February 08 / 17.30 Newcastle (AW)

17.30

Standard To Slow

Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £3716.14
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 52-1 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Progressive in her first three starts, getting off the mark in a Southwell novice (1m, Tapeta; 8-15) last month (fourth has won since); opening mark fair enough and, with further progress likely, is a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Blast The Dream

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Scored twice over 1m on the AW in the winter and she's knocking on the door again, a clear runner-up in 14-runner handicap over C&D 19 days ago; a likely player nudged up 1lb.

100/30

2nd

9

(12)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Blast The Dream

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Won Southwell novice in January then made successful handicap debut at Newcastle (also 1m, Tapeta) the following month; back in form when just failing in first-time cheekpieces at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) last month; new trip looks well worth a go; player.

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 446-

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Some ability in three starts last year, though the trip appeared to stretch him when sixth of ten over C&D (first start since being gelded) in December; cheekpieces given a go on handicap debut, but he does have a little bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 5

14:47 Chester

West Tyrone

10st 0lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Off the mark for his new yard with a front-running win at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) last month; the form is working out extremely well and he holds strong claims up just 3lb.

7/2

1st

1

(10)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

West Tyrone

10st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Front-runner; started off for new stable with two down-the-field runs over 1m in the spring, but fared much better when third at Carlisle (1m3f, good to soft) in June and remains on a good mark.

7/1

3rd

4

(6)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

20:12 Carlisle

West Tyrone

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Ex-Kevin Ryan; won a 1m AW handicap in March 2025; stays 1m2f but below-par when tried over further; bit to prove.

40/1

8/1

Form: 5454-

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Similar level of form in four starts on turf last year, finishing last of four on nursery debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in August; makes his AW debut after six months off having been gelded since last seen; market informative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Saxonia

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

Four wins this year and he has found another burst of improvement for the addition of cheekpieces, winning 1m handicaps at Pontefract and Musselburgh either side of a C&D second (behind Arctician); another 3lb higher but should make a bold bid.

7/2

3

(7)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

17:08 Musselburgh

Saxonia

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

A three-time 1m winner in 2025 who posted another good effort when runner-up in 1m Lingfield handicap 11 days ago; very much one to consider nudged up 1lb.

9/4

2nd

7

(1)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Lingfield (AW)

Saxonia

9st 9lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

3-18; second of nine at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) last month before winning by a nose at Pontefract (1m, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) 17 days ago; looks a likely player returned to AW following a 1lb rise.

9/4

Form: 62-4

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
All three starts at Kempton; surrounded by subsequent winners when second of 13 over 1m in December, then endured a wide trip from her high draw when fourth of 13 over 7f last month; better expected back up in trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Thorn

9st 10lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Won over 1m at Windsor in July and stepped up again returned to AW at Southwell last time; drops in trip but should give another good account.

4/1

2nd

11

(9)

2nd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Golden Thorn

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Beat a subsequent maiden winner when off the mark at Windsor (1m; first-time blinkers) in July but her profile isn't particularly progressive and she has more to do in this company off a 4lb higher mark.

6/1

Form: 456-

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in all three starts over 7f on the AW late last year, giving the impression that stepping up in trip would suit; shortlisted on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(6)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Newmarket

Lady Mariko

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dylan Cunha

Scored off 1lb higher on her reappearance at Kempton (6f, AW; stays 7f) in April but her last two runs contained little encouragement; handicapping case to be made but she needs a revival.

50/1

10th

9

(2)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Lady Mariko

8st 13lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Dylan Cunha

Reappeared with a 6f win here in April but she's not come close to that form since and was tailed off at Newmarket last month; now only 1lb higher than for her last success but she needs a big turnaround.

25/1

Form: 3645-5 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has continued to run well since making a successful nursery debut at Musselburgh (1m, good) in August, but could probably do without this being steadily run; may also be vulnerable to less exposed types.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(4)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Mayor Of Maghera

8st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: R Mike Smith

Now 1lb below the mark he defied over 1m1f at Musselburgh (good) in June but recent efforts have been a little short of that level, including fourth back at Musselburgh on Saturday.

25/1

4th

9

(6)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

17:50 Musselburgh

Mayor Of Maghera

9st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: R Mike Smith

Course form figures read 21315, with the latest win coming over C&D in June, and when fifth over C&D on his latest start this prominent racer had an excuse (slowly away); he's 1lb below his last winning mark and is capable of playing a leading role.

14/1

5th

6

(6)

24th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

15:15 Musselburgh

Mayor Of Maghera

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Both wins on this track, the latest over C&D off this mark in first-time cheekpieces in June (good); hasn't done as well since, but an interesting contender on a track where his record is 2131.

12/1

7th
7 (5)
Bantz

3/1

Form: 85-931 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Back to form last month having appeared to lose his way, narrowly getting off the mark at the 11th attempt here (7f) last time; only 2lb higher and shapes as though he will stay this far, but may be vulnerable to an improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(14)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Bantz

9st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alan Brown

Ended his time with Gemma Tutty under a cloud and he has found it tough going for his new yard in 2026; now tried in blinkers (well beaten in one run in cheekpieces); risky.

12/1

7th

11

(2)

24th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:45 Musselburgh

Bantz

9st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Alan Brown

Dual 7f winner who's pulled hard and not seen it out in three previous tries over this trip; shown very little in five runs for his current yard in any case.

25/1

11th

8

(13)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 6

15:15 Beverley

Bantz

9st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Well treated on last year's form but hasn't got anything going since moving yards; now goes in cheekpieces.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.00
Straight Forecast £14.62
Trifecta £56.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Blast The Dream

SPOTLIGHT:

Golden Thorn

The Times:

Bantz

D Express:

Lady Mariko

Daily Mail:

West Tyrone

Telegraph:

Saxonia

POSTDATA:

Golden Thorn

NEWMARKET:

Blast The Dream

Daily Mirror:

Blast The Dream

The Sun:

Blast The Dream

The Star:

Blast The Dream

Daily Record:

Blast The Dream

The Guardian:

Bantz