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
SKY
View Course
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

1st

2

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:58 Redcar

Billy Bathgate

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

A four-time scorer (including here in 2025); in good nick without winning this season, finding drop to 1m4f against him when a staying-on sixth of 12 at Newcastle last time; this veteran needs considering back up in trip.

4/1

6th

14

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:58 Newcastle (AW)

Billy Bathgate

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ewan Whillans

Four wins last season included two here at 2m; never figured in this race last term but he's been in the frame all nine starts this year and was unlucky when fifth at this track in December on his last go at 1m4f; each-way prospects.

14/1

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

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