March 07 / 17.15 Newcastle (AW)

17.15

Standard

Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3-4413 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Two wins since joining Tony Carroll last September, the latest in decisive fashion at Kempton in January; last week's third came in a useful race and he's a strong contender back down into a Class 6.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Warwick

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way in two similar events over 2m at Hereford recently; steps up in trip but easy to dismiss.

40/1

4th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:12 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner at a modest level on Flat; beaten long way over C&D switched to hurdles time; opposed.

33/1

9th

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Alex The Great

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

High-mileage three-time Flat winner who is now limited in that scene, only ten days ago finishing well held off a basement mark on the AW.

100/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 472-36

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-31 combining points and races under rules; twice placed over C&D around the turn of the year but raced too freely when well held over 1m4f five weeks ago; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Star Of Markinch

9st 11lb

J: Miss Emma J Brown

T: Gary Rutherford

Longstanding maiden; effective at the track and ran creditably over 1m4f here last week; still looks opposable for win purposes.

33/1

4th

9

(8)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:40 Musselburgh

Star Of Markinch

8st 5lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Gary Rutherford

Placed several times (including C&D) but this 10yo remains a longstanding maiden and failed to beat a rival on her Newcastle reappearance seven weeks ago.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 8-6676 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Over two years since his last win (C&D off an 11lb higher mark) but there was a long absence prior to his reappearance in December; he hasn't been showing enough to think he was primed to exploit his lowly mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Quercus Robur

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won on the Flat here (2m, soft) in November; fourth on hurdle debut here (1m7f, good to soft) later that month and improved when runner-up at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in December; he's high on the list today.

9/4

5

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Quercus Robur

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adam Nicol

Course regular who landed a fourth win here (his third over this trip) when 28-1 and beating Edwardtheninth one month ago; flopped under a 5lb penalty the following week (Team Endeavour second) but that tactical race may be best ignored; could well bounce back.

7/1

5th

1

(4)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Quercus Robur

10st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Adam Nicol

Won his fourth race at this track and third over C&D when scoring at 28-1 last Thursday on his return from a break; 5lb penalty doesn't leave him well in but this is a weak event.

2/1

33/1

Form: 8034-0 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October 2021; also scored at Southwell the following January but he's generally struggled for this yard; sharper for his reappearance but too much to prove for comfort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(3)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Freewheelin

9st 11lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: John Norton

A lot of years since his trainer saddled a Flat winner and he'll do very well to end the run, back from almost a year off and from 6lb out of the handicap under Venetia Thompson (0-7 under both codes currently).

100/1

7th

8

(3)

26th Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

17:45 Hamilton

Freewheelin

9st 11lb

J: Miss Lauren Sanders

T: John Norton

Both wins on AW, the latest over three years ago; well held on AW at Southwell when last seen and not hard to look elsewhere.

50/1

Form: 0586-6

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Beaten just a handful of rivals in his seven Flat runs for this yard; tumbling down the weights as a consequence and he's worth keeping an eye on in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

9

20th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:58 Hexham

Grand Scheme

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Three-time Flat winner (1m-1m6f) for Richard Hannon; having only his fifth start over hurdles when scoring by 15l at Southwell (2m, good) eight days ago; 7lb penalty shouldn't preclude another big effort.

6/4

1st

5

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Grand Scheme

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

took keen hold, prominent

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 756-05 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Now 4lb lower than when springing a surprise at Chelmsford 14 months ago; two runs back from a 285-day absence should have him at peak fitness and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

10th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

17:10 Ludlow

Man Of Riddles

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

Regressive on the Flat and tailed off returned to hurdles in March; limited appeal now attempting a handicap (1lb wrong).

25/1

8th

5

18th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:45 Huntingdon

Man Of Riddles

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Max Young

A declining force on the Flat and his return to hurdles (second attempt) over C&D last Wednesday saw him beaten 52l at 300-1.

200/1

12th

7

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:58 Huntingdon

Man Of Riddles

11st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Max Young

Sole attempt over hurdles (2m7f) resulted in a heavy defeat in 2023; currently out of form on the Flat; enough to prove.

100/1

Form: 0-4268

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Doesn't score heavily for consistency but she only just missed out over C&D in January off this sort of mark; not solid but the ability lingers if she is on a good day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(8)

2nd Apr 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Typewritten

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ewan Whillans

dwelt start, in rear

14/1

Form: 0690-7

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden; sent off the 100-30 joint second favourite on last month's stable debut over C&D but he was never travelling and eventually came home a remote seventh of the eight runners; cheekpieces now tried and he's clearly thought capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

17:05 Kelso

Man Of Action

11st 0lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Gary Rutherford

Disappointed on a filthy day at Hexham last time but probably best judged on eariler efforts on a sound surface; will need to raise game if he's to win this, though.

6/1

3

3rd Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:27 Hexham

Man Of Action

11st 12lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

Launched handicap hurdle career with two wins this spring, the first over C&D on good ground; slightly disappointing when well-held third at Perth (3m, good) three months ago but further progress remains possible.

11/4

3

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Man Of Action

11st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Gary Rutherford

Launched handicap hurdle career with two wins this spring, the latter over C&D on good ground, and also ran well when clear third at Hexham (2m7f, good) 11 days ago; back in action just before latest 2lb rise takes effect and makes significant appeal.

5/2

20/1

Form: 005

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Modest ability in bumpers and over hurdles for Nigel Twiston-Davies; no significant impact in three Flat runs at up to 1m4f this year; more suitable challenge now upped in distance for his handicap debut but still not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(6)

7th Mar 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Opera King

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Scott Dixon

in touch with leaders, midfield after 6f

20/1

5th

3

(4)

21st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Opera King

9st 7lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Modest ability in bumpers and over hurdles; tailed off in two AW Flat starts over shorter than this since joining current stable; the longer trip may help but he probably isn't good enough.

100/1

12th

8

(1)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

16:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Opera King

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Maiden in bumpers and over hurdles for previous yard; completely tailed off at Southwell (1m) on the switch to this sphere; opposed.

100/1

7/1

Form: 098-07

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in all ten starts; not beaten far when seventh of 12 at Chelmsford last week when Rossa Ryan was booked; accessories are fitted this afternoon; still has time to do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(2)

27th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 6

15:33 Yarmouth

Unification

9st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

Ex-Irish maiden who's never been involved in a finish and has done most racing over further; poor effort when well behind Mond last week and is hard to recommend.

25/1

6

(4)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:45 Lingfield

Unification

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Phil McEntee

Out of the frame in all 14 starts and was beaten 12l in a small-field handicap at Chelmsford (1m6f) last month; has lots to prove back in trip and this looks tough at the weights; change of headgear.

10/1

5th

4

(6)

1st May 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Unification

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Phil McEntee

Out of the frame in all 13 starts under rules despite a sliding mark; cheekpieces worn once before return but hard to recommend.

25/1

Non-runners

Keeper Of Secrets

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.20
Straight Forecast £18.99
Tricast £97.81
Trifecta £110.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Alex The Great

D Express:

Man Of Action

RP RATINGS:

Quercus Robur

Daily Mail:

Opera King

POSTDATA:

Typewritten

The Times:

Man Of Riddles

Telegraph:

Alex The Great

The Guardian:

Alex The Great

Daily Mirror:

Alex The Great

The Sun:

Alex The Great

The Star:

Alex The Great

Daily Record:

Alex The Great