April 15 / 14.50 Newcastle

14.50

Soft

Acorn Catering Equipment Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5819.65
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Acorn Catering Equipment Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.80
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 721-81 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won a novice here last season and only his second run since when the comfortable winner of a Doncaster handicap (2m3f, good); both those runs were on good ground and he has a bit to prove on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Fingals Hill

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

5lb higher than when a 6l winner of this last year, beating Ike Sport; returns on the back of two solid efforts at Newcastle; chance.

6/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

This race was one of the three he won last season, all of them on good or good to soft at this trip; on his last winning mark and, after his running-on second over 2m1f here last time, should go well again.

2/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Peter Atkinson

Won back to back at Aintree & Hexham (both 2m4f) last summer, rising to a career-high mark of 134; kicked off 2026 with a solid effort at Doncaster (2m4f, soft; runner-up) and he's capable of bouncing back from a lesser effort at Kelso since.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -42122

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Easy winner on handicap debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) in November and twice runner-up in the meantime; has form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:40 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

10st 8lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Just 1-9 over hurdles but bounced back quickly from a disappointing December run when close second in competitive handicap here (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and will pose a threat if able to transfer that form to fences at the first attempt; first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

2nd

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:10 Musselburgh

Holmes St Georges

11st 1lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

8th

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Aintree

Holmes St Georges

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: S R B Crawford

Won at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) last November when back from a break and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, most recently at Down Royal (3m, yielding) in May; can go well fresh and could be a player.

8/1

Form: 3-6342 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Veteran who is no longer the force of old but retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm; repeat of latest Wetherby second won't see him far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

6th

6

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:47 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on soft ground over 2m4f here last May but has suffered three serious defeats in the meantime and he's a 14yo now.

14/1

5th

8

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Mcgowans Pass

10st 9lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

disputed lead, not fluent 3rd, lost position after 4 out

16/1

Form: 313424 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Drew clear to win off reduced mark at Kelso (2m, heavy) in January and has remained in good form since; thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

12st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

12yo who returned to winning ways over C&D (soft) in March when last seen; he won on his reappearance two seasons ago and has gone back up just 3lb for last time; respected on his comeback.

6/1

9th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

12st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

12yo who returned to winning ways over C&D (soft) in March when last seen; he won on his reappearance two seasons ago and has gone back up just 3lb for last time; respected on his comeback.

6/1

1st

6

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Ayr

Thereisnodoubt

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

led early, headed but prominent 2nd, mistake and lost position 5th, went second again after 6th, pressed leader 2 out, pushed along and led again before last, faced challenge run-in, kept on final 110yds, won going away

9/1

Form: -13137 D

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m novice hurdle winner this season (good/good to soft); managed only third of four when odds-on for chase/handicap debut at Hexham and again ran below expectations on his return to hurdling; off since October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

12:05 Catterick

Onward Route

11st 7lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in rear, steady headway on outer from 8th, not fluent last (usual 2 out), ridden and stayed on run-in, led towards finish, won going away

12/1

4th

3

27th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:55 Perth

Onward Route

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Below form when tried in cheekpieces last month but quickly back on track with keeping-on fifth at Hexham (2m4f, good; behind City Derby) three weeks ago; versatile regarding ground and recent 2lb drop helps; no surprise if he features.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-3332 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in 2021 and, returned to this discipline, he finished a distance clear of the remainder when chasing home a progressive one at Stratford; good chance off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:48 Fontwell

Word Has It

12st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

raced lazily at times, in touch with leaders, mistake and jockey unbalanced 2nd, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost position before 4 out, soon no impression, tailed off

6/1

6th

1

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:20 Sandown

Word Has It

12st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

3-13 over hurdles and largely reliable, with no ground worries; won what was effectively a match on reappearance at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) in November and ran creditably at Warwick on sole start since; relatively exposed but firmly in calculations.

4/1

Form: /6-0P7 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler at his best but lightly raced nowadays and moving yards hasn't helped stop the slide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

2nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

14:40 Cartmel

Band Of Outlaws

10st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

in touch with leaders

12/1

3

20th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Band Of Outlaws

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Beat one rival in first four starts for this stable but was still sent off favourite at Hexham two weeks ago; didn't look very keen in finishing seventh there and cheekpieces now replaced by first-time visor; nothing like the force of old but trainer in blazing form, which counts.

6/1

7th

1

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

20:40 Hexham

Band Of Outlaws

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ben Haslam

Useful at his best in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien but has beaten just one rival in four outings for current yard; carries obvious risks but his mark is in freefall and he's not one to give up on just yet.

12/1

Form: 51/234 CD

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won his maiden here in 2020 and then had a long time off; not disgraced in three handicaps since returning and a tongue-tie may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Fostered Phil

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: William Young Jnr

Veteran who won twice in 2025, the second by 7l over C&D (soft) in December; now 5lb higher in a stronger race.

14/1

7th

9

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Fostered Phil

11st 5lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: William Young Jnr

11yo who is lightly raced for his age and won at Perth (2m4f, good) in September before 2l third at Kelso (2m5f, good); well-beaten third at Perth (2m4f) since when the soft ground may not have been ideal, and a similar surface is expected today.

9/1

Non-runners

Fostered Phil

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £13.71
Tricast £61.83
Trifecta £65.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Word Has It

RP Ratings:

Mcgowan's Pass

POSTDATA:

Holmes St Georges

TOPSPEED:

Fingal's Hill

Daily Mail:

Thereisnodoubt

D Express:

Band Of Outlaws

Daily Mirror:

Holmes St Georges

The Times:

Word Has It

Telegraph:

Word Has It

The Guardian:

Word Has It

Daily Record:

Word Has It

The Sun:

Mcgowan's Pass

The Star:

Mcgowan's Pass