February 20 / 20.30 Newcastle (AW)

20.30

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £30.20
  • Place: £6.50

Form: 575-57

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 17 starts came on turf in May 2022; seemed to find 6f too sharp here last time, but he has finished out of the frame in all eight starts on the AW so he makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Billy McGarry

9st 5lb

J: Andrea Pinna

T: Michael Herrington

Arrives at the top of his game, scoring twice over 1m here before a good second of 12 in 8.5f Wolverhampton handicap 12 days ago; firmly in the picture off the same mark.

9/2

7th

7

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Billy McGarry

9st 5lb

J: Andrea Pinna

T: Michael Herrington

led early, headed and prominent soon after start, took keen hold and dropped to midfield after 2f

9/2

2nd

1

(11)

19th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billy McGarry

9st 11lb

J: Andrea Pinna

T: Michael Herrington

C&D winner just under a year ago and comes into this on a hat-trick after two wins at Southwell (1m, Tapeta), the latest a narrow success under Andrea Pinna 11 days ago; up another 2lb and although his wide draw isn't ideal, he has to be respected in his current mood.

7/2

33/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: 065-40

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden who ran well on a couple of occasions over 7f on the AW before finishing tailed off behind Inexplicable at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) last month; return to this trip may help, but far from solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Returned from break with hard-fought C&D win in January and has held his form pretty well since, albeit his latest run was a shade disappointing; current mark is workable; no surprise if he features.

10/1

6th

9

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

9st 4lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Kickstarted 2026 with C&D victory (third one) and has continued in good form, fading late on when third of 11 in 1m classified event here last time; ought to be thereabouts again.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Brother Dave

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Running well here this year and he landed a classified in January; subsequently placed in two course handicaps (also 7f); didn't beat a rival in previous three starts at this sort of trip but still commands respect in current mood back in a classified.

5/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 333452

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
0-19, but proving consistent and came as close as she ever has to winning when beaten a neck off this mark at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) last Thursday; in the frame in both previous starts over C&D and a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(10)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Sparkling Spirit

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

midfield on near side of group

3/1

10

15th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:22 Southwell (AW)

Sparkling Spirit

9st 4lb

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

2nd

11

15th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

15:12 Southwell (AW)

Sparkling Spirit

9st 3lb

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway towards near side over 1f out, pressed winner inside final 110yds, kept on

11/4

Form: 278-95 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Three-time Tapeta winner over this trip at Southwell and Wolverhampton, but placed just once in five visits here and not at his best of late; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

8th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Written Broadcast

9st 2lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ollie Pears

took keen hold, held up in rear

10/1

7th

8

(1)

8th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Written Broadcast

9st 2lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ollie Pears

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway towards far side over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

10/1

8th

9

(11)

31st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Written Broadcast

9st 5lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ollie Pears

Similar type to Kodebreaker, being 8lb below last winning mark; close second in C&D classified event most recently, producing his best effort this year; looks poised to go one better.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 585-89 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a C&D novice with ease on stable debut at the end of 2022, but out of the frame in all eight starts since despite a plummeting mark; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

A four-time course winner who arrives in decent nick, fourth of eight over 7f here 19 days ago; he ought to be thereabouts once more from an easing mark.

8/1

4th

6

(4)

6th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alison Hamilton

Four-time C&D winner, the most recent coming in November; however, not so good more recently.

10/1

6th

2

(5)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:58 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

midfield in centre of group

10/1

Form: 45-141 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who had been racing over much further, but no problem with the drop in trip when winning a handicap (1m) and a 0-50 classified event (7f) here last month; may not face much pressure for the early lead and could take some passing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Usually runs at Newcastle and has never won elsewhere; inconsistent results in classified races this year; not beaten far at Southwell on penultimate but lacks solidity.

25/1

10th

5

(1)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing here, winning three times (7f/1m) in the first half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to get heavily involved, though.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Marcello Si

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

Front-runner who does the vast majority of his racing at Newcastle, his three wins coming there (7f/1m) in the first-half of 2024; needs to better his recent efforts to be competitive, though.

10/1

Form: 00-633

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Losing run up to 35, but he ran well to finish third of ten behind a triple subsequent winner over C&D last month, while with any luck he might have won when third behind a couple of these back here three days later; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(2)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Coco Bean

8st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Helen Cuthbert

This veteran was enterprisingly ridden when back up in trip to contest other division to three of these in C&D classified 12 days ago and he did well to stick on for second once the favourite had swept past; opposable back in handicap company.

