January 22 / 18.30 Newcastle (AW)

18.30

Standard

Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Midnite Ain’t Your Grandad’s Bookie Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 00675- CD

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Useful sort whose sole AW start resulted in a C&D win on his 2024 reappearance; operating a little below his best when last seen in the autumn but his mark has dropped as a result (now 6lb lower than when second at Hamilton last summer); capable of going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Has done well since the blinkers went on but appears to have no margin for error off this mark, 2lb above his win in May; behind two of these here last time.

6/1

5th

7

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Back in form since fitted with blinkers, scoring over C&D (good) in May; has reached the frame on all three outings since, although latest fourth of seven at Pontefract was no more than respectable.

11/1

4th

5

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Vantheman

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Took this prize in 2024; back in fine form of late since fitted with blinkers, scoring at Hamilton (5f) in May and in the frame in big-field 5f handicaps at Thirsk and Newcastle since; ought to be thereabouts.

5/1

2nd
7 (1)
Arnhem

11/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 05377- D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Made a winning stable debut at Haydock (5f) in September; several good efforts have followed, including here, but latest 6f course seventh was a little disappointing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

He did well after joining this yard last year and he's on a handy mark; he should get back on track sooner or later but this 10yo has failed to shine on his last three outings, over C&D on last two starts.

25/1

9th

15

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

9st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran whose form has dipped in last two outings, latest over C&D eight days ago; doesn't look as if he's about to improve his poor strike-rate (long time between drinks).

20/1

8th

8

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Good turf spell in the autumn included a winning yard debut at Haydock (good) and a close second over C&D (soft); has run well on AW since but looks to have his share of weight; trainer runs five and won this in 2024.

14/1

11/8

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0/11- CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Absent for 15 months after finished well held on his turf debut but showed why connections have persevered with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December (here first occasion); up against some battle-hardened types on handicap debut but there could be plenty more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night Storm

10st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Tate

Low-mileage 4yo who won twice over 5f on Tapeta (once here) in the autumn and was placed over that trip on handicap debut at Newcastle in January; not quite in same form on turf last month but that run came after a break and he could quite plausibly have untapped potential over 6f back on AW.

4/1

4th

3

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:00 Redcar

Night Storm

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: James Tate

Returned from 15-month absence with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December; advanced his form again when third of eight on 5f Newcastle handicap debut in January; remains with unexposed potential back from a further five months off; a heavy defeat on his 2024 Newmarket debut shouldn't be taken as evidence he won't prove effective on turf.

7/2

3rd

1

(7)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Night Storm

9st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Tate

Absent for 15 months after finished well held on his turf debut but showed why connections have persevered with 5f AW maiden/novice wins in November/December (here first occasion); up against some battle-hardened types on handicap debut but there could be plenty more to come.

11/8

13/2

Form: 25/11- CD

Last run: 324 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Improved to win two C&D handicaps early last year; looked capable of even better but not seen since; new yard (same owner) among the winners and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(6)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Buzz Box

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Three course wins for Bryan Smart; yet to shine for his current trainer but he is edging down the weights and he shouldn't be underestimated.

12/1

7th

1

(6)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:57 Wolverhampton (AW)

Buzz Box

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Herrington

Three-time winner at Newcastle (5f-6f); fair debut effort for this yard but then finished last at Southwell on his return from a break.

12/1

9th

7

(2)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Buzz Box

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Won early in 2025 on final two runs for Bryan Smart, both at Newcastle (5f, Tapeta), and he returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth on stable debut there this January (5f); he's back from some more time off today but with his trainer among the winners; could be a contender.

8/1

Form: 612-15 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three C&D wins, the latest on New Year's Day; a 3lb rise proved enough to find him out back here last week, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Dods

Has a better strike-rate on the AW (4-26) than on turf (3-39); 4lb below his last winning mark, but has to put a modest effort at Ayr (5f, good to firm) last month behind him.

14/1

10th

1

(10)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Kings Crown

10st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Now 3lb lower than when winning on AW at Newcastle (5f) in January; fair form on turf last twice, latest when 2l fourth at Thirsk (5f, good); has won on fast ground; each-way chance.

6/1

4th

3

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Kings Crown

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner who got back on track with third of ten in 5f Pontefract handicap 25 days ago; in the mix again.

7/1

Form: 22350- D

Last run: 110 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ended last year on a low note but finished runner-up over C&D off 6lb higher on his 2025 reappearance so a revival can't be ruled out back from a 110-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(3)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has drawn a blank since scoring over C&D in July 2024 but he's on a dangerous mark and latest keeping-on fourth of 17 at York (5f, good to firm) was encouraging with a return to a stiff 5f in mind (all six wins here and at Pontefract).

11/2

14/1

Form: 42346- D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Four-time turf winner; unplaced on all six AW starts but he did make headway before shaping as if his first outing for 112 days was possibly needed when sixth of ten over 6f here on yard debut at the end of December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:02 Hamilton

Pop Star

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Well-backed when winning over 5f at Carlisle two runs back; not disgraced off this 5lb higher mark when fourth to Stirrup Cup over 6f (soft) on same track last week; a possible.

5/1

4th

4

(5)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Carlisle

Pop Star

9st 11lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Ended a run of duck eggs with 5f success at Carlisle (good) ten days ago and although back up 5lb he remains well treated on historical data, which includes 6f win off current mark (two years ago); respected.

2/1

Form: 0083-9 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has won ten times on turf but took his AW record to 0-11 when down the field at Southwell 16 days ago; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times; his last success was off 4lb higher at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but he's been disappointing since and needs to get back on track.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times including over C&D; got pestered for the lead at Catterick last time but he's been disappointing since his win at Nottingham (5f, good) in April and others are preferred.

8/1

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Catterick

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two of 11 wins have been over C&D; latest success was at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but rather disappointing since; has a bit to prove.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.80
Straight Forecast £23.46
Tricast £29.35
Trifecta £46.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Night Storm

RP RATINGS:

Vantheman

Daily Mirror:

Buzz Box

TOPSPEED:

Arnhem

POSTDATA:

Glory Fighter

NEWMARKET:

Night Storm

The Times:

Night Storm

Telegraph:

Night Storm

The Guardian:

Night Storm

Daily Mail:

Night Storm

D Express:

Night Storm

Daily Record:

Night Storm

The Sun:

Vantheman

The Star:

Vantheman