December 16 / 14.34 Newcastle (AW)

14.34

Standard

Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 561339 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways over 7f at Thirsk in September; third over 7f at York and 6f at Ripon on next two starts but below par back on AW here (6f) last time; back up in trip now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:05 Newcastle (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

C&D win last April came off a 5lb higher mark; good second at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but unable to back it up at Southwell one week later (both 7f); chance if back to his best.

10/1

8th

10

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:00 Southwell (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in April; now 2lb lower and no problem with the return to 7f, but he needs to fare better than in his last three starts.

25/1

8th

10

(7)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:00 Southwell (AW)

The Turpinator

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Four-time AW winner, the latest at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in April; now 2lb lower and no problem with the return to 7f, but he needs to fare better than in his last three starts.

25/1

2nd
10 (10)
Bowood

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 769253

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who has taken well to AW here lately; failed to stay 1m on penultimate start and immediately back on the up when a close third of 12 to Kalganov over C&D in first-time cheekpieces (retained) eight days ago, collared late on after leading over 1f out; has a race in him from this sort of mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(4)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Bowood

9st 11lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Dual C&D winner (from lower marks) last autumn; couldn't sustain challenge when third at Redcar (1m, good to firm; 28-1) on penultimate start; lost many lengths at the start, toiling in competitive Class 4 at York latest; task isn't insurmountable.

12/1

12th

12

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

15:05 York

Bowood

9st 4lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Falling in the weights and ran respectably when third to Rajapour at Redcar on Sunday, but the winner bolted up that day and it's hard to see the tables being turned.

25/1

3rd

3

(2)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

15:33 Redcar

Bowood

9st 12lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

A two-time 1m scorer at Newcastle last autumn; yet to hit top form this season though, only seventh of 14 back over 1m there last month; mark is slipping but he still needs to take a step forward.

10/1

15/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 830043

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Losing run mounting up but he's reached the frame over 6f here on his last two outings, last Saturday's third coming in a competitive race; thereabouts if his stamina holds out now racing beyond a sprint trip for only the second time on his 37th start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ripon

Illusionist

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Hold-up sprinter; just one win to his name since May 2022; shaped with some promise at Haydock three weeks ago (after a break) and he's on a fair mark; effective at the track.

12/1

78

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Illusionist

8st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

6

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Illusionist

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Below par on both runs this term but didn't perform badly at Hamilton in May last time on good going that may not have been ideal; now 2lb lower than when winning at Wetherby (soft) last year and the more rain the better.

16/1

Form: 024248 CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Bold bid when a close second to progressive filly at Kempton (1m) in October and there have been excuses for two lesser runs since; back to the same mark as Kempton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:40 Pontefract

Larado

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Three-time turf winner who is just 1lb higher than when winning at Lingfield (1m, AW) in February; hasn't been in the same form since and returns from a break today, but drops back down in grade and is not ruled out.

9/1

10th

12

(7)

4th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:50 Newmarket

Larado

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Often front-runs; Lingfield AW in February ended his losing run and he was 33-1 when well held there in a Class 2 latest outing (rare start with this visor, instead of usual blinkers); second at Epsom last August showed some turf ability remained, but he's 2lb higher today and not the percentage call.

33/1

Form: 2-7617 CD

Last run: 75 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who was well supported when returning from a seven-month break to win over C&D in September; freshened up since a lesser run back here in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(6)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

held up in rear

14/1

10th

11

(1)

22nd Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Two 7f wins on the Tapeta track at Newcastle; solid third off 1lb higher here three weeks ago; capable of another prominent showing.

12/1

3rd

8

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Abruzzo Mia

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, stayed on

16/1

Form: 167989 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Picked up from Mick Appleby after winning a turf seller in July; has not made a sufficient impact since to be fancied at the moment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(4)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 0lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Herrington

in touch with leaders, in rear after 2f

20/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

Form: 116270 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won four handicaps in a row earlier this year (7f/1m; first three AW, including Tapeta) and he was a creditable second of 17 at Glorious Goodwood (1m); ended his time with Peter Chapple-Hyam with two poor runs but in strong races (Cambridgeshire latterly) and could bounce back returned to AW for new yard (same owners); one to note in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(7)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Wildfell

9st 7lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Won four races on the trot in 2023; beat nothing in two races last summer after a long absence and now returns from another one; new yard.

