December 28 / 15.30 Newcastle (AW)

15.30

Standard

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

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

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 314235 CD BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Below par here last time but he's had a good year featuring three wins, two of them over C&D; no surprise if he bounces back with a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Humble Spark

8st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Tough 6yo with seven wins to his name; beaten favourite at Hamilton (1m3f, good) last time but shaped quite nicely, keeping on into second place after a slow start and meeting trouble; place possibilities again at the very least.

10/1

2nd

6

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Humble Spark

8st 5lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Held up; exposed 6yo who is 6-27 on AW surfaces but 1-13 on turf; however, that solitary turf win was over C&D (2024) and he wasn't far away back on turf for last three outings; case can be made.

7/2

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 972663

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Made it 1-15 when 5l third of eight over C&D 11 days ago, having been headstrong; the first-time hood could help him settle better and he's unexposed on the AW; possible improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Phone Tag

9st 0lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Kevin Frost

Very in and out across his eight starts last year but won three times, including here (1m1f, good) in October; he could be involved if fully tuned up on this first outing since December.

14/1

1

(11)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:57 Newmarket

Phone Tag

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Won this January and April, latterly at Pontefract (1m, good); well beaten last two outings but absent four months in between and has bounced back before.

20/1

1st

1

(11)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:57 Newmarket

Phone Tag

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Won this January and April, latterly at Pontefract (1m, good); well beaten last two outings but absent four months in between and has bounced back before.

20/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 795142 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Suited by the step up in trip when winning at Wolverhampton (9.4f, Tapeta) last month before fair fourth over this C&D eight days later; good second at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) since and Warren Fentiman removes a valuable 7lb today; he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(6)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rainwater

10st 12lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

2-34 but only faded late after racing prominently at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) and met trouble in running when fifth of 12 at Southwell (7f, AW; 100-30) 12 days ago; on career-low mark and may be ready to take advantage.

5/1

5th

5

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Rainwater

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Two wins from 33 starts; runner-up over this C&D in January and he shaped as if still in form when eighth of 22 at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) 17 days ago, weakening late; returns to the AW with solid claims.

4/1

8th

16

(8)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Doncaster

Rainwater

10st 7lb

J: Miss Isla Clarkson

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Infrequent winner but he has run some good races in defeat over the winter, including when coming from a long way back to take second at Southwell (7f) for this rider in January; ran poorly at this meeting 12 months ago.

16/1

Form: 41-047 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Down the field over C&D on recent stable debut but this front-runner ran well for a long way on his first start since April; could improve for that outing and he's a two-time C&D winner; capable of a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

8-59, although his last win came in a two-runner affair at Carlisle (2m1f; 2-5 favourite; all out) in December 2023; latest Carlisle sixth (beaten 15l; 50-1) not overly inspiring; others more obvious.

10/1

6th

7

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Thompson

Has won six times over hurdles, the latest a two-runner affair over C&D (good to soft) in December 2023; a couple of fair runs for this yard last year but pulled up when last seen out in January (reportedly never travelling); others appeal more.

20/1

4

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Russian Virtue

11st 5lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: David Thompson

On a long losing spell and form figures of 246 this term reflect that a turnaround of sorts is required; admittedly appears well treated if that resurgence materialises, being 7lb below last winning mark.

16/1

Form: 704106 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner who dead-heated for first at Wolverhampton last month and is just 1lb higher today; however, two lesser performances have followed (including here) and he needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Percy Willis

10st 1lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

All six wins have been on Tapeta, including three over C&D; well treated on his best form last year and he went close off this mark over C&D (Rubellite third) last Thursday; that was his second run after a break and he's a big player if he can repeat that form.

9/2

2nd

3

(7)

25th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Percy Willis

10st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Three C&D wins to his name; should be sharper for his recent return to action and he'll appreciate both dropping into Class 6 and returning to a longer trip; one to consider.

100/30

4th

8

(1)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:39 Newcastle (AW)

Percy Willis

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

2lb below last winning mark and although not seen in six months, has won after a similar absence; has run well in all four starts over C&D, but all six wins have come over 1m4f (three here) so he wouldn't want a dawdle over this trip.

14/1

Form: 667516 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Came from the rear to win a shade cosily over C&D in October; just 3lb higher today and not ruled out, but he's inconsistent and was merely sixth over C&D last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Berry Edge

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

Three-time Flat winner (including on good to soft) who got off the mark over hurdles at the seventh attempt over C&D (soft) last month; he did it comfortably and an 8lb rise may not stop him if he can back up that effort.

9/2

1st

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Wetherby

Berry Edge

10st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

3-34 on the Flat and took a step forward in this headgear combination at Catterick (1m7f, soft) latest in his third handicap hurdle, finishing third of five; however, was 7l behind runner-up Voodoo Angel so has work to do.

8/1

3rd

5

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

16:23 Catterick

Berry Edge

10st 10lb

J: Jack Power

T: David Thompson

3-34 on Flat; lightly raced over hurdles and soundly beaten in November in first two handicaps in this code (2m1f, soft); the reapplied cheekpieces and first-time tongue-tie could help but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

100/30

Form: 600223 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
0-8 and needs to prove he can get the job done, but he's run really well to finish placed over C&D on his last three starts and this 3yo can be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(1)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Nine-race maiden on turf, best recent run when third at Catterick in April (1m4f, good); hasn't done as well since.

14/1

6th

10

(10)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Just one win from his 25 starts but he was a good third over C&D last month and didn't see out 1m6f when fifth to Free Pic here last time; each-way claims back down in trip.

14/1

5th

5

(1)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Rock Armour

8st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

In the hands of John Butler when sporting first-time blinkers to score at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February; that's her only success but a keeping-on third here (1m4f, good) was a respectable effort a fortnight ago and this new trip is probably worth a go.

9/2

66/1

Form: 448009 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Ran well when third over hurdles in October but he's finished down the field over C&D the last twice and his long losing sequence continues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

4

(8)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dundory

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

in rear, broke down and fell after 2f, race voided

33/1

8th

9

(9)

8th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

15:03 Newcastle (AW)

Dundory

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear, outpaced 3f out

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.10
Straight Forecast £8.21
Tricast £24.31
Trifecta £41.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Rainwater

The Guardian:

Rock Armour

Telegraph:

Humble Spark

SPOTLIGHT:

Russian Virtue

Daily Mail:

Rock Armour

The Star:

Rock Armour

POSTDATA:

Rainwater

The Times:

Rainwater

Daily Mirror:

Rainwater

Daily Record:

Rainwater

D Express:

Humble Spark

The Sun:

Humble Spark