November 16 / 16.48 Newcastle (AW)

16.48

Standard

BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

  • Prize money: £7955.68
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
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BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.40
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 108165 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Wind surgery this summer has had a positive effect, winning over C&D in June and at Beverley in August; still looked in top form when fifth here last month, meeting plenty of trouble in running; each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(7)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Elegant Erin

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Positives include a penchant for soft ground and a C&D record that reads 1166126113; beaten in a Class 4 handicap last month though and she faces a stiff task in this company.

40/1

3rd

2

(6)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Elegant Erin

10st 0lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Five wins and a second from nine attempts over C&D; ended 2025 in flying form and returned off a brutal mark as a consequence; handicapper relenting now and her third at Nottingham 13 days ago was a step back in the right direction; this should be run to suit and she's a strong contender.

5/1

3rd

1

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Elegant Erin

10st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Paul Midgley

Eight-time turf winner including on fast and soft ground; ended last season with a good fourth in a Listed race at Ascot (5f) but she's been out of sorts in her four runs this year; on dangerous mark but she needs to get back on track.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 512924 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing run in a 6f handicap at Redcar in August; two good runs and two lesser efforts have followed; 0-8 on AW but he has twice run well over C&D and this mark is well within range.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(6)

3rd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:23 Thirsk

Makanah

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

11/4

10th

4

(6)

3rd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:23 Thirsk

Makanah

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield, weakened over 2f out, tailed off

11/4

2nd

5

(9)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:48 Newcastle (AW)

Makanah

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

midfield against near rail, waiting for room halfway, switched left 1f out, good headway inside final furlong, switched right and squeezed through final 110yds, went second post, eyecatcher

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 090431 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
He had been threatening prior to a comfortable C&D win 19 days ago, finishing off strongly down the middle of the track; a 6lb rise against stronger opposition asks more of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(7)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Dark Kestrel

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on AW than turf but handicapped accordingly; not beaten far at Wetherby on his penultimate start but this is a better race and he has since finished down the field at Wolverhampton.

16/1

8th

3

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won here but at his best at Newcastle where he has gained his last four wins; can ruin chance by starting slowly but is not firing on all cylinders at present anyway; best to wait until he returns to Newcastle.

16/1

3rd

1

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on the AW, but has a 15lb lower rating on turf; Newcastle winner in March; not disgraced on latest turf start at Beverley last month, but modest effort in a visor (on again) on Tapeta last time; a possible.

6/1

Form: 213158 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Two C&D wins on his record; added 5f wins at Haydock and Ripon this summer and when flopping at Haydock last month the ground was heavy; not impossibly treated but others have greater upside.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Acts on good to firm and soft; nine-time winner who scored by 4l at Catterick two weeks ago but was disappointing under a penalty there last Wednesday; up another 4lb, but he was as good as ever on his penultimate run and is a player if he can recapture that form.

5/1

5th

9

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Failed to beat a rival home at Thirsk (5f, good) but he's won over this C&D either side of that, including when coming 4l clear nine days ago; looks well treated under a 4lb penalty but this is a step up in class.

4/1

1st

3

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tristan Davidson

Wins his share and he got off the mark for the year over C&D last month; well held at Thirsk three days ago but in a Class 4; this should be more suitable.

6/1

Form: 103212 CD

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
He has taken well to Tapeta, placed twice over 6f at Southwell before a C&D win last month; good second off this mark at Southwell on Tuesday, narrowly failing to peg back a thriving rival; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Ripon

Spirit Of Applause

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

C&D winner (September 2022); reliable in 2026, inching ever closer; beaten a nose by the in-form Mr Cool at Redcar (6f, good; 12-1) ten days ago; small 2lb rise, coupled with less favourable low draw, enough to further frustrate?

3/1

2nd

7

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

19:00 Redcar

Spirit Of Applause

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Reliable sort who comes here on the back of a good second of nine in 5f Pontefract handicap 17 days ago; can make his presence felt off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

3

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:15 Pontefract

Spirit Of Applause

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Posted two good thirds at the start of last month (5f/5.6f, good to firm) before midfield finish in big-field Class 4 at York (6f, good to firm); the drop back in trip/grade can help and he could be in the mix.

