December 09 / 18.15 Newcastle (AW)

18.15

Standard To Slow

Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 541754 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Perhaps best on turning courses having won three at Chester and it was at Lingfield when close up in a good Class 2 handicap a fortnight ago; effective on Tapeta but having his first run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(2)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Master Zoffany

9st 4lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

midfield towards far side

20/1

6th

8

(9)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Master Zoffany

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Acts on soft; close third on penultimate start, inconsistent otherwise this year; three-time winner at Chester and has possibilities back here, provided he takes well to first-time visor.

16/1

11th

10

(8)

1st Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Master Zoffany

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

7f course winner who had dropped 6lb lower than when successful at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) last December when beaten less than a length into third of 11 at Ripon (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago; races off the same mark but this trip looks to be right on the limit of his stamina.

10/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 307014 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Had dropped a long way in the weights prior to winning over C&D in October (5lb lower); step up to 1m2f was no real excuse next time but he's a strong traveller and could be interesting back at 7f, a trip he's not tried since his debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(9)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Greatgadian

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

slowly away, in rear

9/2

12th

6

(12)

7th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Greatgadian

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Runner-up twice in a row at Newcastle (7f/1m, AW) in March; not at his best in two turf starts this summer but his mark has eased 4lb as a result and his better AW record provides hope for a revival.

25/1

5th

8

(2)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 2

20:30 Chepstow

Greatgadian

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Roger Varian

Runner-up twice in a row at Newcastle (7f/1m, AW) in March; handed tough assignment in Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot when back from a break (well beaten) but he's now just 1-17 on turf and others have more compelling credentials; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 698715 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Very much a 7f specialist having gained all ten wins over that distance, three of them here; looked full of himself when winning at Doncaster (heavy) before another solid effort here back at 6f; considered.
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

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 71-500 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
After winning a 7f Ayr novice he ran well when fifth in Listed race over 1m here on April reappearance; well below that level in two subsequent runs but has been gelded since the last of those; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Chuzzlewit

8st 8lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Seb Spencer

Fine looker, and for all that he's an infrequent winner (2-35), was once rated in the 90s; placed in a Class 4 over C&D (from 10lb higher) last June but he's been steadily regressive since; safer options elsewhere.

20/1

11th

5

(11)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

19:45 Doncaster

Chuzzlewit

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Seb Spencer

Without a victory since March 2024 and he's yet to hit top form in a trio of handicaps at Newcastle this year, only seventh of nine over 1m there last month.

10/1

5/1

Form: 161906 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner over 6f or 7f; never got a clear run in his penultimate race at Ascot and again at Wolverhampton last time having been dropped in from a wide draw; has a big run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(7)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Tough Enough

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Won at Sandown (7f, good to soft) in August 2023 but unplaced in 13 starts since and last of 12 here (7f) in January; mark continues to fall but he has a lot to prove back in trip after a break; regular hood removed.

25/1

Form: 136760 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Tailed off behind Zip at Doncaster last time when the ground was heavy; chance on a few of his good runs this year (7f/1m) but this veteran hasn't had a lot of racing on the AW (1-7).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

7th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 11lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Geoffrey Harker

steadied start, switched left soon after start, held up in rear

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ripon

Scottish Summit

10st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

midfield, not clear run against rail over 2f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, went third when bit short of room towards finish

10/1

4th

6

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Thirsk

Scottish Summit

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

in touch with leaders against rail

16/1

20/1

Form: 0-4067 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Only 2-27 and managed only seventh on a belated AW debut at Wolverhampton (7f) last mont; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(6)

29th Jul 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell (AW)

Symbolize

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

midfield

12/1

7th

5

(6)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Symbolize

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

in touch with leaders in centre of group

20/1

2

(5)

13th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Symbolize

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Just one win in 25 starts since his successful debut despite a sliding mark and well held on his return from four months off at Thirsk (7f, good; first since since wind surgery) in September; needs to improve for the different surface on AW debut.

7/1

13/2

Form: 5-4071 D

Last run: 199 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Did well on the AW for David O'Meara and signed off for John Butler with a narrow success over 1m at Kempton; that was back in May, since when he's changed hands for 24,000gns; probably best at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(9)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

16:50 Catterick

Darwell Lion

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Ruth Carr

Dropped a long way in the weights for this yard; retains ability judged on this year's AW best but he has more to prove on turf.

16/1

9th

9

(3)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:54 Thirsk

Darwell Lion

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

dwelt start, took keen hold, in rear early, headway into midfield after 2f

10/1

9th

9

(3)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:54 Thirsk

Darwell Lion

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

dwelt start, took keen hold, in rear early, headway into midfield after 2f

10/1

14/1

Form: 400808 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Hard to win with these days having not got his head in front in more than a year; again below his best in this new headgear last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(6)

20th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Escobar

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

steadied start, towards rear

10/1

9th

8

(8)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Escobar

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

sweating, dwelt start, midfield on near side of group

14/1

8th

7

(11)

27th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 2

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Escobar

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who's become hard to win with and been on the downgrade this year, coming 22lb down the weights; late in the day to be making his Tapeta debut in a new form of headgear and will need some luck if dropped in as usual from stall 11.

12/1

16/1

Form: 889617 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Didn't get much luck last time at Newmarket and won his previous race, over 7f on soft at Leicester when in first-time cheekpieces; multiple winner but only 1-13 on the AW and best figures have come on grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(7)

20th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Marshal Dan

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Heather Main

steadied start, in rear

14/1

10th

9

(9)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Marshal Dan

9st 4lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Heather Main

keen to post, in touch with leaders

16/1

7th

1

(16)

4th Nov 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Newmarket

Marshal Dan

10st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Heather Main

Finished third of 15 in the 2018 running; has had a stop-start year but testing conditions suit and he looked in good form when a ready winner from Hodler at Leicester 18 days ago (7f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained); back up 5lb; one of the more likely ones.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.20
Straight Forecast £61.12
Tricast £224.81
Trifecta £258.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tough Enough

RP RATINGS:

Greatgadian

THE NORTH:

Zip

Daily Mirror:

Darwell Lion

TOPSPEED:

Master Zoffany

The Star:

Symbolize

The Guardian:

Marshal Dan

The Times:

Tough Enough

D Express:

Tough Enough

The Sun:

Tough Enough

POSTDATA:

Greatgadian

NEWMARKET:

Greatgadian

Daily Record:

Greatgadian

Telegraph:

Zip

Daily Mail:

Zip