September 28 / 16.30 Newcastle (AW)

16.30

Standard

Gosforth Bark Raw Pet Food Specialists Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £14131.8
  • 1m 4f 98y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Gosforth Bark Raw Pet Food Specialists Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

Form: 91126

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual novice winner who was second (no match for the winner) in a C&D Racing League handicap before not appearing to stay 1m6f at Haydock (Class 2); remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(4)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Gran Descans

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Dual novice winner who was second (no match for the winner) in a C&D Racing League handicap before not appearing to stay 1m6f at Haydock (Class 2); remains of interest.

4/1

4

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Gran Descans

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Harry Charlton

Won at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) in July on second start and followed up in Lingfield novice (11.6f, good); no match for Circus Of Rome on handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f, AW) recently but did well to beat the remainder and is 9lb better off with the winner this afternoon; could be suited by the step up to 1m6f and he's one to consider.

11/2

7

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Gran Descans

9st 3lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

Made debut in June and won at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) on second start before following up in Lingfield novice (11.6f, good); this well-bred Frankel colt has potential off his opening mark; player on AW debut.

3/1

Form: 434233 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
1m3f/1m4f wins on first two starts for James Owen; has continued to run well in defeat but it looks as though the handicapper is now in charge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

15

(12)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Sportingsilvermine

8st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Owen

Easy win at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) in May before solid third of 16 over this C&D (good), and he improved again to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last Saturday; today's assignment is tougher still but this thriving 5yo could be in the each-way mix under a 5lb penalty.

25/1

1st

12

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Sportingsilvermine

8st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Won last March/April on first two starts for yard; took just one of 16 races since but that was penultimate start (Beverley 1m2f, good to firm) and last month's third of 16 off this mark in a Class 2 at York (1m2f) was as good as he's ever been; stays 1m4f; not the percentage call but not impossible.

20/1

3rd

12

(13)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sportingsilvermine

8st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish gelding who won his first two starts for this yard; took four runs to get going this term but he was strong in the betting when cashing in on a reduced mark at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; handicapper has wasted no time putting him back to this career-high mark, though.

16/1

5/1

Form: 403751 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Had a busy 12 months but right on the money when staying on best last time at York (1m4f) and this stiff finish will suit him well, as it has done before; only 3lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4th

7

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Asgards Captain

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

11/1

Form: 757840 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
On a losing run of 12 since completing a hat-trick last summer and after a solid fourth at Haydock (1m6f) the new blinkers didn't work so well at Doncaster; a good while since he ran over this sharp a trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared at Kempton (2m, AW) in March with restored cheekpieces, which have been kept since; good second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Goodwood five weeks ago.

16/1

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

Form: 8-0339 D

Last run: 113 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Cheekpieces didn't last long after finishing tailed off at Epsom in final run in early June; approaching his best figures when third in 1m2f/1m4f handicaps prior to that and he has a solid AW record; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

(19)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Fouroneohfever

9st 5lb

T: George Boughey

Second reserve; after a stint over hurdles (1-5) he's back with his former trainer for whom he finished fourth in the 1m4f 3yo handicap here two years ago (off 3lb lower); seems to retain all his ability and would have each-way prospects if getting a run; well beaten on the Flat in sole attempt in cheekpieces.

25/1

4th

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicapper on the Flat for George Boughey; off the mark on fourth hurdle start when taking Ludlow handicap in good style last time; drying ground suits; should go well despite 9lb rise.

9/4

1st

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:20 Ludlow

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins for George Boughey at 1m2f/1m4f and useful in that scene; wouldn't have won but displayed some ability until falling at Sandown on hurdles debut in January; also offered something to work on in two starts the following month; Flat form makes this opening hurdle mark look dangerous.

