October 04 / 18.30 Newcastle (AW)

18.30

Standard

Elite Venue Selection Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Elite Venue Selection Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.10
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 213992 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner, the latest in a 0-50 classified event in March; effective in handicaps too as when second of 13 here ten days ago; races off the same mark (1lb well in) and shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

A four-time course winner who arrives in decent nick, fourth of eight over 7f here 19 days ago; he ought to be thereabouts once more from an easing mark.

8/1

4th

6

(4)

6th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alison Hamilton

Four-time C&D winner, the most recent coming in November; however, not so good more recently.

10/1

6th

2

(5)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:58 Newcastle (AW)

Drakeholes

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Alison Hamilton

midfield in centre of group

10/1

2nd
10 (4)
Filey Beach

15/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 0-0542

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
0-7 but has shown some ability off this mark the last twice, finishing fourth of 12 at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) and second of 14 at Beverley (8.5f, good); relatively unexposed and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:00 Catterick

Filey Beach

9st 8lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Won two in a row over C&D (good) in May, taking record here to 3-4; beaten favourite in AW classified since but he may well be superior on turf; high on the list returned to grass.

7/4

3rd

4

(6)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Filey Beach

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Bids for a hat-trick after winning two handicaps at Catterick (7f, good) last month; respected if able to transfer that form back to the AW (0-6).

5/4

1st

6

(2)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Filey Beach

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

3-23; did too much too soon at Musselburgh (7f; fourth, 6-4 favourite; third has won since) on penultimate start; made amends over C&D ten days ago, beating Crocodile Power (runs in the 3.10pm) by over 2l; that was an apprentices' handicap so he escapes a penalty (is due a 5lb rise); key player.

9/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 690650

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Offered some hope with cheekpieces fitted when fifth of 13 in a 0-50 classfied event over 6f here in August, but didn't back it up in a handicap over the same trip last month and now 0-21.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(6)

8th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Mr Stanley

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

Took record to 0-29 when chasing home Billy McGarry over C&D last month; enjoyed a relatively soft lead that day and is likely vulnerable for win purposes again.

16/1

11th

12

(6)

8th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Mr Stanley

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

Took record to 0-29 when chasing home Billy McGarry over C&D last month; enjoyed a relatively soft lead that day and is likely vulnerable for win purposes again.

16/1

2nd

8

(7)

21st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Mr Stanley

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

28-race maiden who was tailed off on his only attempt at 1m last October; easy enough to have reservations.

14/1

6/1

Form: -96822

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Has taken a bit of time to come back down the weights, but has finished runner-up off this mark with a tongue-tie applied in his last two starts, the latest from a poor draw after four months off at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) nine days ago; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(8)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Portoro

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Martin Dunne

C&D winner; in good order this winter, including when midfield over C&D last week (met trouble on a few occasions); Rossa Ryan retains the ride and he should be in the thick of it once again.

7/2

5th

2

(9)

4th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Kempton (AW)

Portoro

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Martin Dunne

Generally consistent; close second, finishing strongly from difficult position, in amateur riders' event at Kempton (6f) last week; respected off same mark back up in distance.

3/1

2nd

2

(7)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Portoro

11st 1lb

J: Miss Leah Banham

T: Martin Dunne

Generally consistent, including over 6f (raced mainly at further); has made the frame at Southwell in three starts since returned to AW; won his last Kempton attempt (in late 2024); solid.

7/2

4/1

Form: 207122 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Just 1-19, but she has proved most consistent here since April (form 22122), only going down by a neck in a similar contest ten days ago; already due a 2lb rise for that and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won very similar C&D race to this last summer and was second in C&D handicaps on next two outings; has strong claims if judged on those efforts but needs to raise her game after ending 2024 with two below-par runs.

16/1

5th

4

(4)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won very similar C&D race to this last summer and was second in C&D handicaps on next two outings; has strong claims if judged on those efforts but needs to raise her game after ending 2024 with two below-par runs.

