January 16 / 15.55 Newcastle (AW)

15.55

Standard

Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £2983.38
  • 1m 4f 98y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.00
  • Place: £4.60

Form: 96542- D

Last run: 119 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
No win since August 2022 (1m6f, Redcar; from a 4lb higher mark) and is yet to prove effectiveness on AW (0-3); however, posted a pleasing effort when runner-up off a big weight at Redcar (1m6f, Class 6 good) in September; has since pulled up over hurdles (debut); probably one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(4)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 11lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

C&D winner in January 2024 and several fair efforts after that; ran his best race since a 590-day break when a good fourth at Catterick last time; each-way chance.

7/1

4th

8

(6)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Desert Quest

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

Well treated on his 2024 exploits and, having returned from a long absence in February, it's possible he's working his way back into form; however, this 8yo is not easy to fancy on the evidence of this year's two runs.

33/1

5th

10

(6)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Quest

8st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Pulled hard when finishing last in a 0-55 handicap over C&D recently, his first start in around 18 months; entitled to improve but is very hard to recommend.

33/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3/707-

Last run: 109 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Struggled to make an impression in five starts for Julie Camacho, with those efforts interspersed with breaks and two separate wind operations; switches to Brian Ellison sporting a tongue-tie from an easing mark; best watched unless the market speaks favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Easter Island

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

13-race maiden; best form has been on the AW, although wasn't disgraced after a break when 7l fifth to Makalu (who is now 5lb worse off) at Beverley last month (8.5f, good to soft).

8/1

3rd

1

(6)

27th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:40 Newcastle (AW)

Easter Island

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Has yet to win a race but was twice placed over 1m4f here earlier this year; however, that's probably more his trip and he was outpaced over Beverley's extended 1m last time.

8/1

5th

3

(4)

18th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:15 Beverley

Easter Island

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

11-race maiden; placed twice over 1m4f at Newcastle earlier this year; well beaten in first-time blinkers (retained) at Southwell last time (March); tailed off only previous run on turf (1m4f, soft); stable going well but plenty to prove.

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 38448-

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
23-race maiden; wasn't beaten far (1.75l) when fourth to today's rival Spirit Of Ash over C&D in November, and meets that mare on improved terms if factoring in the 7lb claim of Tom Kiely-Marshall; latest effort excusable (1m6f), so isn't a forlorn hope from a career-low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(4)

7th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Super Stars

9st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Ran well when beaten just over a length into third of nine behind a couple of these over C&D in January; given a short break since and can go well fresh, but he is now 0-24 and others look a bit more solid.

7/1

3rd

6

(9)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Super Stars

9st 3lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

23-race maiden; wasn't beaten far (1.75l) when fourth to today's rival Spirit Of Ash over C&D in November, and meets that mare on improved terms if factoring in the 7lb claim of Tom Kiely-Marshall; latest effort excusable (1m6f), so isn't a forlorn hope from a career-low mark.

5/1

8th

12

(4)

12th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Super Stars

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

midfield

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1612-8 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Thrived through the latter months of 2023, winning three times here (1m2f-12.5f) while rising steadily in the weights; now 3lb above her last winning mark; drops back in trip, which looks a better fit, after tackling 2m (eighth of 12, beaten 13l) for the second time latest; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

26th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Of Ash

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Got the better of Humble Spark over 1m4f here last month and she was a creditable third behind Yakhabar over that trip 18 days ago (not as well positioned as the winner); should give her running again.

4/1

6th

2

(4)

26th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Of Ash

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Got the better of Humble Spark over 1m4f here last month and she was a creditable third behind Yakhabar over that trip 18 days ago (not as well positioned as the winner); should give her running again.

4/1

3rd

4

(1)

8th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

13:50 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Of Ash

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

held up in rear, switched to near side over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, headway 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish

7/2

6/1

Form: 41084- CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Newcastle regular, with his last four wins (12.5f-2m) coming at this track, including off this mark in November; out of sorts since and, although fractionally better at Wolverhampton latest, doesn't necessarily appear primed to strike; ideally could do with easing a touch in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

25th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Shaftoe

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

took keen hold, held up in rear, pulled up quickly over 4f out, broke down

5/2

1st

2

(1)

23rd Mar 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Shaftoe

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

ducked left start, held up in last, smooth headway over 2f out, going easily but waiting for room against near rail over 1f out, soon switched left, pushed along and squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, readily

6/4

1st

2

(2)

12th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Shaftoe

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Five-time course winner, three of them over tonight's trip, latterly off 2lb lower last month; hit traffic in a messy affair at Wolverhampton latest and, while a bigger field would have been ideal (is usually dropped in and can pull), he's shortlisted.