50/1

10

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:20 Doncaster

Wildfell

9st 3lb

J: J F Egan

T: D J Jeffreys

Won four races in succession in 2023, three over 7f on the AW, the other over 1m here (good); hasn't won since; mainly disappointing last season and tailed off on AW on stable debut last time; best watched for now.

33/1

3

(8)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wildfell

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: D J Jeffreys

Completed a four-timer over 7f/1m on turf/AW between March and June 2023, but gradually lost his way last year; plenty to prove starting out for another new yard after 11 months off.

20/1

Form: 610338 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three wins this year, the first of them over 1m here; has recorded a couple of creditable thirds over 1m here this autumn not at best last time; has rare outing over 7f now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Showmedemoney

10st 5lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

Six-time winner split between AW and turf; has mixed record since his last success in February but he was only just caught at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last time; has possibilities if he can back that up and he has won over this trip.

100/30

2nd

1

(6)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:30 Windsor

Showmedemoney

9st 9lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Craig Benton

Again no sign of the tongue-tie he wore for most wins; two runs this season were his first on turf since June 2024 and he needs to return to February's AW levels.

14/1

4th

5

(9)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:50 Chepstow

Showmedemoney

10st 12lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

Again no sign of the tongue-tie worn for most wins as he has a rare run away from the AW; bit better at Lingfield recently on his second run for this yard but needs more back on turf.

12/1

11/2

Form: 564552 CD

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
C&D winner off 2lb higher in March; mostly respectable efforts since, and his absence since finishing second over 1m here in June may not be an issue as he has gone well fresh before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(6)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Swiss Ace

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Fairly useful on his day but is on a long losing sequence and current mark reflects a general decline in his form; a regular at Newcastle and rarely seen at Wolverhampton.

16/1

6th

6

(2)

19th Feb 2026

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 1lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; ran okay over C&D in November off a 7lb higher mark but he hasn't built on it since.

16/1

7th

9

(10)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:02 Southwell (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; not beaten far at Newcastle in November (7f) but that is flanked by lesser efforts; blinkers back on today but others appeal more.

18/1

10th
6 (12)
Kalganov

5/1

Form: 110751 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Stepped up on his first two runs for this yard when seeing off 11 rivals, including reopposing pair Bowood (third) and Surprise Picture, over C&D eight days ago; first-time cheekpieces worn on that occasion retained; should remain very competitive after just a 2lb nudge.
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

16/1

Form: 129507 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three wins this year, including two on Tapeta (6f/7f), but his form nosedived at Wolverhampton last month and he was well behind Kalganov and Bowood over C&D last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(6)

13th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Surprise Picture

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Grant Tuer

Four wins at Wolverhampton include this race (off 1lb higher) last year; not solid on recent form but is interesting returned to this venue and back down in grade (3-5 in Class 6).

7/1

4th

1

(6)

13th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Surprise Picture

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Grant Tuer

Four wins at Wolverhampton include this race (off 1lb higher) last year; not solid on recent form but is interesting returned to this venue and back down in grade (3-5 in Class 6).

7/1

9th

6

(10)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:45 Southwell (AW)

Surprise Picture

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

midfield

33/1

11/1

Form: 990180 C

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won over 6f here and 7f at Chelmsford in the spring; added to his tally at Catterick (6f) in August; twice below par on turf in September but may fare better back on AW, albeit his mark is higher in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(3)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

One More Dream

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: John & Sean Quinn

Dual course winner (6f/7f) and 3lb lower than when successful at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) last September, but he can't be entertained on his performances in the meantime.

25/1

18th

13

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

One More Dream

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

The winner of 13 races, but just three of them have been on turf; yet to shine this year and he was behind a few of today's rivals over C&D last week.

20/1

12th

14

(12)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

One More Dream

9st 5lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John & Sean Quinn

Winner of 13 races and just 1lb higher than for the latest, but quiet in two starts at Southwell (6f, AW) since returning in February; needs to step up.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.10
Straight Forecast £23.42
Tricast £178.77
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Larado

Telegraph:

Kalganov

SPOTLIGHT:

Bowood

Daily Mirror:

Illusionist

TOPSPEED:

Surprise Picture

The Sun:

Swiss Ace

The Guardian:

Bowood

Daily Mail:

Kalganov

Daily Record:

Kalganov

POSTDATA:

Larado

The Times:

Larado

D Express:

Larado

The Star:

Illusionist