December 06 / 17.20 Newcastle (AW)

17.20

Standard

Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £7955.68
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

1st
10 (4)
Apiarist

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.40
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 444394

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Raced only on turf; landed a valuable prize at York as a 2yo; 0-8 this term but is largely consistent, respectable fourth at Doncaster (1m) most recently; frame possibilities, provided he takes to AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Apiarist

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent sort who made it 1-20 on turf (that grass win came here in 2yo campaign) when well beaten at Royal Ascot last month; however, two starts ago he was a close sixth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) when he was denied a clear run, and he's not ruled out.

7/1

18th

12

(18)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Apiarist

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Eye-catcher, amid traffic issues, in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time; form over C&D comprises a respectable eighth (off current mark) in this contest last year and creditable third (did well having been hampered) later in 2025; still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf, however.

22/1

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -04998 D

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-6 since winning his first two races and isn't particularly solid on 2024 form; gelded since last run and returns from 197-day layoff, so the betting may offer further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Dragon Icon

9st 10lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

0-13 since winning his first two career starts on Polytrack, but capable of useful form as when third of 14 in the London Mile Series Final at Kempton (1m, Polytrack; first-time cheekpieces) 15 days ago; has run well on Tapeta at Newcastle and a player off the same mark as last time.

9/2

12

(8)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Kempton (AW)

Dragon Icon

8st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Career commenced with two wins; 0-12 since but close third in qualifier last time sets him up nicely for a crack at this final and first-time cheekpieces may have a boosting effect; in the mix.

8/1

4

(5)

20th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:20 Kempton (AW)

Dragon Icon

10st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

On a long losing sequence and he arrives below par, having been tried in a hood (now discarded) when seventh of ten in 1m Ascot handicap last month; handily weighted if he gets back on song though.

11/2

25/1

  • Place: £13.10

Form: 049048 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won this year's Carlisle Bell (off this mark) but has generally struggled to sustain his form since, latterly at this venue; now 0-7 on AW and doesn't look the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Orbaan

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who dipped into a seller for his latest win, at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) in July; current handicap mark is workable but his AW strike-rate is 0-13 and he needs to rebound from two down-the-field runs.

16/1

2

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Orbaan

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who dipped into a seller for his latest win, at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) in July; current handicap mark is workable but his AW strike-rate is 0-13 and he needs to rebound from two down-the-field runs.

16/1

6

(11)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Orbaan

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who won a Beverley seller in July; some fair handicap runs since but others may have his measure back on AW (0-12 in this sphere).

12/1

16/1

Form: 080900 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

11th

10

(3)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Bless Him

9st 0lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran hold-up performer who is now 8lb lower than when third in the Victoria Cup in May; capable but he'll need everything to go his way to win.

33/1

5th
12 (6)
Billyb

7/1

Form: -51203 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Largely in good form this season for new stable, winning on turf in June; close third over 7f here (back from a break) most recently; solid chance off unaltered mark, with the return to 1m no issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Billyb

9st 11lb

J: Sam James

T: Craig Lidster

Ended 2025 with 1m Southwell win and largely in good nick this season, seventh of 14 in 1m Carlisle handicap last month; not ruled out from a slipping mark.

10/1

7th

3

(14)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Billyb

10st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Craig Lidster

Six-time winner, the most recent coming on the AW at Southwell off this mark in November; runner-up off a 4lb lower mark in this race in 2024 but he hasn't threatened in three starts this year; others make more appeal.

25/1

13th

2

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Billyb

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Craig Lidster

Course winner (1m, good) last summer and signed off 2025 with 1m success at Southwell; better effort this year when respectable seventh of 11 at Beverley (7.5f, good) a fortnight ago; may come on again.

20/1

Form: 314652 CD

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Productive this term for David O'Meara, winning three times (AW/turf); close second over C&D most recently; sold for 18,000gns since; fighting chance, provided he remains in similar form for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Nikovo

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Herrington

Gained last three wins on Newcastle AW; ran respectably back there on latest start; has bits of encouraging turf form this term but it's over two years since his last success in this sphere.

8/1

3rd

4

(10)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Nikovo

9st 4lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Well suited by conditions and his last-gasp C&D win in March came off just 2lb lower; creditable efforts off his lower turf mark more recently; may find a few of his younger rivals better treated.

10/1

4th

6

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

Nikovo

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Rated much lower on turf (2-20) than on the AW (5-22); hasn't run at all badly in his last two starts on grass including when eighth of 28 in the Victoria Cup; each-way claims down another 2lb.

12/1

Form: 11-6 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Produced form figures of 116 for the Gosdens, close sixth at Kempton (1m) on seasonal debut most recently; sold for 8,000gns since; new connections have acquired an interesting type who may do better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:23 Redcar

Dolce Courage

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: James Horton

Lightly raced 5yo; ran well with blinkers added when close fourth at Doncaster (7f, good) in March but he's been disappointing in both subsequent runs; still unexposed on turf but his profile is patchy and others are more convincing; first-time visor replaces blinkers.

