July 01 / 12.20 Newcastle (AW)

12.20

Standard To Slow

JenningsBet Festival Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
JenningsBet Festival Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1317-7 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won two of his first three starts, including a C&D novice; easy to excuse his low-key nursery debut on heavy ground in October and he may have needed last month's return to action at Windsor; still has time to do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Batal Dubai

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Jack Morland

Now 2lb lower than when winning a 7f handicap here on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell (6f) in February but his last three runs have been underwhelming; needs a full revival.

12/1

8th

4

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Batal Dubai

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Jack Morland

Now 2lb lower than when winning a 7f handicap here on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell (6f) in February but his last three runs have been underwhelming; needs a full revival.

12/1

8th

3

(7)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newmarket

Batal Dubai

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jack Morland

Won a 7f AW handicap at Lingfield on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell in February but his last two efforts have been disappointing; lightly raced on turf but fully effective on fast ground; new visor needs to turn things around.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 14-613 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Both wins at 7f on Tapeta, making most in the first of them; solid effort when third at Kempton recently (first-time cheekpieces, retained today) and the winner went on to lead home his group in the Britannia at Ascot; still has potential and the drop to 6f is an interesting move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

28th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Animate

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Geoffrey Harker

Won a 6f Catterick handicap in June 2024 (good to soft); best run this time when beaten a nose at Ripon in June (6f, good); poor efforts either side of that; not easy to predict.

16/1

13

(4)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Animate

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Geoffrey Harker

Missed out by a nose at Ripon last month (6f, good); 3lb higher in a stronger race but he has been rated much higher in the past; couldn't dismiss.

10/1

2nd

9

(11)

4th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Ripon

Animate

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Now 4lb lower than for his Catterick success 12 months ago; made a promising return at that track in April before plenty went wrong back there two weeks later; cheekpieces back on today; betting can help.

10/1

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 96-020 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Had a fine year in 2022 and after a low-key return to action he got back on the up when second in a warm race at York's Dante meeting; only midfield in the Wokingham last week but this isn't so taxing; AW debut (dam well held twice on AW but that was on Fibresand).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Lethal Levi

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Went very close in a Group 2 at the Curragh (6f, good) in May and comfortably made all in Listed race at Newmarket last month (6f, good to firm; Elmonjed second); carries a 3lb penalty today but has leading claims nevertheless at a track where he has plenty of strong form.

6/1

1st

6

(7)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Newmarket (July)

Lethal Levi

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Had a fine 2024 campaign once blinkers were added, winning two Newbury handicaps then blitzing his rivals in the Ayr Gold Cup; 0-4 this year but he has been running with great credit in good company; drops into Listed company and his record of 211 over C&D features a notable 3yo handicap win; looks sure to go well.

3/1

3

(5)

28th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:25 York

Lethal Levi

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Last season's Ayr Gold Cup winner who has returned in good nick, going down by only a short head in a 6f Group 2 at the Curragh (good) five weeks ago; also had some good 7f form last year.

11/1

7/1

Form: 761038 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won a big-field handicap in Dubai in January (6f, soft) off a 2lb lower mark; solid third over an inadequate 5f at Naas on penultimate start but came up short in a Group 2 at the Curragh five weeks ago; good record on AW; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Coachello

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Mark Loughnane

Long time since he won on turf and isn't as good now but remains consistent; returns from three months off but he can go well fresh; down to a career-low mark but he'd have preferred plenty of rain.

14/1

6th

1

(4)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Coachello

9st 11lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Mark Loughnane

Ran well in a 0-90 at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in December and was only beaten around 2l when fifth of seven there nine days ago; now 5lb below his last winning mark but this isn't guaranteed to be run to suit his hold-up style.

4/1

5th

1

(3)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Coachello

9st 11lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Mark Loughnane

Conditions suit and he ran well for third in a stronger race over C&D in late December; not so good at Newcastle two weeks ago but he's still a key player dropped into a Class 4.

