May 11 / 18.15 Newcastle (AW)

18.15

Standard

Border Minstrel Handicap

  • Prize money: £11514.8
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Border Minstrel Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.80
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 55-813 D BF

Last run: 88 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Improved for the fitting of blinkers, winning at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) in January and finishing a close third of eight at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) the following month; returns from three months off with the blinkers missing, so not quite sure what to expect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

(3)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Kempton (AW)

McKenna

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: D Donovan

Beaten a long way all four starts for this yard, last two following wind surgery; headgear (blinkers, worn alone for the first time) returns.

33/1

11th

8

(3)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

McKenna

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: D Donovan

Won 7f handicaps at Wolverhampton and Newcastle for George Boughey early last year, but three starts since returning for this yard in October have been blowouts; no headgear today and probably only of interest if backed.

25/1

11th

4

(5)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Kempton (AW)

McKenna

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: D Donovan

Won twice over 7f when trained by George Boughey; well beaten in two runs for new connections and only dropped 1lb for his troubles; has had a wind op since latest but not easily recommended.

33/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 2192- C

Last run: 241 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Landed a novice here (6f) last August and bounced from from a lesser effort when beaten a neck in a Doncaster nursery (6.5f, good) the following month; 4lb higher and may just need this after eight months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

15

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Oolong Poobong

8st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Edward Bethell

Progressive handicap form at the start of last summer, winning convincingly at Haydock (7f, good) before excellent fourth of 25 in the Sandringham at this meeting (1m, good to firm); not seen again until a creditable fifth of 13 in 1m Thirsk handicap (good) last month and entitled to come on for that run; first-time tongue-tie worn at Thirsk is retained; high on the shortlist under Spencer.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Oolong Poobong

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Progressive filly who put the race to bed quite convincingly for her first handicap win, at Haydock (7f, good) last May; had a much stiffer task in the Sandringham (1m, good to firm) at Royal Ascot after but ran a cracker in fourth, drifting across from a high draw; off since though so fitness unknown and market helpful; tongue tied this time.

13/2

4th

15

(21)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Oolong Poobong

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Edward Bethell

This represents a marked rise in grade but she took what looked a competitive Haydock 7f handicap apart last month and a 5lb rise isn't the end of the world; dam won over this far; her yard won last year's Britannia with a similarly progressive type.

12/1

Form: 04-511 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Bids for a hat-trick from a 5lb higher mark after last month's wins at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) and Leicester (7f, good); no reason why he shouldn't go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:18 Chester

Knights Gold

9st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Four-time turf winner who scored off 1lb higher over C&D last autumn; took a while to get going this season but he's been placed at with cheekpieces added in his last two runs (1m, good to firm); usually comes from off the pace and has possibilities if he gets some luck.

9/2

3rd

2

(1)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Knights Gold

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Had a fine year in 2025 and he spent the spring in the handicapper's claws; offered more encouragement when tried in cheekpieces at Newbury (1m, good to firm) 17 days ago; should have a big run in him.

9/2

3rd

6

(6)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newbury

Knights Gold

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

A 2025 campaign that featured five wins was always going to be a hard act to follow and he has found it tough going so far this year; has slipped back to a winning mark though and cheekpieces are now given a go.

12/1

5/1

Form: 3106-3 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Narrowly landed a Newmarket novice (7f, good) last July and, having been gelded, made a promising return when third of nine at Ripon (6f, good) last month; return to this trip should suit and he's a player if taking to the AW at the first time of asking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

20:15 Nottingham

Cairdeas

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Paul Midgley

Reappeared with a good second at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) last month but he's not easy to predict and was a well-held fifth at Ripon last time; that took his record to 1-16 and others are more convincing.

9/1

5th

8

(9)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Cairdeas

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Ex William Haggas; no win since his juvenile days, but has twice ran well over this C&D, including when fourth (from 4lb higher) last August; no match for stablemate Novello Lad at Doncaster (6f, good to soft; 25-1) recently but that comeback run ought to have him spot on for this.

11/2

2nd

12

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Cairdeas

8st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Regressed for William Haggas before sold last summer; the handicapper is easing off so he should be easy enough to place in due course but he's done a lot of his racing over 7f and now returns from an absence; Novello Lad looks his trainer's best shout.