12/1

7th

5

(4)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Dolce Courage

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Horton

Lightly raced 5yo who was a close fourth of 15 in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Doncaster (7f, good) in March; however, beaten a long way out at Newmarket (1m good) since, and hard to be confident after that.

25/1

5

(4)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Dolce Courage

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Horton

Lightly raced 5yo who was a close fourth of 15 in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Doncaster (7f, good) in March; however, beaten a long way out at Newmarket (1m good) since, and hard to be confident after that.

25/1

Form: 772102 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Hindered by a wide trip on penultimate outing; has shown steady progress otherwise of late and ran well over C&D most recently; now 3lb higher in a better grade but may continue to improve; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Cavalry Call

10st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Won at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) last spring but he's struggled in his last eight starts including over hurdles in last two runs; now 10lb lower than for his last success but he needs a big turnaround for new yard (has changed hands and left Mike Smith); hood removed and cheekpieces return.

16/1

9th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:40 Kelso

Cavalry Call

11st 3lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: R Mike Smith

Two Flat wins but form went the wrong way in that code from last August onwards and he was pulled up at 150-1 on hurdle debut four weeks ago.

100/1

Form: 2-5171 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Success in small field at Musselburgh (1m) last month enhanced his good record when making the running; not sure to get an easy lead in this field on AW debut but is otherwise a steadily progressive contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

3

(2)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Silent Move

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Inconsistent and has failed to shine on last two starts but may have been unsuited by soft ground then Tapeta; runner-up at Carlisle (7f, good to firm) in August then fifth of 15 at Thirsk (7f, good) where he was denied a clear run, and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a big effort.

20/1

5th

11

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Silent Move

9st 4lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

Three turf wins to his name; patchy record in 2025 though and others are more appealing in today's field.

10/1

1

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Silent Move

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Looked unfortunate when beaten less than a length into second of seven at Carlisle (7f, good to firm) last month and didn't enjoy a clear run when fifth of 15 at Thirsk (7f, good) since; acts on ground ranging from good to firm to good to soft; still 2lb below last winning mark; a player.

5/1

10/1

Form: 170742

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins at Meydan (7f) for previous yard; has form figures of 0742 for new stable, close second at Wolverhampton (7f) most recently; possibilities, provided he's as effective back over 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Mcmanaman

10st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Joe Tickle

Winner over this trip on turf at Meydan in 2021 and 2024; more miss than hit in second British spell and a recent change of scenery/break hasn't helped.

20/1

8th

5

(13)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Mcmanaman

9st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Two-time 7f turf winner at Meydan who is on a competitive mark on 7f/1m AW form from late last year; the drop back in trip may not be an issue and he was returning from a break when down the field on last month's stable debut at Glorious Goodwood, but he may be best watched for now.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 13/108 CD

Last run: 208 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; scored comfortably over C&D in February on return from long absence and debut for this yard; below form in the spring when last seen but is interesting given that he acts well fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(5)

1st May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Noble Order

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Christine Dunnett

Trainer on a lengthy losing run but has had a good few pop up at big prices here down the years; this gelding, whose best work for Archie Watson came on the AW, will need to improve a lot upon his two starts for current connections if he's to follow suit.

66/1

9th

2

(5)

1st May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Noble Order

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Christine Dunnett

Trainer on a lengthy losing run but has had a good few pop up at big prices here down the years; this gelding, whose best work for Archie Watson came on the AW, will need to improve a lot upon his two starts for current connections if he's to follow suit.

66/1

12th

5

(5)

7th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Noble Order

9st 8lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Christine Dunnett

awkward start, in rear

50/1

Form: 950512 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful handicapper whose recent 9.5f form at Wolverhampton puts him in the picture and who remains well treated on historical data; should cope with the drop back to 1m on this stiff track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(10)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: George Boughey

Both AW wins came here, including over C&D in 2023, but form tailed off sharply at the end of last year, after which he had wind surgery; not much to shout about in four runs this term and he's developed a habit of starting slowly; others preferred.

33/1

8th

7

(1)

3rd Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:23 Kempton (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 6lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: George Boughey

Formerly quite useful but he was ending a losing run when dead-heating at Wolverhampton (9.4f; best AW form on that track) in November and he hasn't recaptured last year's best efforts in three runs this time round.

20/1

6th

4

(6)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 8lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: George Boughey

Regressed last year, mainly over shorter, and seems happier on Tapeta; well held in two runs back from wind surgery and the cheekpieces come off again as he steps back up from 7f.

16/1

Non-runners

Christian David, Dingle

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.70
Straight Forecast £22.64
Tricast £718.19
Trifecta £1046.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Koy Koy

Daily Mail:

Dolce Courage

SPOTLIGHT:

Cavalry Call

RP RATINGS:

Bless Him

The Star:

Apiarist

Telegraph:

Dragon Icon

Daily Mirror:

Mcmanaman

D Express:

Orbaan

The Sun:

Dolce Courage

POSTDATA:

Cavalry Call

NEWMARKET:

Koy Koy

Daily Record:

Koy Koy

The Times:

Bless Him