April 26 / 20.30 Newcastle (AW)

20.30

Standard

Download The Raceday Ready App “Confined” Handicap (Horses with no win since 2023 Flat Turf Season)

  • Prize money: £3716.14
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Download The Raceday Ready App “Confined” Handicap (Horses with no win since 2023 Flat Turf Season)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 122-30 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Wolverhampton regular; narrowly beaten over 5f in December and ran to a similar level when returning from a break there last month; latest Chelmsford effort was excusable as he met trouble but whether or not Newcastle plays to his strengths is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(11)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Lets Go Hugo

10st 9lb

J: Miss Chelsea Brooks

T: Ollie Pears

All wins at 5f and he was only tenth over C&D recently, finishing behind One Of Our Own and Mister Sky Blue.

10/1

10th

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:15 Redcar

Lets Go Hugo

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Ollie Pears

All wins at 5f but he has run well over C&D; yet to shine in 2026 but dropping into 0-55 company will help; not ruled out.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 7-3200

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Often misses the break; competitive over C&D earlier in the year, including when going down by a neck to Hurt You Never; subsequent efforts less encouraging, although was returning from wind surgery when 11th of 13 at Thirsk last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

C&D winner whose five AW wins include two this year; often slowly away; has been running respectably off his lower turf mark of late but probably needs a bit more for the adding of a visor.

16/1

6th

11

(9)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Dark Kestrel

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time AW winner who was unable to take advantage of his lower turf mark last time and it remains three years since his only success in this sphere; others preferred.

16/1

4th

10

(2)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Dark Kestrel

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Kept busy on the AW this winter and already a dual 5f winner at Newcastle; not out of things if translating that form but he's yet to show his best form on turf.

8/1

14/1

  • Place: £7.70

Form: 80308- CD

Last run: 179 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Not the most reliable and back from a six-month break; that said, she's shown all her best form at Newcastle and is 6lb lower than when scoring over C&D under Paul Mulrennan in October 2022; stablemate of Runninwild.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stephen Hanlon

Three-time C&D winner, the latest of those coming in first-time blinkers off a 7lb lower mark in January; has been running well since, including when runner-up here 15 days ago, and there's no reason to think she won't go well again.

11/2

2nd

1

(1)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stephen Hanlon

Narrow C&D winner in first-time blinkers (from 7lb lower) in January; has held her form well since, a close fourth (Shatin Venture second, La Rochette fifth) to Digital latest; likely to give another solid account with Paul Mulrennan aboard.

13/2

4th

7

(5)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Stephen Hanlon

Got the better of Digital over C&D last month (blinkered first time) and ran another solid race when a close second at Southwell one week later; a 2lb rise shouldn't prevent another prominent showing.

100/30

4th
12 (4)
Elzaal

7/2

Form: 224-24 CD BF

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Five C&D wins, the latest by a short head off 3lb higher last March; ultra-consistent during the winter, finishing a close fourth (Saaheq third) here seven weeks ago; likely to have his day again soon, but a low draw serves to temper enthusiasm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(7)

1st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Elzaal

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Paul Midgley

Five-time C&D winner but the last was in March 2023; mark has bottomed out but he will need to better his two C&D runs this autumn to win.

7/1

8th

9

(7)

1st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Elzaal

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Paul Midgley

Five-time C&D winner but the last was in March 2023; mark has bottomed out but he will need to better his two C&D runs this autumn to win.

7/1

7

(9)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Elzaal

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Multiple C&D winner but the last of them was back in March 2023; sent off favourite for a 0-55 here on his return from a break last month and ran creditably; dangerous off a lowly mark.

7/1

4/1

Form: 690-33 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Won twice at Chelmsford under Mia Nicholls last year and has knocked at the door in his last two starts; favourably drawn to attack but the fear factor is that he'll find this stiff 5f just too much; realistic place prospects though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Saaheq

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Adrian Nicholls

10yo who is without a win on turf since June 2021; it's possible he doesn't want soft/heavy ground nowadays; however, having dropped down the weights he's run well to make the frame on grass the last twice and might not be far away if handling conditions.

6/1

4th

7

(1)

7th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Saaheq

10st 7lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Veteran who is usually ridden by Mia Nicholls, whose brother Jack now takes over; ran encouragingly at Ripon (5f, good) most recently but it's three years since his last win on turf; others preferred.

13/2

3rd

7

(9)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Ripon

Saaheq

9st 5lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

10yo who has been beaten on his last 11 starts; however, he was in fair form on AW this spring prior to Chelmsford a fortnight ago, when suffering interference at the start, and he's an each-way possible off a reduced mark.

9/1

16/1

Form: 3424-0

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
No win for William Haggas (0-5) but did post an RPR of 79 when headed close home at Chelmsford (6f) last summer; gelded since joining Ruth Carr for £25,000 and returns to AW after a low-key Thirsk effort 17 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(9)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Never This Way

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

awkward start, lost many lengths start, in rear

10/1

10th

10

(1)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Never This Way

8st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Yet to win and form this year has been uneven; not beaten far in a first-time hood at Newcastle last time but hardly a solid betting proposition.

