November 11 / 11.45 Newcastle (AW)

11.45

Standard

Virgin Bet Training Series Final Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

  • Prize money: £5566.32
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Training Series Final Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Scattered showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 620417 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Came off strong pace to win 6f handicap at Pontefract last month; possibly failed to cope with very testing ground at Doncaster since; has a win and two seconds (including C&D) to show from his five AW starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(9)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Sam England

Last eight starts in classifieds and he didn't always get the breaks when third over C&D 12 days ago; that was one of his better recent efforts and he's firmly in calculations.

13/2

3rd

6

(5)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Regressive 8yo; running respectably at this level in 2026 but 2l behind Woodrafff at Newcastle last week; never threatened over 1m2f on Thursday; easy enough to look elsewhere.

8/1

6th

10

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:28 Newcastle (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Spent most of a long career racing at shy of 1m and didn't look to see it out in one try over this far (C&D); not as good now and can miss the break and/or pull hard, so comes with risks attached.

8/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.50

Form: 681060 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways at Newmarket (7f) off 2lb lower in June; excuses on next two outings but well held back on AW latest; others arrive with more compelling claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(3)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Thirsk

Magical Max

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

slowly away, raced in last, lost touch over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off

25/1

18th

17

(1)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Magical Max

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Newmarket winner last June (7f, good); well drawn; no easy task back on turf having been off since December.

22/1

18th

17

(1)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Magical Max

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Newmarket winner last June (7f, good); well drawn; no easy task back on turf having been off since December.

22/1

3rd
3 (11)
Troon

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 1-06 D

Last run: 133 days

W: 10st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Looked promising when beating plenty of subsequent winners on his 7f Kempton debut last October but well below that level in a pair of turf novices this summer; has left Eve Johnson Houghton (same owners) and been gelded since then; returns to AW for his handicap debut and worth a look in the betting with his new stable back among the winners here lately.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(5)

4th Jul 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Troon

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Adam West

midfield

66/1

13th

4

(2)

26th Jun 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Troon

10st 0lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Adam West

Lightly raced since making a winning debut here (7f) in October 2022; well beaten on his debut for his third different yard at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack; first-time tongue-tie) in March and has been absent for another three months since; look elsewhere.

33/1

14th

13

(1)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Troon

9st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Kempton novice winner for Eve Johnson Houghton as 2yo; had three runs for Nigel Tinkler, failing to build on a good first one, and sold on for 7,500gns; new trainer fits a tongue-tie over today's new trip (unraced beyond 1m).

40/1

Form: 432150 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Two fine runs at the Ayr Western meeting in September, second over 6f on the Friday before finishing strongly to lead towards the finish over 7f the following day; not in the same form twice since and now tackles AW for only the second time in his long career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Cold Stare

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

9yo who needs to produce more than he's managed the last twice but before those he was a creditable fifth in the Ayr Bronze Cup and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; not written off.

14/1

5th

1

(8)

18th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

13:52 Redcar

Cold Stare

10st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Most of his nine wins on soft or heavy; finished close up in the Ayr Bronze Cup last month and ran well enough to think he's still in reasonable form when fifth in a higher grade than this at Haydock last time; in the mix.

15/2

6th

10

(2)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Cold Stare

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Most of his nine wins on soft or heavy; finished close up in the Ayr Bronze Cup last weekend which gives him a fighting chance here but he has a better overall record on that track than this one and remains on much the same mark as when well adrift of Trilby here in April.

8/1

5th
11 (8)
Ayr Poet

14/1

Form: 213323

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Three wins at Ayr (1m-1m2f) this year and arrives on the back of some creditable placed efforts, the latest over 1m2f here; all 50 career starts over 1m+ so the unknown is whether he'll be fully effective over this shorter distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Ayr Poet

9st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

All 13 wins have come elsewhere but he does have course form and he did so well when going close at Ayr (1m1f, good to firm) last week; however, he's now 6lb higher than his September win which might be a step too far.

9/2

2nd

9

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Ayr Poet

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Rounded off last season with a game win here (1m Class 5, good to soft; from 4lb lower), that his 13th win; struggled in a competitive Sunday Series Handicap at Musselburgh 24 days ago, and it might be a similar story here; stablemate of Pearl Eye and Motawaared.

