January 23 / 14.56 Newcastle (AW)

14.56

Standard

Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 112-11 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has won four of his last five races, all over 7f here (runner-up in the other); has won over 6f (Thirsk maiden on heavy in 2023) and could go well, but no easy task down in trip against specialist, in-form sprinters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

William Dewhirst

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Not seen on turf since 2024 but is well treated on best Newcastle AW form and has won over this C&D; admittedly needs to stage a revival judged on 2026 efforts.

14/1

7th

5

(7)

1st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:33 Newcastle (AW)

William Dewhirst

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Prolific here during the 2024/25 AW season but he's beaten one rival in two starts after an absence; couldn't support with any confidence.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2211-2 CD BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won two races over C&D in December; ran right up to form when a neck second to Mondammej (3lb worse off) over C&D last time; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Pals Battalion

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Mixed results in higher grades on turf of late; has a better strike-rate (4-10) on AW and looks interesting returned to this sphere off 1lb below last winning mark.

10/1

5

(6)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Pals Battalion

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: David O’Meara

Never in contention in the Ayr Silver Cup last week; mark not beyond him judged on this year's best but he has few secrets now.

20/1

18th

21

(17)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Ayr

Pals Battalion

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Has a useful strike-rate on the AW but just 1-18 on turf; suffered some interference over C&D on his latest 6f start in July but he looks to have his share of weight relative to the company he keeps today.

40/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: /7139- CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
C&D winner off a 5lb lower mark in November but hasn't run quite as well since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(11)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Flying Fletcher

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Three course wins (6f-1m) and a multitude of placed efforts, including a close third to Saytaar (Harry The Rogue second) over C&D in March; has struggled on turf in his last three appearances (7.5f-1m2f) but his mark has eased accordingly.

6/1

9th

8

(4)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Flying Fletcher

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

3-21 on the AW but 0-16 on the grass, never in the first two; beaten about 10l in last two races; not hard to turn elsewhere.

14/1

6th

3

(8)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Redcar

Flying Fletcher

9st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

All three wins from 36 starts have been on the AW at Newcastle (6f/1m); solid effort when third at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) last month but he needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Pontefract (1m) three weeks ago; has stamina to prove for this longer trip.

8/1

Form: 03092-

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; ran a career best when beaten a neck by Pals Battalion (who's now 1lb worse off) over C&D in December; could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Modern Times

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Scored over C&D in first-tiime cheekpieces on stable debut in July and followed up with narrow success at Epsom (6f, good to firm) last month; could still have more improvement to come for James Owen; must be considered.

3/1

1st

7

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Modern Times

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Signed off for Tim Easterby with two good efforts in the spring and made winning stable debut at Southwell (6f, AW; first-time cheekpieces) last month; will be fine back on turf and could still have more to offer for new stable; major player.

7/4

1st

12

(8)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Modern Times

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Expensive to follow this season, having missed ten months, for Tim Easterby; run well on Tapeta before and a couple of times in a visor too, so it wouldn't surprise were to to take this in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

7/1

Form: 8325-0

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Formerly classy; well beaten when tried again over 1m last time (runner-up over 1m here in November); had been in fair form prior to that, winning 7f Leicester seller in October (heavy); first run at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:38 Beverley

Alzahir

10st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Recorded his sixth victory of the year with a career-best effort in 5.4f handicap at York 16 days ago; he's also a winner in the mud so must enter calculations once more.

5/1

1

(7)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

15:00 York

Alzahir

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

He has enjoyed a fine season, winning five handicaps, and he ran another sound race when fourth in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon three weeks ago; this intermediate trip should suit and he's versatile where the going is concerned; likely to run well but might find a few better treated.

10/1

2

(17)

16th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Alzahir

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jennie Candlish

He's enjoyed a fine year and although he's come unstuck on his last two starts, he did too much early at York and then raced up the middle in the Stewards' Cup; earlier Ascot win off just 2lb lower was a fine effort; first visit to Ripon but he has won on the undulations at Epsom; drawn against the rail and a big run would seem likely.

10/1

9/2

Form: 122-11 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
One-time classy sprinter; in good form in this grade at present, winning four of his last six races (all here) and runner-up in the other two; effective at 5f and 6f and should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Mondammej

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

9yo who has dropped down the weights and showed spark when second of four at Nottingham last month; however, well beaten at Thirsk since and he's winless on turf since September 2021; others appeal more.

50/1

12th

9

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Mondammej

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Talented veteran but has temperament to match his ability; no turf win since 2021 and when second at Nottingham 11 days ago there were only four runners; more minor money perhaps his best hope.

9/1

2nd

1

(4)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:50 Nottingham

Mondammej

10st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Winless on turf since 2021 but showed more on his second run back from a break last time, is now 2lb lower and this is easier than the handicaps he's used to contesting; tends to be held up and a speed-favouring 5f in a small field may not be optimal but he's capable.

6/1

50/1

Form: 54500- D

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ex-Simon and Ed Crisford; well beaten over 7f on both starts for this yard; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; down the field here two weeks ago (7f) and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt.

50/1

6th

12

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; down the field here two weeks ago (7f) and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt.

50/1

12

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Regressive form for current stable, including after a wind op in February; tumbled down the weights and now tried in cheekpieces but he is eligible for weaker races than this.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1410-3 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won four races last year, two here (5f/6f); beaten a neck and the same by Mondammej and Pals Battalion over C&D last time; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Bright

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Mark Loughnane

Course winner who comes here on the back of a respectable seventh of 12 in 6f Southwell handicap 19 days ago; possibilities from a falling mark.

12/1

7th

5

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:05 Southwell (AW)

Bright

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Four-time Tapeta winner whose AW mark has eased after three no-shows on turf and who's now 1lb lower than when successful at Newcastle last winter; currently 3-10 for Billy Loughnane and a better showing can be expected.

10/1

8th

12

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Bright

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Mark Loughnane

No problem with fast turf but he has a much better strike-rate on AW; midfield finish at Doncaster last month didn't suggest he is the answer here.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.30
Straight Forecast £15.06
Tricast £56.45
Trifecta £70.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pals Battalion

POSTDATA:

William Dewhirst

RP RATINGS:

Flying Fletcher

The Times:

Alzahir

TOPSPEED:

Pals Battalion

Telegraph:

Pals Battalion

The Guardian:

Pals Battalion

Daily Mail:

Pals Battalion

The Sun:

Pals Battalion

Daily Record:

Pals Battalion

D Express:

William Dewhirst

Daily Mirror:

William Dewhirst

The Star:

William Dewhirst