December 28 / 15.00 Newcastle (AW)

15.00

Standard

BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3716.14
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 836672 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Without a since since September 2022 but quite lightly raced in the meantime and suggested he might be ready to exploit some help from the handicapper when a keeping-on second here (1m) at start of this month; today's move back up in trip ought to suit; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

14:05 Thirsk

Sandret

11st 2lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

In good form for new yard this summer, recording a comfortable win at Redcar (1m, good) in July and just as good when second at Musselburgh (7f, good) three weeks ago (both under Rebecca Hitchen); another prominent showing is on the cards with the return to 1m in his favour.

7/2

2nd

4

(1)

8th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Sandret

10st 13lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Recorded a comfortable win under Rebecca Hitchen, who was unable to claim, at Redcar (1m, good) last week on second start for new stable; rider can now use 5lb allowance, which offsets a penalty; scored over 7f very early in career; this in-form 9yo commands respect.

2/1

1st

3

(1)

30th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

17:10 Redcar

Sandret

11st 0lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

5-43, with his latest win coming off this mark at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in December; posted a solid effort when third of 12 over that C&D on stable debut under Rebecca Hitchen 33 days ago (raced wide); has won over 1m but he hasn't won on turf since 2019.

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 746362 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Better known for his exploits on turf but ran well in defeat behind Alpine Sierra over C&D when back on Tapeta this month and remains on a workable mark; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Powerful Response

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoffrey Harker

Back to winning ways with a front-running C&D success 23 days ago (visored first time); up 2lb but should give it another good go.

5/1

1st

5

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Powerful Response

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two soft-ground turf wins, including one for this yard, but he acts on better ground and made the most of a good draw when close third of 15 at Nottingham (8.5f, good; Token Love seventh) in cheekpieces three weeks ago; that is just about the best recent form on offer and he's nicely berthed again; visor goes on and he's respected.

5/2

3rd

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Powerful Response

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

First win was on AW but last two have come on turf (8.3f/1m2f, soft); had some close calls on Tapeta during the winter and he was a creditable fourth in big field at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; could be in the mix again but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out.

8/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 008894 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Took good step back in right direction when fourth over 7f here 11 days ago and will also be suited by today's longer trip but others appeal more all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

6/1

Form: 553514 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Tends to race too freely and is usually ridden patiently; led close home to score over C&D this month and was continuously denied a clear run when fourth off new mark two weeks ago; will be dangerous if this race pans out favourably for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(2)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Urban Road

8st 4lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Alan Brown

Often slowly away; last won in February 2025, with 14 races since; eight of nine wins were on AW, but easily best turf form came on last two starts (minor honours over 1m2f at Redcar) which gives hope; 2lb out of handicap.

6/1

3rd

9

(6)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

Urban Road

8st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Alan Brown

Beaten on his last 13 starts going back to last February and eight of his nine wins have come on AW; can be slowly away but that didn't stop him finishing second over C&D (good to firm) last Monday when back up in trip; has the same mark today and could well be in the mix once more.

7/1

2nd

5

(3)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Redcar

Urban Road

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Eight of his nine wins have been on AW; can be slowly away and is 2lb above his last winning mark; needs to come down the weights.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 236651 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Evidently suited by the move back up in trip when coming from off the pace to beat Powerful Response over C&D 16 days ago; not yet fully exposed over 1m2f and recent 4lb rise does not look excessive; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

16:10 Carlisle

Alpine Sierra

9st 7lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Hamilton (1m3f, good) on May 3 and again had plenty in hand when following up at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) last week, when switched to front-running tactics; this thriving 8yo has strong claims under 4lb penalty.

6/5

1st

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Alpine Sierra

8st 11lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

2.25l behind Spirit Catcher here last month (1m1f, good) and he is 2lb worse off with that rival today; did win well at Hamilton (1m3f, good) 18 days ago, however, and likely to be in the thick of it again.

9/4

1st

8

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Alpine Sierra

8st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Runner-up three consecutive times on Tapeta in March (1m-1m2f) and returned to turf with pretty good third at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) on Wednesday; should be fine over this longer trip; probably won't be far away.

15/8

5/2

Form: 87-753 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Unable to justify strong market support when third over C&D this month, having made the running, but that was his first start since March and he still ran well; will be a tough nut to crack if he comes on for the run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(13)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Kaaranah

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Took advantage of a reduced mark when scoring at Wolverhampton (9.4f; first-time cheekpieces) last month and he followed up with a dominant display on his return visit two weeks later; 7lb higher here but he remains well handicapped on his old form including a win over C&D; key player.

11/4

1st

4

(4)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kaaranah

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Caught the eye on penultimate start; justified market support over C&D subsequently (in newly applied cheekpieces), that his first win since September 2023; a 4lb rise looks fair, so he's entitled to be on the premises assuming the headgear continues to have the desired effect.

2/1

1st

6

(6)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kaaranah

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

No win since September 2023 (1m, Kempton; from 9lb higher); caught the eye making late headway (sixth; 16-1) over 8.5f here seven weeks ago; interesting to see if added cheekpieces can instigate a revival; market helpful.

8/1

Form: 27669

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Still unexposed after only six runs (one in a bumper) but was unable to land a telling blow when upped to 1m3f (from 1m) for this month's AW debut and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(1)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Shamardal Star

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Opened his account in Newcastle handicap (1m2f; third run for new yard) most recently and looked value for more than the half-length winning margin; may have more to offer over middle distances; respected back up 5lb.

6/4

1st

2

(5)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Shamardal Star

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

0-10 and hasn't built on early promise, including in two starts for this yard; drops again in grade but enough to prove back from 74 days off.

6/1

Form: 782744

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
15-race maiden; didn't get the best of runs before keeping on well for fourth behind Urban Road over C&D this month and remains unexposed over today's trip but is becoming rather frustrating and probably needs the first-time cheekpieces to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Falcon Nine

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Won twice in the space of five days last August, the second win coming over C&D off today's mark; ran some fair races on AW over the winter; place claims back from four months off.

8/1

7th

6

(5)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

14:13 Newcastle (AW)

Falcon Nine

9st 5lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Won twice in five days on turf last August (both 1m1f, good) and although he is 0-13 on AW, he's fully effective at this track; each-way claims.

12/1

4

(3)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Falcon Nine

9st 11lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Winless in his first 25 starts, but in good form since the blinkers went on in June (4321133); both wins came over 1m1f on turf in August, but he finished well for a creditable third over C&D last time; interesting contender on this drop back in grade.

11/2

Form: 360636 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner on turf but has modest AW strike-rate (1-32); didn't run badly when sixth of nine over C&D this month, after a break, but is not the percentage call today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:20 Hamilton

Hot Team

9st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Patrick Morris

Has won eight races, including four over 1m1f here; third to Dandy's Angel in this race last term, but not been in the best of form this season; others appeal more.

33/1

5

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Hot Team

9st 3lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Patrick Morris

Has won plenty during his career but a 9yo now and he's been out of form for a while.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £115.30
Straight Forecast £142.24
Tricast £1949.59
Trifecta £839.60

Selections

The Times:

Powerful Response

Telegraph:

Kaaranah

SPOTLIGHT:

Sandret

Daily Mirror:

Alpine Sierra

The Guardian:

Urban Road

Daily Record:

Powerful Response

The Star:

Alpine Sierra

Daily Mail:

Kaaranah

D Express:

Kaaranah

RP RATINGS:

Sandret

POSTDATA:

Sandret