February 08 / 16.28 Newcastle (AW)

16.28

Standard To Slow

Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 81-6 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Looked a nice prospect when winning a novice on his return from six months off over C&D in December, but blew out completely under a penalty back here last month (no explanation offered); a player if returning to the form of his win, but he does have something to prove on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Tramore

Royal Approval

9st 6lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Gordon Elliott

Fine record of 3-5 on the AW for Andrew Balding; 0-3 on turf on the Flat for that yard and hasn't troubled the judge in three runs over hurdles since joining this stable; pulled up over timber at Listowel after break latest; questions to answer.

9/4

6

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:16 Listowel

Royal Approval

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gordon Elliott

Three-time AW winner on the Flat; okay efforts in maiden hurdles at Navan and Limerick last autumn without really threatening to win; will qualify for a handicap mark after this.

6/1

11

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

13:45 Limerick

Royal Approval

11st 7lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Triple AW winner over 1m2f for Andrew Balding before being sold for 48,000gns; was beaten 26l on debut over hurdles at Navan and has to improve loads.

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 51-122 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Four wins over 1m2f/1m4f here, the latest when beating three rivals last month; closely matched with Charlie's Choice on recent Southwell running (1m4f, Tapeta), but is off a new career-high mark so a bit more will be needed; often misses the break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:40 York

Humble Spark

9st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Slow starter whose losing run goes back 17 races to March 2025; however, he went down by only a nose over C&D (good) last month and was caught too far back in a Class 2 at Ayr since; bold show likely with his sights lowered.

6/1

9th

11

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Humble Spark

8st 8lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Slow starter whose losing run goes back 16 races to March 2025; however, he's been second on three of his last four starts, most recently at York (1m4f, good) last Saturday; slow ground is probably fine; each-way chance.

12/1

2nd

5

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Humble Spark

9st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Jim Goldie

Often a slow starter; couldn't get into it at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but runner-up twice in a row at Hamilton (1m5f/1m3f, good) before that; could be involved if today's race pans out favourably.

5/1

OUR TIP

9/2

Form: 47753- C

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
0-8 last year after winning his sole start here (7f) as a 2yo, but having dropped in the weights he ran well when third of ten at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) in December; down another 1lb and could play a part if taking another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(7)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 0y

Class 5

20:35 Newbury

Yokohama

9st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: John Butler

Was winning for the first time since his debut when just prevailing over 1m4f here (good) last month, but may not have been suited by the conditions when third of six at Yarmouth (11.5f, soft) 12 days ago; each-way claims.

5/1

3rd

7

(5)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 104y

Class 4

16:28 Yarmouth

Yokohama

8st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: John Butler

Was winning for the first time since his debut when just getting the better of Patrol at Newbury (1m4f, good) last month; 5lb higher and could probably do with the ground drying out (best form on good or faster), but still respected.

5/2

1st

14

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Yokohama

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: John Butler

Has slipped to a career-low mark and well-backed fifth of 15 when returned to turf at Doncaster (1m2f) in March last time wasn't too bad; however, his record over that sort of trip is far more appealing than his two runs at 1m4f and his turf tally is 0-11.

10/1

Form: 841-63 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Took his record over C&D to 2111 when winning by a length in December; latest third of ten at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) has since been boosted by the fourth horse and he is very much of interest returned here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4th

7

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Asgards Captain

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

11/1

16/1

Form: 34430-

Last run: 250 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Often in the frame but just 1-17, the win coming at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) in May 2023; off 250 days since running poorly at Ayr last June and the market may indicate what is expected on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

13:51 Market Rasen

Westernesse

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times at up to 1m2f; made a quiet stable debut at Chester but was no doubt bought with hurdling in mind.

9/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Westernesse

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Bought for 20,000gns out of the O'Meara yard for which he won three times, the latest over 1m2f at Ripon in June; well held at York since then; unraced over this far which is a worry.

10/1

Form: 212-41

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who has won twice on the Southwell Tapeta during the winter, the latest when beating Humble Spark by half a length over 1m4f nine days ago; 3lb rise not the end of the world, but he may need a good pace over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

15:15 Yarmouth

Charlies Choice

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Won three handicaps at Lingfield (1m4f-1m5f, AW) this winter; never a threat when fourth back on turf at Windsor last month; others hold stronger claims.

14/1

4th

6

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Charlies Choice

9st 2lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

All eight wins have been on AW but he's lost his way with heavy defeats at Newcastle (12.4f, Tapeta) and Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in last two runs; still lightly raced on turf but he needs a major revival back in this sphere.

20/1

11th

2

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Charlies Choice

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Three-time winner over 1m4f/1m5f here and Taryn Langley gets on well with him, but he has never attempted this far before and he must put an uncharacteristically poor effort at Newcastle 13 days ago behind him.

16/1

Form: U2470-

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up on turf in six completed starts for Peter Chapple-Hyam, but not seen since well held on her AW debut at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in October; changed hands for 25,000gns soon afterwards and worth a market check on debut for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:50 Salisbury

Beatrice Shilling

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-11, including four defeats for this yard; late interference didn't cost her the race at Windsor (1m, good to firm) but it was a respectable effort in a first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces are now added; likely to race prominently.

4/1

2

(4)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Beatrice Shilling

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-7 for Peter Chapple-Hyam and 0-3 this year for current yard; on dangerous mark and was runner-up at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in March but she didn't match that back on turf at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) last time; tongue-tie is now added and she needs to find more back at this trip.

6/1

2

(4)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Beatrice Shilling

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

0-7 for Peter Chapple-Hyam and 0-3 this year for current yard; on dangerous mark and was runner-up at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in March but she didn't match that back on turf at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) last time; tongue-tie is now added and she needs to find more back at this trip.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.30
Straight Forecast £64.39
Trifecta £267.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Asgard's Captain

TOPSPEED:

Yokohama

The Times:

Humble Spark

NEWMARKET:

Charlie's Choice

The Guardian:

Yokohama

D Express:

Yokohama

Daily Mirror:

Yokohama

Daily Record:

Charlie's Choice

RP RATINGS:

Asgard's Captain

POSTDATA:

Asgard's Captain

The Sun:

Asgard's Captain

The Star:

Asgard's Captain

Telegraph:

Humble Spark

Daily Mail:

Humble Spark