February 20 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.10

Form: -21211 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
In terrific form over 1m and 7f on this track of late, coping well with the return to the latter trip when winning under a penalty last Wednesday; can run off 1lb lower today and the return to 1m will suit if a busy spell doesn't catch up with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(9)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

Pallas Lord

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Donald Whillans

Handy sort who is 1-1 here and ran well returned to turf when beaten a short head and a neck into third of eight at Hamilton (1m, good) a fortnight ago; ground faster than good probably not ideal, though.

7/1

3rd

3

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Pallas Lord

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Donald Whillans

Ended a long losing run at Newcastle (7f) in February but below par both runs since, sixth in 8.5f handicap at Wolverhampton last time; has a rare run on turf now.

7/1

2

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:25 Musselburgh

Pallas Lord

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Donald Whillans

Gained Newcastle win number ten in February; respectable sixth at Wolverhampton (8.6f) latest; it's hard to get excited by last year's turf exploits but he was runner-up over 1m here in April 2024.

15/2

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 366-35 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Sole win on handicap debut over 1m as 2yo; vulnerable on Tapeta since back from a break in September and he still looked to have his share of weight when third over C&D in January; similar effort back at 1m2f since; needs extra for visor replacing blinkers on return to 1m.
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

100/30

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -36362 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Three C&D wins; has come off worse with Pallas Lord in two runs here this winter but he pressed him hard ten days ago and it should be very tight between them again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Six of his seven wins have been on AW and yet to win beyond 8.5f; second of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago where he stayed on to suggest this longer trip should suit.

11/2

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader from over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

11/2

2nd

3

(7)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Odd Socks Havana

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Seb Spencer

Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).

9/1

Form: 2700-5 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Promise at 1m in Ireland as 2yo; encouraging debut for new yard over inadequate 6f here last January and although he hasn't repeated it in four starts since, including when favourite over C&D on return from another break, he should come on for that latest run; not dismissed in refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Vampire Slayer

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Won in a first-time visor (retained since) at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in January and easily made all at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) next time; having gone up 9lb he was beaten 9l when third of 14 at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last time but today's sharper track may help; could make bold bid.

14/1

3rd

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Vampire Slayer

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

Two from two since visor went on, winning at Catterick (1m7f, soft) and Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft; won by 13l); put up 9lb for last win but should be competitive again.

100/30

1st

4

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:42 Sedgefield

Vampire Slayer

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Daragh Bourke

0-26 (0-9 over hurdles) prior to getting off the mark in a first-time visor at Catterick (1m7f, soft) a fortnight ago; came clear with the favourite and he's a strong candidate if the headgear maintains its effect.

5/2

Form: 9-4514 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Five of six AW wins have come over C&D and capable at this level when on song, as when interrupting Pallas Lord's winning run in January; slowly run race not ideal here since but obvious contender on best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Hasn't troubled the judge since returning in December from a short break and finished well behind Spirit Of Bowland over C&D last time.

33/1

9th

8

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Last win away from Newcastle was in 2021; slow starts have been holding him back so both classified fourths over C&D this month can arguably be upgraded; chance rests largely on the start.

20/1

4th

5

(7)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

It has been a long time since he won away from Newcastle and he has run to just a modest level in two Southwell runs this year; others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

9/1

Form: 0-2863 C

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Six AW wins, the last five over 6f and 7f on this track and he rarely attempts 1m, although he ran a fair third to Pallas Lord and Odds Socks Havana over C&D two years ago; those two both look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(1)

1st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Jems Bond

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

took keen hold, towards rear throughout

5/1

1st

4

(9)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Jems Bond

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

Latest three wins at 6f/7f in early 2023 but he confirmed he's perfectly effective over C&D when running well against a next-time winner in January (first-time visor); another sound effort back over 7f since; solid claims for in-form yard.

4/1

2nd

7

(9)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Jems Bond

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

Five wins here including two over this trip; one of his better recent efforts when second of 11 in a 0-50 classified event over 1m here (first-time visor) 12 days ago; could go well but a losing run of 21 tempers enthusiasm.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 149-80 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Nine Tapeta wins, the last three over C&D, but he has gone off the boil here of late and finished in his own time last month (without regular cheekpieces, now refitted); best to wait for signs of revival.
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: 68/8-6

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Little impact in handicaps at 1m and 7f; likely to come on for the run behind Pallas Lord over C&D ten days ago (first-time hood, retained) but was beaten too far to be of interest this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Humble Spark

8st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Tough 6yo with seven wins to his name; beaten favourite at Hamilton (1m3f, good) last time but shaped quite nicely, keeping on into second place after a slow start and meeting trouble; place possibilities again at the very least.

10/1

2nd

6

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Humble Spark

8st 5lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Held up; exposed 6yo who is 6-27 on AW surfaces but 1-13 on turf; however, that solitary turf win was over C&D (2024) and he wasn't far away back on turf for last three outings; case can be made.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.00
Straight Forecast £12.14
Tricast £48.07
Trifecta £48.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pallas Lord

The Times:

Vampire Slayer

POSTDATA:

Pop Favorite

Daily Record:

Odd Socks Havana

D Express:

Vampire Slayer

RP RATINGS:

Pallas Lord

Telegraph:

Pallas Lord

The Guardian:

Pallas Lord

Daily Mail:

Pallas Lord

The Sun:

Pallas Lord

The Star:

Pallas Lord

Daily Mirror:

Pop Favorite