December 28 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard

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  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.90
  • Place: £3.20

Form: 222241 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Endured a number of near misses before finally off the mark with a half-length success over C&D last week; up just 2lb and he had a bit in hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(8)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:05 Doncaster

Kings School

10st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

All four wins at Newcastle but nothing wrong with latest second at Chester, especially as he missed the break; good chance off 1lb higher.

13/2

2nd

3

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Chester

Kings School

11st 0lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

Readily landed 7f handicap at Newcastle (fourth success there) 24 days ago; can't be ruled out on a rare turf start despite a 5lb weights rise.

7/2

1st

2

(9)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Kings School

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gemma Tutty

Three-time C&D winner, latterly after a five-month break off 4lb lower last August; another solid effort fresh when not far behind Lord Capulet and The Green Man four weeks ago and is 7lb better off with the winner; can miss the break but is considered.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 424-10 D

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
First run after being gelded when winning a Newmarket handicap in April and that after a similar break; off since June when down the field in a deep York handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

11

(19)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Our Havana

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ended 2025 quietly but that resulted in a drop in the weights and he bounced back to form when pipping Lir Speciale over C&D four weeks ago; that was his first run after a wind operation and he retains handicapping scope despite a 3lb rise; drawn widest.

8/1

1st

5

(16)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Our Havana

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf last spring; not in the same form later in 2025 but has dipped back to a good mark as a result and he's gone well fresh before; no surprise were he to stage a revival back from wind surgery.

16/1

11

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Our Havana

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since; doesn't look as if he's about to add to his tally.

25/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 737111 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have all been over C&D, all of them by narrow margins; up only 2lb for the latest and should go close again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:00 Newcastle (AW)

Red Maids

8st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Record of 11137 since switched to this C&D, latest effort best forgiven (race wasn't run to suit); this hold-up mare could prove dangerous, provided the pace fractions are back in her favour.

13/2

20/1

Form: 277495 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Last three defeats have come here in races won by Starliner and Red Maids; again looks vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(6)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Swiss Ace

8st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Fairly useful on his day but is on a long losing sequence and current mark reflects a general decline in his form; a regular at Newcastle and rarely seen at Wolverhampton.

16/1

6th

6

(2)

19th Feb 2026

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 1lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; ran okay over C&D in November off a 7lb higher mark but he hasn't built on it since.

16/1

7th

9

(10)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:02 Southwell (AW)

Swiss Ace

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Carr

Losing run stretches back to December 2023; not beaten far at Newcastle in November (7f) but that is flanked by lesser efforts; blinkers back on today but others appeal more.

18/1

Form: 231235 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Ran right up to her best when a close third over 6f at Wolverhampton but fared less well back there last week over 7f, a trip she does stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(3)

4th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

20:25 Haydock

Byzantine Empress

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Caught the eye when third of 12 over C&D on her return to action in May; hasn't built on it since but she's well handicapped if this sets up for her.

14/1

5

(10)

24th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Newbury

Byzantine Empress

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Soundly beaten in competitive York sprint two starts ago but ran well over 7f on other two outings this season; comes here on a workable mark and can be dangerous if the new cheekpieces have any positive effect.

12/1

5th

3

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Byzantine Empress

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

1-18 strike-rate and down the field at York last Saturday (6f, good; reportedly never travelling); however, prior to that she was a close third on reappearance at Haydock (7f, good to soft) and a good case can be made on that form; effective on good to soft; could bounce back with big run.

9/2

Form: 500611 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in two runs for this yard and in the blinkers; had the run of things at Southwell (7f) but that head success has seen him go up just 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

Bravo Zulu

9st 7lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Won four times last term but he hasn't added to that haul since scoring at Windsor (1m, good to firm) around a year ago; did go close under Laura Pearson at Redcar (6f) off this mark in May, however, and wasn't beaten far when sixth in Newmarket handicap (7f) last time; sole previous attempt in this headgear was inconclusive (didn't stay 1m2f).

7/1

6th

5

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Newmarket (July)

Bravo Zulu

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Said to have run flat last time; tended to respond well to switches/removal of headgear in the past (back to cheekpieces from blinkers tonight) and won't mind coming back up from sprint trips, but Pontefract will need forgiving.

