March 13 / 19.30 Newcastle (AW)

19.30

Standard

£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
£30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 50-722 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Back on song returned to AW this winter, second in handicaps over 6f and 5f here on his last two starts; 1lb ahead of the handicapper and he should remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(3)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Has gained all four of his wins at Newcastle, with the most recent of those successes coming there over 5f 16 days ago; 3lb rise looks fair but he was well beaten when last seen over 6f.

8/1

1st

2

(4)

4th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

All three of his wins have come at Newcastle and he has run some good races this winter, including his latest third when keeping on after an awkward start (not his first); capable at this level; respected.

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 435454 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter; on a competitive mark and conditions aren't a problem but he will need the leaders coming back to him to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

C&D winner whose five AW wins include two this year; often slowly away; has been running respectably off his lower turf mark of late but probably needs a bit more for the adding of a visor.

16/1

6th

11

(9)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Dark Kestrel

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time AW winner who was unable to take advantage of his lower turf mark last time and it remains three years since his only success in this sphere; others preferred.

16/1

4th

10

(2)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Dark Kestrel

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Kept busy on the AW this winter and already a dual 5f winner at Newcastle; not out of things if translating that form but he's yet to show his best form on turf.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 418321 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Two wins this year, the latest over C&D 12 days ago; that was a small-field Class 6, however, and he has more on his plate up 5lb against stronger opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Kings Crown

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins this winter; never in the hunt at Wetherby last month on his return to turf but he is effective over C&D and seems to handle any ground; not ruled out.

8/1

5th

1

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Kings Crown

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins at Newcastle over the winter; his form has cooled more recently but today's return to Class 5 company will help and the cheekpieces return after being discarded last time.

6/1

6th

6

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Just 1lb higher than for his 5f win at Newcastle on New Year's Day; three runs since have not been quite so encouraging though and he may prove vulnerable back up at 6f.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 62476- CD

Last run: 142 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Has some high-class sprint form down the years, including over C&D; has left David O'Meara since last seen; has an absence to overcome but the booking of Billy Loughnane (four wins and four seconds from 15 rides for the yard) is a strong hint he's ready to go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(9)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alligator Alley

9st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ruth Carr

Has only managed to win two of his last 31 starts, though he got it right when recording his second C&D success last month (four of these behind); had excuses back here last time (blindfold removed late) and he's a big player if things pan out right this time.

4/1

7

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alligator Alley

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Has eight wins but has become hard to win with for current yard this year, making the frame seven times without success; well-handicapped if he can just turn the corner.

10/1

7

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alligator Alley

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Has eight wins but has become hard to win with for current yard this year, making the frame seven times without success; well-handicapped if he can just turn the corner.

10/1

Form: 57818- D

Last run: 159 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Talented sprinter but hard to win with and meeting some trouble in running probably wasn't a bad thing when winning at Musselburgh last September; well beaten at Wolverhampton one month later; can go well fresh and he holds each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(15)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Three-time C&D winner, including twice off higher marks in the month of April; unlucky third, having found daylight too late, in this race 12 months ago; soft ground was against him here last weekend; likely player if the cards drop right.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Below best on latest course start in October but has a strong C&D record otherwise, three wins include this race (good to soft) last year; now 2lb lower and primed for a good run if he avoids trouble in running.

9/2

7th

10

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Zarzyni

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he did score twice in 2025, the latter win over C&D; 3lb higher in a better race this time and he'll need to be somewhere near last year's best to take this after four months off.

14/1

20/1

Form: 96527- CD

Last run: 122 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Chased home Dark Kestrel over C&D last October but disappointing back here two weeks later; others preferred for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Herakles

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; consistent in defeat on AW before making a successful return to turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 19 days ago, with reopposing Dc Cogent and Marajito behind in third and fifth; did that quite comfortably but a 6lb rise puts him 3lb above his highest win mark of 66; has also yet to score back-to-back in his 41-race career.

2/1

1st

7

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Herakles

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has reached the frame on AW in his last six starts including when a close second at Newcastle (5f; tongue-tie added) last month; record of 1-21 on turf but conditions should be fine back in this sphere and he had a close call off 1lb higher at Beverley last summer; interesting contender for yard that has won this race in the last two years.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Herakles

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Three of his four wins have come over C&D; not beaten far at Southwell on his last two starts; dropped another 1lb and he's a leading contender back at this track; stable runs three here.

4/1

Form: 3-6437 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Only seventh behind Castan over C&D two weeks ago; 4lb better off with that rival but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle in March but well held back on turf at Doncaster later that month; freshened up since.

10/1

17th

14

(4)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Seven wins, the latest at Newcastle in December off a 6lb lower mark; good second off 1lb lower back at Newcastle 24 days ago; should give his running but others may prove better treated.

12/1

2nd

10

(8)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Our Absent Friends

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Gained a third C&D success in December and largely in good nick since, fourth of nine over C&D two weeks ago; ought to be in the shake-up.

10/1

9/4

Form: 4-6111 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
3-3 since cheekpieces were added and he was more dominant here two weeks ago than the winning margin might indicate; 2lb rise manageable and he's high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(18)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

25-1 winner of a division of this race 12 months ago; arrives in form following a success at Southwell and a creditable fourth of eight at Ripon; should be in the thick of things again.

8/1

4th

4

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Castan

8st 12lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Bryan Smart

Placed three times on AW over the winter before resuming winning ways over 5f at Southwell 18 days ago; hasn't been successful above a mark of 76 so a career best will be needed if he's to follow up.

13/2

1st

4

(3)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Castan

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

C&D scorer who wasn't seen to ideal effect when eighth of 12 in 5f Newcastle handicap last month, helping set a strong gallop; not out of things eased 1lb.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.50
Straight Forecast £20.44
Tricast £168.34
Trifecta £118.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Castan

Daily Mirror:

Monks Dream

RP RATINGS:

King's Crown

SPOTLIGHT:

Alligator Alley

Daily Record:

Monks Dream

POSTDATA:

Castan

Telegraph:

Castan

The Guardian:

Castan

D Express:

Castan

The Sun:

Castan

The Star:

Castan

The Times:

King's Crown

Daily Mail:

Alligator Alley