June 27 / 20.10 Newcastle (AW)

20.10

Standard

Take The Lead With X3 Consulting Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Take The Lead With X3 Consulting Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 382-97 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Expensive to follow for Clive Cox last year before being picked up for 16,000gns in the autumn; failed to beat a rival in two turf runs (5f/5.5f) for new yard this season and he needs a major revival back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(8)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:23 Beverley

Crafty Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: John Wainwright

Has run two good races this season, last time getting off the mark on turf at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm); each-way chance.

5/1

1st

8

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Crafty Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: John Wainwright

Well handicapped on his form for Clive Cox; best run for present yard when second at Beverley on reappearance (5f, good to firm; blinkers back on); well drawn and should go well in an ordinary race.

3/1

2nd

10

(3)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Beverley

Crafty Spirit

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: John Wainwright

An AW winner in 2024 for previous yard but he needs to improve on his turf efforts for new connections last year; lack of a recent run is another negative.

25/1

Form: 5237-8 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Defied this mark at Catterick (6f, good) last April but that is his sole win since 2021; may have needed his reappearance run at Catterick in April but he's had another break since then and his AW record stands at 0-12; looks opposable back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Highjacked

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: John Davies

C&D scorer who got back on track when fourth of nine over C&D in July; one to consider off the same mark after a break.

11/2

4th

4

(2)

23rd Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Highjacked

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John Davies

In the frame on eight of his 12 course visits but only two of the last five, and about 3l behind Quercus when fifth in this race last year (good to firm; beaten favourite); can't fight the rider as much as he did behind Miss Rainbow on last month's return from a small break.

6/1

2

(11)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Highjacked

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: John Davies

Defied this mark at Catterick (6f, good) last April but that is his sole win since 2021; may have needed his reappearance run at Catterick in April but he's had another break since then and his AW record stands at 0-12; looks opposable back in this sphere.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 109-06

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Won off 4lb higher at Redcar (5f, good to firm) last May but he's had only four runs since and has struggled in all of them; overall record is now 1-10 and has lots to prove back on AW; first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

7th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:05 Ayr

Cuban Storm

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Record is just 1-11 but he ran encouragingly in first-time blinkers at Newcastle (AW) most recently; interesting in the retained headgear.

10/1

Form: 447546 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins on AW for Ivan Furtado last spring; now 6lb lower than for last success but she's not threatened in five runs for new yard this season; had some traffic issues at Wolverhampton on her penultimate run but she can miss the break and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

The Real McKay

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Michael Herrington

One of her three wins came over C&D; off the mark for this stable when comfortably seeing off eight rivals at Newcastle two weeks ago (6f); drawn wide but a 3lb rise looks manageable.

4/1

7th

3

(10)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

The Real McKay

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Michael Herrington

One of her three wins came over C&D; off the mark for this stable when comfortably seeing off eight rivals at Newcastle two weeks ago (6f); drawn wide but a 3lb rise looks manageable.

4/1

1st

3

(1)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Real McKay

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Michael Herrington

Has won off higher marks when trained by Ivan Furtado in 2024; 0-8 for current yard but was close second at Yarmouth (6f, soft) two runs back; on a career-low mark and cannot be discounted.

5/1

Form: -79460 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
His last win was over C&D but that was in a novice in December 2022; very well treated on old form but he's faded in his five runs this year and was beaten 15l at Chepstow (7-2) last time; had a difficult track position in that race but he needs a big turnaround back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:07 Yarmouth

Clipsham La Habana

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Both wins were in late 2022 and he has been looking regressive this year; wouldn't be the obvious answer after nearly three months off.

8/1

6

(13)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Newcastle (AW)

Clipsham La Habana

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alice Haynes

His last win was over C&D but that was in a novice in December 2022; very well treated on old form but he's faded in his five runs this year and was beaten 15l at Chepstow (7-2) last time; had a difficult track position in that race but he needs a big turnaround back in trip.

9/1

12th

2

(2)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

17:00 Chepstow

Clipsham La Habana

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alice Haynes

No win since late 2022; has dropped in the weights and his reappearance effort at Doncaster wasn't a bad run but he failed to build on it at Salisbury a fortnight ago; others appeal more.

6/1

Form: 353436 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Plenty of good runs this year, including a near-miss here (5f) in January and a third at Ayr (6f, good to firm) last month; didn't fire at Musselburgh last time but the application of a visor may have backfired; the headgear is now removed and he could bounce back on this return AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:18 Ayr

King Of The Jungle

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Ran out the easy winner of a handicap at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last month; up 6lb but slower ground won't faze him and he can't be ruled out.

100/30

1st

7

(1)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Beverley

King Of The Jungle

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Michael & David Easterby

Never involved on reappearance but he'd been off for ten months and he could easily do better today, having been placed in just two C&D runs, including when going close in this race in 2024 (under Lewis Chalkley who switches to So Grateful); not ruled out.

15/2

10th

8

(7)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

King Of The Jungle

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went winless last season but ran well on occasions and he's handicapped to go in at some point; seems to run well fresh.

8/1

Form: 124657 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Course specialist who won three times here in February/March, including over C&D; finished down the field back on turf in last three runs but he wasn't beaten far after a slow start at Wetherby last time; now only 2lb higher than for his last success and he looks interesting back on Tapeta.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Pockley

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Three course wins early in the year and he is now 3lb lower than for the latest of them; dropped down the weights on the back of some disappointing turf runs and he should be a more potent force back under these conditions.