16/1

5/1

Form: 5057-1 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Out of the frame in all five starts on turf last year but, having been off for 201 days, he bolted up by 5l in a 0-65 handicap over 6f here last month; the handicapper hasn't missed him with a 12lb rise and this will be much tougher, but hard to know how much he still has to offer on the AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

18:12 Carlisle

Andalprofit

10st 11lb

J: Miss Tilly Evans

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won for today's rider off a 2lb lower mark at Redcar last time (6f, good to firm); today's softer conditions are not sure to suit.

11/2

1st

3

(2)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Andalprofit

11st 0lb

J: Miss Tilly Evans

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was over C&D off this mark in November but he can be hard to predict and should have run better back in a 0-60 last time.

8/1

8th

1

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Andalprofit

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

There have been enough good runs since November's Redcar win to think this mark was in range and this race is much weaker than the Haydock handicap three weeks ago in which he weakened out of things only inside the final furlong; didn't look the easiest ride there but he still makes some each-way appeal back in a 0-60.

8/1

Form: 7221-

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up over 6f/7f on Polytrack last September and comfortably landed uncompetitive Pontefract maiden (6f, soft) the following month; worth a market check now making her handicap debut after seven months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

20th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:33 Pontefract

Loving Apprentice

8st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ed Dunlop

Won her maiden over C&D a year ago and added a Lingfield handicap this July, by some 5l off 9lb lower; has shown she can deal with this mark and could bounce back from a quiet run now tried in blinkers.

9/1

14th

1

(5)

25th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:38 Pontefract

Loving Apprentice

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Dunlop

Won maiden over C&D (soft) last October; made all for easy win at Lingfield (6f) in July and it was a good effort dropped down to 5f when second at Yarmouth (also good to soft) last Tuesday; respected from same mark.

6/1

2nd

3

(7)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

17:30 Yarmouth

Loving Apprentice

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

Has run at 6f and 7f, two wins coming over the former trip on soft and good to soft; beaten a long way under a penalty in AW Racing League race in July but she'd come clear from a favourable draw at Lingfield previously; doesn't lack for pace and interesting on first 5f run.

7/1

7/1

Form: 13 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Made a successful debut in a novice over C&D last month (a couple of those behind won their next starts) and may have run into a couple of nice types when a well-held third of six at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) 12 days later; the least exposed in the field and respected on handicap debut back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

15:47 Wolverhampton (AW)

Four Fifty

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Harry Ryall

Gradually went the wrong way for previous yard after making a successful debut and was comfortably held on stable debut at Bath (1m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) this month; little to suggest this big step up in trip will make a difference.

12/1

6th

1

(3)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

21:00 Bath

Four Fifty

9st 9lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Harry Ryall

Won debut at Newcastle (7f, AW) last April; fourth in the Leger Legends race at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last September but yet to make much of an impact in handicaps, so he can't be the percentage call on this first start since leaving Craig Lidster; tongue tied first time.

12/1

20th

8

(18)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Doncaster

Four Fifty

10st 11lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Craig Lidster

Made a winning debut at Newcastle (7f) last April; yet to make much of an impact in handicaps but he has dropped down the weights and he ran a solid race over C&D in the Leger Legends race last September; goes well after a break and he has a top amateur booked; interesting.

12/1

16/1

Form: 1622-7

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Made a winning debut at Pontefract (5f, soft) just over a year ago and went down only narrowly in two Tapeta nurseries in the autumn (the first over C&D); will need to step foward from her reappearance here in March, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(12)

10th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:07 Carlisle

Hot To Dot

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Debut winner at Pontefract (5f, soft) early last season and knocking on the door on AW at Newcastle and Southwell (7f) later in the year; excuses for poor Chester run - drawn wide and hampered - latest but does need to bounce back in a newly applied hood; easing mark a plus.

16/1

13th

11

(11)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

17:10 Chester

Hot To Dot

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Gemma Tutty

Winless since her debut at Pontefract last April but not disgraced given she was set a lot to do when a close eighth of 12 in 7f Newcastle handicap last month; possibilities off a 2lb lower mark.

