December 28 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Rain

Form: 367606 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Veteran who retains plenty of ability, having won off 2lb higher in May; unable to land a blow over C&D last time but may land one in this grade; drops back to Class 4 for first time since 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Geoffrey Harker

steadied start, switched left soon after start, held up in rear

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ripon

Scottish Summit

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

midfield, not clear run against rail over 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, went third when bit short of room towards finish

10/1

4th

6

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

in touch with leaders against rail

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 613391 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Successful off 3lb lower in similar event over C&D 12 days ago, taking AW record to 3-10; still looks favourably treated, having defied a higher mark on turf last year; one for the shortlist.
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

Form: 312 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Nicely bred 3yo who has started favourite in all three runs (trained in France on first occasion); scored easily at Kempton (7f) on British debut and ran creditably under a penalty at Southwell since; begins his handicap career looking open to further progress; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle (AW)

Al Farabi

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Stuart Williams

0-7 in handicaps but ran encouragingly dropped to 5f at Southwell most recently (second start for new yard) and may build on that effort; interesting contender, being unexposed at this distance.

4/1

2

(4)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Newcastle (AW)

Al Farabi

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Stuart Williams

0-7 in handicaps but ran encouragingly dropped to 5f at Southwell most recently (second start for new yard) and may build on that effort; interesting contender, being unexposed at this distance.

4/1

4th

5

(2)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

12:32 Southwell (AW)

Al Farabi

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Williams

mounted in chute, prominent, stayed on

12/1

Form: 300433

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly at sprint trips and he's 0-6 on AW but ran respectably when third over C&D most recently; ties in with The Turpinator on that effort; place possibilities off same mark.
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

9/2

Form: -12451 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has low mileage; proved suited by the return to this C&D (back from layoff) three weeks ago, showing a game attitude and taking Newcastle record to 2-2; may well be capable of further improvement at this venue; major contender up just 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

22nd Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Jahidin

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Has mixed record in his eight starts but both wins have come at this track (7f) and he kept on well when third of 12 at Wolverhampton (cheekpieces added) last time; looks worth a try at this new trip and he's in the mix.

13/2

3rd

4

(1)

7th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jahidin

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

8/1

5

(9)

28th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Jahidin

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Has low mileage; proved suited by the return to this C&D (back from layoff) three weeks ago, showing a game attitude and taking Newcastle record to 2-2; may well be capable of further improvement at this venue; major contender up just 2lb.

9/2

10/1

Form: 645529 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Finished behind a few of these rivals here (back from break) 12 days ago but may fare better with that outing under his belt; dual C&D scorer who is on a handy mark; not dismissed.
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

Form: 630108 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly in Class 5 contest over C&D on debut for new stable, ending a long losing run; below that form in two subsequent outings and has become an inconsistent sort this term.
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: 041718 CD BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Contrasting performances over C&D since returned to AW, winning in November but disappointing favourite this month; chance hinges on whether he's able to bounce back from the flop.
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

Form: 901800 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner but finished last (behind several of these opponents) back here 12 days ago; his form has taken a sharp downturn since turf success in August.
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

Form: 679896 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Defied a much higher mark at Christmas two years ago; however, looks far from solid on his form for current stable and is held by two of these rivals on C&D running 12 days ago.
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

Selections

POSTDATA:

Al Farabi

SPOTLIGHT:

Jahidin

Telegraph:

Swiss Ace

Daily Mail:

The Turpinator

The Star:

Illusionist

TOPSPEED:

Gobi Sunset

D Express:

Alexander James

The Times:

Al Farabi

The Sun:

Al Farabi

Daily Record:

Al Farabi

RP RATINGS:

Jahidin

The Guardian:

Jahidin

Daily Mirror:

Jahidin