March 25 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £8688.44
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: -15211 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish gelding who has been progressive since last June and he made it five wins from his last eight starts when scoring over C&D 24 days ago; up another 6lb but his form really took off again last time and he could continue on the upgrade; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well to win at York (good to firm) off just 1lb lower in August but only fourth of five in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom (also 1m4f, good, Topteam behind) 17 days ago; that was a shade underwhelming given he'd won the race in 2025 but was a little weak in the market so maybe better can be expected this time.

12/1

4th

3

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Asgards Captain

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Last year's winner (good) who ran well in two other appearances over C&D; did well to win at York (1m4f, good to firm) under John Egan in August and arrives here fit after three creditable efforts at Meydan; firm contender.

4/1

Form: /2313- BF

Last run: 283 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Off the mark (11th attempt) with clearcut success at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) last June, and didn't appear to have race run to suit when keeping-on third at York (1m2f, good to firm) the following month; absent since but he's still unexposed at this trip and needs a close look on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

Form: 3453-6 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden with a mixed record and he was a well-held sixth of nine at Kempton (1m) on his return last month; may have needed that run but he goes into unknown territory at this new trip and others are preferred; visor reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

25th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Umberto

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Seven-race maiden with a mixed record and he was a well-held sixth of nine at Kempton (1m) on his return last month; may have needed that run but he goes into unknown territory at this new trip and others are preferred; visor reapplied.

13/2

6th

4

(7)

28th Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Umberto

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Lightly raced 4yo who went close in a C&D handicap when last seen 196 days ago (first run after a gelding operation); that took his AW record to 223; retains potential on this surface and Oisin Murphy on board for his return; headgear left off but he still looks a solid contender.

11/4

3rd

11

(11)

16th Aug 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Umberto

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

No significant improvement for the switch to handicaps when last seen; interesting on his novice efforts though and he returns from ten weeks off (gelded during the absence) with his stable in hot form; visor now added (well held in cheekpieces last time).

11/2

Form: 200-54 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
His win came at this trip and he was a fair fourth here (1m) last time but that took his record to 1-14 and he's been hard to predict; others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

17:30 Redcar

Paris Lights

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Both wins on AW and 0-18 on turf; a couple of Pontefract runs this spring that bring him into the reckoning and this is effectively his first run at this level since winning at Newcastle in December; should run his race.

7/2

6th

7

(2)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Pontefract

Paris Lights

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-17 on turf; second and third over C&D in the spring off slightly higher marks than this, before lesser efforts elsewhere on last two outings; well treated if back on song.

8/1

6th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

Paris Lights

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-16 on turf; twice placed at Pontefract this season but he needs to rebound from a lacklustre effort at Ripon (1m2f, good) three weeks ago.

16/1

Form: 5518- C BF

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Returned after wind surgery with a strong-finishing win in a novice here (1m) in October and he wasn't beaten far on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton later that month; left Roger Varian for 23,000gns since; still unexposed after only four starts and he looks interesting upped in trip on his stable debut; has been gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

1st Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Soowaih

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Sole win was in a novice at Newcastle (1m, AW) last October but he was only just caught in a Hamilton handicap (1m4f, good to soft) last Monday; on same mark here and he's an interesting contender on this drop back in trip.

9/2

2nd

6

(4)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

15:33 Hamilton

Soowaih

9st 7lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

0-12 since winning last October on his third start and he's inconsistent; however, he returned to form with a close fifth of 13 at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) recently and this stiffer track may well be a positive; chance.

8/1

5th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 3

17:50 Doncaster

Soowaih

8st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

dwelt start

20/1

Form: 311653 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All seven wins have been on Tapeta and last six have come at this track (7f-1m2f); still 4lb higher than when completing a double last month but he was placed here last time and should go well again back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

Form: 53057-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in maidens last spring but she was beaten 9l or more in her two handicaps (1m4f/1m) in the autumn; still lightly raced but has something to prove now switched to AW after five months off; visor added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(10)

1st Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rocha Do Leao

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

Blinkered (wore cheekpieces previous start, visor latest) when signing off for Jane Chapple-Hyam with a neck second at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in April, the closest she's been to winning in eight starts; sold for 12,000gns and remote at Chester 16 days ago, albeit on heavy going.

33/1

9th

3

(6)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:04 Chester

Rocha Do Leao

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Jack Jones

Blinkered for the first time (cheekpieces today) when signing off for Jane Chapple-Hyam with a good Lingfield second (1m4f, AW) in April; since changed hands for 12,000gns; commands plenty of respect for new yard.

10/1

Form: 11491- CD

Last run: 205 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D and at Redcar last May and he ended last season with a 5l win at Beverley (1m2f, good) in the autumn; returns after 205 days off but he started last season with a bang and still looks feasibly treated off this mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Bearwith

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Grand stable servant who wins in his turn; successful at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February and has made the frame back on turf on his last two starts; place claims once again.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Bearwith

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Second in the 2024 running of this; nine wins include five on turf, all around this trip on a sound surface; won at Newcastle (AW) in February and it was a fine effort from the widest stall when second of 14 at Nottingham (also 1m2f, good) 11 days ago; big shout.

2/1

2nd

8

(14)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Bearwith

9st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Got his head back in front at Newcastle (1m2f) in February; down the field both starts since, although a wide trip didn't help back on turf at Doncaster three weeks ago; hasn't had much luck with the draw again.

14/1

Form: 5122-5 D

Last run: 66 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner, with two over hurdles and two on the Flat; creditable second over jumps at Ayr (2m) 16 days ago and he wasn't beaten far over C&D three runs back; hood is now removed but he's not ruled out back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

12th

1

(3)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

6/1

Non-runners

Midnight Lion

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Asgard's Captain

TOPSPEED:

Umberto

Telegraph:

Bearwith

The Times:

Soowaih

POSTDATA:

Cusack

The Guardian:

Umberto

RP RATINGS:

Asgard's Captain

NEWMARKET:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Mail:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Mirror:

Asgard's Captain

The Sun:

Asgard's Captain

The Star:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Record:

Asgard's Captain

D Express:

Bearwith