December 16 / 17.15 Newcastle (AW)

17.15

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

  • Prize money: £3873.16
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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BetMGM: It’s Showtime “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Series)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 229222 D BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Just 1-18 but is threatening to double her tally, having produced form figures of 222 since joining new stable; close second, despite a tardy start, in Class 3 event at Southwell (1m) on Tuesday; holds major claims back down in grade, especially granted a cleaner break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

Enola Grey

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Came from off the pace to win a 7f handicap at Wolverhampton in fine style in December; beaten twice since but she hasn't run badly; fully exposed but a strong pace would enhance her claims.

12/1

5th

7

(5)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Enola Grey

8st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Six-time AW winner but has high mileage and is more exposed than most of today's rivals; gained her most recent success (penultimate start) in Class 5 and faces a stiffer task at this level.

16/1

4th

4

(12)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:25 Redcar

Enola Grey

9st 11lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

She's 1-16 on turf as opposed to 5-38 on AW, which tempers enthusiasm; well beaten in two runs after a break.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 431923 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Successful over C&D in September/October (4-14 overall at Newcastle); respectable third, albeit outstayed by the first two, over 12.5f here last week; enters calculations back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 28U980 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Sole success came off 5lb higher at this course (1m2f) in May during a consistent spell; has lost his form since August but is nicely weighted granted a revival; runner-up over 1m in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:15 Nottingham

Fifty Sent

9st 9lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

Returned to form when winning two classified events at Southwell (1m) last month but he flopped in his hat-trick bid there (handicap) last time; has bit to prove again after that heavy defeat and he's 1-17 on turf.

9/2

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: -40367

Last run: 175 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Raced only on turf for Richard Hannon and is 0-10 since debut win; campaigned at 1m2f-1m3f in 2022/2023; sold for 2,000gns since last run; something to prove back at 1m on AW/stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(1)

10th Feb 2024

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Thunder Max

9st 9lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Jessica Bedi

0-13 since his successful racecourse debut and although he ran well when fourth of ten on stable debut here (1m) in December, he has failed to beat a rival in both starts since; plenty to prove.

33/1

12th

10

(3)

4th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Thunder Max

9st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Jessica Bedi

Trained by Richard Hannon for a successful debut; has gone 0-12 in the meantime but it was a respectable stable debut over C&D in December and perhaps Chelmsford didn't suit last time.

33/1

8/1

Form: 070129 CD BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 3yo who opened his account in C&D contest on debut for new stable and ran well here next time; disappointing favourite at Southwell last week but may have more to offer back at Newcastle; still of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Ledger

9st 5lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Paul Traynor

Won four times in Britain for Lucinda Russell, but form has fallen off a cliff since rejoining this yard.

100/1

9th

15

(12)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Ledger

8st 10lb

T: Paul Traynor

First reserve; all four Flat wins in Britain came at a low level; regressive for current yard; tailed off on hurdle debut.

6

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

12:25 Down Royal

Ledger

11st 12lb

J: Mr W R Hamilton

T: Paul Traynor

All four Flat wins in Britain came at a low level; regressive this year for current yard and can only be watched now switched to hurdles.

66/1

Form: 004110 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at 7f; scored twice here in November, then form dipped at Southwell last week in hat-trick attempt; bred to stay this extra furlong and, back at Newcastle, may well rebound.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

11th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Keep Me Stable

10st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Has been running well since March and she's won at Musselburgh (1m/7f, good) in her last three starts; up another 4lb but she's a strong traveller who still looks feasibly treated and is a big player again in her bid for a four-timer.

5/2

7

(8)

22nd Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Keep Me Stable

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Has been running well since March and always looked the most likely winner over C&D three weeks ago (good); fair shout off 4lb higher provided the ground doesn't soften up too much.

11/4

Form: 774091

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread at Musselburgh (7f) two months ago but record suggests he's no certainty to back up that form; this different trip and surface compounds the doubt; 0-5 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins on turf but yet to fire for current yard; on a career-low mark and first-time blinkers are now equipped alongside the hood; not yet one to give up on for respected stable.

12/1

8th

13

(3)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins on turf but yet to fire for current yard; on a career-low mark and first-time blinkers are now equipped alongside the hood; not yet one to give up on for respected stable.

12/1

5th

8

(5)

26th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Leicester

Pembrokeshire

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Appleby

Free-going sort who hasn't been at his best for his new stable on AW this year; now 10lb lower than for his Ayr win last summer (7f, good), however, and no surprise were the return to turf to have a positive effect.

12/1

11/2

Form: -56995 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
1m winner on turf in 2021 for Roger Varian; 0-11 for current yard but has slipped to a very handy mark and latest effort (8.5f, AW) gave hope that he can perform well returned to a bare 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

King Triton

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Grant Tuer

took keen hold, prominent, lost position under 2f out, soon no impression

11/2

5th

1

(3)

6th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

King Triton

10st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

Only win was in a Thirsk novice back in June 2021; mixed form since; recent efforts not particularly inspiring; others stronger.

13/2

9th

4

(1)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

King Triton

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Grant Tuer

Lost his way during a limited campaign last year and has gone backwards this season, each time from the front; has it to prove on Tapeta debut.

10/1

Form: 204214 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Multiple AW scorer, including three times over C&D, most recently on penultimate outing; creditable fourth at Wolverhampton (8.5f) latest; remains in form and should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won this race in 2022 and finished second in it last year; much lower rated this time around and last month's third over C&D was more encouraging; should have a part to play.

5/1

3rd

7

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

in rear, headway under 2f out, went third inside final furlong, kept on

5/1

3rd

4

(12)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Three-time C&D winner including this race off 5lb higher two years ago; losing run up to 15 but could go well if bouncing back to his best form in the returning cheekpieces.

13/2

25/1

Form: 6397-7

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Never figured in 7f handicap last month on belated reappearance, taking record to 0-5; may improve with that outing under her belt but others have stronger form claims as things stand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(5)

6th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Kempton (AW)

Lady Manyara

9st 2lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: K R Burke

swerved left start, led

20/1

10th

8

(8)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Manyara

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders

25/1

7th

8

(9)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Manyara

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

in rear

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £4.69
Tricast £36.21
Trifecta £42.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Enola Grey

POSTDATA:

Ledger

D Express:

King Triton

Telegraph:

Keep Me Stable

Daily Mirror:

Pembrokeshire

The Times:

Ledger

RP RATINGS:

Enola Grey

The Guardian:

Enola Grey

Daily Mail:

Enola Grey

The Sun:

Enola Grey

Daily Record:

Enola Grey

The Star:

King Triton