16/1

7th

10

(9)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

7f win here in July came in a 0-50 classified event; solid efforts in handicaps on her next two starts but her form has cooled more recently; others preferred for win purposes.

14/1

Form: 545464 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Finished around a length behind Drakeholes when fourth of 13 over C&D ten days ago, but all five wins have been at sprint trips and unplaced in seven starts over 7f; losing run up to 43; look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

(14)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Asadjumeirah

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Three wins on AW last year but his last turf success was in April 2022 and he returned to this sphere with a well-held sixth at Thirsk (6f, good; 12-1) last month; others are more appealing.

16/1

6th

15

(17)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Asadjumeirah

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Antony Brittain

His last turf success came over this C&D (good) but back in April 2022; this is his level now but others are more appealing for win purposes.

20/1

8th

12

(6)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Asadjumeirah

8st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time C&D winner; unable to justify favouritism in a 0-55 here 11 days ago and he has more on his plate at this level.

12/1

15/2

Form: 395865 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Beat Barossa by a head over C&D in April and is now 5lb better off with the filly, but his form here since hasn't been as consistent as his old rival's so he would be far from certain to confirm it; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(8)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Smalleytime

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

midfield

15/2

5th

1

(11)

24th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Smalleytime

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Scraped home over C&D in April but he's been through difficult times since and although he ran well for a long way back over 7f here last time out he did drop out quickly in the closing stages; has a shade to prove.

12/1

6th

2

(14)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Smalleytime

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ben Haslam

Regressive form on turf since the spring, but is back off the same mark as when winning over C&D in April; possibilities if the return here does the trick.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 422696 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Better known as a sprinter (course win came over 5f) and losing run now up to 17, but he twice went close at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) back in March and now 1lb lower; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Urban Dandy

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

In consistent form in the spring when finishing a close second five times, including over C&D, as well as winning a 1m classified event at Newcastle; however, he hasn't been in the same form since back from a break, drastically so last time out; others are much preferred.

16/1

6

(6)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Urban Dandy

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

In consistent form in the spring when finishing a close second five times, including over C&D, as well as winning a 1m classified event at Newcastle; however, he hasn't been in the same form since back from a break, drastically so last time out; others are much preferred.

16/1

Form: 850304 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
1-18, the win coming off 5lb higher over C&D in January; fair fourth of 11 here ten days ago, but is no better off at the weights with the runner-up Barossa; needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(5)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Polly The Rocket

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Craig Lidster

prominent

6/1

4th

5

(7)

24th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Polly The Rocket

9st 6lb

J: William Pyle

T: Craig Lidster

C&D win off 5lb higher in January; not beaten far here three weeks ago off 2lb higher; below par latest but still dangerous at this level.

8/1

10th

12

(12)

12th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Polly The Rocket

8st 11lb

J: Archie Young

T: Craig Lidster

in touch with leaders

8/1

25/1

Form: 004560 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Soft ground winner in Ireland in May, but little in four starts for this yard and finished well behind three of these over C&D ten days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:12 Perth

Cage Rattler

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Forster

Flat scorer whose form in handicap hurdles is largely encouraging, staying-on third at Hexham (2m, good) most recently; enters calculations off same mark.

10/1

7

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Cage Rattler

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Forster

1-23 under rules and 0-6 over hurdles but he has shown some ability and the return to this trip may help; worth a second look.

14/1

7

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Cage Rattler

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Forster

1-23 under rules and 0-6 over hurdles but he has shown some ability and the return to this trip may help; worth a second look.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.30
Straight Forecast £32.12
Tricast £138.26
Trifecta £309.10

Selections

The Times:

Barossa

NEWMARKET:

Portoro

SPOTLIGHT:

Urban Dandy

POSTDATA:

Polly The Rocket

Telegraph:

Smalleytime

Daily Mirror:

Drakeholes

D Express:

Portoro

The Star:

Portoro

The Guardian:

Barossa

Daily Mail:

Barossa

The Sun:

Barossa

Daily Record:

Barossa

RP RATINGS:

Urban Dandy