October 22 / 20.25 Newcastle (AW)

20.25

Standard

BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
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BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.00
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 500427 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Five-time C&D winner who lacks consistency these days, failing to back up last month's near-miss when well held last time; goes back to the usual visor tonight and is capable if in the mood for a trainer who runs three.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Tough 9yo who has won four 6f handicaps here this year; form dipped last time, however, and returning to 7f isn't enough to tempt.

9/1

9th

1

(2)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

9st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Has won four of his five races, all over C&D, this year, his latest win coming last Tuesday when getting home by 0.5l; up 6lb but has won off higher marks in the past; should go well

7/2

1st

9

(7)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sprightly 9yo who completed a quick hat-trick of front-running C&D wins last month and lost out only by a neck off today's mark here on Wednesday; upped in grade but likely to give another good account.

5/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 124622 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Wins have come at Wolverhampton and has done most racing there but he's gone well here too; has been turned over as favourite the past twice but ran well each time and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(8)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

My Boy Jack

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Kevin Frost

All three wins at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta), though he has been placed three times from eight starts over this C&D; a losing run of 38 isn't ideal, though; blinkers return.

40/1

5th

7

(11)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

14:12 Wolverhampton (AW)

My Boy Jack

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

All wins have come over 6f here, though he has gone close over this trip at Southwell; fair fourth of nine here (6f) a fortnight ago, but a record of 3-82 does suggest a degree of caution.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 454646 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Serial slow starter who's on a losing run of 44 and has been running over 7f here lately; is nothing like as good as he was and only holds each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(17)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Asadjumeirah

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Antony Brittain

His last turf success came over this C&D (good) but back in April 2022; this is his level now but others are more appealing for win purposes.

20/1

8th

12

(6)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Asadjumeirah

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time C&D winner; unable to justify favouritism in a 0-55 here 11 days ago and he has more on his plate at this level.

12/1

Form: 455639 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Wins have all come in the autumn and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back off a career-low mark, having lost a shoe last time; will need to improve on previous AW efforts though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Shark Two One

9st 3lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

All five wins have been on turf, the last three over this trip; only 2lb higher than for his latest success (June 2025) and he reappeared with a promising effort over 6f at Leicester (good to firm) last month; looks interesting on this step back up in trip and he's versatile ground-wise.

10/1

5th

9

(9)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:19 Leicester

Shark Two One

9st 0lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

Five turf wins at 6f-7f, the latest two over the latter trip on this track; he's had some excuses for low-key reappearances in the past but it's still a stretch to expect him to be on song for this one.

8/1

6

(3)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

17:00 Nottingham

Shark Two One

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Jessica Macey

Multiple 6f-7f winner, including on soft; latest success came in classified company at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in June; best effort in handicaps since was back there on his penultimate start; should be thereabouts.

9/2

Form: 144682 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Six-time C&D winner who looked a touch unlucky here last month; all victories have come after a recent outing, so the six-week layoff may not be optimal, but his claims are obvious otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fircombe Hall

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Philip Kirby

C&D win was sole 7f success among eight others over 6f; however, he stayed on well and only just failed to get up over Newcastle's stiff 6f in April so a good run isn't impossible in first 7f run since March 2025.

12/1

5th

5

(9)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Fircombe Hall

10st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Has been running well on the AW but that's more his thing, the scene of nine of his ten wins; could still have a part to play.

5/1

2nd

6

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Fircombe Hall

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Philip Kirby

Won twice at Wolverhampton (6f) last month and he was unfortunate not to finish closer when sixth over this C&D on his penultimate start; beaten a neck at Newcastle (6f, AW) three days ago and there's no reason why he can't go well again.

5/1

Form: 040654

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Wins have come over 7f and rarely dips below that distance now; arrives in decent form and is well handicapped, however, and a good test over this trip round here should be fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

5th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 4lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Winning for the third time at Wolverhampton, and his first over further than 7f, when landing a C&D handicap in March; his stamina looked stretched by 9.4f when fourth 18 days ago; not ruled out back down in distance.

5/2

4th

8

(5)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

His third win here when holding on grimly last month (8.6f), ending a two-year losing streak; only 2lb higher but he wouldn't be an obvious one to follow up and has never raced over quite this far.

12/1

1st

3

(3)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bossy Parker

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

All four wins at 7f, two on this track, but he lost out only narrowly over C&D in January (Lhebayeb third); found less over 1m at Newcastle (favourite) last month but is of more interest back at Wolverhampton.

