October 04 / 20.00 Newcastle (AW)

20.00

Standard

Festive Celebrations At The Grand Hotel Handicap

  • Prize money: £2983.38
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Festive Celebrations At The Grand Hotel Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

Form: 8-3707 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
17lb lower than when gaining her sole success over C&D just under two years ago; little to shout about in two starts since returning from wind surgery last month and makes little appeal for the time being.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stephen Hanlon

Three-time C&D winner, the latest of those coming in first-time blinkers off a 7lb lower mark in January; has been running well since, including when runner-up here 15 days ago, and there's no reason to think she won't go well again.

11/2

2nd

1

(1)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Stephen Hanlon

Narrow C&D winner in first-time blinkers (from 7lb lower) in January; has held her form well since, a close fourth (Shatin Venture second, La Rochette fifth) to Digital latest; likely to give another solid account with Paul Mulrennan aboard.

13/2

4th

7

(5)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Azucena

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Stephen Hanlon

Got the better of Digital over C&D last month (blinkered first time) and ran another solid race when a close second at Southwell one week later; a 2lb rise shouldn't prevent another prominent showing.

100/30

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 215350 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
All five AW wins have come on Polytrack and he has been well held in both starts here (5f/6f) since joining this yard; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Howzak

10st 0lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Seemingly aided by first-time tongue-tie when causing 28-1 surprise on AW in February (6f) but absent since running as though something was amiss the following month and has become far too inconsistent to rely upon; not the percentage call on first turf start since summer 2024.

12/1

8th

2

(1)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Howzak

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Liam Bailey

Returned to form out of the blue when winning a C&D handicap last month (tongue tied first time); fair effort at Southwell (5f) one week later and he will be happier back up in distance.

11/4

4th

1

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

13:44 Southwell (AW)

Howzak

9st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Almost a year off was followed by a couple of inauspicious efforts but he came good at a big price in a first-time tongue-tie at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) last week; has had consistent spells once hitting form in the past and a 4lb penalty means he's still on a handy mark; big player.

3/1

11/1

Form: 287503 CD

Last run: 3 days

W: 8st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has won four times here including twice over this trip; losing run up to 25, but he was beaten less than 2l into third of 12 on his return from five months off over C&D on Tuesday; not dismissed provided this doesn't come too soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Rockley Point

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Katie Scott

Veteran who's had a busy start to the year; has finished placed a couple of times here at big prices but is again some way down the pecking order.

20/1

6th

5

(7)

20th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Rockley Point

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

led

6/1

11th

7

(8)

10th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Rockley Point

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Katie Scott

Veteran who has run some sound races in defeat this winter, including when second over C&D on Thursday; consistency has been an issue though.

8/1

8/1

Form: 754006

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Made a successful nursery debut for George Boughey at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) last December, but has made little impact in turf handicaps since joining this yard; returns from 74 days off with a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

1st Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Carlisle

Better

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Both wins have been on AW and latest was 11 months ago; 0-15 on turf but he had a near-miss at Nottingham (5f, good) in July and has run respectably in two of his three subsequent runs; usually comes from off the pace and has possibilities if he gets some luck.

12/1

3

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Redcar

Better

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Paul Midgley

Finished five places behind Arlington at Ripon 11 days ago but he met trouble in running; beaten only a head at Nottingham (5f, good) earlier in July and a repeat of that form would give him reasonable claims.

5/1

7th

4

(8)

29th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Ripon

Better

9st 7lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Paul Midgley

Chased home Canaria Queen in a Nottingham classified event 11 days ago and 1lb better off for a head defeat today; ran another good race at Newcastle on Saturday, never nearer than at the finish; new blinkers replace cheekpieces; has the ability to win a race of this nature but he's an habitual slow starter so will always need some luck in running.

8/1

Form: 614312 D BF

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Running well on turf lately with wins at Musselburgh and Hamilton and looking unlucky not to go even closer when second of 11 at the former track (5f, good) on Wednesday; this trip should suit her better than the 6f she attempted here last month; major player if taking her chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(1)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Kyber Crystal

9st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ran okay on her seasonal return in April but she hasn't built on it in four runs since; had 17 runs at 6f+ and she has been unplaced in all of them.

12/1

5th

4

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Pontefract

Kyber Crystal

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has done her winning over 5f, most recently off 4lb higher at Pontefract last September (inconsistent since); attractively treated but has something to prove back up in trip.

10/1

11th

10

(4)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Kyber Crystal

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

5-55; outran her double-figure odds when third to Beerwah and Zuffolo on seasonal reappearance at Redcar (5f, good); she's failed to build on that since, only fifth (runner-up a winner since) back there ten days ago; is due to ease a further 2lb in the weights.

12/1

Form: 225634 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Won over this trip at Wolverhampton and Southwell back in January; 0-15 since but is edging back down the weights and she shouldn't be too far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Musical Diva

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

prominent

9/2

4th

7

(2)

24th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:55 Beverley

Musical Diva

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on her last 14 starts but has often run well in that spell, including when third at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) a fortnight ago; also effective on turf (unproven on slow ground); could be thereabouts.

11/2

3rd

1

(6)

9th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Musical Diva

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Two wins in January, one of them over C&D; not at her best at Southwell ten days ago but she had been threatening before that; type to bounce back quickly.

4/1

Form: 022392 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner who has been placed in four of his last five starts, including when second of eight at Southwell (5f, Tapeta) last Sunday; each-way claims again from the same mark back in a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Street Life

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice on AW this winter, including C&D, and he is now 2lb lower than for the second win; has gone quiet more recently though and could prove vulnerable for win purposes once again.

12/1

6th

7

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who was recording the 14th win of his career when scoring off this mark over C&D in January; short of his best on his last four starts but the ability is there if his new rider can coax it out of him.

16/1

11th

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Five-time course winner but finished behind Irish Dancer and Woodhay Whisper here last time, with no obvious excuses.

14/1

6/1

Form: -06044

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in Tapeta novices late last year including over C&D; fair efforts when fourth in his last two starts on turf and this is quite a drop in grade on his first outing since wind surgery; stable (also represented by Better) won this race two years ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

18:05 Brighton

Silky Robin

10st 1lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Brian Toomey

Mark eased after a fruitless spell on the AW and made it four wins on the spin on turf when going in off 5lb lower five weeks ago; currently 2-2 round here and it's hard to find any negatives.

2/1

1st

8

(1)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 4f 217y

Class 6

17:55 Lingfield

Silky Robin

9st 3lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Brian Toomey

Won four races on turf last year and resumes after an unsuccessful stint on the AW, 2lb lower than when last successful; fascinating contender.

11/1

Form: 689070

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two and showed ability in five starts for William Haggas as a 3yo, but out of the frame in all eight outings for this yard; down another 2lb but hard to warm to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(9)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Never This Way

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

awkward start, lost many lengths start, in rear

10/1

10th

10

(1)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Never This Way

8st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Yet to win and form this year has been uneven; not beaten far in a first-time hood at Newcastle last time but hardly a solid betting proposition.

16/1

7th

2

(2)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Never This Way

9st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

mounted in chute and taken down early, raced far side, led

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £129.40
Tricast £1128.19

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Street Life

POSTDATA:

Musical Diva

RP RATINGS:

Kyber Crystal

The Guardian:

Rockley Point

Telegraph:

Musical Diva

D Express:

Musical Diva

Daily Mirror:

Kyber Crystal

The Star:

Kyber Crystal

The Times:

Street Life

Daily Mail:

Street Life

The Sun:

Street Life

Daily Record:

Street Life