December 20 / 14.40 Newcastle (AW)

14.40

Standard To Slow

BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap

  • Prize money: £4536
  • 1m 4f 98y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 012121 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Bagged his third win from just six starts for this yard in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap 15 days ago; up 3lb but he had a bit in hand there so rates a player once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:20 Cartmel

Victory March

11st 9lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Started off for Rebecca Menzies with two poor AW runs in February/March (started very slowly both times) but his sixth of 15 over hurdles at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) this month gives him something to build on here.

14/1

6th

3

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:22 Perth

Victory March

11st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner on Tapeta but he's been out of sorts on AW in two runs for new yard this year; still unexposed over hurdles but his last run in this sphere was in December 2021 and it is not hard to have reservations; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

25/1

6th

3

15th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

20:22 Perth

Victory March

11st 12lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner on Tapeta but he's been out of sorts on AW in two runs for new yard this year; still unexposed over hurdles but his last run in this sphere was in December 2021 and it is not hard to have reservations; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

25/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 23/062 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Winless since 2019 but he recorded his best effort for his current yard when second of eight in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap eight days ago; he needs considering off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(2)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

15:28 Newcastle (AW)

Isle Of Wolves

9st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Harriet Bethell

took keen hold, held up in midfield

5/2

9th

3

(2)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

15:28 Newcastle (AW)

Isle Of Wolves

9st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Harriet Bethell

took keen hold, held up in midfield

5/2

1st

2

(3)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:08 Nottingham

Isle Of Wolves

11st 4lb

J: Miss Hannah Dring

T: Harriet Bethell

travelled strongly, slowly away, midfield, smooth headway over 2f out, led going easily over 1f out, shaken up and went clear inside final furlong, easily

2/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 132354 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Scored at Catterick (1m4f) in August and has continued in good nick since, fourth of seven in 1m6f Wolverhampton handicap three weeks ago; he's one for the shortlist in refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

14/1

Form: 680857 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Temperamental type who beat only one in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap 15 days ago; course winner but others are much preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(11)

17th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Redcar

Soaring Star

8st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Philip Kirby

Sole turf success came in 2020; close third to Cusack at Newcastle on latest AW start; not straightforward but is capable of being involved, provided he takes well to new headgear.

12/1

3rd

5

(2)

31st Mar 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Soaring Star

9st 7lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Philip Kirby

took keen hold, towards rear, carried head awkwardly but headway from over 2f out, every chance when ridden 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

8/1

4th

3

(4)

14th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Soaring Star

9st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Defied a 13lb higher mark over C&D in early 2022; generally not in the same form since but has become so well handicapped that a revival is possible; not dismissed.

12/1

12/1

Form: 73550

Last run: 95 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden handicapper who comes here on the back of below-par effort at Newbury in September on his final run for William Muir and Chris Grassick; has since changed hands for 11,000gns and has his stamina to prove here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Trailblazer

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Adam Nicol

Made all to score by 13l over C&D (good) in April and has remained in good form since; current mark is workable; ought to give this a good shot.

6/1

7

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Trailblazer

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to win by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has performed fairly well on all three outings since (2m-2m1f); worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away.

5/1

8

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:47 Perth

Trailblazer

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to score by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has also performed well on both subsequent outings (once over C&D); refitted cheekpieces are the headgear of choice today; probably won't be far away.

12/1

Form: 353405 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Not the most reliable but she landed this event 12 months ago off the same mark so can't be ruled out on the back of a good fifth at Southwell (1m4f) a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(4)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Can Can Girl

8st 13lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Craig Lidster

slowly away, in rear

16/1

6th

5

(11)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Can Can Girl

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Multiple winner at up to 14.5f; stays 2m; back on her last winning mark and ran with credit when third at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) latest; should be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

6

(9)

16th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

13:45 Thirsk

Can Can Girl

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Craig Lidster

Suited by give in the ground; won off this mark at Doncaster in July (1m6f, good to soft); not fared as well since; bit to prove.

11/1

Form: 44/722

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Still to get his head in front but he posted a good second of 13 in 1m6f Wolverhampton handicap 22 days ago having raced wide; he's firmly in the picture nudged up just 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billy Bathgate

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Ewan Whillans

10yo whose easily most successful season was 2025, with four wins; the latest was at this track (2m) in December and he's held his form, including over C&D, so has each-way claims once again.

5/1

3rd

1

(2)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Billy Bathgate

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual C&D winner whose most recent success came at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) off this mark in December; beaten 2l when fourth of seven there nine days ago, despite failing to settle, and there's no reason to suggest he won't go well.

9/2

4th

4

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

16:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billy Bathgate

9st 7lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Ewan Whillans

Consistent veteran who made the frame on his last six appearances and is now back on same mark as for C&D win in December; likely to be on the premises.

100/30

Form: 538596

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage filly who returned from five months off with a good sixth of ten in 1m4f Southwell handicap a fortnight ago; she can race off a 2lb lower mark now so needs considering in her bid for a maiden success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(3)

1st Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Vintage

8st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Won over C&D in January and went close at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in March; fair fifth when back on Tapeta at Wolverhampton (1m4f) recently but she needs something extra if she's to win this.

9/1

5th

6

(8)

19th Jun 2023

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

14:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Vintage

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Inconsistent sort with a record of 1-11; returned to turf with a heavy defeat at Doncaster 17 days ago but she finished well to go close at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) on her penultimate run; only 1lb higher here and has claims if she can recapture that form.

14/1

9th

9

(7)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

20:50 Doncaster

Golden Vintage

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

A bit of a mixed bag since returning on the AW in December, though she did win well at Newcastle (1m4f) in January and was only beaten a neck at Southwell (1m4f) in March; needs to fare better than in her three goes on turf so far, though, and has been off for three months.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.10
Straight Forecast £34.41
Tricast £136.64
Trifecta £131.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Victory March

RP Ratings:

Can Can Girl

POSTDATA:

Soaring Star

The Times:

The Dancing Poet

D Express:

Isle Of Wolves

Telegraph:

Victory March

The Guardian:

Victory March

Daily Mail:

Victory March

Daily Mirror:

Victory March

The Sun:

Victory March

The Star:

Victory March

Daily Record:

Victory March