December 16 / 13.20 Newcastle (AW)

13.20

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £7955.68
  • 1m 4f 99y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-921 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Well held on turf in April but this lightly raced 3yo from a top yard has a progressive profile on AW, leading near the finish on his C&D handicap debut 31 days ago, with the reopposing Franberri back in fourth; a 2lb nudge seems unlikely to prevent another prominent showing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 3

13:20 Newcastle (AW)

Quantum Cat

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well held on turf in April but this lightly raced 3yo from a top yard has a progressive profile on AW, leading near the finish on his C&D handicap debut 31 days ago, with the reopposing Franberri back in fourth; a 2lb nudge seems unlikely to prevent another prominent showing.

5/2

1st

8

(1)

15th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

15:37 Newcastle (AW)

Quantum Cat

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Made a winning debut at Wolverhampton last October and he got back on track after seven months off when second of four in 9.5f novice there 13 days ago; he may do better back up in trip for his handicap debut so needs considering.

6/1

2nd

1

(1)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

12:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Quantum Cat

9st 11lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

led at steady pace, increased tempo 3f out, soon went clear with winner, pushed along when headed 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final 110yds, no match for winner

Evs

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 433556 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Attracted late market support, back on AW for just the second time in his career, at Wolverhampton (1m6f) last month but never seriously threatened in sixth; being eased another 2lb can only help but his last win was the 2021 Mallard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(8)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Nottingham

Rhythmic Intent

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Stuart Williams

The lack of any win since 2021 sees him down to his lowest mark since handicap debut in 2019; stacks of form from 2023 gives him a big chance in theory and he wasn't far away in February three starts ago; while hard to dismiss, it's also hard to make him the percentage call.

7/1

5th

11

(1)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Rhythmic Intent

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

Now a stone below last winning mark; however, he's far from solid on 2024 AW form and losing spell goes back to 2021; by no means certain to take advantage of the drop in weights.

25/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 2314 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Frankel filly who displayed a good attitude when getting off the mark in 11-runner C&D maiden in November; caught the eye when fourth of 12 to the reopposing Quantum Cat on C&D handicap debut since, running on from too far back; definitely better to come and looks sure to have a big say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(2)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 3

13:20 Newcastle (AW)

Franberri

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Frankel filly who displayed a good attitude when getting off the mark in 11-runner C&D maiden in November; caught the eye when fourth of 12 to the reopposing Quantum Cat on C&D handicap debut since, running on from too far back; definitely better to come and looks sure to have a big say.

9/4

4th

12

(9)

15th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

15:37 Newcastle (AW)

Franberri

9st 4lb

J: Cameron Noble

T: Roger Varian

Frankel filly who displayed a good attitude when getting off the mark in 11-runner C&D maiden 13 days ago; strong at the finish last time so merits serious consideration on her first go in handicap company.

9/4

1st

10

(3)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

14:50 Newcastle (AW)

Franberri

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Pleasing debut in August; started a short price at Ripon next time, when it's possible the rain-softened ground wasn't ideal, and she holds leading claims in this weak maiden.

6/4

25/1

Form: 033507 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has 11 wins on his CV but his last AW success was three years ago and he's been well held here in recent weeks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:42 Catterick

Furzig

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

slowly away, in rear

20/1

7th

3

(5)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

17:05 Catterick

Furzig

10st 0lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

His last four wins have been over C&D, albeit spread over nearly three years; latest came by a nose in July and he was runner-up at Haydock on penultimate outing, before losing his chance at the start at Chester latest; well capable of being on the premises, including on soft.

11/1

Form: 381-87 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Ended 2022 with a 2m win here but not seen again until well held in two outings on turf this autumn; it remains to be seen whether return to AW makes the difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(12)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Haveyoumissedme

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Stays a deal further but has always liked it here and has run well a couple of times over C&D this year; a good pace would help but finished behind Say What You See on turf last time and others hold stronger claims.

12/1

7th

12

(1)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Haveyoumissedme

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Absent 348 days before last September but usually competitive since regaining his fitness and went down by a head last month on latest outing; tenth in this race in 2024 on his only appearance at Musselburgh but he's firmly in the mix on other counts.

11/1

2nd

2

(4)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Haveyoumissedme

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Dual course winner (1m4/2m) who is just 1lb higher than when successful at Redcar (1m6f, good) in December, but his last two efforts over C&D suggest he needs a return to further.

9/1

11/1

Form: 914019 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Durable veteran who won this race in 2021; showed he's still pretty useful when resuming winning ways over 2m at Kempton last month but down the field there since; usually held up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

16:05 Ayr

Sir Chauvelin

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

held up in last

9/1

4th

9

(9)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

17:55 Ayr

Sir Chauvelin

8st 8lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran who has won lots of races but hard to be confident in current vein of form.

