January 17 / 14.45 Newcastle (AW)

14.45

Standard

Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0073-2

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo; registered his two AW novice wins (in 2023) by an aggregate of 14l, looking a useful sort; placed in two 1m3f handicaps since returned to this sphere, close second at Southwell latest; threatening to regain the winning thread.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

19th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:47 Newbury

Old Harrovian

9st 7lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Absent since running well in major AW handicap in April 2025; very useful in that sphere but his turf form is less convincing; enough to prove on belated reappearance.

16/1

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Cruised into contention and breezed clear for an easy win over C&D in January when last seen, taking AW record to 3-6 and looking a suitable type for this prize; could well defy a 9lb rise.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 74/83-

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who is a 7f winner; ran well at Kempton (1m) last month on second run back from lengthy absence, shaping as if this new trip is worth exploring; possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(4)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Metallo

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Sole win from 19 starts came in a Salisbury maiden on his second start in 2023; has posted a couple of good efforts for this stable, including when beaten a neck at Lingfield (1m2f, AW; first-time hood) in February; cheekpieces are quickly discarded after a poor run here over 1m3f latest.

9/1

10th

9

(9)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Metallo

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Butler

0-11 on the AW and 1-18 overall; down another 2lb and cheekpieces are given a go this time, but he still has stamina to prove over this far.

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 33012-

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Couple of good performances in this grade since returned to AW, winning at Southwell (1m4f; strong form) then going very close over C&D; may have more to offer this winter and still looks attractively handicapped (peak mark was 10lb higher); major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(6)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Dark Moon Rising

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Campaigned at York of late, winning in July then running creditably at the Ebor festival; disappointing when back down in class last time; contrasting results (close third; only midfield) in this race for the last two years.

14/1

13th

10

(2)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

15:15 York

Dark Moon Rising

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

A regular over C&D and was beaten only a length in this last year; won here in July and his close sixth two weeks ago (good to soft; just behind Castle Stuart) can be upgraded as he came from a long way back; exposed but respected.

10/1

7/1

Form: 651-11 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Front-runner whose Class 4 success last Saturday took his record for new stable to 3-3 and C&D score to 4-5; faces a tougher task under 5lb penalty upped further in grade but brings impressive stats.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(16)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Midnight Lion

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

24 visits to Newcastle have yielded nine wins, seven over C&D; the latest came on New Year's Day when beating five rivals; fifth of 12 at Southwell since and could better that performance now back here, but there's a suspicion today's contest will prove too competitive.

25/1

5th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Midnight Lion

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Enhanced his outstanding Newcastle record (all nine AW wins there) on New Year's Day when fending off five rivals; only 2lb higher and he'll probably be ridden positively as usual; has only raced twice here (unplaced).

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 90334- D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Takes a drop back in grade (from Listed level) but the 8yo remains on a difficult mark and others look better treated; has never won above Class 3.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

30th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Fantasy Believer

10st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Defied a 2lb higher mark at last September's Doncaster St Leger meeting but hasn't been as good since, despite still showing some pretty useful form; fully effective on AW in the past, mostly at this track, and now tries it for the first time this season.

10/1

7th

9

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.

7/1

Form: 62662- CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bagged runner-up honours at Wolverhampton (1m4f) on Boxing Day, albeit proving no match for a rival who was beaten by Dark Moon Rising the time before; losing run is mounting up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

26th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Dream Harder

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Mark Loughnane

Regressive and inconsistent in recent times, finishing well held a couple of times since a surprise Epsom win off 1lb lower in July; the return to the AW won't hurt, as a four-time Tapeta winner, but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

7th

1

(3)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Dream Harder

10st 2lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

A tongue-tie was added to cheekpieces when off the mark for this yard, getting up late at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) in July; weak in the market under a penalty when beaten 5l in amateur riders' event over C&D (good) the following week; combination of this trip and slow ground will be new to him.

8/1

Form: 45971- D

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Registered a Class 4 success at Chelmsford last month on third start for new yard, taking his 1m2f form figures to 421; upped a couple of grades but may have more to offer at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

13th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Mighty Nebula

8st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Stuart Williams

Twice well held at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) since winning from 1lb lower over C&D (well behind Metallo on the first occasion); needs to bounce back in the first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

7th

3

(3)

1st Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mighty Nebula

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Stuart Williams

mounted in chute, in touch with leaders, weakened inside final furlong

8/1

7th

9

(8)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Mighty Nebula

8st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Registered a Class 4 success at Chelmsford last month on third start for new yard, taking his 1m2f form figures to 421; upped a couple of grades but may have more to offer at this distance.

10/1

Form: 223-1 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Nicely bred colt whose turf form (1m/1m2f) has worked out well; comfortably justified favouritism in 12.5f novice event here last week on debut for new stable and second attempt on AW; incurs 5lb penalty but should build on that success; respected handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

18:15 Cork

Northern Ruler

11st 8lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Has regressed sharply since winning on the Flat for Karl Burke and nothing positive to report so far over hurdles, including last week's handicap debut (33-1).

33/1

10th

11

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

16:45 Limerick

Northern Ruler

10st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps; hinted at handicap potential at Naas in March on his third maiden hurdle start, beaten 28l in sixth behind a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on chance in a 20-runner contest.

10/1

6th

10

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Naas

Northern Ruler

11st 12lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: M D O’Callaghan

AW winner for Karl Burke early last year; regressive in turf handicaps; has struggled in two maiden hurdle starts.

100/1

10/1

Form: 64636- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Respectable third over C&D in most recent 1m2f attempt but is still badly out of the winning habit and may struggle to defy top weight in this field; losing spell goes back to Royal Ascot win in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(12)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Claymore

10st 2lb

J: Jerry Chau

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Dropped into a Class 3 when making all at Windsor (extended 1m3f, good to firm) and well beaten off this 5lb higher mark at Newmarket; he can be up and down, and could finish only eighth in this last year.

12/1

8th

4

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Claymore

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Often front-runner; won well over C&D on good to firm last July; somewhat back down the weights and in class when winning another Class 3 in seven-runner race at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm; made all) last Saturday in good style; back up 5lb for this Class 2 but each-way claims.

12/1

1st

1

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Claymore

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

A two-time 1m4f scorer in 2025; returned from a spell in Meydan with a solid fifth of 12 in 1m3f handicap at Carlisle four weeks ago; not out of things with Billy Loughnane now up.

9/4

Non-runners

Kings Code

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £13.96
Tricast £42.83
Trifecta £59.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Northern Ruler

RP RATINGS:

Dark Moon Rising

The Times:

King's Code

The Guardian:

Midnight Lion

NEWMARKET:

Claymore

D Express:

Old Harrovian

TOPSPEED:

Northern Ruler

Daily Mail:

Northern Ruler

The Star:

Northern Ruler

Daily Record:

Northern Ruler

Daily Mirror:

King's Code

POSTDATA:

Dark Moon Rising

Telegraph:

Dark Moon Rising

The Sun:

Dark Moon Rising