December 17 / 16.30 Newcastle (AW)

16.30

Standard

Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

  • Prize money: £2983.38
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 932121 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
On the up for Ben Haslam and his C&D record reads 121 after last week's comfortable success; a 5lb penalty shouldn't prevent another big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Volenti

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Four C&D wins, including when justifying favouritism in January 2025; in reasonable form on turf this time last year (from marks in mid 60s) but has lost his way since then, tumbling down the handicap; latest Ripon fourth (beaten 8l) isn't enough to tempt.

7/1

4th

8

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Volenti

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Has four wins on Newcastle AW but is only 1-19 on turf; never figured on return to turf when seventh of nine at Pontefract (1m, good) in cheekpieces (left off here) last month; needs to show more.

16/1

7th

8

(7)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Volenti

8st 12lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Last of his five wins came 15 months ago and he struggled after close fourth over C&D (good to firm) in August; falling mark a help if he can stage a revival after three-month break; market check advised.

20/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 730935

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Poor strike-rate but his first run for Gemma Tutty was quite encouraging, keeping on in a steadily run 7f affair here six weeks ago; today's test should be more suitable and he lurks on a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

4th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:52 Newcastle (AW)

Commander Crouch

9st 5lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gemma Tutty

Two creditable shows in midwinter, including over C&D, but his sole win was back in 2023 and he ran no sort of race on this track in January; needs to shrug that off.

12/1

8th

9

(4)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Commander Crouch

8st 11lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Gemma Tutty

It's now 19 outings since his last victory but he wasn't discredited when fourth of ten in 1m Southwell handicap 11 days ago; possibilities.

7/1

8th

9

(4)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Commander Crouch

8st 11lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Gemma Tutty

It's now 19 outings since his last victory but he wasn't discredited when fourth of ten in 1m Southwell handicap 11 days ago; possibilities.

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 869587 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
He's been disappointing since July and has undergone wind surgery since finishing seventh here (1m2f) last month; drops in trip/grade and a market check looks prudent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(9)

7th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Leap Year Lad

9st 7lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Just 2-31 but had dropped in the weights and undergone wind surgery before finishing a creditable third of ten at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in December; each-way claims if backing it up.

9/2

9th

3

(9)

7th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Leap Year Lad

9st 7lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Just 2-31 but had dropped in the weights and undergone wind surgery before finishing a creditable third of ten at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in December; each-way claims if backing it up.

9/2

3rd

4

(10)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Leap Year Lad

9st 8lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

He's been disappointing since July and has undergone wind surgery since finishing seventh here (1m2f) last month; drops in trip/grade and a market check looks prudent.

10/1

Form: 0-9043

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden; two sound C&D runs for her new stable, more recently third of 12 (beaten just over 4l) behind Volenti last week; 5lb better off today but not easily fancied to turn the tables; cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Jujubella

8st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three-time Newcastle winner who made the breakthrough on turf at Haydock (1m3f, good) last July; acquitted herself respectably in Class 2 contests at York (fifth) and Doncaster (seventh) last autumn, but her form has tapered off; fast easing handicap mark.

33/1

11th

8

(5)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Jujubella

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Progressive for cheekpieces going on early last year, with three course wins, latterly off a 4lb lower mark; again goes without the headgear back from six months off and there's nothing to suggest she's best caught fresh.

8/1

Form: 167270 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Multiple C&D winner, the latest win when keeping on well to score comfortably in October; in and out since, including when 15l behind Volenti here last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Hasn't troubled the judge since returning in December from a short break and finished well behind Spirit Of Bowland over C&D last time.

33/1

9th

8

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Last win away from Newcastle was in 2021; slow starts have been holding him back so both classified fourths over C&D this month can arguably be upgraded; chance rests largely on the start.

