December 09 / 15.30 Newcastle (AW)

15.30

Standard To Slow

Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 531

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Showed clear promise in his first two runs but, after a gelding operation, he found lots of improvement with his emphatic win at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) last month; that was in a small field but he looks on a good mark for this handicap debut and is open to more progress; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(4)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 2

15:52 Windsor

To Catch A Thief

8st 10lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Back-to-back AW wins at the end of 2023; tongue tied, respectable third in 1m2f handicaps at Redcar (soft; Zetland Gold Cup) and Haydock (good to firm; six ran) on last two starts and had similar form three starts back on his second crack at about 1m4f, but he needs a bit extra.

7/2

3rd

1

(7)

22nd Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

19:45 Haydock

To Catch A Thief

9st 11lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Hasn't progressed in quite the manner that looked likely after back-to-back AW wins at the end of 2023 but his latest third of ten in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1m2f, soft) was a creditable effort; likely to be competitive if in similar form.

7/2

3rd

6

(2)

27th May 2024

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 2

16:35 Redcar

To Catch A Thief

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Returned from break with novice and handicap AW wins at about 1m2f in late 2023, but he hasn't put it together at this trip and 1m4f in three starts since (cheekpieces latest; now tongue tied); the return to 1m2f can suit but soft ground is not sure to improve matters.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 290797 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Group 2 winner over this trip on turf in 2022; runner-up in Lingfield Listed race (1m, AW) on his return in February but didn't have to be at his best to do so and he's finished down the field in five runs since; now returns to a handicap for the first time in over two years but he has something to prove and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Sir Busker

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Good C&D record includes a win in this last year off 5lb higher; back on form when narrowly denied at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) and things went wrong from the start (stumbled) when well behind Westridge at Goodwood since; could bounce back.

18/1

6

(16)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Sir Busker

9st 3lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Has a mixed 1-6 record at Goodwood, with the win in 2019, but he won a 17-runner race at the York Ebor meeting last August and went down by a neck at Sandown this month, both over 1m2f on good to firm but the ground was not an issue previously; now a 9yo but 4lb lower than for that York win; drawn wide but likely to be delivered late anyway.

20/1

2nd

4

(3)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Sir Busker

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Resilient 9yo who can still give it plenty in competitive handicaps, as when beating 16 rivals at York (about 1m2f, good to firm; off 5lb higher) last August; however, he has less obvious claims on subsequent handicap runs, including back at York in June.

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 972751 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who ended a 23-month losing run when landing the rerouted November Handicap here (1m4f) four weeks ago; that was a narrow success but he overcame trouble to justify support and is only 3lb higher here; respected back in trip.
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

14/1

Form: 215 C

Last run: 212 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Went very close on his Southwell debut in January before winning a 1m novice here in March; found things tough in a soft-ground Listed event at Chester (1m2f) in May but he's now back in calmer waters for this handicap debut and still has untapped potential; one to keep an eye on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(4)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Afterwards

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ollie Pears

Won a C&D novice last March; only had two handicap runs but he'll need to raise his game if he's to come out on top in this field.

25/1

6th

2

(2)

5th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Afterwards

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ollie Pears

Lightly raced 4yo who won a 1m novice at Newcastle on his second start last March; raced freely in a steadily run 1m2f handicap at Newcastle on his return from a seven-month break four weeks ago, tiring in the closing stages; can do better and this represents an ease in class.

8/1

4th

7

(7)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:30 Newcastle (AW)

Afterwards

8st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ollie Pears

took keen hold, prominent, went second after 1f

14/1

OUR TIP
5th
2 (9)
Felix

15/2

Form: 83-793 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Smart on AW in his prime; winless since January 2021 but he returned from nine months off with a creditable third in a Chelmsford handicap (1m2f, Polytrack) four weeks ago; did best of the closers in that tactical race and has claims if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(8)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Felix

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Mark continues to fall and he showed that the abilty was still there when third of seven behind King's Code at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) in December, but he remains without a win since the start of 2021; others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

1

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

16:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Felix

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Two-time C&D winner; another good effort here when third to the reopposing King's Code on Boxing Day but his losing run goes back a long way.

7/1

6th

1

(6)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

16:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Felix

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

Two-time C&D winner; another good effort here when third to the reopposing King's Code on Boxing Day but his losing run goes back a long way.

7/1

10/1

Form: 014172

Last run: 71 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won twice on turf this summer and he bumped into a major improver when runner-up at Newmarket (1m1f) in September; hard to rule out another good run after a short break but he looks weighted best and this is a step back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Heather Main

Six wins on turf and 0-9 on the AW, though was only beaten a head here (8.6f) last October and is now 3lb lower; each-way claims.

9/1

4

(3)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Heather Main

Six-time turf winner but his last success was in August 2023; returned to form with a close call at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in October but diminishing returns since and was only fourth of five on his Bath reappearance (1m, firm) last month; others preferred.

7/1

4

(3)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Heather Main

Six-time turf winner but his last success was in August 2023; returned to form with a close call at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in October but diminishing returns since and was only fourth of five on his Bath reappearance (1m, firm) last month; others preferred.

7/1

33/1

Form: 503350 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Has 11 wins on his CV but his last AW success was three years ago and he finished last of 13 behind Onesmoothoperator here (1m4f) last month; needs to bounce back after that and this drop back in trip is not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 4

14:42 Catterick

Furzig

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

slowly away, in rear

20/1

7th

3

(5)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

17:05 Catterick

Furzig

10st 0lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

His last four wins have been over C&D, albeit spread over nearly three years; latest came by a nose in July and he was runner-up at Haydock on penultimate outing, before losing his chance at the start at Chester latest; well capable of being on the premises, including on soft.

11/1

Form: 553640 C

Last run: 93 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Record of 5-26 on AW and is on a dangerous mark in this sphere but he was tailed off at Wolverhampton (8.6f) when last seen in September; has something to prove after that major blip and he's managed just one win in the last two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

17:45 Market Rasen

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

midfield, went remote third 4th, prominent when ridden before 2 out, lost position approaching last, mistake and weakened last

3/1

2nd

4

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Not beaten far on any of his three hurdling starts for Fergal O'Brien this season and, given he was very useful on the Flat at his best, could quite plausibly turn out to be well treated for this handicap hurdle debut.

5/1

12/1

Form: 622048

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Plenty of good runs this year including two runner-up efforts on turf in September but he didn't shine back on AW here (1m) last month; that took his record to 1-27 and others are more persuasive; new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Zozimus

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Won two in a row at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) in August but he's been well held in last two runs including when last of five at Newmarket (1m, soft) last week; has quite a bit to prove again and others are preferred.

9/1

5th

6

(12)

27th Sep 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Zozimus

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Consistent turf form this year includes two wins at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) in August; better than bare result (hampered) last time; however, faces a stiffer assignment back up in grade.

14/1

8th

1

(8)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Beverley

Zozimus

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Two Pontefract wins this month and he turned in another solid effort when third at Redcar last week; effective over C&D and should make another bold bid.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £6.68
Tricast £17.76
Trifecta £27.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

To Catch A Thief

POSTDATA:

Zozimus

TOPSPEED:

Afterwards

LAMBOURN:

Island Bandit

The Star:

Onesmoothoperator

RP RATINGS:

To Catch A Thief

NEWMARKET:

To Catch A Thief

The Times:

To Catch A Thief

Telegraph:

To Catch A Thief

Daily Mail:

To Catch A Thief

D Express:

To Catch A Thief

Daily Mirror:

To Catch A Thief

The Sun:

To Catch A Thief

Daily Record:

To Catch A Thief

The Guardian:

Zozimus