November 11 / 15.15 Newcastle (AW)

15.15

Standard

Virgin Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Scattered showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 111-4 C

Last run: 218 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Didn't make his debut until October of his 3yo season but quickly made up for lost time, winning a 7f course novice on his first start and adding a Kempton novice (6f) and a 7f handicap here to his tally before Christmas; outstayed when fourth in a good 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday; absent since but he retains potential and sprinting might be his thing; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:12 Cork

Brewing

9st 1lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk last winter, soft ground probably wasn't ideal on turf comeback (slowly away) over C&D early this month and fair bit to find with Gleneagle Bay on that run.

12/1

9th

14

(14)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:30 Cork

Brewing

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk this winter before a below-par Newcastle run on latest; others have much stronger claims on turf form.

10/1

11th

6

(1)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Brewing

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time course scorer (6f/7f) for William Haggas; struggled on turf in Ireland for this yard last autumn but has found form again since returning to AW, placing three times at Dundalk (7f/1m) in recent months; has to enter calculations for a stable with a good record in Britain.

5/1

2nd
2 (10)
Bielsa

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 210307 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Smart handicapper who made a flying start to the season, second at Redcar before seeing off 20 rivals at York's Dante meeting; ran to form in the Wokingham, Stewards' Cup and Ayr Gold Cup before a more subdued effort at York four weeks ago (raced on the favoured far side); third, albeit well beaten, over C&D in Group 3 company in one AW start; shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:09 Newcastle (AW)

Bielsa

9st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

raced in second, hung right over 1f out, lost second 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased towards finish

11/4

2nd

2

(10)

11th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Bielsa

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Smart handicapper who made a flying start to the season, second at Redcar before seeing off 20 rivals at York's Dante meeting; ran to form in the Wokingham, Stewards' Cup and Ayr Gold Cup before a more subdued effort at York four weeks ago (raced on the favoured far side); third, albeit well beaten, over C&D in Group 3 company in one AW start; shouldn't be far away.

11/2

7th

8

(9)

14th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 York

Bielsa

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

re-shod, raced far side, towards rear

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: -40012 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Gelded in May and he has returned with two fine runs, getting the better of Monsieur Kodi at Goodwood last month (6f, soft) before chasing home a smart sprinter at Kempton ten days ago; another 2lb higher today but should be involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

(1)

22nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Gisburn

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Few chances on AW but he ran well over C&D in November off 3lb higher; returned to winning ways in a Racing League handicap at Chepstow two weeks ago (6f, good to soft); respected despite a 4lb rise and his draw in stall 1.

10/1

1st

1

(4)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Chepstow

Gisburn

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hannon

He's had a mixed campaign but has shown spark on occasions and was stretched by 7f last time; now below last winning mark and he's not ruled out.

7/1

12th

3

(13)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Gisburn

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Richard Hannon

Much better known as a sprinter but has form over 7f; now 3lb lower than when placed at Goodwood (6f, heavy) in May and his more recent efforts were perfectly respectable; back up in trip with William Buick up; a possible.

8/1

6/1

Form: 197373

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Tough handicapper who ran a fine race when third in the Ayr Gold Cup on his first crack at 6f; third, beaten over 3l, off this mark at York four weeks ago (6f, soft) but that only tells half the story as he trounced the other runners on the stands' side and was also comfortably best of those to race up with the pace; still capable of better at this trip and he's a much better horse now than when last seen on AW (when he appeared to handle Tapeta well enough); deserves a good prize.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

16:25 Musselburgh

Gweedore

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

Stable stalwart; just 1lb higher than for his front-running C&D win last November (soft) but his two runs this year have been unconvincing; will no doubt pop up at some point but perhaps in a race with less pace pressure.

16/1

14th

7

(9)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Gweedore

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

He has been a fine advertisement for Katie Scott, winning 13 races over 7f and 1m; 0-6 at this trip but he was beaten less than one length in the 2023 Ayr Gold Cup; recent Musselburgh return should have blown away the cobwebs but others are still more appealing for win purposes.

33/1

7th

5

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Gweedore

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Often leads; superb 9yo with six course wins, the latest over C&D (soft) in November; not weighted out of it off the same mark as his second to Persuasion here last April but he's had a much longer break this time and is drawn widest.

