October 28 / 17.45 Newcastle (AW)

17.45

Standard To Slow

Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 109043 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Often slowly away; back in better form this month, making the frame twice, and is favourably treated (won off this mark on AW in May); good chance if the cards drop right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Dark Kestrel

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on AW than turf but handicapped accordingly; not beaten far at Wetherby on his penultimate start but this is a better race and he has since finished down the field at Wolverhampton.

16/1

8th

3

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won here but at his best at Newcastle where he has gained his last four wins; can ruin chance by starting slowly but is not firing on all cylinders at present anyway; best to wait until he returns to Newcastle.

16/1

3rd

1

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on the AW, but has a 15lb lower rating on turf; Newcastle winner in March; not disgraced on latest turf start at Beverley last month, but modest effort in a visor (on again) on Tapeta last time; a possible.

6/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 166965 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Registered his handicap wins at this course in January and Ripon in June; not disgraced in lower grade here this month returned to AW but likely needs to improve on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 780500 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Defied a 10lb higher mark over C&D in March; has failed to repeat that form since and was a disappointing favourite here on most recent AW attempt; needs to stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Castan

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Has a better strike-rate on AW but he has won on fast turf; good fourth at Ripon in April but he could only manage a midfield finish at Thirsk in May; 2lb lower than when short-headed by Brazen Bolt in this race 12 months ago but he arrived in top form then.

14/1

11th

3

(18)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

25-1 winner of a division of this race 12 months ago; arrives in form following a success at Southwell and a creditable fourth of eight at Ripon; should be in the thick of things again.

8/1

4th

4

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Castan

8st 12lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Bryan Smart

Placed three times on AW over the winter before resuming winning ways over 5f at Southwell 18 days ago; hasn't been successful above a mark of 76 so a career best will be needed if he's to follow up.

13/2

Form: 146686 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Nicely treated, having gained last three wins off 2lb higher, the most recent on turf in July; failed to get home over 6f back on AW last time; return to 5f is ideal and has won over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(10)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Beverley

Dandy Dinmont

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Far from consistent this season but got up in the final strides over C&D (good to firm; off 1lb higher) in May; possibilities provided he's back in similar form and the race again pans out favourably.

12/1

5th

6

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Dandy Dinmont

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Back off the same mark as when winning narrowly at Beverley (5f, good) in May, but he hasn't proved very consistent so far this year so not quite sure what to expect.

16/1

9th

2

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Dandy Dinmont

9st 8lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Resumed winning ways at Beverley (5f) in May but failed to beat a rival in ten-runner handicap at Carlisle (5f) 18 days ago; this course scorer has a bit to prove now.

11/1

Form: 541931 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly at Ayr (5f) last month, taking record to 9-66; has crept back up the weights this year but is still well handicapped on peak form; won off 4lb higher here two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Water Of Leith

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

12-time winner, latest on AW in March (6f); fair running-on third over 5f here last time (good; Woohoo, who runs in the 2.30, was second); contender back up in trip.

9/2

3rd

4

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Water Of Leith

10st 10lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Jim Goldie

Dual C&D winner; returned from a break with a solid fifth in 5f Hamilton handicap last month; this reliable sort is a player off a 2lb lower mark here with Eireann Cagney up.

4/1

Form: 219540 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Veteran who returns to AW off a stiff-looking mark, having been a stone lower when winning on turf in July; came up well short on most recent attempt in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Brian The Snail

9st 8lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran with 14 wins on his CV; kept on for third when dropped back to 5f at Newcastle 12 days ago but is inconsistent nowadays and younger rivals appeal more.

8/1

3rd

8

(7)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Brian The Snail

8st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who never featured in a 6f handicap at Wolverhampton nine days ago; drops back to 5f with a point to prove.

20/1

8th

6

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Brian The Snail

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Patrick Morris

Slow-starting veteran who is having his 100th outing this evening; he has won 14 times already and his latest Newcastle fourth was a solid effort; should go well again.

10/1

16/1

Form: 2-5066

Last run: 103 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice here last autumn for previous yard but not in the same form this term; had wind surgery (her second) since last run and now goes in new headgear; those tweaks need to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(5)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Cool Run

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Runner-up twice here last autumn for previous yard but not in the same form this term; had wind surgery (her second) since last run and now goes in new headgear; those tweaks need to help.

16/1

7th

10

(5)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Cool Run

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Runner-up twice here last autumn for previous yard but not in the same form this term; had wind surgery (her second) since last run and now goes in new headgear; those tweaks need to help.

16/1

6th

6

(2)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Thirsk

Cool Run

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

in touch with leaders, brief headway 2f out, lost position over 1f out, hung left and weakened gradually inside final furlong

12/1

Form: -10104

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Love Wars, being an AW debutante who has inconsistent turf form (all 6f); successful in spring/summer and latest effort suggests this new trip is worth exploring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Newcastle (AW)

A Girl Named Ivy

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two 6f wins last season; two good second placings on turf in midsummer; less good on her last three runs though and she has more to prove on AW (well held in one C&D run)

11/2

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

20:05 Hamilton

A Girl Named Ivy

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

A dual 6f winner in 2024 but she comes here out of sorts, last of ten in 6f Thirsk handicap 20 days ago; others appeal more.

14/1

2

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Thirsk

A Girl Named Ivy

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Michael Dods

Twice runner-up (5.5f/5f) before below-par fourth of seven at Haydock two weeks ago; others appeal more for the win.

8/1

Form: 305526 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has defied higher marks four times on AW, including over C&D; close second under Silvestre De Sousa at Wolverhampton (5f) on most recent attempt in this sphere; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

16:27 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Multiple winner on the AW and consistent in the main; in front 2f out but didn't quite get home when third here last month; respected off same mark.

7/1

3rd

5

(7)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Dods

Won twice over C&D early this year and he's now 2lb lower than for the second of them; showed signs of a return to form when fourth of nine at Lingfield three weeks ago; solid candidate.

9/2

1

(3)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:52 Lingfield (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Dods

Three wins this year include two on the Southwell AW; hasn't been flying of late but he's the type to bounce back and this mark is fine.

11/2

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: -52760 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has inconsistent turf form (all 5f) but the pick of it, namely 2yo success and close second in June, gives her possibilities off current mark provided she takes well to AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Love Wars

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has inconsistent turf form (all 5f) but the pick of it, namely 2yo success and close second in June, gives her possibilities off current mark provided she takes well to AW.

13/2

10th

1

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Love Wars

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has inconsistent turf form (all 5f) but the pick of it, namely 2yo success and close second in June, gives her possibilities off current mark provided she takes well to AW.

13/2

12th

9

(10)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Love Wars

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

3yo who was beaten just a head on handicap debut over C&D in June (good to firm; unraced on slow ground); below that level at Hamilton and Doncaster the next twice but perhaps the return here can trigger a bigger effort.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £77.70
Straight Forecast £59.55
Tricast £242.03
Trifecta £464.80

Selections

The Times:

Love Wars

Daily Mail:

Herakles

POSTDATA:

Dark Kestrel

SPOTLIGHT:

Nelson Gay

Telegraph:

A Girl Named Ivy

The Star:

Castan

The Sun:

Dandy Dinmont

Daily Record:

Water Of Leith

D Express:

Love Wars

Daily Mirror:

Herakles

The Guardian:

Dark Kestrel

RP RATINGS:

Nelson Gay