5/1

8/1

Form: 444655 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Six-time course winner who was entitled to have needed his recent comeback from a seven-month absence here (went hard enough in front over 5f); should do better with that behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Blackcurrent

8st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Veteran who ended a long losing run when making all at Beverley (5f, good) in May; did not repeat the form in his two subsequent outings, also under Shay Farmer, and does not seem the percentage call.

16/1

9

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Blackcurrent

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

Ended a long losing run when making all on a rare turf outing at Beverley (5f, good) in May but he dropped out on his return visit on Monday; the soft ground may have dulled his powers but he's not easy to predict and others are more solid; change of headgear.

16/1

Form: 958564 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Eight-time course winner who's back on his last successful mark; will need to improve on his last two efforts over C&D, though, and his trainer's other pair look more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(3)

21st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tathmeen

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Eight wins here, the latest off 3lb higher last March; return to this trip should suit after three runs over further, but he is hard to predict these days.

12/1

1st

9

(3)

21st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tathmeen

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Eight wins here, the latest off 3lb higher last March; return to this trip should suit after three runs over further, but he is hard to predict these days.

12/1

5th

10

(1)

4th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:03 Southwell (AW)

Tathmeen

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Veteran who is a 13-time AW scorer; however, has something to find on his autumn form and consequently needs to raise his game on return from two-month layoff.

12/1

12/1

Form: 480678 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
His three wins have all come over 6f on Tapeta, latterly off this mark; struggled on turf in the summer, though, including after a wind op, and he needs to bounce back following a six-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ignac Lamar

8st 8lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jim Goldie

Second of 14 over C&D in October and had an excuse (hampered, then lit up) over C&D in November when last seen; however, he's inconsistent and needs to be at the top of his game on this return from a break.

20/1

2nd

1

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ignac Lamar

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jim Goldie

Not firing on all cylinders since a wind op in July; returning to AW may help but this looks a competitive race in which to try and bounce back.

14/1

11

(12)

1st Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Ignac Lamar

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Jim Goldie

Won off today's mark at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) in May and ran okay when fifth to Filey Beach over this C&D (good to soft) last time, but he needs something extra if he's to pose a threat today.

16/1

14/1

Form: 800980 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Five-time course winner who's regressed sharply on turf this year; last November's 5f victory here came off a 26lb higher mark but the return to Tapeta is the only real angle in with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Pockley

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Three course wins early in the year and he is now 3lb lower than for the latest of them; dropped down the weights on the back of some disappointing turf runs and he should be a more potent force back under these conditions.

20/1

Form: 413415 CD BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Four wins already this year, including over C&D, and continues in good form (could never get in from a wide stall at Musselburgh last time); there's little room for error off this mark but he looks set to go well once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

The Gay Blade

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Handy sort who has been successful three times on the AW this year; has won four times on turf, but was found to have bled at Ayr last time; others more convincing.

10/1

6th

4

(4)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

The Gay Blade

9st 3lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Successful three times over 6f on Newcastle AW this year; ran well at Musselburgh (7f, good; neck second) returned to turf last week; now 2lb higher but Cara Tuke removes 7lb; respected in current form.

13/8

2nd

3

(10)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:00 Musselburgh

The Gay Blade

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Made it three wins in his last four starts (all 6f at Newcastle) when seeing off ten rivals in an apprentice race last week; former C&D scorer so the step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue and he escapes a penalty.

2/1

16/1

Form: 698529 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Has always been happier on Tapeta than turf but he's handicapped accordingly (12lb higher than for his latest Ripon run); may well be on the downgrade and is some way down the pecking order.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(2)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Trevor

9st 8lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Ann Duffield

Has always been happier on Tapeta than turf but he's handicapped accordingly (12lb higher than for his latest Ripon run); may well be on the downgrade and is some way down the pecking order.

16/1

9th

9

(8)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ripon

Mr Trevor

8st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ann Duffield

sweating

11/2

2nd

8

(1)

10th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:30 Catterick

Mr Trevor

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ann Duffield

ducked right start, soon led, clear after 2f, going best when switched to near side over 2f out, ridden against near rail over 1f out, much reduced lead inside final furlong, no extra when headed final 110yds

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £96.10
Straight Forecast £170.61
Tricast £985.71
Trifecta £992.10

Selections

The Guardian:

My Boy Jack

POSTDATA:

Fircombe Hall

D Express:

Bossy Parker

RP RATINGS:

Spartan Fighter

Telegraph:

The Gay Blade

SPOTLIGHT:

Blackcurrent

The Star:

Bossy Parker

The Sun:

My Boy Jack

Daily Record:

My Boy Jack

Daily Mail:

Fircombe Hall

Daily Mirror:

Fircombe Hall

The Times:

Spartan Fighter