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

4

(5)

18th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ayr

Flying Fletcher

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Only 3-39 but placed plenty of times; a greater concern would be his recent efforts and cheekpieces are now turned to.

10/1

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

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

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

5th

5

(1)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Neapolitan

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sole success came on Kempton AW in 2023 when trained by the Crisfords; hasn't been placed since joining this yard in 2024 and didn't offer enough in two comeback outings over 6f last month to suggest that's likely to change now.

16/1

7th

6

(3)

15th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

16:28 Wolverhampton (AW)

Neapolitan

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sole success came at Kempton AW in 2023 when trained by the Crisfords; hasn't been placed since joining this yard in 2024; first-time visor worn for last week's reappearance is retained, but easy to look elsewhere.

25/1

7th

7

(6)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:03 Catterick

Neapolitan

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sharply regressive for this yard and goes in another new form of headgear back from the best part of a year off; would be a surprise winner on just his third turf start.

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

13th

2

(4)

1st Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

16:50 Nottingham

Bright

9st 12lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Mark Loughnane

Just one win on grass (6f, good to firm) and that was over two years ago but he kept on well when beaten 4l at York in July in his latest turf run over 6f and is now 7lb lower; not dismissed in this lower grade.

16/1

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

+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