February 14 / 16.57 Newcastle (AW)

16.57

Standard

£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 1m 2f 42y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Scattered showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 237-68

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two C&D handicaps in November but he's finished down the field on Tapeta in his last three runs; new headgear is now tried but he's still a maiden after 11 starts and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:25 Sedgefield

Rock Armour

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Modest Flat performer at up to 1m6f (only win came on AW early in 2025); not been at best recently; hurdles debut.

25/1

12th

10

(1)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Nine-race maiden on turf, best recent run when third at Catterick in April (1m4f, good); hasn't done as well since.

14/1

6th

10

(10)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Rock Armour

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: David Thompson

Just one win from his 25 starts but he was a good third over C&D last month and didn't see out 1m6f when fifth to Free Pic here last time; each-way claims back down in trip.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 07000- C

Last run: 249 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
His last win was in April 2023 and he generally struggled in eight runs last year; has dropped a long way in the weights but he has lots to prove after 249 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Pleasing return from over eight months off in February; no issue with dropping back to 1m 19 days ago but proved disappointing; rather watch.

7/2

6th

4

(1)

6th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Last win gained in C&D Class 4 two years ago; most recently runner-up in 1m2f Class 6 here off 249-day absence (beaten by Rock Armour who runs in the 5.30); player if backing that up.

5/1

2nd

9

(12)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:57 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

His last win was in April 2023 and he generally struggled in eight runs last year; has dropped a long way in the weights but he has lots to prove after 249 days off.

20/1

25/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 8997-8 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won off 9lb higher at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in November 2023 but he's drawn a blank since and has been out of sorts since September; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 9lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Sam England

Three-time winner (including over C&D) last spring; failed to beat a rival on his last three outings and has lots to prove after a layoff.

8/1

8th

2

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

7-47 on AW but has struggled for form since finishing third at Newcastle (1m, Class 5; from 12lb higher) last November; failed to beat a rival in each of his last two starts (9.4f/1m4f) so it's difficult to have confidence.

25/1

11/4

Form: 16-631 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has won here in four of his last eight starts including a smooth success over 1m two weeks ago; up 3lb but he still looks feasibly treated and this step back up in trip should be no problem; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(1)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:45 Ripon

Volenti

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Losing run is mounting up but he's currently in a consistent vein of form; moved out of Ben Haslam's yard since last run; again has frame possibilities.

7/1

3rd

5

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Volenti

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Arrives in decent nick without winning, fourth of nine in 1m handicap at Ripon 13 days ago; it's now 20 runs since his last victory however.

13/2

4th

9

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Volenti

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ben Haslam

In reasonably good form having made the frame in last three starts; however, still has a better strike-rate on Newcastle AW than on turf and this is a step back up in grade; 2lb out of weights.

10/1

11/2

Form: 4-1471 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Hold-up performer who is not easy to predict but he won over C&D last month and got back in the groove when landing an apprentice handicap at Southwell (1m6f) last week; that was a very narrow success but he escapes a penalty and is not ruled out on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

19:50 Hamilton

Annandale

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

C&D win in June (good ground) and he has performed to a fair level in defeat since; has more races in him but suspicion he would prefer quicker ground.

11/4

2nd

3

(8)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 6

17:00 Carlisle

Annandale

9st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

9-70, with the most recent success coming at Hamilton (1m3f, good) in June off a 3lb lower mark than today's; consistent since and this hold-up performer has claims if things drop favourably.

5/1

Form: 01225-

Last run: 127 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Off the mark when winning at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) in September; went close in next two runs but well held switched to hurdling in final three starts last year; had wind surgery since but she's now 1-18 and has a bit to prove back in this sphere; cheekpieces reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Susiesparkle

10st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

0-10 over hurdles and still operating too far below her 2024-25 level to consider; pulled up behind Bunker Bay over C&D latest.

50/1

8

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Susiesparkle

10st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Doubled her Flat tally with low-grade AW win in February 2025 but has poor record over hurdles and on the Flat since last summer; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

7th

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:38 Sedgefield

Susiesparkle

10st 2lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Mike Sowersby

Doubled her Flat tally with low-grade AW win just over a year ago but has poor record over hurdles/on the Flat for this stable since last summer; 2lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

66/1

7/2

Form: 6721-2 CD BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won off 2lb lower over C&D in December and he didn't get much luck when an eyecatching second behind Annandale here last month; should get a decent tow into this race and could be a big factor if he gets the breaks this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(10)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

14:13 Thirsk

Sandret

11st 5lb

J: Mr Liam Baxter

T: Sam England

Unproven on ground softer than good; far from solid on his efforts this term; however, won this race (narrowly) off 1lb higher 12 months ago and has clear possibilities if back in similar form.

