May 11 / 18.45 Newcastle (AW)

18.45

Standard

Border Minstrel Family Fun Day Handicap

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Border Minstrel Family Fun Day Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 053-11 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Beaten only once in five AW handicaps and he put up another sterling show when leading close home at Southwell (6f) in April, beating one who since lost out very late at Newmarket to a top handicap prospect; raised 4lb on first start here but the stiff track promises to suit; much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Ferrous

10st 0lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Unraced on turf this year and his best form has come on AW; however, he has a lower mark on grass and was third in a Listed race at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) last August; capable of playing a leading role.

6/1

6th

4

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Ferrous

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Third to Diligent Harry in this race 12 months ago; four creditable runs on AW earlier in the year but others bring more pressing claims.

14/1

5th

4

(15)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Ferrous

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Handicap mark not impossible judged on his C&D win last May off 3lb lower; running okay in defeat this winter and it would be no surprise to see him in the thick of the action.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2308-5 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Impressive in 7f novice here on second start for William Haggas and he lost his lead only late on to Telemark on handicap debut at Doncaster (7f, soft) in September; lesser efforts after but he ran well for a long way on yard debut at Leicester (6f, good); intriguing prospect back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Strong 6f form here until a disappointing run eight days ago, tanking through the race but finding little off the bridle; should be fine back at 5f and he remains on a dangerous mark.

7/2

9th

7

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Has turf form but starting to look like an AW specialist, rewarding market support when seeing off Heavenly Heather and 11 others over C&D two months ago; weighted to confirm the form with his old adversary and he is still 2lb lower than for his fine C&D second last May; strong claims.

5/1

7

(13)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Germanic

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Began his time with Julie Camacho with two solid runs in the spring, notably when second of 13 at Newcastle (6f); things have gone south since, albeit in top sprints, and a wind operation didn't arrest the slide at Haydock four weeks ago; cheekpieces return (ran well over 7f here in one previous use); stable also runs Solar Aclaim.

20/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 79-656 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
High class on Tapeta at his best, such as a good third in a Group 3 over C&D last June followed by a Wolverhampton win; he hasn't seemed quite himself since, though, first-time cheekpieces failing to put an edge back on over C&D in April and he isn't running to a falling mark at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

15:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Won the Listed Golden Rose at Lingfield in November 2023 and landed a valuable 6f Class 2 handicap here (off 106) the following summer; has finally slipped back down the weights, giving notice of a return to form (third) in an added visor at Lingfield (7f) 51 days ago; respected.

13/2

3rd

4

(7)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Fanshawe

Good runs few and far between since August 2024; should be well handicapped but that has been the case for a while and he hasn't shown much this year; now tried in a visor; stable also run Heathcliff.

20/1

9th

1

(2)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:03 Southwell (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Not the force of old but he ran well when third in a hot Newcastle handicap last May (6f; RPR 108) and he races off a 7lb lower mark today; neither subsequent run has been comparable but this is a drop in grade and he can't be ruled out.

12/1

12/1

Form: 1105-0 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Was much lower in the weights when winning the second of two AW runs, over C&D last March; went on to win good races at Newmarket and Goodwood (both on good to soft) but he made a low-key reappearance at Leicester recently and there may be other days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Sergeant Wilko

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Winless since his productive 2024 campaign; upped to 7f at Thirsk six weeks ago and put in a good front-running shift, picked off close home by the reopposing Brighton Boy; 3lb better off today but it won't be easy trying to boss this field.

8/1

2nd

5

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Sergeant Wilko

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Promising reappearance after wind surgery when fourth at Newcastle (6f) but has taken two backward steps since; has his first run beyond sprint distances here and needs to bounce back after seven weeks off.

9/1

Form: 019-62 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Two C&D wins earlier in career but more to prove on track form in 2024, looking held when checked in this race last year, in the second of two runs here; no serious impact behind Ferrous on comeback at Southwell and, although in good form on turf since, that looks more his surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(7)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Strike Red

9st 5lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

8yo who can be in and out but he won at Leicester (6f, good to firm) in April and has run well in defeat on his last two starts, at Epsom (6f, soft) and Newcastle (6f, AW); he was a close second of 14 last time and this C&D winner can be in the mix if he's once more on a going day.

11/2

2nd

14

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Strike Red

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Twice a C&D winner; ended losing run with a hard-fought success at Leicester in April and he ran creditably at Epsom on Derby day; minor money perhaps his best hope.

14/1

4th

13

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Strike Red

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has lost his form a bit in two starts since an April success and is far from certain to raise his game much, having been beaten in this race for the last three years (finishing positions 756).

16/1

Form: 62-112 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Promising on AW for James Fanshawe and a persevering third over C&D last June suggested he had more to come on sand; has had a profitable winter for this yard in Bahrain since but he's now 19lb higher than his latest AW defeat in Britain which gives him something to prove back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(21)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

City House

9st 6lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart turf form at up to 7f in Bahrain for George Scott early last year; some good runs this year, second to Sir Les Patterson on the AW (6f) in February and close fourth at Chester in May (7.5f, good); no luck in running in the Habitat here (won by Headmaster), again behind that rival at Cork.

12/1

4th

4

(10)

14th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:37 Cork

City House

9st 4lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart turf form at up to 7f in Bahrain for George Scott early last year; some good runs for current yard this year, second to Sir Les Patterson on the AW (6f) in February and close fourth at Chester in May (7.5f, good); caught the eye when running on late after not getting a clear run in the Habitat at the Curragh (6f, good); could go close.

11/1

8th

7

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

17:25 Curragh

City House

9st 10lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart turf form at up to 7f in Bahrain for George Scott early last year; standout runs for current yard this year when second to Sir Les Patterson on the AW and latest when close fourth of 13 at Chester early this month, extended 7f looking to stretch him; return to stiff 6f could suit.

