March 31 / 19.20 Newcastle (AW)

19.20

Standard

Spreadex Sports First Goalscorer Insurance Handicap

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Spreadex Sports First Goalscorer Insurance Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.20
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 6840-4

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; shaped encouragingly at Southwell (7f classified) on seasonal debut; possibilities if building on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(10)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Bowland

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Readily landed a division of this race last year and sole win since came in C&D classified contest 34 days ago; should go well, for all that he might be vulnerable to younger legs.

7/1

1st

12

(4)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Spirit Of Bowland

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Dual C&D handicap winner who's run respectably on his last five starts (all classifieds); beaten just 1l (7f; first-time blinkers, now removed) at Newcastle one week ago and he'll likely be on the premises once more.

8/1

5th

8

(10)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Of Bowland

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

C&D winner who has finished third in classified events on three of his four starts this year; first-time blinkers won't need to give him too much extra.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 21823- D

Last run: 150 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Has gained both wins on turf, in Scotland; however, holds each-way possibilities having been placed over C&D when last seen; same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(4)

30th May 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Carlisle

Elladora

9st 11lb

J: Mr Ryan Price

T: Micky Hammond

Has winning form on soft/heavy, but losing run up to 14 and drops to 5f for the first time since her debut; opposable from out of the weights.

16/1

7th

6

(4)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:50 Catterick

Elladora

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

taken down early and walked to post, prominent

13/2

7th

6

(4)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:50 Catterick

Elladora

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

taken down early and walked to post

13/2

25/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 46760-

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent maiden who has only one piece of placed form; lacks recent match practice having been absent since October; unappealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

27th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Van Zant

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won 7f Southwell classified in January and is also suited by this C&D but his recent efforts have been disappointing and his overall profile is not persuasive.

20/1

6th

8

(2)

21st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Van Zant

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

7f win here in January but he's gone off the boil more recently; a full revival is required.

16/1

12th

12

(11)

4th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Van Zant

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

In good form early in the year but ran poorly behind two of these over C&D 11 days ago; is some way down the pecking order from another wide stall.

16/1

4th
11 (3)
Eyes

16/1

Form: 488-90 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in 2021; has a major question mark over her current form, judged on her two efforts this year, but could revive off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Eyes

9st 4lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Jessica Macey

dwelt start, towards rear, switched left and headway over 2f out, ridden and led final 110yds, kept on

8/1

7th

9

(8)

30th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Eyes

9st 4lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Jessica Macey

Not prolific but she's capable at this level and she was beaten less than one length at Newcastle 19 days ago (6f); can get it wrong at the start but she's a contender if breaking on terms.

7/1

Form: 44-618 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Has won over 7f but four of his last five success have come at further; back down in trip, he looks one to oppose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(8)

12th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

18:00 Brighton

Rivas Rob Roy

8st 10lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: John Gallagher

Six-time course winner but had his disappointments here last year and has finished last in his final two races on the AW.

20/1

4th

9

(8)

12th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

18:00 Brighton

Rivas Rob Roy

8st 10lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: John Gallagher

Six-time course winner but had his disappointments here last year and has finished last in his final two races on the AW.

20/1

9th

8

(7)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rivas Rob Roy

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Gallagher

12-time winner including over C&D; has mixed record since last success in May 2024 but he's reached the frame here in two of his last four runs; things didn't go well over C&D last time but he had a wide trip in that race and could be dangerous if he can bounce back.

16/1

Form: 545165 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in C&D classified race last month; held by St Andrew's Castle on course running last week; now 0-17 in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(8)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Lucky Lucky Lucky

8st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Sole win in 30 starts came in a 0-50 classified event over C&D in February, but out of the frame in all five starts since; others look more solid,

12/1

6th

3

(10)

4th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

19:50 Musselburgh

Lucky Lucky Lucky

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Just the one win from 29 starts but it was a similar race to this on AW in February; not at his best when last seen in April and rain would be a concern (unraced on slower than good and once a non-runner due to soft ground).

8/1

Form: 409812 CD BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
In great form (won then close second) over C&D with cheekpieces reapplied the last twice; due to go up 1lb in future; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

17th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:55 Ayr

St Andrews Castle

9st 13lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Successful over 7f on AW and 1m2f here this term; form has dipped since the latter win, however.

12/1

5th

3

(8)

15th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

20:30 Hamilton

St Andrews Castle

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jim Goldie

Resumed winning ways at Ayr (1m2f) in May but he's been well below par since, only tenth at Musselburgh (9f) ten days ago; he needs to get back on track.

10/1

10th

7

(2)

5th Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:05 Musselburgh

St Andrews Castle

9st 2lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jim Goldie

Won for the second time on turf at Ayr (1m2f, good) in May but despite that form looking solid enough, he's been some way below that in two subsequent starts; bit to prove dropping slightly in trip.