14/1

9th

5

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Bravo Zulu

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Multiple 7f-8.5f winner who fared better than seemed likely when dropped to 6f at Redcar (good to firm; half-length second) last week; fighting chance off same mark.

7/2

Form: 2-2018 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Leicester in July (good) and didn't get the breaks back in a handicap at Wolverhampton when made favourite; tongue-tie now added and can be given another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(3)

21st Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

19:10 Windsor

Harry Did

9st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Harry Eustace

Can lead; won his maiden on turf but he's topped that form on the AW since, winning at Newcastle in March, and was left behind back on grass at Yarmouth (6f, good) when last seen in April; work to do off just 1lb lower.

10/1

Form: -80879 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won twice last year at Wolverhampton (7f) for Marco Botti but has failed to convince this year; down the field in two runs for current yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

(4)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eden Storm

9st 3lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Hard to fault on the score of consistency this year but it's nearly two years since his last success and others appeal as likelier winners.

8/1

2nd

3

(7)

2nd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Eden Storm

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Patrick Morris

Both wins came over C&D in 2023, but losing run now up to 17 despite a slipping mark; beaten only 3l into fifth of 13 at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) eight days ago and could play a part if building on that in the returning cheekpieces.

5/1

12

(7)

25th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

14:50 Southwell (AW)

Eden Storm

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Both wins over 7f at Wolverhampton; has form at 1m, too, but he hasn't excelled himself in two C&D starts and others have stronger claims.

12/1

8/1

Form: 906712 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Had the run of things from the front here last month and a 5lb rise found him out next time, though again he ran well; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Starliner

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Linda Perratt

Beat Donna Nook over C&D in May when rated 1lb higher; put a couple of lesser efforts behind him when chasing home Runninsonofagun here last week; 7lb better off for 2l defeat so has a handicapping chance; new visor replaces cheekpieces; others still more appealing.

6/1

2nd

3

(9)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Starliner

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Linda Perratt

C&D winner in May (good to firm) and decent third at Hamilton later in the month (8.5f, good to firm); disappointing in two runs since, first-time cheekpieces latest (retained); could go well back on good to firm ground.

13/2

8th

1

(11)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Starliner

10st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Just held on to score over C&D (good to firm) in May and looked unlucky at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm) two starts ago (persistently denied clear run) but has become rather inconsistent and it's hard to predict whether the first-time cheekpieces will get the best out out him.

10/1

14/1

Form: 1007-0

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
6f novice winner at two; finished last in a C&D handicap in November following a long absence and now goes in a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

30th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

18:55 Brighton

Thats For Sure

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Michael Keady

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

11/2

3rd

6

(5)

30th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

18:55 Brighton

Thats For Sure

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Michael Keady

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

11/2

5th

3

(11)

4th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Thats For Sure

9st 9lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Keady

slowly into stride, midfield

10/1

Form: 151137 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
His good run of form ended over C&D 19 days ago and returns off an untouched mark; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Revived by the drop to 0-50 classified events, runner-up over 7f at Wolverhampton and then C&D before seeing off six rivals in a 1m event here last week; that was a notably weak race, even for the grade, and he has a bit more on his plate as he bids to defy a penalty.

5/2

1st

3

(7)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:02 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

No win since 2024 and all his succes has come over 7f; that said, he is effective at this trip and arrives on the back of a pair of runner-up finishes at this level; unlikely to be found a better opportunity to register a first 1m success.

5/4

2nd

3

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

Has won three times over C&D; clear of the remainder when runner-up in a Wolverhampton handicap last time; sound chance down in grade.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £73.70
Straight Forecast £44.02
Tricast £259.63
Trifecta £452.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Harry Did

POSTDATA:

King's School

The Guardian:

Red Maids

RP RATINGS:

Swiss Ace

TOPSPEED:

Harry Did

The Times:

Harry Did

Telegraph:

Harry Did

D Express:

King's School

The Star:

King's School

Daily Record:

King's School

Daily Mail:

Red Maids

Daily Mirror:

Red Maids

The Sun:

Swiss Ace