11/2

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 4-5758 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to his debut win but he has run some fair races in much stronger company this year; below par at Hamilton last time (after wind surgery; finished lame) but no surprise to see a revival now dropping into what is effectively a Class 4 event; AW should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Mon Na Slieve

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; on a lenient mark but his losing sequence is mounting and he had no obvious excuses when beating just one home at Beverley three weeks ago.

11/1

7th

7

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Mon Na Slieve

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; on a good mark and his latest Hamilton third offered hope he would be adding to his tally soon; tongue-tie returns today; considered.

9/2

3rd

8

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Mon Na Slieve

9st 6lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten just a nose at Newcastle (5f, AW) in March and close fifth of 13 over this C&D (good) last month; might not be far away if he's on a going day but he's been up and down this season and was soundly beaten at Thirsk (5f, good) last time.

11/1

Form: 4597/3 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Front-running 5f performer with five wins to his name; was returning from 21 months off when third of four in conditions stakes at Beverley in September; that wouldn't be strong form but at least the run suggested he retains much of his ability and his lower AW mark appears to be based on two runs in early 2022 when his turf form wasn't great either; trainer could be in better form though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:37 Salisbury

King Of Stars

10st 2lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Formerly useful; hasn't won since 2021 and ended last season with a pair of duck eggs; best watched on reappearance, unless the market suggests otherwise.

3/1

1

(2)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

16:52 Bath

King Of Stars

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Appleby

1-1 over C&D; two good efforts since returning from latest seven-month absence but ran moderately when twelfth of 14 at York last time; 11l margin of defeat does him some disservice though (squeezed out then eased) and this drop in grade can help him bounce back; easiest task on turf for years; interesting.

7/1

10

(3)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

15:00 York

King Of Stars

8st 12lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Had some long spells on the sidelines since his solid 2022 campaign; two solid efforts since returning from latest seven-month absence; has run well over C&D and should give it a good go from the front.

10/1

Form: 51-304 C

Last run: 213 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins here last year; strong favourite to defy this mark here on his reappearance in February but could only manage third of the eight runners; solid fourth of 18 at Newmarket in April (6f, good) but he's been absent since; yard in form; still has time to do better but 5f a new experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(7)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Solray

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

midfield in centre of group

10/1

12th

10

(7)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Solray

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

midfield in centre of group

10/1

8th

4

(5)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:48 Newcastle (AW)

Solray

9st 7lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

slightly awkward start, pushed along soon after start, always behind

8/1

10/1

Form: 181609 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Three 5f wins this year, including on Tapeta, and he's been gelded since finishing down the field in a couple of useful 3yo handicaps the last twice; peak form brings him right into it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(5)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Grandlad

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Horton

Made a winning reappearance at Nottingham in April but he hasn't built on it in three runs since; blinkers now given a go.

14/1

6th

5

(1)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Grandlad

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: James Horton

Made all when winning off this mark on his comeback over C&D in the spring; bounced back from a poor one at Newmarket (doesn't seem to like it there) when not beaten far last time and there's no obvious reason he won't go well again.

5/1

7th

4

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Grandlad

9st 11lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: James Horton

All wins have been at 5f, the latest by a head at Nottingham in April (1lb lower); disappointing at Newmarket but ran poorly on his previous visit there; could bounce back from a handy draw.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.40
Straight Forecast £159.55
Tricast £2207.24
Trifecta £866.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Spirit Of Applause

SPOTLIGHT:

Mon Na Slieve

NEWMARKET:

Grandlad

Telegraph:

Solray

Daily Record:

Dark Kestrel

RP RATINGS:

Mon Na Slieve

The Star:

Mon Na Slieve

POSTDATA:

Spirit Of Applause

The Times:

Spirit Of Applause

The Guardian:

Spirit Of Applause

Daily Mail:

Spirit Of Applause

D Express:

Spirit Of Applause

Daily Mirror:

Spirit Of Applause