May 12 / 18.00 Newcastle (AW)

18.00

Standard

Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap

  • Prize money: £14393.5
  • 1m 4f 98y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 5111-6 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Big improver when upped in trip and visored last summer, winning handicaps at Haydock, Leicester and Goodwood; gelded prior to his reappearance at Thirsk three weeks ago, where he ran creditably after ten months off; better can be expected with that behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Fairbanks

12st 2lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles at Ballinrobe in May on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe; useful five-time Flat winner for Andrew Balding; could make no impression when returning to Britain for the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot; no match for a Willie Mullins-trained favourite in a novice hurdle at Roscommon three weeks ago.

25/1

2nd

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 204y

18:43 Roscommon

Fairbanks

11st 8lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe (16.5f, good) in May; smart form on the Flat for Andrew Balding but came up short back on the level in a hot Royal Ascot handicap three weeks ago; top-rated here at 128; obvious chance on ground that will suit.

15/8

4

(19)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Fairbanks

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Progressive for Andrew Balding last year, winning two handicaps (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good); went over hurdles last month for his new yard and won a maiden at Ballinrobe three weeks ago; could go well now back on the Flat.

16/1

2nd
12 (5)
Soowaih

20/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 18-405 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1m novice win here last October when trained by Roger Varian; retains ability for this yard but he'll need a step forward if he's to win this competitive event.
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

12/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 3445-0 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
The handicapper was in command last season and return to action at Thirsk three weeks ago was uninspiring; he's dropping down the weights but others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:23 Stratford

Charging Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Not at best on the Flat this year (albeit still capable of useful form) and managed only fourth of six when warm favourite for latest hurdle race, at Worcester (2m, good) in May; that said, he's a stout stayer on the Flat and could have untapped potential over this new trip over jumps.

9/4

11th

1

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Charging Thunder

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Not in peak form (hurdles or Flat) from last August onwards but it's not forgotten that he was third in the Plate itself last year off 3lb higher.

22/1

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

Form: 412253 CD BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Reliable through a busy winter campaign; not much room for error off this mark now returning from a well-deserved six-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Artisan Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20, however, and he was tailed off at Thirsk (good) on penultimate start, before he failed to shine at Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting (AW) for the third year in a row; not the percentage call.

20/1

18th

5

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Artisan Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20 and he was tailed off at Thirsk last time; back to AW and he's 7-34 in this sphere, but he's not shone at this meeting (16th in the Plate, 12th in the Vase) in the last two years.

25/1

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 0157-6

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Ripon on his reappearance last month (1m2f, heavy); unplaced in five runs at this trip and others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle (AW)

Cockalorum

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

10yo with a 9-57 record on turf compared to 0-9 (three seconds) on AW; still a force on turf last season (won off 5lb higher) and 2025 reappearance was okay but he took a backward step at Ripon next time.

16/1

4th

5

(5)

11th May 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle (AW)

Cockalorum

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

10yo with a 9-57 record on turf compared to 0-9 (three seconds) on AW; still a force on turf last season (won off 5lb higher) and 2025 reappearance was okay but he took a backward step at Ripon next time.

16/1

6th

11

(2)

17th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:15 Ripon

Cockalorum

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

10/1

5/2

Form: 4/3/11 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ran away with a 9.5f novice at Wolverhampton on his stable debut in March, an effort all the more meritorious given he'd been absent for 690 days; strong favourite when following up in 1m2f handicap here five weeks ago, winning narrowly in a slowly run race but probably having a bit to spare; by a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner, so it's not unreasonable to think he'll take another step forward upped to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Aerospace

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

Hasn't reached the heights his pedigree promised on the Flat but is a dual AW winner at up to 1m2f (RPR 94); trainer 16% with his hurdlers over five seasons and this gelding is likely to be well versed ahead of his debut; big player if transferring his abilities from the other code.

5/4

4th

2

(3)

1st Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Aerospace

9st 13lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

pressed leader, challenging when raced awkwardly over 1f out, soon lost position

7/2

2nd

1

(7)

3rd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Windsor

Aerospace

9st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Defied a long absence to win at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in March on his second start and followed up in Newcastle handicap (1m2f, AW); disappointing at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) three weeks ago but this very lightly raced 5yo retains potential and could be a contender; ran well here on debut in 2022.

7/2

14/1

Form: 312-6

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Progressive in novice events as a 3yo, winning at Leicester (1m2f, good) on second start and running well under a penalty at Kempton in September (1m); lacklustre run at Redcar on his handicap debut ten days ago (1m2f, soft) but has obviously shown no ill effects and perhaps he just hated the ground; stamina for 1m4f is not guaranteed on pedigree; risks involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

11:58 Lingfield (AW)

No Surrender

9st 4lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Ed Dunlop

2023 novice winner; 0-10 since, pipped over C&D in November but beating only one home in 1m4f Southwell handicap 20 days ago; needs to bounce back and, having worn cheekpieces on those last two starts, he now sports a visor.

