soft), but his charmed run ended at Musselburgh last week; runs off the same mark today and has ground to make up on Abduction; may need weight off his back now.

10/1

5th

5

(3)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

The Gay Blade

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Arrives in the form of his life, completing a turf hat-trick at Ayr (7f, soft) 11 days ago; that made it six wins from his last nine starts and he is respected despite the 6lb rise and stronger opposition.

4/1

1st

7

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

18:40 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Resurgent 7yo who completed a 7f Carlisle double on Monday and has now won five times this year; has 4lb penalty to carry but he won't mind if the ground eases; commands respect in current mood.

11/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 351316 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Has been kept busy and won twice at Wolverhampton (6f) last month; suffered interference last time, which cost him any chance (usual cheekpieces absent), and holds claims with headgear back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:38 Ripon

Fircombe Hall

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Only one of his ten wins has been on turf (record of 1-27); beaten less than 2l when fifth of 12 at Redcar on most recent turf run, but poor effort back on AW next time; others preferred.

8/1

9th

11

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fircombe Hall

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Philip Kirby

C&D win was sole 7f success among eight others over 6f; however, he stayed on well and only just failed to get up over Newcastle's stiff 6f in April so a good run isn't impossible in first 7f run since March 2025.

12/1

5th

5

(9)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Fircombe Hall

10st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Has been running well on the AW but that's more his thing, the scene of nine of his ten wins; could still have a part to play.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 326654 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Five AW wins but losing run is mounting up; needs a fast pace to aim at and is slipping down the weights; likely to come good again one of these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

(14)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Asadjumeirah

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Three wins on AW last year but his last turf success was in April 2022 and he returned to this sphere with a well-held sixth at Thirsk (6f, good; 12-1) last month; others are more appealing.

16/1

6th

15

(17)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Asadjumeirah

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Antony Brittain

His last turf success came over this C&D (good) but back in April 2022; this is his level now but others are more appealing for win purposes.

20/1

8th

12

(6)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Asadjumeirah

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time C&D winner; unable to justify favouritism in a 0-55 here 11 days ago and he has more on his plate at this level.

12/1

10/1

Form: 555617 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Belatedly opened her account at the 19th attempt in a classified over 5f here last month (first-time visor, retained since); hampered at the start when losing all chance last time; poor win record is off-putting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Auntie Jo

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Two 5f wins for David O'Meara at Newcastle this year, the latter achieved in smooth fashion at the beginning of this month; never a threat when fifth on stable debut at Ayr (5f, soft) ten days ago, taking turf record to 0-9; the headgear she's worn on her last ten starts is left off here.

10/1

5th

4

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:18 Ayr

Auntie Jo

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Two 5f wins for David O'Meara at Newcastle this year, the latest a smooth success in a 0-55 handicap 18 days ago; makes debut for her new stable off a 6lb higher mark with blinkers replacing other forms of headgear; below par in one run on ground slower than good.

13/2

1st

4

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Auntie Jo

9st 6lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Only win was over C&D in March when wearing a visor for the first time; best run since when second at Redcar last week (5f, good to firm); chance.

15/8

20/1

Form: 01210- CD

Last run: 170 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October 2024 and won twice at Catterick last summer; never showed when beating only one rival over C&D when last seen in November; best watched for new trainer after break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(3)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Quercus

9st 1lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Noel Wilson

Loves it here, with all but one of his eight wins coming over C&D; however, failed to build on reappearance when well last of six over C&D at the end of May so his hopes are pinned on a change of stable (has left Stephen Hanlon) sparking a return to form.

25/1

6th

5

(7)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Quercus

9st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

Loves it here, with all but one of his eight wins coming over C&D; not ground dependent; has been well below par in both starts since last winning (for Ann Duffield) here last September; not ruled out back here with 7lb claimed but it will need one of his better efforts from this mark.

9/1

5th

4

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Quercus

9st 8lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

C&D winner in October 2024 and won twice at Catterick last summer; never showed when beating only one rival over C&D when last seen in November; best watched for new trainer after break.

20/1

Form: 823480 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
All three wins came on AW in 2023 when trained by Richard Fahey; has run poorly on last two starts; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:12 Ayr

Bernie The Bear

8st 9lb

J: Jamie Gormley

T: Linda Perratt

Yet to win on turf (0-17) and his 'most recent' AW win was at Wolverhampton (6f) in December 2023; nothing positive to take from his last four starts, including when weakening quickly at Musselburgh (7f; 40-1) three weeks ago.

50/1

9th

10

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:00 Musselburgh

Bernie The Bear

9st 0lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

All three wins came on AW in 2023 when trained by Richard Fahey; only narrowly denied by The Gay Blade over 6f at Newcastle in February but hasn't been in same form since, including behind that reopposing rival there last week.

