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

1st

2

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Prydwen

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Last five outings on AW, posting his most encouraging effort when second of 12 in a 2m Newcastle Good Friday handicap; nudged back up 2lb for that but he's still 3lb lower than when runner-up at Chester (2m, good to soft) last September; should go well.

3/1

2nd

4

(10)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

Won this in 2024 and he's dropping down the weights; this 8yo has shown the odd sign of spark over the last 12 months but his AW exploits this winter indicate it's best to look elsewhere.

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

7th

4

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Duke Of Oxford

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Bell

Progressive on AW in the winter with 2m handicap wins at Kempton and Newcastle; however, only fifth of 12 at Newcastle (2m) last month and the suitability of turf is questionable.

40/1

5th

1

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Duke Of Oxford

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Second in this in 2024 and fourth last year; won at Kempton (2m) in December and followed up by 3l over this C&D in January; this 6yo is on a career-high mark but is clearly thriving and has to be respected.

11/2

1st

2

(4)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Duke Of Oxford

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Ran on well to seal the deal over 2m at Kempton last month, taking his record there to 5-7; only 3lb higher and has plenty of form here, including a placing in the Northumberland Plate; player.

7/2

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

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

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

7

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Vaguely Royal

8st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ian Williams

Third in his last three starts, but may not have achieved that much and remains without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; others more compelling.

9/1

3rd

5

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Vaguely Royal

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ian Williams

Comes here on the back of two third-place finishes but the latest was behind Trojan Soldier and there is no obvious reason why the placings would be reversed.

10/1

3rd

5

(7)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Vaguely Royal

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

There was some restoration of his Flat fortunes when third of five at Southwell (1m6f, AW; stays 2m) on latest start but he's without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; has another career-low mark but it's hard to know when he will take advantage.

7/1

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

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

12th

5

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Palace Boy

9st 4lb

J: George Rooke

T: Ralph J Smith

Progressive over 1m6f/2m on AW for new yard, until form dipped on finals day; drops back in grade but reverts to a different scenario; hasn't raced over 1m4f or tackled a Flat turf race since 2020 when trained in Germany.

10/1

12th

5

(3)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Palace Boy

9st 4lb

J: George Rooke

T: Ralph J Smith

Progressive over 1m6f/2m on AW for new yard, until form dipped on finals day; drops back in grade but reverts to a different scenario; hasn't raced over 1m4f or tackled a Flat turf race since 2020 when trained in Germany.

10/1

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

10th

5

(2)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Tyson Fury

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Wins have been at up to 2m (AW), winning claimer at Dundalk in March too; runner-up in ordinary maiden hurdles the last twice; can't be ruled out back on the Flat.

14/1

2nd

11

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:53 Killarney

Tyson Fury

11st 12lb

J: D G Hogan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Added fourth Flat win in a Dundalk claimer in March; creditable efforts in three starts over hurdles; distant runner-up at Tramore last time (2m, soft); not totally discounted.

7/1

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:43 Tramore

Tyson Fury

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four Flat wins, the latest in a Dundalk AW claimer last month; two previous runs over hurdles were at Leopardstown, encouraging fourth in 2m maiden but well out of depth in Grade 1 novice at the DRF; drops in grade here, has to enter calculations.

7/2

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