20/1

4th

5

(7)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Pop Favorite

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

It has been a long time since he won away from Newcastle and he has run to just a modest level in two Southwell runs this year; others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

Form: 045587

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
1m4f winner for former yard; generally quiet this year though and opposable dropped to a mile on her stable debut after an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(9)

24th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:47 Lingfield (AW)

Dees Dream

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Fionn McSharry

0-13 on AW but she showed useful form for the level when a close third to a good yardstick at Newcastle (1m4f) in January; this is her first Polytrack run for a year but she handles the surface; not far away.

10/1

5th

1

(1)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Dees Dream

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Has got back on track for her current yard, third of eight in 1m4f classified event at Southwell 41 days ago; ought to be thereabouts.

5/2

3rd

1

(4)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Dees Dream

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Close third in similar event at Newcastle (12.5f) this month on classified debut and second start for new yard; now 0-11 on AW but has possibilities kept to this grade.

11/4

14/1

Form: 122558 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
7f win here in July came in a 0-50 classified event; solid efforts in handicaps on her next two starts but her form has cooled more recently; others preferred for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won very similar C&D race to this last summer and was second in C&D handicaps on next two outings; has strong claims if judged on those efforts but needs to raise her game after ending 2024 with two below-par runs.

16/1

5th

4

(4)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won very similar C&D race to this last summer and was second in C&D handicaps on next two outings; has strong claims if judged on those efforts but needs to raise her game after ending 2024 with two below-par runs.

16/1

7th

10

(9)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Barossa

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

7f win here in July came in a 0-50 classified event; solid efforts in handicaps on her next two starts but her form has cooled more recently; others preferred for win purposes.

14/1

Form: 135587 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Two C&D wins this year, making the running on both occasions; well handicapped on that form but unlikely to get a soft lead in today's field; can still run his best race of the winter though and he's one to consider at a price.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(5)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:57 Redcar

Martins Brig

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: David Thompson

Winner at Wetherby in April 2025 (7f, good to firm) and some fair runs since; hasn't been in much form on the AW this year and perhaps best watched for now.

33/1

7th

13

(7)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Martins Brig

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David Thompson

Triple C&D winner but he's finished in rear in his last three runs and and his last win was 12 months ago; one of three runners for the yard and he needs to turn things around.

16/1

8th

4

(2)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Martins Brig

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David Thompson

A three-time C&D scorer but he arrives out of sorts, beating only one in classified event over C&D 40 days ago; he needs this change of headgear to spark a resurgence.

16/1

50/1

Form: 0986P0

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Exposed maiden; little since May to suggest he was ready to exploit his reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 197y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Wath Court

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Philip Kirby

Just one placed effort from 30 starts and and he's struggled in three runs for new yard this spring; has lots to prove and he was withdrawn after bolting before the start at Beverley 12 days ago; stablemate of Recobella.

50/1

40/1

Form: 973980

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Two heavy defeats in turf handicaps in April; fared no better on his stable debut over C&D last week; cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(6)

2nd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:27 Newcastle (AW)

Born To Charm

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Geoffrey Harker

Tailed off in six of his seven starts including in two 1m handicaps here for current yard; has lots to prove now upped to 1m4f and this looks tough on these terms.

50/1

12th

12

(6)

2nd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:27 Newcastle (AW)

Born To Charm

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Geoffrey Harker

Tailed off in six of his seven starts including in two 1m handicaps here for current yard; has lots to prove now upped to 1m4f and this looks tough on these terms.

50/1

10th

11

(3)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Born To Charm

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two heavy defeats in turf handicaps in April; fared no better on his stable debut over C&D last week; cheekpieces now added.

40/1

Non-runners

Odd Socks Havana, Wedgewood Sapphire

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.50
Straight Forecast £4.44
Tricast £12.08
Trifecta £19.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Volenti

The Times:

Jujubella

SPOTLIGHT:

Commander Crouch

D Express:

Leap Year Lad

The Sun:

Jujubella

Daily Record:

Jujubella

RP RATINGS:

Commander Crouch

Telegraph:

Volenti

The Guardian:

Volenti

Daily Mail:

Volenti

Daily Mirror:

Volenti

The Star:

Volenti