March 29 / 13.53 Newcastle (AW)

13.53

Standard

BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap

  • Prize money: £77310
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
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BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 581-52

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Record of 4-11 on AW; good second in the Marathon Trial at Lingfield (2m; off 3lb lower) most recently, splitting Spartan Army and Vaguely Royal; still not fully exposed over staying distances; possibilities despite being on career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(9)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

8yo whose 11th success came over 1m4f in April; also effective at 2m this term but edged back up the weights and looks vulnerable for win purposes.

40/1

7th

1

(15)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap in April; also effective at 2m this term, including C&D, but he's edged back up the weights; place player but he may be vulnerable for win purposes.

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 9711-3 D BF

Last run: 88 days

W: 8st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Boasts a 50% strike-rate (4-8) on AW; has form figures of 113 since upped to 2m, the wins gained at Kempton in late 2023; absent since running creditably in Class 2 at this course on New Year's Day; each-way claims off unaltered mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

1

(16)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Duke Of Oxford

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Eight AW wins, two last winter in 2m handicaps; however, he has tons to prove on turf record (0-7) and even best AW form does not look good enough; reportedly lame after losing right-hind shoe when tailed off 19 days ago.

66/1

15th

2

(7)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Duke Of Oxford

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Michael Bell

Eight AW wins, two last winter in 2m handicaps; however, he has tons to prove on turf record (0-6) and even best AW form does not look good enough.

20/1

6th

2

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Duke Of Oxford

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Michael Bell

Eight AW wins, two last winter in 2m handicaps; however, he failed to beat a rival in Group 3 at Sandown (2m, good) on turf return, has tons to prove on turf record (0-5) and even best AW form does not look good enough.

25/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /3-111 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressive since switched to AW and held on well to beat Prydwen by a neck in the Marathon Trial at Lingfield (2m) most recently; beat Palace Boy at Southwell the time before; now 3-3 in this sphere and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(18)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Army

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Alan King

Flat form took off again last winter with the switch to AW, winning three in a row before his creditable third at Newcastle on finals day, all over 2m; ran respectably on turf in April on latest outing; each-way claims.

11/1

19

(7)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

19:15 Ascot

Spartan Army

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Reserve; won three in a row over 2m on AW early this year; has run well in defeat the last twice, most recently travelling well when finishing fifth back on turf at Newbury (2m, good to soft); he may benefit from this drop back in distance and could give a good account.

25/1

5th

5

(5)

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Spartan Army

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

disputed lead early, headed and prominent after 1f

5/1

25/1

Form: 60-541

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Belatedly regained the winning thread at Wolverhampton (upped to 1m6f; off 4lb lower) this month, benefiting from drop to Class 4; faces a stiffer assignment back up two grades and, with strike-rate only 2-23, looks unlikely to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Howth

10st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Lacey

Last seen on Flat in 2024 for Mick Appleby and has a chance if resuming in similar vein; 4-8 as a fairly useful hurdler (ran respectably on latest start) for current yard since; considered.

7/1

5th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:10 Market Rasen

Howth

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-7 over hurdles but this is tougher than usual and he could have run a lot better back from a break at Newton Abbot; others appeal more.

40/1

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

Form: 411-53 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Three wins at about 1m4f last year; ran well in first-time cheekpieces and upped to 2m in the Marathon Trial at Lingfield most recently, finishing clear third behind Spartan Army and Prydwen; likely player in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(3)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Vaguely Royal

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win at Chester (1m6f, good) last month and he followed up at York (2m, good to firm), both in this visor in which he's unexposed; remains well treated on his old form and he's a key player.

11/2

1st

10

(4)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

18:05 York

Vaguely Royal

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Some good runs in defeat this spring at up to 2m1f and he bounced back from his Newbury flop to win at Chester (1m6f, good) a fortnight ago; he was given a good ride last time but could still be a force today up 4lb.

7/1

1st

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Vaguely Royal

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Dual-purpose performer but his last Flat win was in December 2023; some creditable efforts off a falling mark on AW (2m) and turf (1m6f) this season but he was tailed off at Newbury last time and needs to bounce back after that; cheekpieces are removed and visor returns.

10/1

16/1

Form: 200-25 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-11 on AW; creditable second to Citizen General at Kempton two starts ago, then kicked for home too early in the Marathon Trial where he understandably ran out of steam in the latter stages; 1-1 here and can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(14)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Duty Of Care

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Two C&D wins before his second in this race last year; has a 2lb lower mark this time round but was not disgraced in his three runs this year (C&D second in February was best of those) and is not dismissed.

7/1

1st

12

(14)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Duty Of Care

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Two C&D wins before his second in this race last year; has a 2lb lower mark this time round but was not disgraced in his three runs this year (C&D second in February was best of those) and is not dismissed.

7/1

6th

7

(13)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

13:53 Newcastle (AW)

Duty Of Care

8st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Jamie Osborne

Record of 3-11 on AW; creditable second to Citizen General at Kempton two starts ago, then kicked for home too early in the Marathon Trial where he understandably ran out of steam in the latter stages; 1-1 here and can't be dismissed.

16/1

5/1

Form: 1/1-12 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 3lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
In great form since joining new yard and switched to AW, winning twice at Wolverhampton (1m6f) then good second, just over 1l behind Spartan Army, at Southwell (2m); now gets a 7lb pull with that rival and remains of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

13th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:48 Tramore

Palace Boy

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: John F Gleeson

One-time useful dual-purpose sort when trained in UK; however, has been poor on his last three runs (two over hurdles) and others preferred.