5/2

6th
8 (4)
Irv

16/1

Form: 52460-

Last run: 127 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
3-47, with those wins coming on turf at York (1m, twice) and Beverley (1m2f); placed on sole previous attempt over 1m4f (Catterick) but wasn't in the best of form when last seen, finishing tenth of 14 behind today's rival Spirit of Ash here (1m2f) in September; stablemate of Art of Romance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(1)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

17:45 Beverley

Irv

8st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Micky Hammond

Course winner in 2022 who last won at Pontefract (also 1m2f, good to firm) in June 2024; 50-1 when beaten 10l on his comeback in a Wolverhampton classified (1m4f, AW) in January; others look safer.

33/1

7th

4

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Irv

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Runner-up in a Catterick handicap (1m4f, good to soft) in July but he finished down the field in his final three runs during the summer; has won when fresh in the past but his last success was 19 months ago and this veteran is 1-14 on AW.

25/1

7th

4

(7)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Irv

9st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Well treated on his wins at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) and Pontefract (1m2f, good to firm) last year; second of seven from 5lb out of the weights at Catterick (1m4f, good to soft) last month, but modest otherwise this year; not quite sure what to expect.

12/1

Form: 22379-

Last run: 116 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Yet to win on Flat (0-19; runner-up six times) but has taken well to hurdling, winning maiden and novice contests at Perth and Musselburgh; reverts to the AW (0-2) after finishing a creditable third in a valuable handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (with visor fitted) on New Year's Day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Belle Of Annandale

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: R Mike Smith

Very well treated on some of last year's form for Adrian Keatley and seems versatile ground-wise but has not been firing on all cylinders in recent months.

14/1

9

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:10 Cartmel

Belle Of Annandale

11st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: R Mike Smith

Very well treated on some of last year's form for Adrian Keatley and seems versatile ground-wise but has not been firing on all cylinders in recent months.

14/1

8

15th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Perth

Belle Of Annandale

10st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: R Mike Smith

Won a 2m maiden here and a 1m7f novice at Musselburgh in 2023; bit disappointing in handicaps at up to 3m last season but well handicapped as a result.

12/1

25/1

Form: 08470-

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Still reasonably unexposed after five starts, but equally needs to take a sharp step forward to stake a claim; soundly beaten at Southwell (1m, Class 6; 40-1) on most recent appearance; easing mark and dam was a 7.7f-12.4f winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(3)

5th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

My Boy Benji

9st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Well held in three AW handicaps, at 1m3f, 1m and 1m4f; now eligible for this level but needs to show he's worth this ceiling mark; first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

9

(3)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

My Boy Benji

8st 12lb

J: William Pyle

T: Sam England

Still reasonably unexposed after five starts, but equally needs to take a sharp step forward to stake a claim; soundly beaten at Southwell (1m, Class 6; 40-1) on most recent appearance; easing mark and dam was a 7.7f-12.4f winner.

25/1

11th

8

(12)

29th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:00 Southwell (AW)

My Boy Benji

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

took keen hold, raced wide towards rear

20/1

Form: 69037-

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Initial promise for Brian Meehan, notably when runner-up to Covey in a 7f Newmarket maiden last April; yet to threaten (0-2) for this doubly represented trainer and takes a sharp step up in trip here to compete beyond 9.5f for the first time; continues to ease in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

8th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Art Of Romance

9st 5lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Eight-race maiden who has gone the wrong way over a variety of trips since finishing second on his debut for Brian Meehan at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) last April; look elsewhere.

25/1

9th

5

(5)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Art Of Romance

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Initial promise for Brian Meehan, notably when runner-up to Covey in a 7f Newmarket maiden last April; yet to threaten (0-2) for this doubly represented trainer and takes a sharp step up in trip here to compete beyond 9.5f for the first time; continues to ease in the weights.

16/1

7th

2

(2)

30th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Art Of Romance

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

A fair maiden at his best for Brian Meehan who wasn't disgraced for his new yard when third of five in 1m Chelmsford seller last month; he needs to follow it up back in handicap company.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £123.20
Straight Forecast £125.21
Tricast £324.83
Trifecta £682.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spirit Of Ash

POSTDATA:

Bobby Shaftoe

The Guardian:

Belle Of Annandale

The Times:

Super Stars

The Star:

Desert Quest

RP RATINGS:

Spirit Of Ash

Telegraph:

Spirit Of Ash

Daily Mail:

Spirit Of Ash

Daily Record:

Spirit Of Ash

D Express:

Belle Of Annandale

Daily Mirror:

Bobby Shaftoe

The Sun:

Bobby Shaftoe