March 25 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £8688.44
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: -15211 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish gelding who has been progressive since last June and he made it five wins from his last eight starts when scoring over C&D 24 days ago; up another 6lb but his form really took off again last time and he could continue on the upgrade; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4th

7

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Asgards Captain

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

11/1

Form: /2313- BF

Last run: 283 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Off the mark (11th attempt) with clearcut success at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) last June, and didn't appear to have race run to suit when keeping-on third at York (1m2f, good to firm) the following month; absent since but he's still unexposed at this trip and needs a close look on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

Form: 3453-6 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden with a mixed record and he was a well-held sixth of nine at Kempton (1m) on his return last month; may have needed that run but he goes into unknown territory at this new trip and others are preferred; visor reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

25th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Umberto

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Seven-race maiden with a mixed record and he was a well-held sixth of nine at Kempton (1m) on his return last month; may have needed that run but he goes into unknown territory at this new trip and others are preferred; visor reapplied.

13/2

6th

4

(7)

28th Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Umberto

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Lightly raced 4yo who went close in a C&D handicap when last seen 196 days ago (first run after a gelding operation); that took his AW record to 223; retains potential on this surface and Oisin Murphy on board for his return; headgear left off but he still looks a solid contender.

11/4

3rd

11

(11)

16th Aug 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Umberto

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

No significant improvement for the switch to handicaps when last seen; interesting on his novice efforts though and he returns from ten weeks off (gelded during the absence) with his stable in hot form; visor now added (well held in cheekpieces last time).

11/2

Form: 200-54 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
His win came at this trip and he was a fair fourth here (1m) last time but that took his record to 1-14 and he's been hard to predict; others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

17:30 Redcar

Paris Lights

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Both wins on AW and 0-18 on turf; a couple of Pontefract runs this spring that bring him into the reckoning and this is effectively his first run at this level since winning at Newcastle in December; should run his race.

7/2

6th

7

(2)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Pontefract

Paris Lights

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-17 on turf; second and third over C&D in the spring off slightly higher marks than this, before lesser efforts elsewhere on last two outings; well treated if back on song.

8/1

6th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

Paris Lights

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-16 on turf; twice placed at Pontefract this season but he needs to rebound from a lacklustre effort at Ripon (1m2f, good) three weeks ago.

16/1

Form: 5518- C BF

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Returned after wind surgery with a strong-finishing win in a novice here (1m) in October and he wasn't beaten far on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton later that month; left Roger Varian for 23,000gns since; still unexposed after only four starts and he looks interesting upped in trip on his stable debut; has been gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

1st Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ayr

Soowaih

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Sole win was in a novice at Newcastle (1m, AW) last October but he was only just caught in a Hamilton handicap (1m4f, good to soft) last Monday; on same mark here and he's an interesting contender on this drop back in trip.

9/2

2nd

6

(4)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

15:33 Hamilton

Soowaih

9st 7lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

0-12 since winning last October on his third start and he's inconsistent; however, he returned to form with a close fifth of 13 at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) recently and this stiffer track may well be a positive; chance.

8/1

5th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 3

17:50 Doncaster

Soowaih

8st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

dwelt start

20/1

Form: 311653 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All seven wins have been on Tapeta and last six have come at this track (7f-1m2f); still 4lb higher than when completing a double last month but he was placed here last time and should go well again back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

Form: 53057-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in maidens last spring but she was beaten 9l or more in her two handicaps (1m4f/1m) in the autumn; still lightly raced but has something to prove now switched to AW after five months off; visor added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(10)

1st Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rocha Do Leao

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

Blinkered (wore cheekpieces previous start, visor latest) when signing off for Jane Chapple-Hyam with a neck second at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in April, the closest she's been to winning in eight starts; sold for 12,000gns and remote at Chester 16 days ago, albeit on heavy going.

33/1

9th

3

(6)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:04 Chester

Rocha Do Leao

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Jack Jones

Blinkered for the first time (cheekpieces today) when signing off for Jane Chapple-Hyam with a good Lingfield second (1m4f, AW) in April; since changed hands for 12,000gns; commands plenty of respect for new yard.

10/1

Form: 11491- CD

Last run: 205 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D and at Redcar last May and he ended last season with a 5l win at Beverley (1m2f, good) in the autumn; returns after 205 days off but he started last season with a bang and still looks feasibly treated off this mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Leicester

Bearwith

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Nine-time winner, the most recent coming on the AW at Newcastle in February off a 1lb lower mark; beaten 1l when runner-up at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in April and his last two efforts have been respectable; each-way chance.

8/1

4th

5

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Bearwith

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Grand stable servant who wins in his turn; successful at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February and has made the frame back on turf on his last two starts; place claims once again.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Bearwith

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Second in the 2024 running of this; nine wins include five on turf, all around this trip on a sound surface; won at Newcastle (AW) in February and it was a fine effort from the widest stall when second of 14 at Nottingham (also 1m2f, good) 11 days ago; big shout.

2/1

Form: 5122-5 D

Last run: 66 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner, with two over hurdles and two on the Flat; creditable second over jumps at Ayr (2m) 16 days ago and he wasn't beaten far over C&D three runs back; hood is now removed but he's not ruled out back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

2nd

7

(3)

28th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 1lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Inconsistent last season and tailed off over C&D when last seen; however, he's posted wins over C&D on two of his last four starts (good to soft/good) and can be bang there if at the top of his game on this return.

6/1

12th

1

(3)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Cant Stop Now

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Iain Jardine

took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

6/1

Non-runners

Midnight Lion

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Asgard's Captain

TOPSPEED:

Umberto

Telegraph:

Bearwith

The Times:

Soowaih

POSTDATA:

Cusack

The Guardian:

Umberto

RP RATINGS:

Asgard's Captain

NEWMARKET:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Mail:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Mirror:

Asgard's Captain

The Sun:

Asgard's Captain

The Star:

Asgard's Captain

Daily Record:

Asgard's Captain

D Express:

Bearwith