January 01 / 16.10 Newcastle (AW)

16.10

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Sleet

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 32333- C

Last run: 60 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-6 since debut success but is proving very consistent; ran creditably off this mark at Southwell (1m) most recently, taking handicap form figures to 32333; again likely to give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(7)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Storm Star

10st 2lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Andrew Balding

All four wins have been on Newcastle AW but he's still lightly raced on turf; finished in mid-division in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f) last time but he was runner-up in a Class 3 there (1m, good to firm) on his penultimate run; has claims if he can recapture that form and he's in the mix back up in trip.

13/2

11

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Storm Star

9st 4lb

T: Andrew Balding

11/1

15th

17

(25)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Storm Star

9st 3lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Andrew Balding

Has gained all wins on Newcastle AW, the most recent on finals day last year; however, ran well at Ascot (1m, good to firm) returned to turf last time, taking form figures in this sphere to 3232; seems effective over 7f and may remain competitive.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 43941- CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Only 1-12 on turf; however, proved suited by the switch to AW in C&D contest last month (scored by a neck for career-best performance) and could well have more to offer in this sphere; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Apiarist

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent sort who made it 1-20 on turf (that grass win came here in 2yo campaign) when well beaten at Royal Ascot last month; however, two starts ago he was a close sixth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) when he was denied a clear run, and he's not ruled out.

7/1

18th

12

(18)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Apiarist

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Eye-catcher, amid traffic issues, in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time; form over C&D comprises a respectable eighth (off current mark) in this contest last year and creditable third (did well having been hampered) later in 2025; still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf, however.

22/1

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

4/1

Form: 60023-

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Creditable efforts over 1m at Kempton (handicap/Listed) since returned to AW; however, bit to prove back at Newcastle (below par sole run here) and still seeking first win beyond 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(13)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Popmaster

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ed Walker

Fine servant to connections, successful over C&D in February; however, he was below par at the Shergar Cup last time and is drawn wide today.

12/1

6th

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Popmaster

9st 6lb

J: L J Ferraris

T: Ed Walker

Solid fourth-place finishes in good handicaps at Epsom and Sandown on his last two starts; suspicion he will prove vulnerable for win purposes.

16/1

4th

9

(11)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Popmaster

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Ran respectably at Epsom last time but still has a poor strike-rate in recent years and hasn't won on turf since 2023; the 8yo looks unlikely to prevail in another competitive field.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: /2260- D

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
0-7 for current yard but finished second off 2lb higher in this corresponding race last year; changed ownership since last run; fighting chance provided he's in top form on return from layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(10)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Symbol Of Light

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Julie Camacho

Belatedly back in winning form the last twice, readily beating Cracking Gold at Southwell (1m) then holding on narrowly in notable handicap at Wolverhampton (8.5f); looks better than ever.

14/1

10th

2

(10)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Symbol Of Light

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Julie Camacho

Belatedly back in winning form the last twice, readily beating Cracking Gold at Southwell (1m) then holding on narrowly in notable handicap at Wolverhampton (8.5f); looks better than ever.

14/1

1st

2

(10)

8th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Symbol Of Light

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Julie Camacho

dwelt start, midfield, raced wide and rushed up to lead after 3f

6/1

Form: 80166- D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread on turf in October; 0-5 on AW but ran respectably (beaten only 2l) at Chelmsford last month; however, doesn't look the percentage call in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Empirestateofmind

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: John & Sean Quinn

A fair 1m1f winner in 2025 but arrives out of sorts, beating one in 1m handicap at Pontefract eight days ago; others are preferred.

40/1

5th

5

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Empirestateofmind

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

A dual winner (around 1m) in 2025 but he's yet to fire this season, only ninth of 11 in 1m Redcar handicap four weeks ago; others appeal more.

20/1

7/4

Form: 1/11- D

Last run: 50 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Made all and held on narrowly in Southwell handicap (upped to 1m) last time, taking record to 3-3 (all on AW); upped further in class but looks open to further progress and is a must for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

Qazaq

9st 5lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Iain Jardine

Three AW wins; 0-9 on turf but has a 7f race in him on grass on best form in the spring and had another troubled run at Beverley on Friday; has worn various aids on last two starts, goes without this time.

11/2

11th

3

(7)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 6

20:40 Beverley

Qazaq

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Iain Jardine

On a long losing run as he's winless since 2024; ran okay in a new hood/cheekpieces combination at Musselburgh but has another change of headgear now; others probably safer.

10/1

3rd

2

(1)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:15 Musselburgh

Qazaq

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Iain Jardine

On a long losing run but he looked an unlucky second over C&D in April and hasn't enjoyed the rub of the green since, short of room last 1f when fifth at Catterick (7f) last time; weighted to go well off a reduced mark with cheekpieces added (hood also refitted).

7/2

7/1

Form: 13045- C

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Tough sort; has done his winning over 6f/7f but ran creditably (beaten just under 2l) upped to 1m at Chelmsford most recently; however, bit to prove over this stiffer test at the trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(14)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

8st 12lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Latest win came in a claimer and he was never a threat back in a handicap at Chester last time; fully exposed and others appeal more.

22/1

7th

12

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Blue Prince

8st 10lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

Normally ridden to be produced late, as when successful at Salisbury (7f, good) in June, but was given a straightforward ride to land a claimer over C&D (good) 20 days ago; this looks tougher however and more is required.

14/1

1st

4

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Blue Prince

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David Evans

The last run wasn't his best (four ran) but he was bang there in his four previous races, all handicaps at 7f/1m; drops into a claimer on favourable terms and must have every chance; has run well here before.

5/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.60
Straight Forecast £14.36
Trifecta £58.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Qazaq

SPOTLIGHT:

Apiarist

TOPSPEED:

Storm Star

POSTDATA:

Storm Star

The Times:

Qazaq

The Guardian:

Qazaq

D Express:

Qazaq

Daily Mirror:

Qazaq

The Sun:

Qazaq

The Star:

Qazaq

Daily Record:

Qazaq

Telegraph:

Apiarist

Daily Mail:

Apiarist