January 01 / 16.45 Newcastle (AW)

16.45

Standard

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  • Prize money: £24300
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface:

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.80
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 36481- D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
More exposed than most but he ran well from a bad draw over C&D on his stable debut and showed his true colours with an impressive win at Southwell 11 days ago (6f), finishing with a flourish to win cosily; 4lb rise in stronger company but it wouldn't be wise to underestimate him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(9)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Evans

Only won one of his last 25 starts and regressed last year; now 11lb lower than when beaten a nose over C&D last spring but there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh; others have more pressing claims.

16/1

1

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 13lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Struggled on his last four starts but he has dropped 9lb as a result; fully effective around here and he's likely to bounce back soon; 7f perhaps his optimum trip though.

16/1

11

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Blue Prince

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: David Evans

Defied a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood last season and placed a few times on AW this year (up to April); not in top form since returning from a break and needs to stage a revival.

25/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 411- D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Returned from a break to win a Chelmsford maiden in November (6f) and he defied a penalty at Kempton six weeks ago in emphatic fashion (weak race but the win was backed up by the clock); notable that he's been purchased by King Power Racing since that win; he'll need to be verging on Listed class to defy his opening mark but that's not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 63y

20:25 Curragh

Sommelier

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Kieran P Cotter

Dual AW winner is 0-5 on turf for current trainer this year, not beaten too far on penultimate; handicapper giving him every chance and new headgear combination tried.

16/1

7th

6

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:32 Navan

Sommelier

9st 7lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Kieran P Cotter

Dual AW winner; dangerously well-handicapped on best form for Marco Botti; signs of revival last two starts; ran better than the bare result on latest when drawn on the wrong side at Naas; eased another 3lb and the drop back to 5f is a plus; go well.

12/1

8th

2

(12)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 205y

15:10 Naas

Sommelier

10st 1lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Kieran P Cotter

Both wins on AW; turf form includes a listed second at York (5f, good) when 1.5l behind Big Evs; both starts for current yard on soft ground; showed a bit more last time and the return to better ground here is a big plus; drops in grade and handicapper giving him a chance; interesting.

12/1

3rd
7 (1)
Bazball

12/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 16242-

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Largely solid record in handicaps includes three wins at 5f and two creditable efforts at 6f; ran well upped to 7f at Lingfield most recently; more exposed than these rivals but her consistency is a selling point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(10)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:18 Catterick

Bazball

9st 8lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Runner-up at Newcastle (6f, AW) before going one better to end a lengthy losing run over that same C&D 12 days ago; has won on turf, so the switch to grass is no issue and she's still on a nice mark on her old form following a 4lb rise.

7/2

1st

7

(2)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Bazball

8st 12lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Placed efforts on her last two starts, latterly behind Asadjumeirah over C&D; may have to make do with more minor money.

6/1

2nd

4

(2)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Newcastle (AW)

Bazball

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

It's now 18 runs since her last success but retried in headgear when a solid third of ten in 6f classified event at Thirsk ten days ago; she can't be ruled out in another headgear change.

6/1

6/1

Form: 311-

Last run: 173 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Three runs over 5f as a 2yo, winning well at York in June and showing better form when defying a penalty at Yarmouth one month later; should appreciate 6f and she's a strong traveller for whom AW shouldn't be an issue either; absence to contend with and the betting should be instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

25th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket

Harvanna

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Prominent racer; three 5f wins when trained by Karl Burke, the latest a handicap off 1lb lower last July; runner-up in two of her five runs for Mick Appleby but she dropped away having forced the pace at Goodwood eight weeks ago; should be able to grab the stands' rail which could be advantageous but there are other pace influences to contend with.

10/1

Form: 61222- D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Comes here on the up and today's conditions won't faze him; he'll need to better his latest Wolverhampton second now taking on some unexposed opposition but he's unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; down the field here two weeks ago (7f) and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt.

50/1

6th

12

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; down the field here two weeks ago (7f) and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt.

50/1

12

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; tumbled down the weights and now tried in cheekpieces but he is eligible for weaker races than this.

33/1

Form: 15943-

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
5f winner at Chester last summer; back in top form when third at Southwell 11 days ago but he was no match for Blue Prince on that occasion and his old adversary is preferred despite the revised weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

24th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Loaded Gun

9st 4lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Series of good runs on AW since returning from a gelding operation in November, going down by a short-head over 7f here ten days ago; stamina for 1m has to be taken on trust.

