August 31 / 19.45 Newcastle (AW)

19.45

Standard

William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 26 Handicap (Racing League)

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 3
  • 13 runners
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William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 26 Handicap (Racing League)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 114723 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has done well over 1m2f on AW this season, notably at Chelmsford (Polytrack); at least as good when dropped back to 1m at Ascot on latest outing; highly respected although he's never run on Tapeta.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Storm Catcher

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Multiple C&D winner, the latest last August when rated 5lb higher; obvious chance if anywhere near that level but he has been struggling more recently; the return to 1m2f will help but not a solid option.

14/1

6th

1

(3)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Storm Catcher

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Has done nearly all his winning at about 1m2f, most recently last August; inconsistent since but drops back in grade off a workable mark; stayed on for creditable effort in sole attempt over 1m4f.

16/1

11th

6

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:50 Newcastle (AW)

Storm Catcher

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Eight-time AW winner and first and second in two of his four races here; didn't run at all badly last time at Lingfield (1m2f) but looks vulnerable at the minute in a race of this nature.

40/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 503497 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Beaten on his last 15 starts going back to December 2021; form dipped on latest two outings; has a good record at this track and hasn't been here since June last year but this trip asks a big question, as all his races from August 2021 onwards have been over 1m4f-2m1f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won the 2024 Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; usually held up and he came from the back when seventh of 20 in this race last year; whether he's well enough handicapped to win this time round remains to be seen but he's shown enough in his two British starts this summer to demand each-way respect.

28/1

4th

3

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won last season's Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; some fair efforts in Meydan earlier this year, and also in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago following a break, but he needs to raise his game to take this.

12/1

8th

1

(7)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Onesmoothoperator

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Brian Ellison

Usually runs well at Newcastle, where he won this race last year in good style; took a big prize in Australia last October and struck up a solid sequence over the winter; absent 119 days and 12lb higher than 12 months ago, which surely demands a career best, but needs respect.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 414

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won a Bath maiden (1m, good) in July on second start; AW/handicap debut at Chelmsford (1m2f) was an interesting one, as she was soon nudged along and dropped back to last 2f out before running on well into fourth of nine; seemingly had something to learn and remains open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(9)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:00 Newcastle (AW)

Moonspirit

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Campaigned mostly at about 1m; largely productive on turf/AW and has been successful in three of her last four handicap attempts (stiffer task in French Listed event since); stiff course is a plus returned to 7f; one for the shortlist.

9/2

Form: 162301

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 4yo who started off for new yard with two Wolverhampton AW wins in March/April (8.6f/9.4f); better over 1m on turf since, notably when winning at Redcar on latest outing; up 5lb but going the right way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Painters Palette

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Rebecca Menzies

Record of 3-4 on the AW but has comparable form on turf and ran right up to his best when third over 1m2f at Ayr 16 days ago; C&D winner in August who should be in the thick of it.

6/1

3rd

3

(1)

21st Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Painters Palette

9st 9lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has done well for shrewd current connections and scored at Wolverhampton (9.5f) last time, taking AW record to 3-4; only 1-11 on turf but the win came on most recent attempt in this sphere; steadily progressive and enters calculations.

11/4

1st

6

(8)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Painters Palette

9st 5lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won his first two starts for this yard at this track, the second of them over C&D; added a Redcar handicap last month and ran another sound race when fourth at Newcastle last week (just in front of Carolus Magnus); should give it another good go.

13/2

Form: 300-69

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Below form last autumn on his last two starts for Andrew Balding; saddle slipped last month on debut for new stable but he shaped well when trying to come from last at Chelmsford (1m2f, second AW start) 16 days ago, running out of room late on; player if back to his turf peak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

Carolus Magnus

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Not the most prolific, but he was returning from 134 days off when beaten just a neck at Musselburgh (7f, good) last month; respected off 1lb higher if coming on from that.

4/1

2nd

9

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Carolus Magnus

8st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

C&D winner (good) last October; also runner-up off today's mark back here in November and could play a prominent role again if fully primed after 134 days off.

11/1

12th

1

(10)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Carolus Magnus

9st 11lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Michael & David Easterby

Useful in previous incarnation over longer trips; on handy mark now and after running fast for a long way over C&D (first 6f run) in September he won with plenty to spare at Musselburgh (7f; visor off) last week; the ability is there to make light of a 4lb penalty.

7/2

Form: 149-66

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Bellewstown maiden winner on debut last August; gelded before he showed improved form in sixth of 14 on handicap debut at the Curragh (1m2f) 18 days ago, a promising run given the interference he suffered from 2f out to 1f out; one to consider on this AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(5)

28th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 4f 15y

16:35 Bellewstown

Roaring Gallagher

9st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

raced in second, carried head awkwardly but led inside final furlong, kept on but headed towards finish

9/2

6th

5

(12)

31st Aug 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Roaring Gallagher

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

in touch with leaders

11/1

6th

1

(3)

13th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:20 Curragh

Roaring Gallagher

10st 1lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

towards rear, headway when short of room under 2f out, switched left 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish

10/1

Form: -43613

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three of her 2yo races were on AW; better on good ground on latest two outings, getting up late on at Newmarket (1m) and rallying strongly when third of nine at Sandown (1m2f); has more to offer at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

C&D winner against her own sex under Joanna Mason early last month off a 2lb lower mark; continued in form since and this is less competitive, so she needs a look.

