October 18 / 16.25 Newcastle (AW)

16.25

Standard

Coopers Marquees Handicap

  • Prize money: £2983.38
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 6
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
Coopers Marquees Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 8-6443

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Dual turf/AW winner in France (2021) who was 0-9 for David O'Meara but has taken minor honours on all three starts (one over hurdles) for new yard; the latest was at this track (1m4f) on Tuesday when he stayed on from the rear, never near the first two but shaping as if he would stay further; tried visor and blinkers for his last yard and now it's cheekpieces; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Val Bassett

10st 0lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Things fell ideally when winning a weak C&D handicap off a 3lb lower mark last autumn; the cheekpieces worn for the first time that day go back on tonight, but two lesser efforts since (one over hurdles) will need forgiving.

12/1

5th

4

(1)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Val Bassett

9st 12lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Rebecca Menzies

in rear

11/2

13/8

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 947321 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has fared better with a visor fitted over C&D on last three starts, getting up close home to justify favouritism in a steadily run, five-runner handicap on latest; up 2lb but should go very well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(4)

12th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 5

14:47 Catterick

Unique Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: R Mike Smith

A break may have helped and he's just 1lb higher than when winning at Newcastle (2m, AW) last October; however, he was down the field there in December on his first two runs for this yard; something to prove on return.

20/1

7th

4

(4)

12th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 5

14:47 Catterick

Unique Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: R Mike Smith

towards rear

20/1

7th

8

(8)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Unique Spirit

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Record of 32123 over 2m at Newcastle in his final five runs for D O'Meara; struggled on recent stable debut but the drop back to 1m4f was against him and he now takes a big step back up in trip; has claims if he can recapture his spark and he's not ruled out; visor the headgear of choice today.

16/1

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 171687 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent overall but has usually run with credit at this track, including a C&D win in August off 1lb lower; needs to bounce back from a poor show at Kempton but he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(2)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Three AW wins, the most recent off 7lb higher over C&D in August 2024; inconsistent since but is attractively treated and Jack Callan takes off a bonus 5lb; good chance if back to form.

10/1

6th

1

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

Zivaniya

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Prominent racer who won three times on AW last year, including over this C&D in August off a mark 5lb higher than today; beaten 20l here in February and was again well beaten at Kempton when last seen 92 days ago.

10/1

6

(6)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:40 Kempton (AW)

Zivaniya

9st 3lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Hugo Palmer

Prominent racer who won three times on AW last year and first two were over C&D; flopped with a heavy defeat at Newcastle in February but he finished a close third here (2m) on his penultimate run and is a big player if he can recapture that form; in the mix back from a break.

7/2

Form: /70599

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Dual winner on Polytrack in 2021; won over hurdles in March last year but no impact Flat or jumps codes since, including here once.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:30 Ayr

Galahad Threepwood

9st 4lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Well handicapped on old form but hasn't won on the Flat since 2021 and, following a 406-day absence, he finished last in recent 1m3f Hamilton race won by Annandale; has too much to prove.

40/1

7th

2

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

17:52 Hamilton

Galahad Threepwood

9st 13lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f) in 2021 who also won a 2m3f hurdle race in March 2023; that's from 44 starts and he may prove best watched on this first appearance since May 2025, despite the reduced mark.

20/1

3rd

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Galahad Threepwood

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual AW Flat winner (1m4f); only hurdle win was for Ben Pauling off 11lb higher at Doncaster in March 2023 (2m3f, good); some fair form last term, stable in good form and he's a possible.

7/1

Form: 5882 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Increasingly big prices in maiden/novice races but favourite for handicap debut at Ayr (upped to 1m7f, good) 17 days ago and duly raised his game, racing in last of six and the first ridden along but eventually closing to within a neck; up 1lb but this out-and-out stayer may have more to offer in the first-time headgear; it's also his AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Catalan King

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Six-race maiden on Flat and a beaten long way in three starts over hurdles; up in trip for his handicap debut after nine months off and major improvement is needed.

25/1

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:30 Huntingdon

Catalan King

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Six-race maiden on Flat and a beaten long way in three starts over hurdles; up in trip for his handicap debut after nine months off and major improvement is needed.

25/1

Form: 70-058

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Neck second on Polytrack in 2021 in his only AW race; disappointing last year and beat a total of one rival during his three runs this summer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

1st

5

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Grand Scheme

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

took keen hold, prominent

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.00
Straight Forecast £12.39
Trifecta £54.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Unique Spirit

The Times:

Catalan King

RP RATINGS:

Val Bassett

The Star:

Catalan King

POSTDATA:

Unique Spirit

Telegraph:

Unique Spirit

The Guardian:

Unique Spirit

Daily Mail:

Unique Spirit

D Express:

Unique Spirit

Daily Mirror:

Unique Spirit

The Sun:

Unique Spirit

Daily Record:

Unique Spirit