16/1

7th

2

(2)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Never This Way

9st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

mounted in chute and taken down early, raced far side, led

8/1

6/1

Form: 74281- D

Last run: 212 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Notched fourth turf win when arriving late at Redcar (5f) in September; shouldn't be unduly troubled by going back up 5lb, although AW prowess (0-2) is a concern on return from a 212-day absence; stablemate of Elzaal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(3)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

J R Cavagin

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Tailed off at Doncaster last time but he reared at the start so has an excuse; prior to that he was a good third at Nottingham (5f, good) and can be in the mix if reproducing that form; ran well on soft last year.

13/2

9th

11

(7)

28th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

13:35 Doncaster

J R Cavagin

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

5.6f course winner; returned to form when third at Nottingham (5f) last time; however, he could be vulnerable to stronger stayers back up to 6f.

6/1

3rd

2

(8)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

15:25 Nottingham

J R Cavagin

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Paul Midgley

Usually takes a while to come to hand and two runs in Class 5 handicaps this year have seen him finish a modest seventh; conditions won't faze him and he's one to consider for a yard in form.

7/1

Form: 648-35 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Capable for Kevin Ryan; struggled to recapture peak form last year and moved on for 7,000gns; placed on stable debut at Wolverhampton (5f) in January, but failed to build on that positive showing at Southwell; well drawn so can't be discounted from an easing mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Catch Cunningham

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

C&D scorer but his recent form is far from encouraging, beating only two in 5f Southwell handicap 17 days ago; hood goes back on; work to do.

14/1

7th

1

(2)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Possibly needed latest run (when back from a break); losing sequence is mounting up but this drop in class may do the trick; interesting at this level off 11lb below last winning mark.

13/2

14

(3)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Needs things to fall just right for him but he is on a lowly mark and some of this summer's form gives him leading claims; wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Leicester run and he holds each-way claims again.

10/1

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 519-55 CD

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark over C&D in November; mixed messages thereafter, but he didn't finish too far behind Dark Kestrel when fifth over C&D (beaten 4.5l) in January; first appearance for three months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:58 Redcar

Zuffolo

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Last season ended with two disappointing runs and there was no return to form on his recent reappearance; however, he may have needed that latest outing and this two-time C&D winner is back down to last September's last winning mark; not written off.

14/1

8th

9

(4)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zuffolo

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Made all in a first-time visor over C&D last September; ended 2025 quietly and although he is only 1lb higher than for his win, he returns from a break with a point to prove.

33/1

33/1

Form: 67680- D

Last run: 168 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
No win since making all in the Sky Bet Sunday Series at Musselburgh (5f) in summer 2021; 12lb lower than when runner-up over C&D in January 2023 but failed to sparkle on debut for Jim Goldie here in November; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(3)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Thirsk

Modular Magic

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Jim Goldie

Without a win for nearly three years; has slipped down the weights and didn't look a lost cause in his penultimate race.

10/1

10th

13

(1)

6th Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

14:55 Hamilton

Modular Magic

8st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Fairly useful at his best but has not won for nearly three years; has slipped a fair way in the weights and stepped up on reappearance form when respectable fifth at Ayr last time, only his third run for the yard; more to do, not least from this draw.

16/1

20/1

Form: 0870-4 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Hot and cold since joining Tim Easterby and now rated 9lb lower than when runner-up at Nottingham (5f, Class 6) last summer; weakened when fourth of six over 5f at Southwell 17 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Ripon

Ernest Rutherford

8st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a career-low mark and there's been a couple of hints of promise this year, but he's 0-17 since winning on his debut in 2021 and others have more compelling credentials; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

11/1

7th

7

(9)

30th May 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Ripon

Ernest Rutherford

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

He's won just one of his 17 starts and has a regressive profile; however, he kept on for a fair sixth of 13 at Catterick (5f, good) last time and this step back up to 6f is worth a go; not discounted.

6/1

6th

5

(12)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:47 Catterick

Ernest Rutherford

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

0-11 and inconsistent for current stable but may benefit from the drop back to Class 6; runner-up off 11lb higher in this grade last June; good chance if back to that form.

10/1

14/1

Form: 69497- CD

Last run: 175 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Four wins, one over C&D (Class 5; similar mark) in June 2022; less productive through 2023, falling markedly in the weights as a result; likely to draw benefit from this comeback run; stablemate of Azucena.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(9)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Runninwild

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ann Duffield

Secured back-to-back wins over 6f here last summer but hasn't looked with it in his two runs this season.

16/1

3

(9)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Runninwild

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Ann Duffield

Secured back-to-back wins over 6f here last summer but hasn't looked with it in his two runs this season.

16/1

Non-runners

Sugar Baby, Sound Of Iona

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £140.80
Straight Forecast £116.17
Tricast £2693.93
Trifecta £2948.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Never This Way

SPOTLIGHT:

Catch Cunningham

The Guardian:

Elzaal

Telegraph:

J R Cavagin

POSTDATA:

Sound Of Iona

The Times:

Dark Kestrel

D Express:

Azucena

TOPSPEED:

Zuffolo

Daily Record:

Saaheq

Daily Mirror:

Never This Way

The Sun:

Catch Cunningham

Daily Mail:

Elzaal

The Star:

J R Cavagin

THE NORTH:

Sound Of Iona