13/2

6/1

Form: 269871 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Mudlark who is also fully effective on Tapeta; tanked through the Doncaster mud to win over 7f two weeks ago and a 3lb rise isn't beyond him; whether he can prove quite so effective at 6f remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(8)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

The oldest contender and a familiar face, having taken part in this race for the last four years (form figures read 6529); beat all bar Eldrickjones over C&D last month but the return to this better grade presents a tougher task.

16/1

2nd

10

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here.

10/1

2nd

10

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zip

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Four-time C&D winner, including this race in 2021; second in it last year; has continued in good form in the main since winning over C&D last November (didn't run badly at Doncaster latest) and is on the shortlist now back here.

10/1

20/1

Form: 137600 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Now 4lb lower than when winning at Doncaster in April and 7lb lower than when third behind Bielsa in a big-field sprint at York's Dante meeting; heavy defeats at Ayr and York after an eight-week break but he's a C&D winner and it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue to see him bounce back.
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

14/1

Form: 605100 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Had plummeted down the weights prior to his emphatic Southwell success in September; down the field in two turf handicaps since but returning to AW might be the solution and he's a contender if judged on the Southwell win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

(2)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:35 York

Gulliver

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Four course wins to his name and he rolled back the years when sweeping through to win a Class 5 handicap at Thirsk five weeks ago (6f, soft); not handicapped out of things up 6lb but this is a deeper race and it might not set up quite so favourably for him.

9/1

14th

9

(2)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:35 York

Gulliver

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Four course wins to his name and he rolled back the years when sweeping through to win a Class 5 handicap at Thirsk five weeks ago (6f, soft); not handicapped out of things up 6lb but this is a deeper race and it might not set up quite so favourably for him.

9/1

1st

8

(9)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:35 Thirsk

Gulliver

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

in rear

4/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 412215 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
He has done the bulk of his racing at Chester and is clearly well suited to the track, winning five of his 15 starts there, all over this trip; he can be given a pass for a lesser run over 5f on heavy ground six weeks ago but neither of his AW runs have been that promising and he's probably too high in the weights away from his favourite haunt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

12th

7

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Roman Dragon

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

25/1

15/2

Form: 316582 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Tough and progressive sprinter this year, winning three times on slow turf; ran as well as he ever has when picked off late by Gisburn at Goodwood four weeks ago (6f, soft); 2lb higher today and handles Tapeta but he seems at his best on deep turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

9th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Monsieur Kodi

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Had been banging at the door prior to his 7f win at Lingfileld last month; a 4lb rise for that win demands more but he has had few chances in this headgear.

5/1

1st

1

(8)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

14:55 Lingfield (AW)

Monsieur Kodi

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

All eight wins have been at sprint trips and seven have been on turf; record of 1-17 on AW but he's a reliable type who has been placed on Tapeta (6f) and Polytrack (7f) in last three runs; remains well treated on old form and he should go well again.

4/1

2nd

7

(4)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Monsieur Kodi

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

1lb lower than for his Hamilton win in July (6f, good) and he has run well in defeat on his last two starts, close up in fourth over C&D ten days ago; Ethan Tindall takes off a useful 7lb and he is more appealing than many; won't mind what the ground does.

7/1

20/1

Form: 118008 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won twice in seven days in September, both over shorter but he's fully effective at 6f; back to the same mark as for his Ascot win and he has shown aptitude for this surface; others appeal more for win purposes though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

19th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Call Me Ginger

9st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear

12/1

1

(9)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Musselburgh

Call Me Ginger

9st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

17lb lower than when winning at Ascot last September (5f, good to firm; completing a quick double) having been badly out of form since; usually ridden by Amie Waugh; down to Class 5 in a handicap for the first time.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £13.90
Tricast £56.04
Trifecta £68.90

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Brewing

RP RATINGS:

Gisburn

SPOTLIGHT:

Gweedore

POSTDATA:

Zip

Daily Record:

Monsieur Kodi

TOPSPEED:

Gulliver

The Times:

Brewing

The Guardian:

Brewing

D Express:

Brewing

The Star:

Brewing

Telegraph:

Gisburn

Daily Mirror:

Gisburn

The Sun:

Gweedore

Daily Mail:

Zip