January 16 / 12.30 Newcastle (AW)

12.30

Standard

Midnite Are Upping The Betting Game Apprentice Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £7851
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Midnite Are Upping The Betting Game Apprentice Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £13.80
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 8617-2 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Course winner over 5f and 6f; isn't proving the easiest to predict but only went down by a length over the minimum trip here two weeks ago (given every chance to win); should be on the scene.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Blue Lakota

9st 6lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

In very good form on the AW through the winter (scored twice at Newcastle) but he's yet to show any worthwhile form on turf and came in last of ten in 5f Carlisle handicap last time; others appeal much more.

16/1

10th

9

(2)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Blue Lakota

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Has something to prove back on turf but is a leading player provided AW form is transferred back to this sphere; runner-up off 10lb higher at Southwell (5f) most recently.

3/1

2nd

5

(4)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Blue Lakota

9st 8lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Course scorer who arrives in good nick, just edged out when fourth of six in 5f Newcastle handicap 19 days ago; can make his presence felt again.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 22236- CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has won races over 5f, 6f and 7f; not as good as he was but twice placed here over 5f before going off too fast at Southwell (6f); couldn't dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

True Promise

10st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Fionn McSharry

Better on AW than turf so two defeats on the grass aren't especially damaging to his claims here; won easily at Wolverhampton (5f) on his most recent start and he is respected back on Tapeta.

8/1

9th

1

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

True Promise

10st 1lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Fionn McSharry

Wasn't winning out of turn when taking a 5f handicap at Wolverhampton in May; didn't get the clearest run at Chester three weeks ago but that took his turf record to 0-11; others are more appealing.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 796-23 BF

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Beaten in Class 6 the last twice but wasn't far away and neither race went ideally to plan; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Cargin Bhui

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: David & Nicola Barron

All his three successes have come on the AW; off since a below-par fifth at Musselburgh (7f) in April and others appeal more.

16/1

5th

2

(3)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Cargin Bhui

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

In good form on the AW this year including two wins over 6f; 0-12 on turf, but has gone close on a couple of occasions and should have no problem with this sharp 7f; player.

4/1

Form: 46224-

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up over C&D before another good run here in December when he finished well from off the pace despite an unfavourable track position; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Kirkdale

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

In excellent form in April, winning at Wolverhampton (blinkered) and over C&D (visor); could still have more improvement to come but subsequent 145-day break may have checked his momentum.

5/1

Form: 33698- CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Tends to win at either Ayr or here but hasn't been firing of late and ideally wants further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Jkr Cobbler

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Gained five of his nine wins over C&D, the latest eight days ago (good ground); still on workable mark under 4lb penalty and ought to be right in the thick of things again.

2/1

1st

4

(6)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Jkr Cobbler

9st 11lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Gained four of his eight wins over this C&D; made the frame off today's mark on consecutive starts at Carlisle last month (7f, soft/1m, good) and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; respected.

5/1

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: 08860- D

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won a turf claimer in August but down the field in his subsequent handicaps (and a seller), from 6f to 1m; off since October and has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Hamilton

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

A dual 7f winner early in 2026 and he's holding his form well, beaten a nose when second of five in 7f Ayr handicap 25 days ago; this C&D scorer can make his presence felt.

13/2

2nd

2

(6)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Abduction

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Has won twice over 7f this year, the first at Newcastle in January, the latest at Musselburgh in April (good); creditable third on last three starts, latest over C&D three weeks ago; each-way chance.

7/1

3rd

1

(10)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

Abduction

10st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple wins include three over C&D earlier in his career; has run well on occasions since a narrow Musselburgh win (7f, good) in April off this mark and a recent never-nearer third of eight there under Jake Dickson puts him in this picture; yard runs three.

5/1

Form: 50774-

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
On a workable mark and again the race didn't pan out ideally when fourth from off the pace over C&D four weeks ago; has a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:15 Doncaster

Pianoforte

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Julie Camacho

Got up late to win Bath novice (5f, good to firm) for Andrew Balding in June; 0-9 for this yard (majority 6f, turf/AW) and first-time cheekpieces (removed) didn't spark an improved effort last time; career-low mark and second go at this trip (first is easily excused) the straws to clutch at.

16/1

6th

4

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pianoforte

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Julie Camacho

Should be well handicapped now but he hasn't built on a good fourth at Newcastle in December in three subsequent runs; connections reach for cheekpieces tonight.

9/1

5th

1

(4)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Pianoforte

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julie Camacho

Dips into a 0-70 for the first time but hasn't obviously been shaping as if likely to be cashing in on his reduced mark.

14/1

Form: 50544- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won on AW since April 2023 but he's beneath his last winning turf mark and doesn't arrive here in bad form; visor replaces cheekpieces, which could give him a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:09 Newmarket (July)

Expert Agent

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Stuart Williams

Won on the Rowley Mile in May (6f, good; 4lb lower) and last time finished sixth of 26 at Glorious Goodwood, which wasn't a bad run; usually ridden from behind so needs a strong pace which he might get.

10/1

6th

1

(13)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Expert Agent

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Bounced back to form to win at Newmarket (6f, good) in May but two lesser runs have followed on the July Course there since.

20/1

4th

3

(7)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:17 Newmarket (July)

Expert Agent

10st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

C&D winner on good to firm last year; bounced back to form to win over 6f on the Rowley course here (good) in May; a lesser effort over C&D has followed but a revival isn't ruled out.

11/2

12/1

Form: 3806-6 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Beaten only 2l into sixth of 12 over 5f here recently when not far behind Blue Lakota; continues to slide down the weights and his turn might be near.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 4

16:10 Doncaster

Lions House

8st 11lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Linda Perratt

Not proving the easiest to catch right since going in at Newcastle (5f) in February but he comes here on the back of a good second of six in 5f Newmarket handicap a week ago; in the mix if on his A-game again.

9/1

2nd

5

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Lions House

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Linda Perratt

Yet to win on turf, but is now 2lb lower than when scoring on Tapeta at Newcastle (5f) in February and he did well under the circumstances when fourth of 11 at Ayr (5f, good to firm) 26 days ago, faring best of those from off the pace (started slowly); a rare Newmarket runner for his Scottish stable.

13/2

4th

5

(11)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Lions House

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Linda Perratt

Yet to win on turf, but is now 1lb lower than when winning at Newcastle in February (5f); could go well, although was beaten 10l here last time (6f, soft).

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.90
Straight Forecast £49.89
Tricast £133.27
Trifecta £144.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Blue Lakota

SPOTLIGHT:

Cargin Bhui

The Star:

Pianoforte

Telegraph:

Lion's House

D Express:

True Promise

NEWMARKET:

Expert Agent

RP RATINGS:

Abduction

Daily Mail:

Blue Lakota

Daily Mirror:

Blue Lakota

The Sun:

Blue Lakota

Daily Record:

Blue Lakota

The Times:

Cargin Bhui

The Guardian:

Cargin Bhui