February 08 / 17.05 Newcastle (AW)

17.05

Standard

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  • Prize money: £5548.04
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 674-60

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 3432-4

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Starting to look exposed despite having made the frame in eight of her nine starts; steps back up in trip returned to a handicap and a first-time hood now replaces cheekpieces; another placing may still be her best hope, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Gold Aura

10st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jack Jones

travelled strongly, midfield

5/1

3rd

1

(2)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Gold Aura

10st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jack Jones

travelled strongly, midfield

5/1

1st

2

(3)

29th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

14:25 Southwell (AW)

Gold Aura

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jack Jones

towards rear, headway over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, led inside final 110yds, kept on well

7/2

Form: 513-05 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Knows how to win, being 5-19 on the AW and 7-35 overall; usually seen over shorter these days, but did win over 9.5f on the AW in France as a 3yo when trained by William Haggas; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

18:30 Leicester

Sparkle In His Eye

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Out of form on AW in early part of this year and his two recent turf runs were no better than respectable; continues to slide down the weights but needs to up his game.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

13th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

20:15 Musselburgh

Sparkle In His Eye

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Below his best this year but he's dropped down the weights and Nottingham last week was a step back in the right direction; he's saved his peak efforts over the last two years for this C&D and is a very interesting contender back here; cheekpieces return (worn once in 2019, unplaced).

11/2

5th

3

(9)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

14:27 Nottingham

Sparkle In His Eye

9st 9lb

J: Alex Fielding

T: Micky Hammond

raced wide, in touch with leaders, no impression from 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

20/1

Form: 750-44 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Losing run up to 16, but havng tumbled down the weights his last two efforts have been encouraging, including when fourth of eight in a slightly better contest over C&D last time (third has won since); down another 1lb and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(4)

28th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Rise Hall

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Formerly useful veteran who's missed a couple of chunks of his career and been on the downgrade in recent times; has been running over further this year and is tried in another different form of headgear tonight.

10/1

12th

9

(4)

28th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Rise Hall

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Formerly useful veteran who's missed a couple of chunks of his career and been on the downgrade in recent times; has been running over further this year and is tried in another different form of headgear tonight.

10/1

8th

10

(6)

31st Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Redcar

Rise Hall

9st 2lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Mark has tumbled since returning last May from mammoth absence; made the frame in three of his four runs this year but doesn't appeal for the win.

12/1

Form: 887-66 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Not at his best lately, though his latest start was in a 0-80 and he is 2-2 in Class 6 handicaps; usually seen over shorter, but he did win over just shy of this trip at Ripon (good) last May; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:07 Lingfield (AW)

Showmedemoney

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Craig Benton

Goes back to the blinkers worn for both Newcastle wins, latterly off 3lb lower, for Iain Jardine in the winter but again no sign of the usual tongue-tie; big price and well held for his new yard on turf a few weeks ago.

20/1

8th

9

(13)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:12 Windsor

Showmedemoney

10st 4lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

Won twice over 1m at Newcastle for Iain Jardine over the winter; down the field at Lingfield on his stable debut three weeks ago; up in trip and usual tongue-tie absent; cheekpieces the headgear of choice.

20/1

9th

3

(6)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:21 Lingfield (AW)

Showmedemoney

11st 0lb

J: Miss Taryn Cole

T: Craig Benton

In excellent form for Iain Jardine this winter, signing off with 1m Newcastle win in February; more is needed for his new yard off a 4lb higher mark.

13/2

Form: 93009-

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
10-48 on the AW and 4lb lower than for the latest of two wins at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) at the end of 2022; has failed to beat a rival in his last two starts (found to have an irregular heartbeat last time) so a leap of faith is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(2)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Busby

9st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Philip Kirby

Only 2l away over 1m4f here in early March and last win was over C&D just over a year ago; however, this veteran is usually opposable these days.

14/1

5th

9

(4)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Busby

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Veteran who gained the last six of his 12 wins on Tapeta; has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from break in October; revival needed.

