November 20 / 17.15 Newcastle (AW)

17.15

Standard

Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 008009 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won of fully 15lb higher at Chelmsford in March but has finished down the field on all starts since, including back on AW after wind surgery in recent weeks; hardly one for maximum faith, then, but certainly no shock were he to revive now dropping to Class 6 company for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Desert Champion

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Only win was a 5f handicap at Chelmsford in March 2025 when visored for the first time; would have a chance on his C&D second off 8lb higher last November, but below-par recently; no visor this time.

6/1

8th

8

(2)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield

Desert Champion

8st 8lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Paul Midgley

Had a BHA mark 26lb higher than today when starting out for this yard last summer but he's struggled to make much of an impact; did finish second at Newcastle in November (well backed) but that form hasn't worked out at all; recent Redcar reappearance is easy to excuse (went off hard and raced in a group of two, finishing sixth and seventh, on the far side); stable looks to hold stronger claims with Birkenhead.

16/1

7th

4

(1)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:58 Redcar

Desert Champion

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

On a reduced mark and he showed some spark last November; however, he was disappointing in the main in the second half of last year and finished down the field on his last two starts; returns with something to prove.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 121040 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Finally off the mark in 5f classified event at Wolverhampton (5f) in August and he added a 5f Musselburgh handicap in September; hasn't reproduced that form in three outings back on AW since and remains 6lb above the Musselburgh mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

7

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Sanbona

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won twice in minor 5f events last summer (AW and good to soft); also ran well when second to Crocus Time over C&D last August; recent return to action at Redcar may have been needed but there wasn't enough encouragement to earn him the vote this time.

16/1

9th

5

(4)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:58 Redcar

Sanbona

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

5f wins on AW/turf in August/September last year and he's on a handy mark on that form; however, his campaign concluded with two disappointing runs and he needs to get back on track on this reappearance outing.

14/1

Form: 5438

Last run: 140 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Some promise in three Wolverhampton qualifying runs but he was last of eight when 40-1 for his handicap/turf debut over 7f at Haydock in July and hasn't been seen since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mythical Isle

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

0-11; has made the frame a few times over 6f here and makes his debut at this level, but he does have something to prove back up in trip; tongue-tie removed after one use.

16/1

9th

7

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mythical Isle

9st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Patrick Morris

Maiden who's turned in three solid efforts in C&D handicaps, latterly when hampered late behind East Tyrone a fortnight ago; one to consider in a first-time tongue-tie.

6/1

4th

4

(6)

23rd Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mythical Isle

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

0-9 but he's gone close over C&D in two of his last four runs including a strong-finishing third last month; on the same mark here and he's a big player if he can back that up.

7/2

Form: 241400 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Reacted well to a first-time visor when making all over C&D in March; beaten a long way in three turf outings since but a recent one at Redcar (no visor) after a break might have been needed; the headgear is left off again but still enters calculations back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(8)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

What What What

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

C&D winner last year; won again at Southwell in February (6f) but rather out of sorts since; back on his last winning mark.

13/2

7th

5

(6)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

What What What

8st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Game effort to win over C&D in February off 1lb lower; only run since came at Thirsk 12 days ago when easy to back and dropping right away in the race won by Eldeyaar; racecourse evidence suggests he will be much happier now back on AW.

7/1

15th

8

(2)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Thirsk

What What What

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Had the headgear left off when back to winning ways in 6f Southwell handicap 53 days ago; he's yet to show much in a handful of turf runs though, so needs to back it up.

7/1

Form: 870446

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
0-12 since 6f York nursery debut success last July but his two 6f course outings for new yard this month haven't been devoid of promise, travelling on both occasions as if the drop to 5f may not inconvenience; gets the tentative vote.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(10)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

East Tyrone

8st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Philip Kirby

Doesn't find winning easy (2-28) but is consistent for the level; third in four of his last five AW starts, including when keeping on behind Mount Ruapehu at Southwell (6f; 14-1) 23 days ago; wide draw isn't ideal for turf return; stablemate of Indy's Angel.

10/1

3rd

9

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

East Tyrone

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Can miss the break and tends to pull hard; still deserves some respect after a recent third over C&D.

10/1

Form: 489403 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner for Karl Burke last year but is 0-11 for current yard, including always towards the rear over 6f here a fortnight ago; engaged 6.45 here on Tuesday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

17

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Invincible Annice

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Her 5f AW win in November hasn't proved a springboard to better things; returns from 112 days off with a point to prove.

33/1

8th

4

(7)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Invincible Annice

9st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tracy Waggott

Won a C&D handicap in November but she has been unable to kick on from that in five runs since; drops into 0-50 company but others have less to prove.

9/1

Form: 409080 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Down the field on all three outings since joining Noel Wilson but he was prominent for a long way when tenth of 14 over 6f here on his recent return from a break and could strip fitter now; has won at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(6)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Causin A Commotion

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Noel Wilson

5f and 6f Tapeta winner who's been placed over C&D; in poor form in all five starts for his current trainer; much more needed.

50/1

5th

2

(4)

27th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Causin A Commotion

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Noel Wilson

Two course wins (5f/6f) for Kevin Ryan last winter but has struggled in four runs for current stable.

20/1

Form: 77-300 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Sound start to his handicap career after an absence when third over 5f at Musselburgh in August but well beaten in two similar races there since, despite being prominent in the market; has fewer convictions than the rest of these but arrives with a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(14)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Crackinthunder

9st 0lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Contrasting efforts over C&D since returning from layoff and switched to handicaps, finishing third then well held; may progress if rebound materialises.

12/1

8

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

19:22 Musselburgh

Crackinthunder

9st 1lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Unexposed after just four runs; looked green as a 2yo and appeared a much improved model when third of eight over C&D (good ground) 18 days ago, fading after eight months off; the hood (omitted on return) goes back on today; in good hands and has far more potential than most of today's rivals.

7/2

Form: 360390

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent maiden and hasn't been at best of late, including back on AW here (6f) two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Zivas Star

9st 0lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

0-19 but the odd run has hinted at better and she's only been beaten around 3l in two runs here (5f/6f, good to firm) this season; looks worth another try at this trip and she could get involved.

33/1

7th

10

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:15 Redcar

Zivas Star

9st 0lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Simon Whitaker

0-18 but the odd run has hinted at better and she wasn't beaten far on her Doncaster return two weeks ago (5f, good to firm); not a solid option but could sneak into the frame.

20/1

7th

15

(17)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

13:40 Doncaster

Zivas Star

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Simon Whitaker

0-17 and just one handicap run that makes her of interest, namely her close third at Ripon last July; absent for 139 days and others have more pressing claims.

40/1

Betting Forcast

6/1 Desert Champion, 7/2 Sanbona, 14/1 Mythical Isle, 4/1 What What What, 11/2 East Tyrone, 20/1 Invincible Annice, 9/1 Causin A Commotion, 4/1 Crackinthunder, 20/1 Zivas Star