3/1

10/1

Form: 0-1316 D BF

Last run: 112 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Short of his best at Chelmsford in March when last seen but he had been in good order over the winter, winning 7f handicaps at Southwell and Lingfield; not handicapped out of things but he'll need a strong pace back sprinting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 090544 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
He boasts a high level of form on AW, running to an RPR of 105 or more in ten of his 20 AW starts; has left the impression most of his ability is intact on turf this summer and although he has a higher mark in this sphere, he's still a contender of some interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ayr

Soldiers Minute

9st 10lb

T: Richard Fahey

6th

6

(3)

1st Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

12:20 Newcastle (AW)

Soldiers Minute

9st 9lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Keith Dalgleish

He boasts a high level of form on AW, running to an RPR of 105 or more in ten of his 20 AW starts; has left the impression most of his ability is intact on turf this summer and although he has a higher mark in this sphere, he's still a contender of some interest.

8/1

4th

4

(9)

17th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Soldiers Minute

10st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Keith Dalgleish

Has not won on turf since 2019 (last three wins have been on AW); never seriously involved when fourth of eight over 6f at Hamilton (good to firm) nine days ago and again opposed for win purposes.

10/1

8/1

Form: 4-0413 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
C&D winner; back to winning ways at Doncaster in April and ran well for third in a hot York handicap last month (just behind Lethal Levi); should be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(5)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Magical Spirit

8st 10lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

8yo who has finished down the field on his last four runs and needs a major turnaround; however, he's just 1lb higher than when winning in a big field over C&D (soft) in April on his last run here, and his good record at Doncaster also includes a win in this race in 2021; dangerous to dismiss.

12/1

9th

3

(8)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Magical Spirit

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Three heavy defeats have followed his impressive Doncaster win in April (6f, soft); not the easiest to predict but conditions won't be an issue and he's dangerous to write off.

14/1

15th

3

(9)

17th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Magical Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

raced near side

33/1

3/1

Form: 464-51 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of this event 12 months ago off 5lb lower; the addition of cheekpieces (retained today) saw him bounce back to his best at Haydock three weeks ago, digging deep to win a useful Class 3 handicap; should go well once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(7)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Raatea

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Has two wins over C&D and has been placed here on his two starts this year; should not be far away.

8/1

3rd

3

(6)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Raatea

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Julie Camacho

Two course wins, the latest over this trip last October off a 4lb lower mark; good second two weeks ago and this veteran can make another bold bid.

8/1

2nd

4

(7)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:05 Newcastle (AW)

Raatea

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

He was ending a losing run when scrambling home in a C&D handicap last October; finished lame when down the field here one month later; others are more appealing.

12/1

8/1

Form: 03-160 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Developing into a smart sprinter on slow ground; yet to build on his impressive reappearance success but he ran well enough at York last time; has a good prize in him this year; down the field in his one AW run but shaped encouragingly over a trip that stretched him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Aleezdancer

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.

12/1

11

(12)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Aleezdancer

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent 6yo who hasn't gone beyond a bare 6f for a long time and finished down the field at York in July when last seen; however, he won at Pontefract (6f, good) earlier that month and has shown some strong form here in the past (including a soft-ground win); could go well.

20/1

12

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aleezdancer

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; exploited his drop down the weights when making all at Pontefract 18 days ago (6f, good); still has handicapping scope despite a 4lb rise; one to consider.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.90
Straight Forecast £24.79
Tricast £105.50
Trifecta £109.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Raatea

SPOTLIGHT:

Soldier's Minute

TOPSPEED:

Animate

Telegraph:

Coachello

The Times:

Batal Dubai

The Sun:

Lethal Levi

Daily Mail:

Tiger Crusade

The Guardian:

Magical Spirit

NEWMARKET:

Animate

D Express:

Coachello

The Star:

Raatea

Daily Record:

Raatea

RP RATINGS:

Soldier's Minute

Daily Mirror:

Soldier's Minute