March 16 / 15.12 Newcastle

15.12

Heavy

Guinness Microdraught Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6178.77
  • 2m 7f 91y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
SKY
View Course
Guinness Microdraught Handicap Chase

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 251225 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won here (2m4f, good to soft) last November and runner-up at Doncaster the next twice (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft); fair fifth in the Eider here (4m1f, heavy) three weeks ago when upped markedly in trip and not seeing it out; today's distance could be ideal and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Cruz Control

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Took big step back in right direction when fifth at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last month, in race he won the previous two seasons; still on a workable mark and has a fighting chance here if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect.

9/4

5th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Cruz Control

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt.

11/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -44121 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good) in December before good second at Kelso, and back to winning ways at Carlisle (3m, heavy) last month; this 7yo is clearly progressive and could take his latest 5lb rise in his stride; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Jet Legs

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Has won three times over fences, the latest over 2m4f here in March last year (good to soft; visored first time); hasn't done quite as well since; stays 3m and on a good mark now.

8/1

4th

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Won off today's mark at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft; first-time visor) towards end of last season but is yet to build upon his pleasing reappearance run in October and needs to up his game.

16/1

6th

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Not totally solid on form this season, having failed to back up reappearance effort; however, has slipped back to last winning mark and may prove resurgent.

7/1

Form: 71-1P5 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-4 at Carlisle with reappearance win last November (3m2f, soft); has run well here in the past but he's been below par the last twice, most recently back at Carlisle last month, and a return to form is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

26th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Houston Texas

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Won 3m/3m2f handicaps on testing ground last year but has been struggling of late and cheekpieces didn't work wonders for him last time; no headgear here but others have more pressing claims.

10/1

Form: 2-61F2 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Evergreen 13yo who won at Ayr (3m, heavy) in January and posted good second to Jet Legs at Carlisle (3m, heavy) last month, when beaten about 2l; 3lb better off with the winner today; could be thereabouts once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

4

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Up Helly Aa King

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Veteran who remains very capable on his day, with a first and close second this season; below best last time but could bounce back from that.

9/1

Form: P12PU5 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won at Wetherby (3m, heavy) last November and went very close off today's 3lb higher mark over this C&D (heavy) in December; however, he's lost his form subsequently and a big turnaround is required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:05 Wetherby

East Street

11st 10lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Moved to this yard last season and won three in a row towards the end of last year (2m4f/3m, good to soft/soft); disappointing subsequently but perhaps a break will have helped and he's down to a handy mark; interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

20/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:05 Wetherby

East Street

11st 10lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Moved to this yard last season and won three in a row towards the end of last year (2m4f/3m, good to soft/soft); disappointing subsequently but perhaps a break will have helped and he's down to a handy mark; interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

20/1

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

East Street

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: James Owen

always behind

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.80
Straight Forecast £4.46
Trifecta £17.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cruz Control

RP RATINGS:

Jet Legs

TOPSPEED:

Houston Texas

POSTDATA:

Up Helly Aa King

The Guardian:

Jet Legs

The Sun:

Jet Legs

The Star:

Jet Legs

Daily Record:

Jet Legs

The Times:

Cruz Control

Telegraph:

Cruz Control

Daily Mail:

Cruz Control

D Express:

Cruz Control

Daily Mirror:

Cruz Control