14/1

6th

8

(2)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bernie The Bear

9st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Linda Perratt

All three wins came on AW in 2023 when trained by Richard Fahey; has run poorly on last two starts; best watched for now.

25/1

14/1

Form: 6460-8 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Sole success came over C&D in September 2024 off a 5lb higher mark; has deteriorated since and although now on a career-low mark she doesn't look ready to take advantage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Ripon

Indys Angel

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Philip Kirby

Her 22 starts have yielded just one win but she was a close second of 18 at 25-1 at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) two starts ago and backed that up when runner-up to at Catterick (7f, good to firm) last Wednesday, albeit no match for the thriving winner; firmly in calculations given recent showings.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:00 Catterick

Indys Angel

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Returned to form with 25-1 second of 18 at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) last week; she can't be dismissed today but she's very inconsistent and has won just one of her 21 races, while the return to 7f also poses a question.

7/1

2nd

16

(19)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:40 Thirsk

Indys Angel

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

6f AW winner as a 2yo but her losing run stands at 15 and this year's efforts don't suggest it will be ending any time soon.

33/1

20/1

Form: 887286 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Three of his six wins have been over C&D but last one was back in March 2024; has been out of sorts on his last two starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

9st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Linda Perratt

Three of his six wins have been over C&D but last one was back in March 2024; has been out of sorts on his last two starts.

20/1

6th

10

(4)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Linda Perratt

Runner-up in a classified event over C&D last month but he's hard to predict and was last of eight in a handicap here two weeks ago; finished behind three of today's rivals in that race and that took his losing run up to 18; others preferred.

12/1

8th

8

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

8st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Linda Perratt

His handicap mark has bottomed out and there have been more encouraging signs on his last two starts, second in a 0-50 classified over C&D 15 days ago; more required today.

14/1

7/1

Form: 0000-4

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; sold for 2,600gns to join current yard in January; fair effort when fourth of 11 in a classified on stable debut at Wolverhampton (6f) last month and there may be some improvement in her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(12)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:00 Musselburgh

Gimmieminnie

9st 0lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Daragh Bourke

Ex-Irish; sold for 2,600gns to join current yard in January; fair effort when fourth of 11 in a classified on stable debut at Wolverhampton (6f) last month but well behind The Gay Blade at Newcastle last month; hood off, refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces combination on.

14/1

9th

10

(4)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Gimmieminnie

9st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Daragh Bourke

Ex-Irish; sold for 2,600gns to join current yard in January; fair effort when fourth of 11 in a classified on stable debut at Wolverhampton (6f) last month and there may be some improvement in her.

7/1

4th

5

(2)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gimmieminnie

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Daragh Bourke

0-15 in Ireland but she finished second of 17 in a Navan handicap (6f, good) in October; former stable have gone 490 days without a winner and interesting to see how she fares in the market starting out for Daragh Bourke (sold 2,600gns in January); no tongue-tie today but the hood returns.

10/1

7/4

Form: 80-141 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
First-time blinkers saw him return to winning ways in a C&D classified event in February; won C&D handicap on second start for new yard last month; holds strong claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:43 Newmarket (July)

Sedgemoor

8st 10lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Ryan

Sole win on turf came over two years ago and his last two efforts have been moderate; this mark is fine if first-time cheekpieces spark him back to life, however.

16/1

9th

15

(16)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newbury

Sedgemoor

8st 11lb

J: Connor Planas

T: John Ryan

Two wins at Newcastle (6f, AW) this year, but not very consistent and was well beaten at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) last month; 2lb out of the weights; stable also runs White Ladder.

25/1

25/1

Form: 066585 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
All five wins have been on turf, rattling up a three-timer in October 2024; it's been downhill since and while cheekpieces replace usual blinkers, he makes little appeal here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(1)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

World Of Darcy

9st 0lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: John Ryan

All five wins have been on turf, rattling up a three-timer in October 2024; it's been downhill since and while cheekpieces replace usual blinkers, he makes little appeal here.

25/1

5th

6

(2)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

16:30 Lingfield (AW)

World Of Darcy

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Ryan

Finished second here just before Christmas but over 6f; struggled since, including over C&D latest; Sedgemoor is the more obvious of the stable pair.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.40
Straight Forecast £55.79
Tricast £148.45
Trifecta £192.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sedgemoor

Daily Mail:

Fircombe Hall

D Express:

Gimmieminnie

Daily Mirror:

The Gay Blade

POSTDATA:

Asadjumeirah

RP RATINGS:

Sedgemoor

NEWMARKET:

Sedgemoor

The Times:

Sedgemoor

Telegraph:

Sedgemoor

The Guardian:

Sedgemoor

The Sun:

Sedgemoor

Daily Record:

Sedgemoor

The Star:

Fircombe Hall