25/1

8th

8

(10)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Hot To Dot

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Made a winning debut at Pontefract (5f, soft) just over a year ago and went down only narrowly in two Tapeta nurseries in the autumn (the first over C&D); will need to step foward from her reappearance here in March, though.

16/1

10/1

Form: 591-14 CD

Last run: 99 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won his first two handicaps during the winter, the latest over C&D, and may have had an excuse when last of four back here (1m) in February; has proved himself fresh, but remains 6lb higher than when last successful so may find a few too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

19:20 Lingfield (AW)

Studious

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Mark Loughnane

All four wins have come on Tapeta including at Southwell (1m) five weeks ago, but he does handle Polytrack; respected despite a 4lb rise with cheekpieces now given a go.

5/1

1st

8

(2)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Studious

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Three-time winner on Tapeta at Newcastle and Wolverhampton and was placed in both starts over this C&D in the autumn; that makes this consistent sort a player.

15/2

3rd

5

(7)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Studious

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Mark Loughnane

Successful off a 7lb lower mark at Newcastle in November; several solid runs in defeat since and no obvious reason why he wouldn't give another good account.

6/1

10th
13 (5)
Gesundheit

33/1

Form: 7091-0

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Well backed when making a successful nursery debut on his final start for Ed Walker at Kempton (6f, Polytrack) last October, but failed to beat a rival on stable debut/first start since being gelded at Haydock (6f, good) 15 days ago; hard to make a case for despite returning to the AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(11)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Gesundheit

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Noel Wilson

Won AW nursery for Ed Walker last October; has struggled in four starts for this stable this year; goes without headgear and hard to fancy.

25/1

9th

1

(7)

25th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:38 Southwell (AW)

Gesundheit

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Noel Wilson

Won a 6f nursery at Kempton off this mark on his final start for Ed Walker; struggled so far for his new stable but the drop into a 0-60, allied to the addition of a tongue-tie, could liven him up.

10/1

11th
5 (11)
Party Bear

7/1

Form: 5-2115 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Scored over 7f on Tapeta at Wolverhampton and Southwell during the spring and was doing all her best work late when beaten 2l into fifth of 14 at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) last time; this stiffer track should suit and she makes the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

Party Bear

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Returned to winning form over C&D in January and had genuine excuses for two of her three defeats in the meantime; beaten just a short head and a neck into third of 11 in the Fillies and Mares Trial here in between those efforts with two of these behind; leading player.

8/1

5th

2

(4)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Party Bear

9st 9lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Landed a handicap at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) in January and her next run can be easily excused (saddle slipped forward); ran well when third of 11 in a competitive race at Lingfield last time and holds good claims now dropped back in grade.

7/4

3rd

10

(5)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

Party Bear

8st 12lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

C&D winner last month; latest Newcastle run easy to excuse as the saddle slipped early on; unexposed in cheekpieces but she will need to step up a notch to take this.

10/1

Form: 845-

Last run: 218 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in the last two of her three starts last year, but this looks a tough task on handicap debut after seven months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:28 Ayr

No Nay Nevermind

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Exposed 20-race maiden; this winter's AW form brings her into the reckoning but she has been well beaten in two runs back on turf.

16/1

6th

5

(3)

10th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

18:30 Hamilton

No Nay Nevermind

10st 9lb

J: Miss Amy Milburn

T: Iain Jardine

0-19; runner-up twice in 7f AW handicaps in late 2025 but this year's efforts leave her with a point to prove.

14/1

9th

9

(5)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

No Nay Nevermind

8st 9lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Iain Jardine

Twice runner-up off a higher mark at Newcastle (7f, AW) late last year, but now 0-18; others make greater appeal.

20/1

Non-runners

Law Degree

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £241.70
Straight Forecast £177.20
Tricast £625.79
Trifecta £992.20

Selections

The Times:

Andalprofit

POSTDATA:

Cairdeas

SPOTLIGHT:

Four Fifty

NEWMARKET:

McKenna

RP RATINGS:

Knights Gold

The Guardian:

Andalprofit

Daily Mirror:

Andalprofit

The Sun:

Andalprofit

The Star:

Andalprofit

Daily Record:

Andalprofit

Telegraph:

Cairdeas

D Express:

Cairdeas