40/1

12th

8

(12)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Ayr Poet

9st 6lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jim Goldie

11yo who was as good as ever last season, winning three times, including at Ayr in September when last season; this two-time course winner is not ruled out on his return but there's a suspicion he'll improve for the run.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 526216 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has enjoyed a good campaign and gained compensation for being demoted to second at York (7f) when making all in the mud at Catterick (6f) last month; faded out of it at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago but he's capable of bouncing back; won here earlier in his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

4th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Oso Rapido

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell

in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

8/1

6th

2

(6)

4th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Oso Rapido

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell

in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

8/1

7th

1

(2)

28th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:15 Redcar

Oso Rapido

9st 12lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Roger Fell

prominent, outpaced over 1f out, soon weakened

7/2

12/1

Form: 532110 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Useful in France; slow to catch on in Britain but won twice over 7f on turf for David O'Meara this autumn; behind the reopposing Oso Rapido when favourite at York last month, after which he was sold for 10,000gns; AW winner in France.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Kalganov

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Michael Dods

Losing run up to 18 and entitled to have run better than he did at Ayr last time (7f; handles soft); had been running quite well, though, and cheekpieces now replace a visor.

6/1

4

(6)

6th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Kalganov

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Losing run is mounting up; however, has proved consistent in the last two months and latest effort can be marked up (met traffic issues); defied a much higher mark over C&D in 2023 and enters the reckoning.

5/1

Form: 624053 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Often leads; the handicapper has been winning the argument since his 7f Musselburgh win but in June but latest 1m Haydock third was another creditable effort and being eased another 2lb can only help; all three AW starts here, winning a maiden over this trip at the start of his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:55 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Has won on soft ground and he's now 8lb lower than when runner-up at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in June; however, he's finished no better than seventh across his five outings since.

12/1

6

(9)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Respectable second at Leicester in June but far from consistent otherwise this year and losing spell goes back to spring 2024; not particularly solid.

16/1

12

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:55 Haydock

Liamarty Dreams

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

C&D winner who was beaten just 1l when second at Leicester in June and is now 6lb lower; however, soundly beaten on his three runs since (C&D last time) and the first-time visor needs to prompt a revival.

33/1

Form: 720852

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Lost his way on turf this autumn but returned to form minus headgear (off again) when second of ten over 5f here last week; has some form over 7f in midsummer but his peak efforts have come at sprint distances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

20:50 Brighton

Honour Your Dreams

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Attwater

Has six wins to his name but yet to score for his current trainer; best recent effort when runner-up at Lingfield (5f, AW) last month; not out of this.

7/1

9th

5

(13)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:20 Windsor

Honour Your Dreams

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Attwater

Had to challenge wide when fourth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) in May and he went close to breaking his AW duck at Lingfield (5f) last time; has won over C&D and every chance he'll be bang there.

5/1

2nd

7

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Honour Your Dreams

9st 0lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Michael Attwater

Six turf wins, three in 2025; 0-22 on AW and although having a healthy pull at the weights with Desdemona on their C&D run in February he's not looked in peak form on last two starts.

13/2

10th
6 (2)
Bicep

7/2

Form: 002015 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways over C&D last month; travelled notably strongly before stamina seemingly stretched late on over 1m here last week and can show he's still on a good mark now back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Bicep

9st 10lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

prominent

7/1

5th

2

(5)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bicep

9st 10lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

pressed leader

3/1

10

29th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

13:55 Southwell (AW)

Bicep

9st 10lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

5/1

Form: 676301 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Snapped a long losing run when striking at the first time of asking for the Iain Jardine stable in C&D apprentice race last month, making all; hit with a 5lb rise for that but he was competitive off marks in the mid-80s for his previous yard; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(9)

17th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Gobi Sunset

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Front-runner and dual C&D winner, the latest from 5lb higher just under a year ago; 0-16 in the meantime, though, and needs to do better than when returned to the AW at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) a fortnight ago; stable also runs Novak.

12/1

5th

4

(7)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Gobi Sunset

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Iain Jardine

Not been in much form off his lower turf mark this season, coming 12lb down the weights; is 3lb lower than when last seen on the AW but it may just be he's on the downgrade now.

6/1

5th

3

(1)

29th Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Ayr

Gobi Sunset

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he showed some good AW form earlier this year; however, he's without a win on turf since 2019 and he's been unable to threaten on grass on his recent starts.

8/1

Form: -77742

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three 6f wins as a 2yo; this year hasn't been anywhere near as productive this year but she took a step back in the right direction when second of 17 at Newmarket last Saturday; has handicapping scope if she can build on that but is unproven on this surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

31st May 2024

Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:40 Carlisle

Shandy Star

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Has dropped a long way in the weights and is 5lb lower than when runner-up in a big-field handicap at Newmarket (7f, heavy) last November; needs to better her three efforts since returning in March, though.

16/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £251.90
Straight Forecast £222.29
Tricast £2446.49
Trifecta £4043.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bicep

The Times:

Shandy Star

POSTDATA:

Honour Your Dreams

TOPSPEED:

Ayr Poet

Daily Mirror:

Gobi Sunset

Telegraph:

Shandy Star

D Express:

Shandy Star

Daily Record:

Honour Your Dreams

RP RATINGS:

Bicep

Daily Mail:

Bicep

The Sun:

Bicep

The Guardian:

Ayr Poet

The Star:

Gobi Sunset