September 26 / 20.30 Newcastle (AW)

20.30

Standard

Arc £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3977.84
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Arc £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

20/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 251170 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Course specialist who completed a double over 7f here in March but he's finished tailed off at this track in both subsequent runs; may have needed his reappearance run last month but needs a major revival back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

33/1

Form: 850670

Last run: 81 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won a Wolverhampton novice (9.4f, Tapeta) last August but she's 0-9 since and has struggled in five runs for her current yard; on reduced mark but has plenty to prove after a break; hood removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

17:15 Musselburgh

Samra Star

9st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Linda Perratt

Three-time winner on AW but 0-8 on turf and was beaten over 7l into second here two weeks ago.

10/1

2nd

4

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

15:50 Musselburgh

Samra Star

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Linda Perratt

Three-time winner on AW but unplaced in all seven turf runs, the latest of which was over C&D last month; not a solid option.

14/1

8th

10

(8)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

16:45 Musselburgh

Samra Star

8st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Linda Perratt

Well treated on this year's AW form; however, she has an up-and-down profile and has a lower turf mark for good reason on previous evidence.

20/1

Form: 951702 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Emphatic win on stable debut at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) early last month; disappointing in next two runs but he got back on track with a clear second at Kempton (hood reapplied) 11 days ago; on unchanged mark and has claims if he can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ocean Odyssey

10st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

None too consistent and he has been well beaten on his last two starts; has the lowest BHA rating in the field and has to concede weight all round so he looks up against it.

7/1

3

(11)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Ocean Odyssey

9st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Blew hot and cold for his former stable and it has been a similar story for James Owen, his win at Southwell and second over 1m here surrounded by lesser efforts; chance if on one of his good days; cheekpieces added to usual accessories.

4/1

7th

7

(7)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ocean Odyssey

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Emphatic win on stable debut at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) early last month; disappointing in next two runs but he got back on track with a clear second at Kempton (hood reapplied) 11 days ago; on unchanged mark and has claims if he can back that up.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 42226

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved form when close second in Redcar maiden (7f, good to firm) last month but he's been beaten around 5l in two handicaps at Epsom since; still unexposed and has shaped as though this new trip could suit but he needs to find more on AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:11 Newmarket (July)

Valley Ofthe Kings

10st 2lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Dylan Cunha

Drawn away from the action on his return to turf but was then said to have been unsuited by the undulations of Catterick last time, which would be a concern round here; 2lb above his last winning mark and has a bit to prove back from a short break.

16/1

100/30

Form: 838301 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Hold-up performer who made it 2-4 on AW when justifying favouritism over 1m2f here 18 days ago; 4lb higher on this drop back to 1m but that was a personal best and his penultimate win was over this trip; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:09 Carlisle

Izzari

10st 2lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

His close fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) on his reappearance in March would make him a threat off this mark but it's been downhill since; finished well beaten in this race last year.

33/1

12th

18

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Izzari

8st 13lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Has won on turf (1m on good ground at Musselburgh in April last year) but seems better on the AW and has run well below his best on last two starts.

33/1

10th

6

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Izzari

9st 9lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Raced at 1m this season, for a good fourth on reappearance but well-beaten second favourite here next time; this is a rethink on trip but a C&D third last June and 1m2f win last September are encouraging.

14/1

Form: 032321

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Made her breakthrough at the 13th attempt when landing a Wolverhampton handicap (8.6f; first-time blinkers) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a comfortable success and she's still unexposed on AW; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(12)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Bernalda

9st 5lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Ferguson

Took a while to put her head in front but having got off the mark at Wolverhampton last month (8.6f; blinkers first time), she followed up in emphatic fashion at Newcastle last week; escapes a penalty for that win and she's due to be 9lb higher in the future; obvious claims.

15/8

3

(3)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bernalda

9st 9lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: James Ferguson

Made her breakthrough at the 13th attempt when landing a Wolverhampton handicap (8.6f; first-time blinkers) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a comfortable success and she's still unexposed on AW; key player.

11/4

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bernalda

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: James Ferguson

12-race maiden; regularly run well in defeat this year, going down narrowly over 1m at Thirsk three weeks ago; blinkers now replace cheekpieces; 2lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run.

9/2

Form: 257523 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
0-10 this year but he's run well in defeat off this mark on his last two starts, including a near-miss at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) on his penultimate run; this return to Tapeta is no problem for this C&D winner and he should be in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In good form in the spring, winning at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) before near misses at Thirsk and over C&D; not at his best on his last two starts but this is an ease in class and he's a major player in his bid to win this race for a second time (successful in 2024).

7/2

7th

8

(11)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In a consistent vein of form over 1m until below par over 1m1f last time; went very close over C&D on penultimate start and could go well returned to his usual trip.

10/1

10th

12

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Hale End

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Returned from two-month break with a win at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) in April; good runner-up efforts at Thirsk (1m, good) and Ayr (1m, good to firm) since; the line came a couple of strides too soon for his strong finish at Ayr and the extra yardage this afternoon may help; enters calculations.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £91.10
Straight Forecast £123.43
Trifecta £398.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bernalda

RP RATINGS:

Izzari

Telegraph:

Ocean Odyssey

The Guardian:

Hale End

NEWMARKET:

Valley Ofthe Kings

POSTDATA:

Izzari

The Sun:

Izzari

The Times:

Bernalda

The Star:

Bernalda

Daily Record:

Bernalda

Daily Mail:

Ocean Odyssey

Daily Mirror:

Ocean Odyssey

D Express:

Hale End