12/1

7th

6

(1)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Busby

9st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Veteran who gained the last six of his 12 wins on Tapeta; ran fairly well from the front when fifth here (1m2f) two starts ago but has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in October; others preferred.

12/1

Form: 66/6-8

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Out of the frame in all four starts, including twice for this yard after returning from 438 days off in December; best watched unless market indicates otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(4)

10th Feb 2024

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Elusive Truth

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Gemma Tutty

Out of the frame in all four starts, including twice for this yard after returning from 438 days off in December; best watched unless market indicates otherwise.

20/1

Form: 6366-3

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
0-8 in handicaps since making a successful nursery debut at Thirsk (1m good) in September 2022, but there have been encouraging signs since switched to the AW as when third of 11 here (1m) last month; pedigree suggests he is well worth another go over this far; respected down another 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Masterpainter

9st 3lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

9lb lower than when beaten a head over C&D in February and last month's fourth of 14 back here (just behind Mr Heinz) was another good effort; just 1-21, but shortlist material on the pick of his form; blinkers return.

6/1

4th

12

(4)

12th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Masterpainter

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

1m turf winner who has twice been placed over C&D; 8lb lower than when going close here in February but has been well below that level since.

16/1

5th

9

(9)

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Masterpainter

10st 10lb

J: Mr Philip Thomas

T: Michael Dods

Sole win came over C&D (good) two years ago, when 12lb higher; well beaten in his last three turf handicaps; more needed.

20/1

Form: 680-41 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come here and he proved he didn't need headgear when recording a game success over this trip last time; only 2lb higher and no reason why he shouldn't go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Explorers Way

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained in Britain and won over this trip at Down Royal last summer; two low-key runs on first two runs for this yard but showed more when sixth of 19 at Navan last time; on a good mark if he can build on that.

7/1

7

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 10y

17:00 Navan

Explorers Way

9st 12lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Andrew Kinirons

Four wins at Newcastle when trained by Brian Ellison; useful form for Pat Martin last year including C&D second following a Down Royal win; two moderate runs in 2025

16/1

Form: 6210-7 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Not at her best over longer trips the last twice (does stay further than this), but is back off the same mark as when successful over C&D in November; not the biggest surprise should she bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(7)

15th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lochnaver

8st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jim Goldie

slowly away, in rear early, headway into midfield after 1f

12/1

4th

7

(2)

8th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lochnaver

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Didn't have the race run to suit down to 1m here last Friday and needs considering on her previous C&D near-miss (four of tonight's rivals behind); goes on the shortlist.

5/1

5th

12

(1)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lochnaver

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Jim Goldie

Well handicapped and travelled well before going down narrowly over 1m2f here recently; the obvious worry is that it's been a long time since she ran over 1m (stays 1m4f).

7/1

Betting Forcast

20/1 Thunder Max, 11/2 Gold Aura, 12/1 Sparkle In His Eye, 4/1 Rise Hall, 12/1 Showmedemoney, 20/1 Busby, 20/1 Elusive Truth, 11/2 Masterpainter, 7/4 Explorers Way, 11/1 Lochnaver

Verdict

C&D winners Explorers Way and Lochnaver cannot be dismissed easily and neither can Sparkle In His Eye, given that he knows how to get his head in front. Rise Hall has been shaping as though he might be returning to winning form lately, but preference is for MASTERPAINTER who has shown some encouraging signs since switched to the AW. His pedigree suggests he is well worth another go over this longer trip. Showmedemoney is another worth a second look.[David Bellingham]

Selections

POSTDATA:

Explorers Way

NEWMARKET:

Gold Aura

SPOTLIGHT:

Masterpainter

The Times:

Lochnaver

RP RATINGS:

Showmedemoney

Telegraph:

Gold Aura

The Guardian:

Gold Aura

D Express:

Masterpainter

Daily Mail:

Explorers Way

The Sun:

Explorers Way

The Star:

Explorers Way

Daily Record:

Explorers Way

Daily Mirror:

Lochnaver