April 08 / 15.20 Newcastle (AW)

15.20

Standard

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  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface:

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 417-28 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo whose performances have been up and down and he wasn't at his best at Southwell last month; however, prior to that he was a good second over today's C&D and is a player if rediscovering that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Musselburgh

Whisky McGonagall

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won a C&D maiden in May 2023 and made all at Newcastle (5f, AW) this April off 2lb lower; however, he's finished last when back on turf for last two outings, so there are mixed messages.

16/1

18th

10

(18)

27th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 York

Whisky McGonagall

11st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Tim Easterby

Prominent racer; made all to win a 5f handicap at Newcastle in April off 3lb lower; next time was a write off and he returns from a break in a race packed with other pace influences.

9/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 08-166 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come over C&D, the latest in January following wind surgery; only sixth over C&D the next twice but those weren't bad efforts and he's an each-way possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 7713-4 CD

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D last November and ran well in defeat over C&D the next twice; in the shake-up if his good form continues after a 74-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:12 Ripon

High Opinion

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Bryan Smart

Shaped as if in need of comeback run at Nottingham (5f, good; sixth of eight) in April; has some decent C&D form to his name and is 10lb lower (and claimer ridden) than when seeing off Our Absent Friends here in August 2024; foolish to discount hastily.

10/1

6th

5

(2)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Bryan Smart

More miss than hit in 2025 but back on a good mark as a result and a record of two wins and two seconds from his five outings over this C&D means a revival can't be ruled out back from four months off.

13/2

6

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

High Opinion

9st 6lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Bryan Smart

Acts on soft; three wins in summer 2024, the first over C&D; two creditable minor honours this May/July but opposable on what he's done since.

14/1

Form: 7667-9 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who is very well treated on form as recent as last spring and may have needed his recent reappearance at Doncaster; however, he was regressive in the second half of last year and has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Four-time AW winner who is 0-29 on turf but he ran well to finish third over C&D (good; 100-30 favourite) three weeks ago; rallied well in that race and he should be in the thick of things again off only 1lb higher.

3/1

3rd

6

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; a 0-28 turf record is enough reason to look elsewhere.

10/1

5th

9

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas and ran creditably over C&D in February; raced wide from an outside draw back at Wolverhampton last time; that run is best ignored and he can bounce back.

10/1

OUR TIP
5th
3 (9)
Belsito

7/1

Form: 3070-8 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has failed to build on his early promise and he was soundly beaten over C&D on last month's reappearance; however, he continues to drop down the weights and perhaps the wind operation will prompt a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:15 Southwell (AW)

Belsito

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Back-to-back wins at Hamilton last September (6f); regular cheekpieces were left off for return and he shaped as if needing the run; can build on that in refitted headgear here; last AW run (over C&D) was his best effort on an artificial surface.

7/1

11th

7

(5)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

Belsito

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Kevin Ryan

Scored twice on a soft surface over 6f at Hamilton last September, but was weak in the market when failing in his hat-trick bid at Pontefract (6f, soft) the following month; may need this first start in six months and wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.

10/1

Form: 11534- C BF

Last run: 121 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who was consistent and progressive last year, with three 6f wins (including here) and a close second over today's C&D; can be in the mix if at the top of his game on this first run since December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(12)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Rainbow Rain

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tracy Waggott

prominent towards near side

8/1

10th

12

(12)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Rainbow Rain

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tracy Waggott

prominent towards near side

8/1

3rd

11

(2)

25th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Redcar

Rainbow Rain

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tracy Waggott

started quickly, led at fast pace against far rail

10/1

13/2

Form: 713723 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
His slow starts are a concern now back down to 5f but he won over 6f here in February and has run well over that trip here the last twice; could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

18th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

14:50 Hamilton

Global Humor

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

taken down early, upset in stalls, slightly awkward start, held up in last, headway halfway, keeping on inside final furlong, weakened gradually final 110yds

8/1

5th

6

(8)

15th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:35 Ayr

Global Humor

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

taken down early, dwelt start, took keen hold, towards rear, steady headway over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on final 110yds

9/2

6th

4

(9)

28th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Newcastle (AW)

Global Humor

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple winner (twice here) and will no doubt pop up again at some point, but slow starts are holding him back.

7/1

33/1

Form: 4-8779 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall but he's finished no better than seventh here on his four runs this year and needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(1)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:35 Redcar

Mews House

9st 0lb

J: Charlie Bennett

T: Rebecca Menzies

Without a win since May 2023 when previously trained by this yard and he's since dropped a long way in the weights; below his best at Catterick (6f, soft; first-time visor) a week ago and needs to get back on track.

16/1

6th

8

(9)

23rd Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Mews House

8st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Course record of 3-9 includes a nose defeat of Quercus off topweight in this race in 2022 (good to firm); 5lb wrong this time and effectiveness on soft or worse untested since September 2021; debuted visor no certainty to inspire, all seven wins having been gained free of headgear.

15/2

6/1

Form: 815321 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Has developed a good relationship with William Pyle and he made it two C&D wins from his last five starts when narrowly landing a handicap here a fortnight ago; just 2lb higher today and he's a solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(6)

28th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Beverley

Stallone

8st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Has had plenty of chances since last win in March last year and, although he handles a sound surface, his best efforts and the bulk of his turf wins came on soft/heavy.

20/1

8th

12

(6)

28th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Beverley

Stallone

8st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Has had plenty of chances since last win in March last year and, although he handles a sound surface, his best efforts and the bulk of his turf wins came on soft/heavy.

20/1

11

(7)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Stallone

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Michael Dods

Won this last year off a 9lb higher mark and rarely runs poorly over C&D; he is getting on now, though, and has work to do with a few of these on latest running here.

10/1

16/1

Form: 1006-0 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Below par on final few runs last season and same story over C&D on last month's reappearance, however, he may have needed that latest run and he's on a handy mark judged on his two turf wins last June; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:30 Pontefract

Indian Sounds

8st 10lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Paul Midgley

Clear signs of a return to form in big field at Thirsk last month, finishing third (best of the near-side runners); defied a 7lb higher mark in this contest last year (good to firm) on sole start under Elle-May Croot; respected.

7/2

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early

33/1

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early, raced near side

33/1

11th
10 (8)
Kitbag

12/1

Form: 16-469

Last run: 66 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Below par in January/February on final two runs for Jack Channon, and goes without headgear on this stable debut; however, he's 1lb lower than when winning at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) in December and is not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(16)

24th Jun 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Thirsk

Kitbag

9st 9lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Linda Perratt

in touch with leaders

12/1

5th

11

(3)

28th May 2024

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:10 Redcar

Kitbag

10st 5lb

J: Miss Megan Davies

T: Linda Perratt

in touch with leaders, weakened inside final furlong

14/1

5th

11

(3)

28th May 2024

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:10 Redcar

Kitbag

10st 5lb

J: Miss Megan Davies

T: Linda Perratt

Yet to hit top form in five runs for his current handler, sixth of ten in 6f Ayr handicap six days ago; slipping in the weights but more is still required.

14/1

Non-runners

Kaidu

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.10
Straight Forecast £24.97
Tricast £117.23
Trifecta £150.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Belsito

POSTDATA:

Stallone

D Express:

Global Humor

Daily Mail:

Whisky McGonagall

SPOTLIGHT:

Rainbow Rain

The Times:

Belsito

The Guardian:

Belsito

Daily Mirror:

Belsito

Telegraph:

Stallone

The Sun:

Stallone

Daily Record:

Stallone

The Star:

Global Humor