5/1

5th

5

(2)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

11:58 Lingfield (AW)

No Surrender

9st 4lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Ed Dunlop

2023 novice winner; 0-10 since, pipped over C&D in November but beating only one home in 1m4f Southwell handicap 20 days ago; needs to bounce back and, having worn cheekpieces on those last two starts, he now sports a visor.

5/1

8th

7

(2)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

13:42 Southwell (AW)

No Surrender

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Dunlop

Consistent sort who has been knocking on the door recently, latest when second of nine at Lingfield (1m2f; 9-2) last month when beaten a head in first-time cheekpieces (retained); steps back up in trip and holds claims.

5/1

Form: 3106-6 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Four wins in 2023, two of them over C&D; back to his last winning mark and should be sharper with his recent return to action behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:55 Uttoxeter

Legendary Day

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Barry Brennan

Chase/hurdle winner who won on the AW at Lingfield in February 2025; hasn't been in top form on his last couple of runs over hurdles; on a fair mark now.

20/1

14

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Legendary Day

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Barry Brennan

Useful on the Flat in his prime but suffered heavy defeat in that sphere last month, after a layoff, and also struggled in a handicap hurdle three weeks ago; sports refitted cheekpieces; others have much less to prove.

25/1

6th

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

Legendary Day

11st 13lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Barry Brennan

Seven-time Flat winner who has also scored over hurdles (2m1f, soft) and fences (2m, good); on dangerous mark back over jumps but he's not seen much action in the last 12 months and has been tailed off in his last two Flat runs; risks attached.

7/1

8/1

Form: 0275-1 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has not had a lot of racing on AW but his three C&D runs have yielded RPRs of 89 (twice) and 87; 3lb rise for latest front-running C&D win in a small field could be enough to find him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

La Pulga

9st 8lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Front-runner who has been keeping busy, winning at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last month and going close on two of his three starts since, most recently beaten half a length at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); has won here and is capable of another bold bid.

7/1

3

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

La Pulga

9st 13lb

J: Hugh Bowman

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually front-runs; never better than with his first and second at the end of last month, which were on AW however and his top four RPRs have now been registered in that sphere; something to find on turf, including as he was third here (1m6f, good to firm) earlier in July but is now 7lb higher and he dropped out at Chepstow on Thursday.

5/1

Form: -25716 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come over 1m4f on the AW since November, the latest an impressive success at Lingfield on Good Friday for Alec Voikhansky; solid run at Newbury three weeks ago (1m2f, good to soft) and he'll be happier back at this trip and returned to AW; each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(7)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 103y

20:00 Killarney

God Of Thunder

10st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has done plenty of racing since a Limerick win last summer; generally modest form this season, with the exception of a Navan third; others look more likely.

12/1

10th

2

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 4f 65y

20:00 Limerick

God Of Thunder

10st 1lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has done plenty of racing since a C&D win last summer; generally modest form this season, with the exception of a Navan third on his penultimate start.

14/1

13th

2

(20)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Fairyhouse

God Of Thunder

10st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Added third Flat win at Limerick off 73 last summer (1m5f, good); poor form following that until an encouraging 3.5l third of 14 at Navan five days ago when dropping into this grade for the first time (1m5f, good); not ruled out.

11/2

20/1

Form: 40/05- D

Last run: 200 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Seen only twice since September 2022 and didn't shine on either occasion (stable debut latest); has another 200-day absence to defy and others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(12)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

El Picador

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

steadied start, switched sharply left soon after start, always behind

20/1

11th

10

(12)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

El Picador

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

steadied start, switched sharply left soon after start, always behind

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 15514- D

Last run: 215 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won twice over this trip in France last season; struggled over hurdles for new yard in February/March; returning to the Flat can help, as may the addition of a visor, but this looks competitive and his mark wouldn't appear an obvious gift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 116y

Class 5

16:20 Plumpton

Mr Le Philosophe

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Typically for new recruits for this yard, he hit the ground running; however, he has struggled the last twice after surging up the weights; others appeal more.

10/1

4

4th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

19:00 Sedgefield

Mr Le Philosophe

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Heavy defeat at Worcester last time was his first blip for this yard and reportedly unsuited by ground that was considered softer than the official good; won his previous two races and still on a competitive mark if back on song.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.00
Straight Forecast £36.44
Tricast £219.30
Trifecta £239.20

Selections

Telegraph:

Aerospace

SPOTLIGHT:

Fairbanks

TOPSPEED:

Artisan Dancer

The Times:

Soowaih

NEWMARKET:

No Surrender

Daily Record:

La Pulga

RP RATINGS:

Fairbanks

POSTDATA:

Artisan Dancer

D Express:

Aerospace

Daily Mirror:

Aerospace

The Sun:

Aerospace

The Star:

Aerospace