February 18 / 18.00 Newcastle (AW)

18.00

Standard

Spreadex Sports Best Odds On Sunderland Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
SKY
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Spreadex Sports Best Odds On Sunderland Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 7494-5 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who hasn't been disgraced over 7f at Kempton and Southwell the last twice (visored both times), but all four wins have come over 1m, including twice here; steadily edging back down the weights and respected back up in trip in the returning cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Plastic Paddy

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Seven-time AW winner in Britain for Michael Appleby; no success since 2024, and Flat mark has dropped to a lowly 42; jumped badly and pulled up on his hurdling debut at Punchestown two weeks ago.

100/1

5

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:50 Punchestown

Plastic Paddy

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Tom McGuinness

Seven-time AW winner in Britain for Michael Appleby; no wins since 2024 and Flat mark has dropped to a basement level; slim hopes rest on hurdles rejuvenating him.

40/1

13th

11

(5)

10th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Plastic Paddy

9st 8lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Tom McGuinness

Seven AW wins in the UK; however, has been poor on turf for this yard and needs a major revival.

33/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 32-251 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Gained reward for some consistent efforts when winning narrowly at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) last time; fourth and fifth won their next starts and he is just 2lb higher, but he ran poorly in his only previous visit here which does pose a question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(5)

6th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Yarmouth

Chiefs Will

10st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Last win came off this mark on AW in January; creditable third over C&D (good to firm) on the return to turf, then spoiled chance with an awkward start when beaten favourite at Newmarket later in June; has a fighting chance granted a clean break.

15/2

4th

3

(12)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Chiefs Will

10st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Archie Watson

awkward start and slowly into stride, in touch with leaders, switched right soon after start

7/2

3rd

6

(8)

1st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Yarmouth

Chiefs Will

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Archie Watson

Doubled his winning tally when successful at Southwell (1m, AW) in January, but below form at the same venue the last twice and has a bit to prove back on turf; unraced on ground faster than good.

10/1

Form: 426-47 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner who had been running creditably since returning to Tapeta prior to a modest effort when last of seven in a steadily run contest back here last time; has dropped 1lb below his last winning mark, though, and is 10lb lower than for his last success at this track; possibilities if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in rear

8/1

4

(2)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:35 Chester

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored three times at 1m in 2023 and he arrives in very good nick, runner-up in 1m Redcar handicap nine days ago; he must enter calculations off the same mark from his inside berth.

7/2

2nd

2

(10)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who is 0-7 this year; however, he's run some good races and won three times in 2023; each-way contender off a reduced mark.

7/1

5/1

Form: 121754 CD

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Tough sort who won three times around the turn of the year, including once over C&D; ran well when a staying-on fourth of 12 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) on Wednesday and his record shows that the quick reappearance is no problem; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

28th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Asdaa

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

took keen hold, held up in rear

7/2

6th

12

(7)

20th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Asdaa

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Triple AW winner last winter (including one over C&D) but form has an uneven look since; below best over C&D last time but usual cheekpieces now replaced by first-time visor.

12/1

6th

1

(3)

6th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asdaa

9st 11lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Not quite at the top of his game of late; however, this six-time AW winner has clear possibilities off current mark back in Class 6.

6/1

4/1

Form: 19/1-5 C BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced filly who made a successful return from 447 days off in a Southwell novice (7f, Tapeta) in December, but was badly hampered when fifth of six on handicap debut at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) last month; cheekpieces now given a go and she remains completely unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

18th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Gifted Gold

10st 0lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, lost touch from over 1f out

4/1

5th

2

(2)

30th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gifted Gold

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

4yo who improved her record to 2-3 when landing a Southwell novice (7f, Tapeta; 6-4 favourite) last month on her return from 447 days off; now goes handicapping up in trip but she won going away last time and is out of a half-sister to a very useful middle-distance winner; interesting contender for in-form yard.

5/2

Form: 34589- CD

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
All three wins on the AW and 1lb lower than when successful over C&D just over a year ago; may need this return from 196 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(12)

28th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

War Defender

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Made all for first turf win 12 days ago (1m); dual Fibresand winner on this track but for whatever reason he hasn't run up to his best in three C&D starts, most recently off this mark in June.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

16th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

15:42 Musselburgh

War Defender

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold, made all, going easily 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden 1f out, faced challenge final 110yds, all out

13/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.00
Straight Forecast £8.19
Trifecta £23.10

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Chief's Will

TOPSPEED:

Plastic Paddy

SPOTLIGHT:

Star Shield

The Sun:

Gifted Gold

The Times:

Chief's Will

Telegraph:

Chief's Will

The Guardian:

Chief's Will

Daily Mirror:

Chief's Will

The Star:

Chief's Will

Daily Record:

Chief's Will

Daily Mail:

Plastic Paddy

D Express:

Plastic Paddy

RP Ratings:

Star Shield

POSTDATA:

Star Shield