20/1

10th

8

(7)

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Goodwood

Sir Chauvelin

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Jim Goldie

steadied start, in rear

25/1

Form: 7-1689

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Made a successful start to his handicap career at Kempton (1m3f) in August back from 11 months off; sixth is the best he's managed in his three outings since but he wasn't beaten that far in a messy race at Kempton (visored first time; retained) last time and is only 1lb above his winning mark; no surprise were he to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(6)

7th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Tenerife Sunshine

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Charlie Johnston

Won at Goodwood in June and went very close, albeit in uncompetitive field, at Pontefract on penultimate start; ties in with Duke Of Verona on latest effort; acts on AW.

7/1

5th

6

(8)

25th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Tenerife Sunshine

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

prominent, outpaced over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

7/2

2nd

2

(1)

18th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

17:15 Pontefract

Tenerife Sunshine

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a 2m Goodwood handicap in June (good) when wearing cheekpieces for the second time; hasn't run quite as well since (beaten 47l at Goodwood last time); down in grade and visor on again (no obvious improvement last time he wore one); chance.

8/1

20/1

Form: 007336 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
This former course scorer (1m) did just about enough to prove his stamina for an extended 1m4f when third in a seller at Musselburgh in October but he faded into sixth over 1m2f here back in handicap company since; not an obvious one on recent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Pleasing return from over eight months off in February; no issue with dropping back to 1m 19 days ago but proved disappointing; rather watch.

7/2

6th

4

(1)

6th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Last win gained in C&D Class 4 two years ago; most recently runner-up in 1m2f Class 6 here off 249-day absence (beaten by Rock Armour who runs in the 5.30); player if backing that up.

5/1

2nd

9

(12)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:57 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

His last win was in April 2023 and he generally struggled in eight runs last year; has dropped a long way in the weights but he has lots to prove after 249 days off.

20/1

33/1

Form: -00720 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
A fairly useful 1m6f winner for Charlie Johnston but yet to match that form for his current yard, finishing well behind Quantum Cat and Franberri over C&D last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Achnamara

11st 8lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Didn't run badly in a low-grade Flat marathon last month but he ended the last jumps season with two disappointing runs (both 2m4f) and has a bit more to prove than some of these.

14/1

3rd

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Achnamara

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Well beaten over hurdles on his last two starts but hasn't run badly on his last two Flat outings (1m4f/2m, AW) and his trainer has won two of the last six runnings of this race; not discounted.

14/1

9th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Achnamara

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Scored twice over hurdles (at about 2m4f) in 2024-25 but has failed to fire this term and beat just two in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

Form: -09700 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won off 6lb higher over C&D in September 2022 (final start for Archie Watson) but well held in his five runs for new yard since a year off; could only be considered if strong in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

14th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Southern Voyage

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Scored at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) in May off 2lb higher mark; has only been placed once in seven starts since and finds himself on a career-low mark; doesn't seem ready to take advantage and best watched.

10/1

7th

2

(3)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Southern Voyage

10st 0lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

11/2

6th

3

(1)

20th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Southern Voyage

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Still just 1lb above his last winning mark and far from disgraced when fourth of 12 in a 0-80 at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last time; each-way claims if seeing out the longer trip.

10/1

10/1

Form: -05306

Last run: 123 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Proving hard to win with but he was third over 1m2f at Chelmsford off 2lb higher in July; respectable sixth back there in August when last seen; only his second attempt at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Switched to hurdles for new yard last May-September and won four of his six starts (all on good ground), two of them over C&D (one a handicap); held in fourth of six at Plumpton last September when last seen but retains potential; yard among the winners and he could go well back from a break.

9/2

4th

1

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Useful Flat stayer who has won a handicap over hurdles (off 8lb lower) and has since made it 4-5 in this discipline when defying penalties in a 2m1f good-ground novice at Newton Abbot; he was entitled to win that and probably with greater ease than he did, but he's a likeable type.

11/8

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Howth

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Useful Flat stayer who is 3-4 over hurdles and comfortably won a small-field handicap over C&D last month; penalised accordingly but he has the best form by some margin; the glaring concern would be should the ground go soft.

4/6

14/1

Form: 6-8470 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Didn't reappear until August and yet to really get going this year, although the pick of those four efforts did come over C&D; eased another 3lb since Kempton latest but it's not enough to tempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(12)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 3

13:20 Newcastle (AW)

Royal Scandal

9st 9lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: James Fanshawe

Didn't reappear until August and yet to really get going this year, although the pick of those four efforts did come over C&D; eased another 3lb since Kempton latest but it's not enough to tempt.

14/1

12th

11

(8)

15th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Royal Scandal

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

steadied start, held up in rear

7/1

7th

2

(3)

25th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Royal Scandal

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

travelled strongly, raced in third

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.70
Straight Forecast £21.39
Tricast £52.75
Trifecta £76.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Franberri

Telegraph:

Quantum Cat

RP RATINGS:

Royal Scandal

The Guardian:

Howth

D Express:

Tenerife Sunshine

POSTDATA:

Franberri

The Times:

Franberri

Daily Mail:

Franberri

The Sun:

Franberri

The Star:

Franberri

Daily Record:

Quantum Cat

TOPSPEED:

Royal Scandal

Daily Mirror:

Howth