6/5

OUR TIP

Form: 039611 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has gone 2-2 in the cheekpieces, nicely on top late on at Windsor and Kempton (1m4f); two 5lb rises asks a question of him but something seems to have clicked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

(18)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Siempre Arturo

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Wore cheekpieces last six starts, winning in late summer last year on first two occasions; a late effort took him from last to fifth of 14 when he made a good reappearance here (1m4f, good to firm) last month but venturing beyond an extended 1m4f for first time provides a huge question mark.

33/1

5th

1

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Siempre Arturo

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

The winner of eight of his 22 starts, the latest success coming at Kempton (1m4f) off a 2lb lower mark; ended 2025 with a couple of lesser runs and might be best watched on return.

33/1

6th

1

(3)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Siempre Arturo

10st 4lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Has gone 2-2 in the cheekpieces, nicely on top late on at Windsor and Kempton (1m4f); two 5lb rises asks a question of him but something seems to have clicked.

5/1

Form: 110777 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
AW maiden winner and has added two turf handicaps at about 1m4f; less convincing of late and raced keenly when behind Siempre Arturo at Kempton last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(1)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Candyman Stan

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

AW maiden winner and has added two turf handicaps at about 1m4f; less convincing of late and raced keenly when behind Siempre Arturo at Kempton last time.

12/1

7

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:50 Kempton (AW)

Candyman Stan

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Campaigned on turf this term, winning twice in the spring but less convincing since; gained his maiden success (easily) on AW last year and remains unexposed in this sphere.

14/1

5

(8)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Candyman Stan

9st 8lb

J: Delphine Santiago

T: Andrew Balding

Eight races; made the running for all three of his wins, including in handicaps over about this trip on good to firm on first two starts this season, finding plenty to end well on top; couldn't get to the front at Epsom next time and tailed off, with rain-softened ground apparently to blame; no excuse with the ground at Windsor (led over 6f out) on latest start, however, and cheekpieces are now enlisted.

8/1

Form: -55031 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who has rediscovered his form in a tongue-tie, finishing close up in a Shergar Cup race before earning a narrow success at Goodwood (again at 1m4f); didn't have a lot in hand, hence the 2lb rise; may well have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 3

15:15 Ripon

Prince Of The Seas

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

He's edged down the weights for his new yard this season and has been placed off this mark on his last two starts, finishing third at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) then beaten just a neck at Hamilton (1m5f, good); back up in grade this afternoon but he might not be far away.

5/1

2nd

1

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:20 Hamilton

Prince Of The Seas

10st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

A fairly useful 1m4f winner for Ralph Beckett in 2025; has steadily found his form for his current yard this season, posting a good third of eight in 1m2f handicap at Doncaster eight days ago; firmly in the picture stepping back up in trip.

7/2

Form: 15838/

Last run: 1072 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
A winner over fences last winter for Dan Skelton and new trainer switches him to the Flat for the first time for more than 1000 days; others much safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

9st 11lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Very much enjoyed the run of the race when making all over 1m6f here 13 days ago; may not have the same luxury this time, but is just 3lb higher and remains unexposed in staying handicaps on the AW.

11/4

1st

2

(2)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

14:14 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

10st 0lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, he's run well to finish third at Southwell (1m4f) and Wolverhampton (1m6f) in last two starts; should go well again and he could be a big factor if he gets a good pace.

9/2

3rd

5

(7)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Skycutter

9st 9lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, the money came for him at Southwell 17 days ago (1m4f); fared better in third on that occasion and he's handicapped to go well.

11/4

Non-runners

Enemy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £17.07
Tricast £104.07

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gran Descans

LAMBOURN:

Siempre Arturo

D Express:

Prince Of The Seas

TOPSPEED:

Asgard's Captain

RP RATINGS:

Gran Descans

POSTDATA:

Gran Descans

The Times:

Gran Descans

Daily Record:

Gran Descans

The Star:

Prince Of The Seas

Telegraph:

Siempre Arturo

Daily Mirror:

Siempre Arturo

NEWMARKET:

Asgard's Captain