March 12 / 18.15 Newcastle (AW)

18.15

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes

  • Prize money: £6156
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP
2nd
3 (5)
Gunlock

12/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to US 6f dirt winner Sam'n Cat; dam unraced half-sister to US 1m1f dirt Grade 1 winner I Want Revenge; respected stable can ready one but this is a belated racecourse debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(3)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Gunlock

9st 1lb

J: William Carver

T: Ross Burdon

Made a winning start for Martin Dunne at Kempton (7f) in December and not disgraced when eighth here (6f) following month; starts out for another new yard having changed hands for 10,000gns since; hood refitted.

6/1

8th

2

(3)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Gunlock

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Martin Dunne

Couple of sound performances this winter for new yard, winning over 7f at Kempton then close fourth dropped to 6f at Southwell; remains unexposed at this trip; enters calculations.

11/2

16th

1

(3)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Gunlock

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Keady

Newcastle maiden winner (1m, Tapeta) for Karl Burke a year ago; out of the frame in all five handicaps, the last two for this yard albeit not beaten far on either occasion; still needs a bit more; hood removed.

25/1

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to minor 1m2f winner Red Derek (RPR 68) and half-brother to 1m4f winner Millie May (48); dam a winning stayer (75); unlikely winner here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(1)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

16:53 Haydock

Lesrico

9st 5lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Lisa Williamson

Gained a first victory at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) last October and recorded a good second here in May; lightly raced since but nearest finish under a patient ride when seventh of 12 in 1m2f Ayr handicap last month; a player eased 1lb with underfoot conditions to suit.

10/1

7th

1

(4)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Lesrico

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Lisa Williamson

Won on soft ground in the autumn and ran big race in defeat on reappearance outing at Haydock (1m3f, good to soft) in the spring, but disappointed on his next outing (again raced too freely) and is not easy to predict.

8/1

8th

7

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Leicester

Lesrico

9st 6lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Lisa Williamson

Sole win from 11 starts came in game fashion on soft ground at Doncaster (1m2f) in October and he ran a fine race when runner-up behind Blue Wonder at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) on his reappearance 22 days ago, coming clear of the rest; on the shortlist.

7/1

5/4

Form: 4/1 CD

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising fourth on her 2yo debut at Newmarket in October 2022; absent for 442 days prior to her emphatic success over C&D in January; although that form isn't the easiest to assess, it's probably more reliable than it first looked and she'll be hard to beat under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Ascot

Hopeful

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Lightly raced 4yo; went close in three handicaps in May/June, pulling well clear with the winner when beaten a neck in the 24-runner Kensington Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting here (1m, good to firm; also acts on soft) on latest; drops back to 7f for the first time since debut and shapes as if that may suit her; retains untapped potential and looks a leading contender.

9/2

2nd

18

(20)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:40 Ascot

Hopeful

8st 10lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Andrew Balding

Lightly raced filly for leading connections; off for 442 days before winning a 1m novice on Newcastle's AW; failed to feature in a muddling race there next time but back on the up when placed in turf handicaps last twice, latest over 1m at Newmarket (good) in a race which has worked out; strong traveller who could be suited by this big-field scenario.

16/1

3rd

4

(3)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Newmarket

Hopeful

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Andrew Balding

took keen hold, prominent, led when edged left over 1f out, headed but kept on well inside final 110yds

3/1

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
65,000gns yearling; half-brother to six winners, notably Silver Grey (RPR 109); dam an unraced sister to Group 3 winner Songlark; tongue-tied for belated debut; yard have had a good winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

11th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Wetherby

Achernar

9st 9lb

J: Jack Enright

T: Hugo Palmer

slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out

20/1

11th

1

(13)

6th May 2024

Soft

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

15:10 Windsor

Achernar

10st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

dwelt start, in rear, switched left and raced wide over 4f out

14/1

11th

1

(13)

6th May 2024

Soft

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

15:10 Windsor

Achernar

10st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

dwelt start, in rear, switched left and raced wide over 4f out

14/1

Form: 3

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Prominent in the market ahead of his third on recent debut here (7f), unable to sustain his effort close home; not bred to need this far but he's open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(4)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Lakota Brave

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

dwelt start, soon in touch with leaders, no extra over 1f out

13/2

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful pedigree and she was a strong favourite for her debut here 11 days ago (7f), only to find one too strong (front pair pulled clear of third-placed Lakota Brave); more to come and should have no problem with the extra furlong; obvious chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(10)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Gemstar

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

took keen hold, in rear on near side of group, headway and went second over 1f out, went clear with winner inside final furlong, ran on

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.30
Straight Forecast £107.10
Trifecta £137.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Gemstar

SPOTLIGHT:

Hopeful

LAMBOURN:

Lakota Brave

Telegraph:

Gemstar

Daily Mail:

Gemstar

D Express:

Gemstar

Daily Mirror:

Gemstar

Daily Record:

Gemstar

RP RATINGS:

Hopeful

The Times:

Hopeful

The Guardian:

Hopeful

The Sun:

Hopeful

The Star:

Hopeful