20/1

Form: 7-6911

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Much improved since the visor went on and she bids for a hat-trick following wins at Thirsk (5f) and Catterick (7f) recently; up another 4lb but she battled well to beat a subsequent winner last time and this return to AW should be fine; big player back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(9)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Miss Rainbow

9st 12lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Game effort to win a 5f handicap at Thirsk (good ground) last month; dropped away having made the running at Newcastle 13 days ago; has run well at Carlisle before but over 5f and this test might be stiffer than ideal.

12/1

11th

13

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:03 Newcastle (AW)

Miss Rainbow

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Course winner (6f); arrives having been in good form, seeing off her 11 rivals at Thirsk (5f, good) three weeks ago; a 4lb rise shouldn't prevent another solid effort.

12/1

1st

7

(9)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:50 Thirsk

Miss Rainbow

9st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Won this last year (first-time visor) and quickly added to that with further wins at Catterick (7f), Newcastle (6f), and back here (6f), rising steadily in the weights; she's a likely pace angle, only worn down inside final furlong at Catterick (6f; 17-2) 25 days ago.

7/1

Form: 7-3096 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Record is just 2-35, the wins in 2021 and 2024; started this season with a close third at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) but he's been well held in last three runs; on very dangerous mark but he's hard to predict and is not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Newcastle (AW)

Gis A Sub

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

On a losing run but he wasn't best drawn when seventh of 11 in 6f Pontefract handicap 43 days ago; he needs considering off a handy-looking mark.

11/2

7th

1

(13)

27th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Pontefract

Gis A Sub

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a poor strike-rate but went close at Ripon last weekend and holds a fighting chance in this grade; gained sole handicap win off 5lb higher.

7/2

2nd

6

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:38 Ripon

Gis A Sub

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Runner-up in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes as a 2yo; nothing like so good now but that wasn't a barrier to success in the corresponding event 12 months ago; 7lb lower this time around and he didn't run badly at Thirsk 17 days ago; headgear left off today.

7/1

Form: 925673 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Nine-time winner, including four on Tapeta (5f/6f); has a patchy record this year but he bounced back with a near-miss at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) last week; well treated off 2lb lower here and he's a big player if he can repeat that latest form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ayr

Newyorkstateofmind

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Has a better strike-rate on the AW and he's won just once on turf in the last three years; however, he only just lost out over 5f at Catterick (good) in May and has a decent run in him if on song.

20/1

4th

10

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:38 Newcastle (AW)

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Course winner who was fourth of 13 in this last year and was a close second at Catterick last month; however, this inconsistent 9yo has been soundly beaten on his last two starts and has to leave those runs behind.

16/1

8th

5

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

15:40 Wetherby

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Has won over this intermediate distance; good second at Catterick on second start (5f, good) this season but below his best either side of that.

12/1

Form: 7607

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Struggled at big prices in her qualifying runs and same story on handicap debut at Nottingham (5f, good) two weeks ago; still unexposed but she needs a transformation back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Free Pic

9st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won over C&D (good) last month when back on turf and back down in trip and she followed up over 1m6f here; clearly thriving and has strong claims.

9/4

1st

4

(6)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

17:00 Catterick

Free Pic

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won at Newcastle in October and solid fourth there (also 1m4f, AW) in February; didn't stay 2m back at that track last month but a return to 1m4f did the trick when taking a course handicap (good) a fortnight ago; big player if her stamina lasts out.

9/4

1st

7

(3)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

15:58 Catterick

Free Pic

8st 6lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last October and close fourth there (1m4f, AW) in February; didn't see out 2m there last month; also effective on turf and she's one to consider now back down in trip.

6/1

Form: 447516 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Made it sixth-time lucky for Jamie Osborne when winning narrowly at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in April; changed hands for 10,000gns the following month but he made a low-key start for new yard at Hamilton (last of six); now returns to Tapeta but he has a patchy profile and needs to bounce back again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

5th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Cab

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Alison Hamilton

Placed in two 6f 0-50 classified events here in March; slowly away last time, however, and won't be able to get away with that back at 5f.

8/1

3rd

4

(5)

24th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Cab

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Alison Hamilton

C&D win for Jamie Osborne last April; slow start for current stable but he returned to form after a four-month break when second in a similar C&D event two weeks ago; solid claims if in the same form this time.

4/1

2nd

3

(5)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Cab

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Alison Hamilton

Won a C&D handicap for Jamie Osborne last April; bought for 10,000gns the following month; hasn't run up to his best since, but this is his second run after a wind op so could fare better.

9/1

14 (10)
Poet

16/1

Form: 7-5187 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Poor on turf last twice but his last AW run resulted in a win over C&D early last month; only 3lb higher than for strong-finishing success and has claims if he can recapture that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(14)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:25 Chepstow

Poet

9st 0lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Ended a run of finishing last when seventh of 11 at Brighton nine days ago; easy enough to swerve.

66/1

7th

10

(11)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

18:20 Brighton

Poet

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Scott Dixon

Has finished stone last on his last nine starts; impossible to recommend.

100/1

7th

7

(4)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:33 Chepstow

Poet

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Scott Dixon

Has failed to beat a rival in his last eight races; hard to fancy back from a three-month break.

33/1

Non-runners

Nazca

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.10
Straight Forecast £34.69
Tricast £331.71
Trifecta £417.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Miss Rainbow

The Times:

Newyorkstateofmind

D Express:

Pockley

POSTDATA:

King Of The Jungle

Telegraph:

Gis A Sub

RP RATINGS:

Miss Rainbow

The Star:

Miss Rainbow

Daily Record:

Miss Rainbow

The Sun:

Pockley

The Guardian:

Newyorkstateofmind

Daily Mail:

Newyorkstateofmind

Daily Mirror:

Newyorkstateofmind