October 22 / 16.15 Newcastle (AW)

16.15

Standard

Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 1m 4f 99y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 32100 BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Couple of blowouts as favourite in the summer, being eased after slipping at Haydock before boiling over next time (no surprise he has been gelded off the back of that); dam was 2-2 on the AW (Polytrack) for the yard and he still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Dramatic Star

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.

9/2

7th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won twice in 2024, including over 1m4f on Tapeta; had only five runs last year but he went close on two occasions, including in a Class 2 at Southwell (1m4f) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he hit a personal best last time and he's a key player on this drop back in grade.

3/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 632316 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Front-runner whose handicap wins have come off lesser marks, mainly in smaller fields, including over C&D off 6lb lower in the spring; may face competition for the lead from Kolossal and has to bounce back from a poor run at Ayr (Chichester just behind).
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

4/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 6-6627

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Solid effort on his Tapeta debut in August, when going close off a 2lb lower mark in first-time cheekpieces (switches to blinkers today); below that level on turf last time and has still to conclusively prove his stamina over a demanding, extended 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(9)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

King Lear

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Solid effort on his Tapeta debut in August, when going close off a 2lb lower mark in first-time cheekpieces (switches to blinkers today); below that level on turf last time and has still to conclusively prove his stamina over a demanding, extended 1m4f.

4/1

7th

7

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

King Lear

8st 11lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Maiden winner who is still lightly raced and this headgear combination did him no harm when runner-up at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in August; could have done without the 3lb rise in this stronger company.

6/1

2nd

3

(10)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:10 Southwell (AW)

King Lear

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Nottingham maiden winner (1m, good) a year ago, but out of the frame in all three handicaps; still unexposed, but needs the switch to the AW and addition of a tongue-tie to give him a lift.

15/2

Form: 536400 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Winless in well over two years and takes a drop in trip on his belated AW debut, having run a couple of times over 2m4f in the summer; this is less competitive off a career-low mark and he has claims if stamina comes into the equation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

5th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Get Shirty

10st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Long in the tooth and on the downgrade now but still retains a good chunk of ability, as evidenced by his fourth of 20 in Royal Ascot marathon (2m4f, good to firm) in June; moves back up in trip after respectable fourth in deeper race than this here (12.5f) last month; must be considered.

5/4

1st

1

(3)

5th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Get Shirty

10st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Long in the tooth and on the downgrade now but still retains a good chunk of ability, as evidenced by his fourth of 20 in Royal Ascot marathon (2m4f, good to firm) in June; moves back up in trip after respectable fourth in deeper race than this here (12.5f) last month; must be considered.

5/4

4th

8

(7)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Get Shirty

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Winless in well over two years and takes a drop in trip on his belated AW debut, having run a couple of times over 2m4f in the summer; this is less competitive off a career-low mark and he has claims if stamina comes into the equation.

7/1

12/1

Form: -33500

Last run: 126 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Last three wins came in Bahrain (December 2022 to December 2023); has been off for four months since a couple of ordinary efforts in good-quality handicaps in the summer and needs a revival on his Tapeta debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lucander

10st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: George Baker

Last three wins came in Bahrain (December 2022 to December 2023); has been off for four months since a couple of ordinary efforts in good-quality handicaps in the summer and needs a revival on his Tapeta debut.

12/1

20/1

Form: 7-9607 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Did most racing for Keith Dalgleish over shorter, last summer's Listed win coming over 1m, and has still to prove he's effective over this far; a string of poor efforts for his current yard this season leave him hard to fancy anyway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:55 Perth

Chichester

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very smart when at his best on the Flat but doesn't look the force of old and pulled up here in June on handicap debut over hurdles.

20/1

1

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:12 Perth

Chichester

11st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Makes handicap hurdle debut looking well treated on best Flat form, albeit with recent evidence (including under this code) suggesting he's not the force of old.

6/1

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:18 Perth

Chichester

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Smart at his best on the Flat; made low-key start to hurdling career during the winter but positives can be drawn from his fourth at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in February and he ought to be better suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 127-87 D

Last run: 108 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Dual Group 3 winner from the front in Germany in summer 2023; ran well for a long way at this year's Royal Ascot before a lesser effort in Group 2 company not long afterwards, and makes her AW debut back from a break; can do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 1

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Kolossal

9st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

14/1

6th

4

(5)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 1

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Kolossal

9st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

14/1

7th

1

(6)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kolossal

10st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Dual Group 3 winner from the front in Germany in summer 2023; ran well for a long way at this year's Royal Ascot before a lesser effort in Group 2 company not long afterwards, and makes her AW debut back from a break; can do better.

8/1

Form: 9-0004

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Much his best run of the season last time, on his second run back from a third round of wind surgery, and is on his last winning mark; goes on the shortlist on his AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Largely disappointing for this stable under both codes and, after a brief respite on the Flat at Newbury in April, he refused to come out of the stalls at York last month, both times in this headgear; best hurdle effort when runner-up at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in October offers some hope on handicap switch, but current form is a clear concern.

11/2

7

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Marhaba The Champ

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; this tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returned on latest outing, along with first-time hood; 17lb below his peak mark, but no win since he scored twice at York in 2023.

33/1

9th

5

(16)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

Marhaba The Champ

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returns, plus first-time hood.

50/1

Form: 412090

Last run: 60 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Tapeta winner who finished comfortably held in this race last year off a similar mark; arrives with something to prove this time, having been given a two-month break since a few poor efforts in the summer, and La Pulga looks his yard's best chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27

(20)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

Capital Theory

10st 5lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Had this rider aboard when scoring at Naas nine days ago, with Considering back in third; worth considering; first reserve.

2

(16)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 125y

16:55 Naas

Capital Theory

9st 12lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Step in the right direction at Bellewstown recently (1m4f, soft); drop in trip could suit.

12/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Capital Theory

10st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Competitive but below best form in two claimers this summer for current yard and then tailed off in a 2m2f handicap at Down Royal; others appeal more.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.90
Straight Forecast £16.87
Tricast £33.57
Trifecta £44.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

King Lear

SPOTLIGHT:

Dramatic Star

The Times:

Marhaba The Champ

TOPSPEED:

La Pulga

RP RATINGS:

Get Shirty

The Star:

Dramatic Star

NEWMARKET:

King Lear

The Guardian:

King Lear

Daily Mail:

King Lear

D Express:

King Lear

The Sun:

King Lear

Daily Record:

King Lear

Telegraph:

Marhaba The Champ

Daily Mirror:

La Pulga