July 01 / 16.25 Newcastle (AW)

16.25

Standard To Slow

Racing Welfare Handicap

  • Prize money: £4501.24
  • 1m 4f 98y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Racing Welfare Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 253212 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (1m4f) two starts ago and went close at Thirsk (1m4f) last time; this consistent sort has won on the Wolverhampton Tapeta (unraced here) and holds solid claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Lexington Knight

10st 3lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Won this 12 months ago and returns on a hat-trick after another course win (made all) and a success at Salisbury that looked unlikely until he picked up late on; might travel sweeter back at this track and can cope with this mark.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

19:50 Salisbury

Lexington Knight

9st 7lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Returned from three-month break with front-running win at Brighton (1m4f, good) in May and will be fine on the faster surface here but he's probably not quite as good as he was; younger rivals appeal more.

11/4

1

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

16:05 Brighton

Lexington Knight

9st 9lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Ordinary form on the AW during the winter but he is 5lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last August; off since February but he's respected back here on this return.

13/2

2nd
3 (12)
Victory

14/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2527-9

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
He's on a handy mark on the form he showed last April/June; might have needed his recent reappearance run at Southwell but was beaten a long way and needs to be a different proposition now in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Victory

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Alan King

prominent

10/1

7th

13

(8)

27th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Victory

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Alan King

Sole win in 1m handicap here in 2021 but didn't achieve anything special in his only course start since; work to do on balance of 2023 form.

20/1

7th

5

(8)

2nd Sep 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Victory

9st 13lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Alan King

Inconsistent type with a record of 1-14; didn't fire at Sandown (1m6f) last time but he went close at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) on his penultimate run and has claims if he can recapture that form; has worn cheekpieces in last two starts.

9/1

15/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 3453-5

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Front-running third in this last year and then absent until his fifth at Pontefract in May; that was a fair reappearance performance and he's now 4lb lower than 12 months ago; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

19th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:05 Pontefract

King Of Unicorns

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear, weakened quickly and detached 5f out, pulled up 4f out

6/1

2nd

2

(8)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

16:55 Redcar

King Of Unicorns

9st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Bumper winner who's regressed and only seen sporadically in recent times; came in for support over C&D last time, though, and worth considering down another 3lb in first-time headgear.

10/1

6th

5

(6)

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

17:37 Redcar

King Of Unicorns

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Won a bumper in 2021; 0-9 under Flat rules and absent 352 days before soundly beaten in his two runs (upped to 1m6f, then 2m) this summer; some 2022 form reads well but he has questions to answer at present.

20/1

11/1

Form: -74525

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Has posted some fair performances on turf this season and he's edging down the weights; however, he has to produce something extra if he's to snap a losing sequence stretching back 25 races to July 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who last May gained a ninth C&D win; his more recent form is not so encouraging, though, just fifth of eight over C&D 16 days ago; needs to bounce back.

20/1

Form: -18295 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D in January and went close at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in March; fair fifth when back on Tapeta at Wolverhampton (1m4f) recently but she needs something extra if she's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(3)

1st Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Vintage

8st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Won over C&D in January and went close at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in March; fair fifth when back on Tapeta at Wolverhampton (1m4f) recently but she needs something extra if she's to win this.

9/1

5th

6

(8)

19th Jun 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

14:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Vintage

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Inconsistent sort with a record of 1-11; returned to turf with a heavy defeat at Doncaster 17 days ago but she finished well to go close at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) on her penultimate run; only 1lb higher here and has claims if she can recapture that form.

14/1

9th

9

(7)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

20:50 Doncaster

Golden Vintage

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

A bit of a mixed bag since returning on the AW in December, though she did win well at Newcastle (1m4f) in January and was only beaten a neck at Southwell (1m4f) in March; needs to fare better than in her three goes on turf so far, though, and has been off for three months.

5/1

14/1

Form: 663-10

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at York in May but might have been unsuited by the ground (good, good to firm in places); prior to that this very lightly raced 5yo was an easy winner on her handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) and she retains potential in view of that promise; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(8)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 6

13:35 Ripon

Vallamorey

10st 6lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Sam England

took keen hold, in touch with leaders in centre of group

20/1

5th

9

(7)

26th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

16:15 Doncaster

Vallamorey

8st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Sam England

held up in rear

20/1

5th

9

(7)

26th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

16:15 Doncaster

Vallamorey

8st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Sam England

held up in rear

20/1

Form: 310-38

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Reverted to the Flat with good third at 150-1 at Wetherby (1m2f) in May but well beaten at Redcar (1m2f) since and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:25 Market Rasen

Very Excellent

11st 8lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Mike Sowersby

Only 1-17 over hurdles but on a competitive mark and his recent Flat effort when close up at Ripon (1m2f) bodes well.

