February 27 / 15.20 Newcastle (AW)

15.20

Standard

Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £3716.14
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly sunny

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 44-611 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Record of 6-33 overall; two from two since wearing cheekpieces and registered the latest success over C&D, making all; respected in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(10)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Multiple C&D winner; ran his best race for some time when third of ten at Beverley last week; major player back on AW.

9/2

3rd

3

(6)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

5f AW win in April; hasn't reproduced that in four subsequent turf outings but he's back on that last successful mark and has run well here before.

12/1

6th

5

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Castan

9st 10lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Bryan Smart

5f AW win in April; ran well at Ripon (5f, good) later that month but he has struggled twice since; has a C&D win on his record but others bring more pressing claims.

33/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -24411 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Record of 24411, all at Wolverhampton, this year for new yard; incurs 5lb penalty for narrow win (5f) on Monday but has to be feared in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has a patchy profile and was quiet at Wolverhampton last week, but he came from rear to snatch victory at Chester (5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

8/1

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

25/1

  • Place: £11.20

Form: 5815-9 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Four-time C&D winner, albeit in Class 6; down the field in this grade two weeks ago on reappearance and doesn't look the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Golden Rainbow

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Proved resurgent with close third at Newcastle most recently; this five-time AW scorer remains well treated on best form; in the mix.

11/2

3rd

5

(3)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Rainbow

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Conditions no problem but only ninth behind a couple of these over C&D last week and he'll be 2lb lower from the weekend; type to come good again soon.

12/1

6

(9)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Rainbow

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Rebecca Menzies

C&D win 12 months ago came off an 8lb higher mark; pick of this summer's form gives him claims but he has suffered heavy defeats on his last three starts; too much to prove for now.

25/1

12/1

Form: 1898-5 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Still seeking first AW win but ran respectably over C&D this month on reappearance; possibilities off a workable mark, provided he builds on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:33 Redcar

Match Play

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Mainly consistent form this term, winning at Pontefract in June (5f, good to firm) and finishing in the places twice since; best on fast ground; each-way chance.

15/2

1

(7)

27th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Match Play

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has won once in each of the last four seasons, at Pontefract in June this time round; three creditable placings from his other four starts this summer, so he's still a contender.

6/1

2nd

3

(4)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Match Play

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Paul Midgley

Finds his one race a year, which in 2024 was a C&D 0-70 off 3lb higher (good to firm) on his sole previous course visit; unable to race as prominently as preferred at York latest, and back in calmer waters here.

12/1

Form: 324354 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Successful over C&D (off 3lb lower) in October on most recent Class 5 attempt; generally consistent in higher grades since; solid claims back at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(7)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Dark Kestrel

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on AW than turf but handicapped accordingly; not beaten far at Wetherby on his penultimate start but this is a better race and he has since finished down the field at Wolverhampton.

16/1

8th

3

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won here but at his best at Newcastle where he has gained his last four wins; can ruin chance by starting slowly but is not firing on all cylinders at present anyway; best to wait until he returns to Newcastle.

16/1

3rd

1

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on the AW, but has a 15lb lower rating on turf; Newcastle winner in March; not disgraced on latest turf start at Beverley last month, but modest effort in a visor (on again) on Tapeta last time; a possible.

6/1

8/1

Form: 3-2123 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Consistent form this winter features a C&D win but that's his only AW success since 2021; now takes on some rivals who have better recent strike-rates.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

3

(4)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Above

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Has had more success on AW and his last turf win was in 2023; several bits of 2024 and 2025 turf form give him a good shout off this career-low mark but his more recent efforts are less encouraging.

7/1

5

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Above

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Robert Cowell

Beat Fierce by a neck when winning over C&D in March and he arrives here 7lb better off with his old rival; second run back from a summer break was better than the first and he should make a bold bid.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 43-643 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Scored twice over C&D early in career; largely consistent at this track since returned to AW, respectable third most recently; frame possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Acts on good to firm and soft; nine-time winner who scored by 4l at Catterick two weeks ago but was disappointing under a penalty there last Wednesday; up another 4lb, but he was as good as ever on his penultimate run and is a player if he can recapture that form.

5/1

5th

9

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Failed to beat a rival home at Thirsk (5f, good) but he's won over this C&D either side of that, including when coming 4l clear nine days ago; looks well treated under a 4lb penalty but this is a step up in class.

4/1

1st

3

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tristan Davidson

Wins his share and he got off the mark for the year over C&D last month; well held at Thirsk three days ago but in a Class 4; this should be more suitable.

6/1

5/1

Form: 51-121 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 1121, all at Newcastle, since wearing a hood; could improve further in the retained headgear; shortlisted on return from seven-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(6)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Oriental Prince

8st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Most wins on the AW but able on turf and stayed on well for second here 20 days ago (good; might not prefer it softer); this is a better race but he'll appreciate chasing a strong pace if ground conditions are suitable; 2lb out of the weights.

10/1

2nd

6

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Oriental Prince

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Another who has a better strike-rate on AW (7-19) than on turf (1-17); patchy form so far this year, but has dropped 3lb below his last winning mark and this is a drop in class; stable also runs Thunderstorm Katie.

7/1

Form: 4979-8 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Sole attempt over 5f resulted in his only win (in turf maiden); interesting off a reduced mark returned to this trip on second start for new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 5

15:52 Lingfield (AW)

General Assembly

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

Won three 5f AW handicaps in 2025, the latest off a 3lb higher mark; fair fourth at Chester last month and he should appreciate the return to AW; went close in one previous C&D run.

4/1

4th

8

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

General Assembly

9st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Clare Hobson

In good order on AW this winter; two turf runs this summer well short of that level though and others bring more pressing claims.

20/1

10th

9

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:40 Windsor

General Assembly

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Clare Hobson

Front-runner; two AW wins (5f) last autumn but he returned after a short break with a well-held fifth of eight at Pontefract (5f, good) last month; may have needed that run but his sole turf win was two years ago and others are more persuasive.

14/1

10/1

Form: 5413-3 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who is 4-24 on AW, the most recent success over C&D in October; solid third here this month on reappearance; fighting chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(7)

27th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Paul Midgley

raced wide, prominent

10/1

6th

2

(6)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Into the veteran stage but he retains enthusiasm and ran well when a close third at Newcastle on last month's return to action (5f); stopped quickly back there 12 days ago and today's trip is a major query.

20/1

10th

5

(4)

27th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Leodis Dream

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

in touch with leaders

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.50
Straight Forecast £22.30
Tricast £799.39
Trifecta £793.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Castan

The Sun:

Oriental Prince

RP RATINGS:

Above

Daily Mail:

Leodis Dream

NEWMARKET:

General Assembly

The Star:

Maharajas Express

TOPSPEED:

Golden Rainbow

The Guardian:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Record:

Oriental Prince

POSTDATA:

Castan

The Times:

Castan

D Express:

Castan

Telegraph:

Above

Daily Mirror:

Leodis Dream