25/1

2nd

4

(4)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Coco Bean

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Helen Cuthbert

raced wide, pulled hard, prominent early, led and went clear after 1f, went further clear after 3f

20/1

10th

10

(5)

4th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Coco Bean

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Helen Cuthbert

Losing run up to 50 and didn't show enough when behind two of these over C&D ten days ago to suggest that the drought is about to end.

33/1

16/1

Form: 0364-5 C

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
1m course winner, though all five turf successes have come over this trip; hasn't always enjoyed the best of luck in a couple of his recent starts over C&D, but no obvious excuse when fifth of 11 in a 0-50 classified event last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Catterick

Rum Runner

8st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Geoffrey Harker

Won just once since getting up late in a C&D classified stakes (good to soft) in August 2023; not disgraced but hasn't done enough to suggest that his turn is forthcoming in four starts this year.

33/1

7th

7

(6)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 6

15:45 Beverley

Rum Runner

9st 0lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Geoffrey Harker

Track regular who won over C&D just over one year ago; wasn't beaten far when sixth of nine behind Dumfries over C&D (also good to firm) on his June return but two lesser runs have followed; needs to turn the ship around; 1lb out of the weights.

12/1

7

(1)

5th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:00 Catterick

Rum Runner

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Geoffrey Harker

10yo who won over C&D in 2023; wasn't beaten far when sixth of nine at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) in June but he failed to come on for that run when seventh of 11 over that same C&D 32 days ago.

33/1

Form: 07-831

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Seems to have been aided by the cheekpieces and was having her second start in them when making it 15th-time lucky in emphatic fashion at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) on Saturday; 5lb penalty won't stop her if in the same mood, though the shorter trip does pose a question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

19th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

Bounded clear over C&D to exploit a career-low mark (8lb lower) last month; while that effort has been handsomely advertised by the runner-up Big Narstie, she herself fluffed her lines when a beaten favourite at Newcastle (7f); a tongue-tie is now added.

14/1

9th

1

(2)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders on far side of group

5/2

1st

6

(4)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 5lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

started quickly, raced in second, pushed along and pressed leader 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and went clear over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, easily

16/1

10/1

Form: -31232 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Running consistently well on Tapeta lately, especially at his beloved Wolverhampton including when just beaten by an improver there (8.6f) ten days ago; 0-10 here, though, so doubts remain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

17th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Inexplicable

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Ten-time AW winner (seven times over C&D); not one to rely upon heavily nowadays but went very close in similar race to this over C&D last month and rebounded from a lesser effort when third here three weeks ago.

10/1

3rd

8

(8)

25th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Inexplicable

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Multiple C&D winner who went desperately close in a classified event here 17 days ago; less good at Southwell last week and a bit more on his plate back in a handicap; not ruled out though.

10/1

7th

6

(1)

21st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Inexplicable

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won over C&D but he tends to reserve his best for the extended 1m at Wolverhampton, as when collared in the final stride two weeks ago; no certainty to be in the same form this time.

8/1

11th
6 (9)
Atrafan

14/1

Form: -63259 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
All six course wins have come over 6f; has won twice over this trip at Southwell, but 0-8 over C&D and he didn't seem to get home when fifth of nine behind three of these over the trip here two starts back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

17th

19

(13)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Thirsk

Atrafan

9st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Alan Brown

towards rear

25/1

10th

10

(2)

31st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Atrafan

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Alan Brown

Multiple AW winner but looks far from solid on 2024 form and may be somewhat on the wane aged ten; held by Written Broadcast on C&D running last time.

33/1

Form: 07-026

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Attracted market support when running Marcello Si close over C&D last month with two of these further behind, but he didn't match that form over 6f here ten days later and is now 0-20; needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(1)

18th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Shines Ambition

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Runner-up over 7f here in January; below par in three runs since and stamina for 1m has to be taken on trust; experiment with blinkers quickly aborted.

8/1

7th

11

(4)

2nd Mar 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shines Ambition

9st 2lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

midfield

33/1

12th

7

(8)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Shines Ambition

9st 6lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

took keen hold, in touch with leaders in centre of group

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £472.50
Straight Forecast £511.33
Tricast £2628.24
Trifecta £3503.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Strictly Dreaming

SPOTLIGHT:

Sparkling Spirit

D Express:

Drakeholes

The Sun:

Marcello Si

The Guardian:

Billy McGarry

The Times:

Inexplicable

POSTDATA:

Atrafan

Daily Mirror:

Sparkling Spirit

Daily Record:

Sparkling Spirit

Telegraph:

Strictly Dreaming

Daily Mail:

Strictly Dreaming

The Star:

Strictly Dreaming