10/1

8th

1

(8)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

13:35 Beverley

Sandret

11st 2lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Won at Redcar and Thirsk for today's rider last season (both over 1m on good ground), but hasn't shown the same level of form in two runs this term; conditions suit and back on last winning mark.

20/1

8th

3

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:30 Pontefract

Sandret

10st 13lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Veteran who has been ridden by Rebecca Hitchen since joining current yard, posting form figures of 31216; hindered by wide trip in AW contest on reappearance most recently; could go well with that outing under his belt.

12/1

10/1

Form: 75166- CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Came from the rear to win a shade cosily over C&D in October; just 2lb higher today but he's finished sixth here in his last two starts and needs to rediscover his spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Berry Edge

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

Three-time Flat winner (including on good to soft) who got off the mark over hurdles at the seventh attempt over C&D (soft) last month; he did it comfortably and an 8lb rise may not stop him if he can back up that effort.

9/2

1st

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Wetherby

Berry Edge

10st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

3-34 on the Flat and took a step forward in this headgear combination at Catterick (1m7f, soft) latest in his third handicap hurdle, finishing third of five; however, was 7l behind runner-up Voodoo Angel so has work to do.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 25923-

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Record of 0-7 and was a remote third in a small-field maiden here (1m) in his final run last year; now returns to a handicap but he needs to raise his game back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(12)

24th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:45 Musselburgh

Thats My Boy Luke

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Dual Ripon winner last summer who's regressed and run below market expectations on last two starts; this is easier off a career-low mark (9lb lower than when last successful) but he could have done without the recent rain.

7/1

6th

4

(5)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Thats My Boy Luke

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Two wins at Ripon over 1m last year (good/good to firm); respectable fourth of nine at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) in May but he's yet to build on that in four starts since; others look stronger.

7/2

5th

5

(2)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Thats My Boy Luke

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Two wins over 1m at Ripon last season (good/good to firm); a bit disappointing this term (4l fourth of seven at Pontefract latest) but on a good mark now.

11/2

20/1

Form: 09-004

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent 17-race maiden but he ran his best race for some time when fourth of nine over C&D three weeks ago; ran into some trouble in that race and has each-way claims if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Wath Court

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Philip Kirby

Longstanding maiden whose poor form continues; opposed.

50/1

10th

11

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 6

17:22 Hamilton

Wath Court

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Philip Kirby

Longstanding maiden who has been well beaten on all four starts this year and would be a surprise winner today.

50/1

12/1

Form: 33156- CD

Last run: 171 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner including twice over C&D, but he came up short in his final two runs during the summer and probably doesn't have much margin for error off this mark; has some work to do after 171 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(9)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

We Still Believe

8st 10lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Daragh Bourke

On a long losing run (last win was at Ayr in July 2024) but he has run a few creditable races this year; has a bit to find with Royal Blaze on their C&D form last month.

20/1

5th

5

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

We Still Believe

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Daragh Bourke

Triple course winner (1m/1m2f) but his last success was 14 months ago and he struggled here last time; on dangerous mark but he's been hard to predict this season and others are preferred.

20/1

10th

3

(1)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:40 Newcastle (AW)

We Still Believe

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Daragh Bourke

Not disgraced when third of eight to Jewel Maker in 1m Carlisle handicap a week ago; this C&D winner is one for the shortlist.

10/1

Form: 3622-6 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Ended last year with two close calls over C&D but he was disappointing behind Annandale here last month and needs to bounce back after that laboured effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Powerful Response

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoffrey Harker

Back to winning ways with a front-running C&D success 23 days ago (visored first time); up 2lb but should give it another good go.

5/1

1st

5

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Powerful Response

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two soft-ground turf wins, including one for this yard, but he acts on better ground and made the most of a good draw when close third of 15 at Nottingham (8.5f, good; Token Love seventh) in cheekpieces three weeks ago; that is just about the best recent form on offer and he's nicely berthed again; visor goes on and he's respected.

5/2

3rd

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Powerful Response

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

First win was on AW but last two have come on turf (8.3f/1m2f, soft); had some close calls on Tapeta during the winter and he was a creditable fourth in big field at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; could be in the mix again but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £127.10
Straight Forecast £169.96
Tricast £460.96
Trifecta £734.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Sandret

SPOTLIGHT:

Volenti

POSTDATA:

Rock Armour

The Star:

Annandale

D Express:

We Still Believe

The Times:

Rock Armour

RP RATINGS:

Volenti

The Guardian:

Volenti

Daily Record:

Annandale

Daily Mail:

Sandret

Daily Mirror:

Sandret

The Sun:

Sandret