33/1

4th

5

(6)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Ripon

Very Excellent

9st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Mike Sowersby

Won over this trip at Beverley last July (heavy); now 2lb lower; quite interesting particularly if there is some give in the ground (below-par reappearance run on faster ground).

20/1

13th

13

(16)

3rd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Very Excellent

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Mike Sowersby

steadied start, held up in rear

20/1

Form: 264441

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
7yo whose recent win at Ayr (1m5f) was a first victory at the 24th attempt, so it's hard to be confident regarding a follow-up; however, that may have given his confidence a boost and he's effective over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:58 Redcar

Billy Bathgate

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

A four-time scorer (including here in 2025); in good nick without winning this season, finding drop to 1m4f against him when a staying-on sixth of 12 at Newcastle last time; this veteran needs considering back up in trip.

4/1

6th

14

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Billy Bathgate

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ewan Whillans

Four wins last season included two here at 2m; never figured in this race last term but he's been in the frame all nine starts this year and was unlucky when fifth at this track in December on his last go at 1m4f; each-way prospects.

14/1

4th

8

(8)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billy Bathgate

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ewan Whillans

10yo whose easily most successful season was 2025, with four wins; the latest was at this track (2m) in December and he's held his form, including over C&D, so has each-way claims once again.

5/1

33/1

Form: -44088

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Well treated on last year's Irish form but has struggled to get competitive this year and a major turnaround is needed now in a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Explorers Way

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained in Britain and won over this trip at Down Royal last summer; two low-key runs on first two runs for this yard but showed more when sixth of 19 at Navan last time; on a good mark if he can build on that.

7/1

7

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 10y

17:00 Navan

Explorers Way

9st 12lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained by Brian Ellison; useful form for Pat Martin last year including C&D second following a Down Royal win; two moderate runs in 2025

16/1

Form: 43-782 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Having dropped down the weights he returned to form with a close second at Doncaster (14.5f) four weeks ago, which was the first leg of a hat-trick for the winner (Blow Your Horn, who is declared for the Northumberland Vase); back up just 1lb and effective over C&D; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

12/1

Form: -73160 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Looked to be a lightly raced 6yo to follow when winning in good style over C&D in February; however, he was soundly beaten over C&D next time and it was the same story at Pontefract last time; return to form required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(4)

1st Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Ri Na Farraige

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Looked to be a lightly raced 6yo to follow when winning in good style over C&D in February; however, he was soundly beaten over C&D next time and it was the same story at Pontefract last time; return to form required.

12/1

11th

3

(9)

3rd May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:50 Pontefract

Ri Na Farraige

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

AW bumper winner on debut (2m); sole win on the Flat was over 1m2f at Newcastle in February; not so good last time but unexposed on turf and could bounce back.

6/1

6th

8

(1)

17th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Ri Na Farraige

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

midfield, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened

7/2

Form: 93-7

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Not obviously well treated off his opening mark but this very lightly raced 4yo has shown ability (including over C&D) and his trainer is enjoying a fine season; one to watch in the betting on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Easter Island

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

13-race maiden; best form has been on the AW, although wasn't disgraced after a break when 7l fifth to Makalu (who is now 5lb worse off) at Beverley last month (8.5f, good to soft).

8/1

3rd

1

(6)

27th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:40 Newcastle (AW)

Easter Island

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Has yet to win a race but was twice placed over 1m4f here earlier this year; however, that's probably more his trip and he was outpaced over Beverley's extended 1m last time.

8/1

5th

3

(4)

18th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:15 Beverley

Easter Island

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

11-race maiden; placed twice over 1m4f at Newcastle earlier this year; well beaten in first-time blinkers (retained) at Southwell last time (March); tailed off only previous run on turf (1m4f, soft); stable going well but plenty to prove.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.20
Straight Forecast £19.07
Tricast £90.36
Trifecta £164.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lexington Knight

RP RATINGS:

The Dancing Poet

The Times:

King Of Unicorns

Telegraph:

Easter Island

Daily Mirror:

Vallamorey

The Guardian:

King Of Unicorns

POSTDATA:

Lexington Knight

Daily Mail:

Lexington Knight

D Express:

Lexington Knight

Daily Record:

Lexington Knight

TOPSPEED:

The Dancing Poet

The Sun:

The Dancing Poet

The Star:

The Dancing Poet