14/1

Form: 00818-

Last run: 225 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Talented on his day, as when winning 7f turf handicaps on good to soft and soft in 2024, but he hasn't been seen since tailed off in September and tackling 6f on AW debut is an entirely new project.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Telemark

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well suited by slow ground; attractively handicapped and his last two runs have both been promising, meeting trouble before finishing off strongly at Newcastle last month; high on the list.

4/1

4th

9

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Telemark

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

1lb lower than for his Doncaster win 12 months ago (7f, soft); several creditable runs in handicaps this season but he will need to pull out a bit more if he's to come out on top.

12/1

8

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Telemark

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Not troubled the judge this season but hasn't been running badly, last time behind Native Warrior on the AW in late June; a triple winner on ground softer than good so connections have no doubt been waiting for some rain; worth considering.

14/1

Form: -74409 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Three AW wins include a smart effort off this mark over C&D in March 2024 but he hasn't reached the same level for this yard as yet, including back here and at Leicester recently; a revival isn't out of the question, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Fivethousandtoone

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Faced with his optimum conditions but he is 3lb higher than for his win in this race last summer; each-way claims once again.

10/1

6th

8

(14)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Fivethousandtoone

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time AW winner, only 1-27 on grass; never the slightest threat on return to turf at Leicester; others have more convincing profiles.

16/1

11th

11

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Fivethousandtoone

8st 7lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time AW winner who has finished close up on Tapeta (5f/6f) in his last three runs; record of 1-26 on turf but he's on a lower mark in this sphere and he ran well in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon (6f, good to firm) last summer; dangerous.

8/1

10/1

Form: 10007- D BF

Last run: 198 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Very capable on turf; has won and run well on his return for the last two years but his AW credentials are shaky, having failed to beat a rival over C&D in 2023, the second of two runs on sand (the other was over 7f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Aleezdancer

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.

12/1

11

(12)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Aleezdancer

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent 6yo who hasn't gone beyond a bare 6f for a long time and finished down the field at York in July when last seen; however, he won at Pontefract (6f, good) earlier that month and has shown some strong form here in the past (including a soft-ground win); could go well.

20/1

12

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aleezdancer

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; exploited his drop down the weights when making all at Pontefract 18 days ago (6f, good); still has handicapping scope despite a 4lb rise; one to consider.

12/1

9/1

Form: -12605 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Has run many of his best AW races on this track; in good form, with the odd excuse, since winning at Southwell (6f) in January but this may be too competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Badri

10st 2lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Herrington

Arrives in fine form and bidding for a hat-trick following back-to-back 6f wins here, emphatically making all on latter occasion; has won over the minimum trip too so rates a big player under a 4lb penalty.

7/2

1st

5

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

Badri

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Has performed well in both starts over C&D, including a game success 16 days ago (good); much more exposed than his rivals, but still high on list from 3lb higher.

11/2

1st

1

(7)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Badri

10st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Much the oldest contestant in this field, being a 9yo, and he's conceding weight all round; managed to defy top weight at Redcar on penultimate start but that was in a slightly lower grade.

7/1

11th
3 (11)
Korker

20/1

Form: 3359-9

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of good turf form but connections seem wary about the AW, as he's run only twice on sand, close up over 5f here in 2023 and down the field behind Ferrous at Southwell last month; surface query remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Slow starter; on a long losing run; creditable effort at Chester four weeks ago but this stiff 7f isn't sure to suit.

20/1

6th

7

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: K R Burke

Slow-starter; on a dangerous mark but he is without a win since October 2023 and one 7f run didn't see him improve for the trip.

28/1

10th

9

(13)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Korker

9st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Useful on his day but is on a long losing run and has a doubt over current form; by no means sure to take advantage of a reduced mark.

25/1

12th
12 (1)
Bosh

12/1

Form: 276-07 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Had some good results on turf and the AW for previous yard; well held on sole C&D outing, in this race last year, but he acts well on Tapeta elsewhere and is slowly finding his form for this trainer; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Dods

Absent since finishing fifth over C&D two months ago; 0-10 for current stable but remains well handicapped on historical data; admittedly doesn't seem the force of old.

12/1

3rd

2

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Bosh

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Four-time winner who has come down 15lb in the handicap since the start of the season but isn't obviously shaping as if he's about to exploit it.

12/1

10/1

Form: -21119 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Three convincing 6f wins at Southwell and Lingfield in March and April but he went up 20lb in total and the good days ended with a recent defeat; left on the same mark and Warren Fentiman's claim might not be enough to claw back the advantage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:17 Newmarket (July)

Westmorian

10st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

6-21 on AW but still seeking a first turf win after 15 attempts; latest Thirsk fourth (6f, good to firm) as good as anything he's produced on the grass but may find at least the odd one too strong again.

7/1

4th

8

(9)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Westmorian

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

6-21 on AW but still seeking a first turf win after 14 attempts; ran okay at York last month without suggesting he was the answer today.

20/1

7th

4

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Westmorian

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Gained three 6f wins on the AW last spring but went off the boil and refused to race in the Ayr Silver Cup on final outing; 0-13 on turf and never a factor on reappearance (66-1); others appeal more.

33/1

Non-runners

The Caltonian

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.70
Straight Forecast £6.74
Tricast £52.83
Trifecta £81.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ferrous

D Express:

City House

The Times:

Germanic

NEWMARKET:

Telemark

Daily Mirror:

Sergeant Wilko

The Star:

Westmorian

POSTDATA:

Fivethousandtoone

RP RATINGS:

Strike Red

TOPSPEED:

Badri

Daily Record:

City House

LAMBOURN:

Ferrous

Telegraph:

Ferrous

The Sun:

Ferrous