7/2

2nd

5

(2)

14th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:00 Lingfield (AW)

Loaded Gun

8st 13lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Sole win (ten races) was a 5f novice at Chester last July; has run creditably this winter on all three starts (7f/6f, Tapeta) since gelded but those results also suggest he will again prove vulnerable to an improver.

8/1

6th

8

(7)

1st Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Loaded Gun

8st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Andrew Balding

5f winner at Chester last summer; back in top form when third at Southwell 11 days ago but he was no match for Blue Prince on that occasion and his old adversary is preferred despite the revised weights.

14/1

33/1

Form: 71734- CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to win a C&D nursery in October (windy night and he was advantaged by being held up); mixed bag since then and he'll need a clear personal best to take this from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 25y

15:47 Fairyhouse

Im Spartacus

9st 11lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Six-time AW winner remains a maiden on turf (0-22); has placed over C&D (good) off 3lb higher and shaped better than the bare result at the Curragh latest so not dismissed from an each-way perspective.

14/1

14th

18

(17)

4th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:20 Curragh

Im Spartacus

8st 13lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Six-time winner over this trip on AW; still seeking turf breakthrough after 21 attempts; potentially well handicapped based on his victory at Dundalk in March, achieved at the main expense of today's rivals Reposado and Masked Angel; 11lb better off with Reposado.

8/1

33/1

Form: 53468-

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden; has run well over C&D in the past but well behind Blue Prince 11 days and she's opposable from out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Callianassa

8st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Ellison

All four wins have come over 7f/1m on the AW, the latest in February; back off the same mark as for that success, but she is 0-10 on turf and has never attempted this far before.

18/1

7th

4

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Callianassa

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Brian Ellison

All four wins have come over 7f/1m on the AW, the latest in February; return to this trip should suit, but she is 0-9 on turf and a few of the others make greater appeal.

8/1

5th

7

(2)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

14:25 Newcastle (AW)

Callianassa

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Brian Ellison

Her three course wins have come over a mile, the latest when beating Dosman (runs in the 3.00) in February; slightly disappointing here four weeks ago but she is back against her own sex and not handicapped out of things.

14/1

OUR TIP

11/4

Form: 611- D

Last run: 191 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Green on his York debut but put that experience to good use at Windsor on his second start (6f, good to firm) and created a good impression when slamming 12 rivals at Redcar 191 days ago; subsequent absence suggests it hasn't been smooth sailing with him but he's still a fascinating contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:57 Redcar

Brave Empire

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Very useful juvenile/3yo for Roger Varian; hasn't progressed and plenty to prove after some modest efforts this year, including back on turf at Thirsk last time (6f, good).

12/1

13th

16

(10)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Brave Empire

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ivan Furtado

8lb lower than for his Newcastle third in December (6f) but that hasn't been a springboard to better things; hopes rest on the return to turf perking him up.

20/1

9th

8

(3)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Brave Empire

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ivan Furtado

Close third over 6f here in December and now 6lb lower; however, four lesser performances have followed and the return to 7f is of dubious benefit, with his three wins having been at 6f.

25/1

Form: 2150-

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won a 5f maiden at Bellewstown on his second run for Jessica Harrington last July; ran well in a Listed event the following month; dropped away in a Curragh Group 3 six days later (upped to 6f), after which he changed hands for 50,000gns; improvement required if he's to make a wining stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(4)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 5lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Early promise for this yard but he's been struggling for form this winter; tackles 7f for the first time; stable may have stronger claims with Straight A.

20/1

8th

7

(9)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 3lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

took keen hold, held up in rear

20/1

7

(7)

19th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 4lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Rated considerably higher this time 12 months ago but he's down in the weights as a result of some modest runs since March; returning to 6f not enough to tempt this time.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.10
Straight Forecast £22.67
Tricast £230.32
Trifecta £194.10

Selections

Telegraph:

Sommelier

SPOTLIGHT:

Blue Prince

RP RATINGS:

Brave Empire

TOPSPEED:

Bazball

The Times:

Brave Empire

POSTDATA:

Blue Prince

Daily Record:

Blue Prince

The Guardian:

Bazball

Daily Mail:

Sommelier

D Express:

Sommelier

Daily Mirror:

Sommelier

The Sun:

Sommelier

The Star:

Sommelier