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

4th

4

(5)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 208y

Class 4

14:13 Musselburgh

Humble Spark

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Campaigned mainly over further and has done most of his winning on AW; form has dipped of late and his losing run continues to mount up; wears new headgear.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

21st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 5

14:47 Hamilton

Humble Spark

10st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Six of his seven wins have been on AW; may just have needed the run after a break when fifth at Ayr on Thursday (1m5f, soft) and has an each-way chance.

8/1

5th

12

(1)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:01 Ayr

Humble Spark

8st 11lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Went close to snapping long losing run in Queen Mother's Cup at York (1m4f, good) in June; a danger to all if in that form but three lesser runs have followed.

10/1

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

6th

2

(14)

5th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:21 Pontefract

Phone Tag

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Won three times (once over C&D) in 2025 but seen only once this year, when well beaten at Newmarket in May; still on a fairly tough mark and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

33/1

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

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

1st

8

4th Oct 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:45 Uttoxeter

Berry Edge

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

3-34 on Flat and 1-9 over hurdles; the hurdles win came at Wetherby (2m, soft) in February; placed there and at Worcester (upped to 2m4f, good) on both starts since, having left David Thompson for £21,000 in between and undergone wind surgery; needs a bit extra but has to be considered.

100/30

2nd

5

10th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Berry Edge

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Came good over hurdles for David Thompson with clear success at Wetherby (2m, soft) in February and was placed off today's mark over that C&D (good to soft) the following month; changed hands for £21,000 in May and was given a wind op soon afterwards; goes without cheekpieces on this debut for Dan Skelton and has stamina to prove but should be fine on the forecast faster ground; must be considered.

7/4

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

3rd

3

18th Oct 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:50 Sedgefield

Rock Armour

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Has a basement Flat mark and was beaten 23l and 20l in his first two runs over hurdles; 40-1 when unseating early in a Hexham novice last week.

33/1

3rd

1

9th Sep 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

14:00 Sedgefield

Rock Armour

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Modest on the Flat and 100-1 when well behind Datstheholyallofit here 12 days ago.

100/1

5th

4

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:25 Sedgefield

Rock Armour

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Modest Flat performer at up to 1m6f (only win came on AW early in 2025); not been at best recently; hurdles debut.

25/1

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