7/1

8th

7

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Lingfield (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Kevin Frost

Ended a 19-race losing run at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last month, but couldn't get going in time when fifth of 12 at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) 16 days later; appears to stay this far and holds each-way claims.

20/1

5th

12

(2)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bint Al Daar

8st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

Mostly well below form in 2025 but came back down the weights and has often been competitive since October; indeed, Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) 16 days ago saw her first win since a C&D race in summer 2024; it's possible that she is on her way back but this is a warmer contest.

10/1

20/1

Form: 311278 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Better over this sort of trip than 1m, as shown with wins in May at Beverley and Wolverhampton (Tapeta); nearly made it three in a row but took major backward steps on his two outings since; gelded soon after latest; needs to resume improvement but is 2lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:33 Ripon

Blue Yonder

10st 11lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won on Jersey and Chepstow (both 1m2f, good) under Brodie Hampson earlier in the year, but finished behind three of these at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) last month; needs to bounce back from that.

7/1

4

(5)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

14:10 Beverley

Blue Yonder

10st 13lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won in Jersey in April and followed up with a last-gasp verdict at Chepstow (1m2f, good); just 2lb higher here.

4/1

1st

4

(4)

16th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Chepstow

Blue Yonder

11st 0lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Back on the mainland after game win under Brodie Hampson in Jersey (1m2f, good) in April; this race is almost certainly stronger but he's still on a workable mark and probably won't be far away; cheekpieces refitted.

5/2

Form: 0-6671 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
The least exposed in the field when he won comfortably won a seven-runner amateurs' race at Sandown (1m2f) three weeks ago, allowed plenty of rope up front; 6lb higher today and his only AW start (last December) was a heavy defeat but he could have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(11)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newbury

New Dayrell

9st 11lb

J: Liam Wright

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

prominent

16/1

9th

2

(13)

22nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Windsor

New Dayrell

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

raced wide, midfield

4/1

2nd

1

(2)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:30 Bath

New Dayrell

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Clearcut winner at Sandown (1m2f, good to soft) last August but he's been disappointing this season, albeit failed to stay upped to 1m6f here latest; back on a good mark and down in trip/class but he's got a bit to prove at present.

13/2

Form: 205012 C BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Promise on the AW at Dundalk for his former yard and better over 1m here in his two runs for new stable, making all in June and short-headed in July; has been sticking to his task well and enters serious calculations, although he needs to find extra on this move up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

18th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

20:05 Epsom

Miami Thunder

10st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Brian Toomey

Has done most of his racing on AW (two wins) and suffered heavy defeats in his only three runs on turf, including latest start; has had three previous trainers, George Scott for last three outings; hooded first time.

20/1

5th

3

(3)

4th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

20:05 Yarmouth

Miami Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: George Scott

mounted on course, virtually refused to race, detached throughout

4/1

5th

3

(3)

4th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

20:05 Yarmouth

Miami Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: George Scott

mounted on course, virtually refused to race, detached throughout

4/1

9/1

Form: 241113 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Held up lately and who won three in a row (1m, 1m2f and 1m1f) this May-July, including C&D on second occasion (first run after wind surgery); close third over 1m at Leicester on latest start; respected as in-form candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Bashful

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Iain Jardine

Showed benefit of latest wind op when winning twice at around 2m in February (good to soft/soft); slightly disappointing on latest outing in April, though, and needs to be back in peak form to have a chance off current mark.

8/1

6th

4

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Bashful

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

in touch with leaders

5/1

6th

4

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

17:05 Perth

Bashful

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

A dual 2m winner and progressive over hurdles this season but he failed to translate that form back onto the Flat at Doncaster last month; he's the sort to bounce back here though.

5/1

Form: -28824 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Generally below form in the last two seasons but he has been runner-up twice (1m/1m2f) this season and wasn't disgraced when fourth on latest start; has a competitive mark if serving up his best on this AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Wind Your Neck In

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up twice in February (including C&D on soft) before making it 14th time lucky over hurdles in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap (good) last month; he and the runner-up came well clear of the third so he should competitive off 6lb higher.

7/1

1st

5

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:18 Sedgefield

Wind Your Neck In

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

0-13 over hurdles and becoming rather frustrating but came second twice over 2m3f last month (soft/good to soft) and seems very likely to be in the shake-up again here.

3/1

2nd

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Wind Your Neck In

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Sam England

Last Flat win came in November 2023 and he's 0-12 over hurdles; however, he ran well when second off this reduced mark at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last Monday and can be in the mix if backing that up.

5/2

12/1

Form: -08982

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Only three AW starts, showing some ability twice in 2021; second of nine off this mark at Newmarket (1m2f) on latest start, the first time he's been competitive since last May; place claim on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(3)

31st Aug 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Cap Francais

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.70
Straight Forecast £38.74
Tricast £330.78
Trifecta £364.40

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Moonspirit

Daily Mail:

Miami Thunder

LAMBOURN:

New Dayrell

The Sun:

Painters Palette

SPOTLIGHT:

Storm Catcher

The Times:

Roaring Gallagher

RP RATINGS:

Wind Your Neck In

POSTDATA:

Bashful

Telegraph:

Moonspirit

The Guardian:

Moonspirit

D Express:

Moonspirit

Daily Record:

Miami Thunder

Daily Mirror:

New Dayrell

The Star:

Painters Palette

TOPSPEED:

Storm Catcher