14/1

8th
14 (14)
Nazca

50/1

Form: 80789-

Last run: 219 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who holds very weak claims on form and lacks recent match practice having been absent since August; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

9st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Linda Perratt

Three of his six wins have been over C&D but last one was back in March 2024; has been out of sorts on his last two starts.

20/1

6th

10

(4)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Linda Perratt

Runner-up in a classified event over C&D last month but he's hard to predict and was last of eight in a handicap here two weeks ago; finished behind three of today's rivals in that race and that took his losing run up to 18; others preferred.

12/1

8th

8

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Nazca

8st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Linda Perratt

His handicap mark has bottomed out and there have been more encouraging signs on his last two starts, second in a 0-50 classified over C&D 15 days ago; more required today.

14/1

Form: 0687-1 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Made a winning reappearance here (6f) this month and should remain competitive having been raised only 1lb; has won over 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(1)

15th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Merry Secret

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Has a patchy profile and was never involved at Newcastle (6f) last Monday but his last win was on Tapeta and he went close in a classified event over C&D in August; looks interesting on that form and he's not ruled out back up in trip; change of headgear.

12/1

5th

7

(1)

8th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Merry Secret

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Went close in 7f classified at Wolverhampton in August but he's not hit the same level since including in three runs for this yard; losing run is now up to 16 and others are more persuasive.

8/1

35

10th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

16:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Merry Secret

8st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Went close in 7f classified here in August but soundly beaten in Tapeta handicaps on his two runs for this yard and has to raise his game.

25/1

16/1

Form: 9-8804 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Close fourth in 1m classified event here last time but recent record suggests he's not sure to back up that effort; only 1-38 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(3)

19th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Perfect Soldier

8st 12lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Wilf Storey

raced in second

9/2

1st

10

(4)

15th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:30 Musselburgh

Perfect Soldier

8st 11lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

2-2 at Musselburgh, the wins gained over 7f/1m in April 2021; now a 9yo and looks far from solid on 2023 form (mostly AW) but the return to this venue gives cause for optimism.

16/1

7th

14

(12)

11th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:45 Thirsk

Perfect Soldier

8st 5lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

prominent

33/1

11th
7 (13)
Hardy

5/1

Form: 408-14 CD BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Last four attempts over C&D resulted in form figures of 1414; fourth to St Andrew's Castle after two-month break latest; still of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(13)

31st Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:20 Newcastle (AW)

Hardy

9st 7lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Jessica Macey

in touch with leaders

5/1

4th

4

(6)

9th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Hardy

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Jessica Macey

Had a couple of today's rivals behind when landing a C&D classified race in January; nicely on top at the finish and ought to be very competitive if showing up in similar form 64 days on.

9/2

1st

5

(8)

4th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

13:50 Newcastle (AW)

Hardy

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Jessica Macey

Three efforts since his C&D win last autumn will need forgiving but this is easier and perhaps the visor coming off again will help; is one of the likelier types.

5/1

33/1

Form: 558-08

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Regressive maiden who has raced over a variety of trips; finished last in 1m2f contest here (stable debut) most recently; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

16:40 Stratford

Gerrots

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Deborah Faulkner

Modest Flat winner; has failed to beat a rival in two starts since switched to hurdles; opposed.

100/1

10th

5

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

16:40 Stratford

Gerrots

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Deborah Faulkner

Modest Flat winner; has failed to beat a rival in two starts since switched to hurdles; opposed.

100/1

12th

5

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

18:40 Chepstow

Gerrots

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Deborah Faulkner

Just 1-25 on Flat, the win gained off a basement mark on AW; failed to beat a rival at Hereford on the switch to hurdles.

100/1

Form: 007-39 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
0-14 on AW and has proved inconsistent since returning to this sphere; not sure what to expect on return from ten-week layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

16th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

15:35 Musselburgh

Willing To Please

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

pressed leader, led over 2f out

14/1

6th

13

(10)

27th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Redcar

Willing To Please

8st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

prominent

16/1

6th

12

(1)

7th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:35 Carlisle

Willing To Please

8st 9lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Philip Kirby

Dual C&D winner (from marks in the mid 50s); started off the turf season reasonably well - placed on three occasions - but hasn't been quite so sharp in more recent times, including when finishing sixth of 11 (behind Elettaria) in first-time cheekpieces at Beverley last time.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 221218 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

10th

10

(2)

31st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Atrafan

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Alan Brown

Multiple AW winner but looks far from solid on 2024 form and may be somewhat on the wane aged ten; held by Written Broadcast on C&D running last time.

33/1

Non-runners

Atrafan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £212.00
Straight Forecast £234.70
Tricast £3205.16
Trifecta £2440.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

St Andrew's Castle

Telegraph:

Merry Secret

POSTDATA:

Lucky Lucky Lucky

The Guardian:

Rivas Rob Roy

RP Ratings:

St Andrew's Castle

The Times:

St Andrew's Castle

Daily Mail:

St Andrew's Castle

The Star:

St Andrew's Castle

Daily Record:

St Andrew's Castle

D Express:

Merry Secret

Daily Mirror:

Merry Secret