25/1

11th

1

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:00 Cork

Palace Boy

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: John F Gleeson

Flat and hurdles winner in Britain made a modest start for this yard in a Clonmel handicap hurdle in April and has been off since; can only be watched in first-time blinkers unless the market speaks.

33/1

10th

2

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

19:00 Clonmel

Palace Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Gleeson

T: John F Gleeson

Hurdles winner for Fergal O'Brien and ran in the 2023 Supreme Novices'; three-time Flat winner; back from long absence when tailed off on sole Flat outing for Barry Brennan in December; bought for just £1,400 in January; Irish/handicap hurdle debut.

12/1

6/1

Form: 946-21

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Dual Group 3 winner at 1m4f on turf; opened his AW account in handicap over that trip at Wolverhampton (off just 2lb lower) six weeks ago; has the ability to remain competitive, provided he's as effective back at 2m (third attempt).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

26th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

raced in second

10/1

9th

7

(9)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent

20/1

9th

7

(9)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent

20/1

66/1

Form: 96-000 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Similar profile to Rainbow Dreamer, being a veteran who has won multiple races down the years but has a question mark over current form having posted duck eggs in 2024; unlikely to add to his tally.
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: 78311-

Last run: 106 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ended his 2023 campaign with two Class 4 wins over 1m6f at Chelmsford; faces a stiffer task from 2lb out of weights at this stronger level but further improvement is possible; should be suited by the new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Kyle Of Lochalsh

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Reliable staying handicapper who hit new heights when winning in grand style at Glorious Goodwood (2m4f) last time; more is required in his first Group race but he needs some respect following such a career best.

9/1

1st

4

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Kyle Of Lochalsh

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hughie Morrison

Solid 2024 campaign included fourth of 18 in this race (good to firm; fine on soft) off same mark as today; made a satisfactory reappearance this April and, likely to build on that, looks a strong each-way candidate.

4/1

11/1

Form: 974-21 C

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Comfortably beat Duty Of Care at Kempton (2m; off 7lb lower) eight weeks ago, taking strike-rate on AW to 4-14 and record under Robert Havlin to 2-3; better than ever this year and may have even more to offer at this trip; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

13th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:50 Doncaster

Citizen General

9st 10lb

J: David Egan

T: Ed Dunlop

Seen almost twice as often on the AW but had an impressive win on good to firm last August; did well over 2m on AW last winter, notably for an easy Kempton win, but he failed to fire in an AW Championships race next time and finished last in the Chester Cup in May latest; very mixed messages.

40/1

16th

4

(9)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:40 Chester

Citizen General

8st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ed Dunlop

Seen twice as often on the AW but had an impressive win on good to firm last August; does not always fire, for instance in AW Championships race at Newcastle on latest outing, but he looks good on his day and the ease of his 2m win on Kempton AW in February can't be forgotten (6lb higher today); this unusual test might just take his fancy.

33/1

16th

4

(9)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:40 Chester

Citizen General

8st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ed Dunlop

Seen twice as often on the AW but had an impressive win on good to firm last August; does not always fire, for instance in AW Championships race at Newcastle on latest outing, but he looks good on his day and the ease of his 2m win on Kempton AW in February can't be forgotten (6lb higher today); this unusual test might just take his fancy.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 024-21 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Two wins over 1m4f when trained in Britain; consistent at Dundalk for new stable this winter and proved suited by the step up to 2m most recently (comfortable winner); now 5lb higher in a deeper field but is unexposed at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Tyson Fury

12st 3lb

J: Tom Foley

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

In decent form over hurdles lately; poor last Flat start but is rated 86 in that sphere.

7/1

2nd

2

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

18:18 Kilbeggan

Tyson Fury

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four-time Flat winner; useful maiden hurdle form including when a staying third in a 2m maiden hurdle at Galway last week; this trip should suit and he probably does not have to improve to land this.

Evs

3rd

7

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:02 Galway

Tyson Fury

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four Flat wins and is rated 89 in that sphere; was never involved in the Connacht Hotel handicap here five days ago; best hurdle run when second at Killarney last time, a mistake at the last costing him; should be in the mix.

5/1

33/1

Form: 676-00 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Nine AW wins, the most recent in this event 12 months ago when it was still a conditions race; has slipped to an attractive mark but the veteran has a doubt over current form, having posted two duck eggs this year; perhaps on the wane.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(8)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

13:53 Newcastle (AW)

Rainbow Dreamer

8st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Alan King

Nine AW wins, the most recent in this event 12 months ago when it was still a conditions race; has slipped to an attractive mark but the veteran has a doubt over current form, having posted two duck eggs this year; perhaps on the wane.

33/1

10th

5

(11)

3rd Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Rainbow Dreamer

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Really smart on AW earlier in his career; wasn't beaten that far when sixth of 19 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last summer but he's been below that level in three AW starts this winter.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £179.30
Straight Forecast £171.94
Tricast £1011.04
Trifecta £1381.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Palace Boy

The Sun:

Spartan Army

NEWMARKET:

Citizen General

Telegraph:

Max Vega

POSTDATA:

Vaguely Royal

D Express:

Tyson Fury

TOPSPEED:

Rainbow Dreamer

The Times:

Citizen General

The Star:

Spartan Army

Daily Record:

Spartan Army

RP RATINGS:

Palace Boy

Daily Mail:

Palace Boy

Daily Mirror:

Palace Boy

The Guardian:

Max Vega