December 10 / 16.30 Newcastle (AW)

16.30

Standard To Slow

Spreadex Sports Best Odds On Sunderland Handicap

  • Prize money: £5508
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Spreadex Sports Best Odds On Sunderland Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Snow showers

Form: 915-34 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Four of his five career wins on AW and has shown enough to suggest he retains all his ability after ten months off to reach the frame in 7f handicaps at Kempton and Wolverhampton this autumn; this is a slight drop in class; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(4)

4th Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Diocles Of Rome

9st 9lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Ralph Beckett

Three-time C&D winner; two creditable in-frame efforts back on AW in the autumn but needs to bounce back from a lesser run at Wolverhampton over Christmas.

7/1

11th

9

(2)

26th Dec 2022

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

15:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diocles Of Rome

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Four wins on the AW and now back off his last winning mark; has run well in both starts since returning in October from ten months off, but has nearly 3l to find with Street Kid on latest C&D running and may prefer a more galloping track.

14/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 351561 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ended a lengthy losing run with narrow win at Epsom (7f, good) in August and bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts when rallying to lead again late on over C&D eight days ago; raised 3lb to a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:40 Pontefract

Larado

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Three-time turf winner who is just 1lb higher than when winning at Lingfield (1m, AW) in February; hasn't been in the same form since and returns from a break today, but drops back down in grade and is not ruled out.

9/1

10th

12

(7)

4th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:50 Newmarket

Larado

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Often front-runs; Lingfield AW in February ended his losing run and he was 33-1 when well held there in a Class 2 latest outing (rare start with this visor, instead of usual blinkers); second at Epsom last August showed some turf ability remained, but he's 2lb higher today and not the percentage call.

33/1

Form: 83331- D

Last run: 448 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Not seen since winning a 7f Newbury handicap under Mohammed Tabti in October 2021; on the plus side he returns to action off only 1lb higher and has a good record when fresh; also placed on both visits here and it'll be interesting to see how much strength there is behind him in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(6)

19th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Ivatheengine

9st 11lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

took keen hold, prominent, led after 1f, going best over 2f out, ridden 1f out, tiring when headed and lost two places towards finish

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 11 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Landed short odds on his C&D debut in October and stepped up on that form when defying a penalty over 6f at Kempton last month; there could be plenty more to come, particularly back at 7f, and he's taken to stretch his unbeaten record to three now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:12 Cork

Brewing

9st 1lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk last winter, soft ground probably wasn't ideal on turf comeback (slowly away) over C&D early this month and fair bit to find with Gleneagle Bay on that run.

12/1

9th

14

(14)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:30 Cork

Brewing

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk this winter before a below-par Newcastle run on latest; others have much stronger claims on turf form.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 279010 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in September (final start for Andrew Balding) but not in anything like the same form when setting out for a new stable at Wolverhampton last month; the cheekpieces which were added to his regular tongue-tie on that occasion have been quickly discarded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mercurius Power

9st 8lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

Winless since August 2024 but he comes here on the back of a good second of 12 over C&D in July; this C&D scorer must enter calculations nudged up 1lb.

4/1

2nd

6

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Mercurius Power

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jessica Macey

Getting on for two years since his last win but this C&D winner has dropped to a tempting mark and he didn't run badly in a stronger race at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) six weeks ago; apprentice takes off a handy 5lb too; high on the list.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 773332

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won 6f maiden on turf in June and generally consistent subsequently, placed on the AW on his last three starts; ought to be thereabouts again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

9th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Thirsk

Tothenines

10st 1lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: K R Burke

Just one win to his name but he regularly ran to an RPR in the 80s through the winter and his penultimate start at Ripon (1m, soft) wasn't bad in the context of this race; disconcerting to see him dropped to this grade but no surprise were he to prove too classy.

11/4

12th

5

(8)

13th May 2023

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

13:50 Lingfield (AW)

Tothenines

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Weighted to be involved on 7f Tapeta form in midwinter but he can lose ground at the start and, with no experience of Polytrack, he has something to prove against rivals who handle the surface well.

8/1

5th

5

(8)

20th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Ripon

Tothenines

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: K R Burke

Sole success came over 6f on good ground last June; mostly consistent since, including in his autumn/winter campaign on AW, but he missed the break and was never involved in the Spring Mile at Doncaster on his return to turf 19 days ago.

7/1

Form: 106456 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in C&D novice in February; hasn't progressed since but he did catch the eye when fifth over 6f here on his penultimate start and a wide trip provides an excuse for his latest Wolverhampton effort; another 2lb lower here; no shock were he to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Beattie Is Back

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Did best of those in the stands' side group at York (6f, good to firm) in July and then kept on for third of nine at Southwell (6f, AW) 27 days ago despite not getting the best of passages; now down to a career-low mark and this dual C&D winner should appreciate stepping back up in trip.

7/2

3rd

1

(7)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:51 Southwell (AW)

Beattie Is Back

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

He's struggled to get competitive on turf on his four starts since May, albeit he fared best in the near-side group at York a fortnight ago; Tapeta seems to be his preferred surface and he's 5lb lower than when going close at Wolverhampton (7f) in February; no surprise to see a big run.

8/1

15th

15

(22)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Beattie Is Back

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has not matched this year's AW form since returned to turf; should be well treated now but not sure stall 22 will be an advantage.

33/1

Verdict

Beattie Is Back (second choice) is better than recent efforts suggest and is feasibly treated, but if there’s one in this line-up who could be well ahead of his mark it is BREWING (nap) who is selected to make it three wins from three starts. [Andrew Sheret]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Brewing

TOPSPEED:

Tothenines

Daily Mail:

Larado

The Times:

Beattie Is Back

LAMBOURN:

Ivatheengine

RP Ratings:

Brewing

Telegraph:

Brewing

The Guardian:

Brewing

D Express:

Brewing

Daily Mirror:

Brewing

The Star:

Brewing

Daily Record:

Brewing

POSTDATA:

Tothenines

The Sun:

Larado