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
View Course
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

3rd

1

(13)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Vantheman

9st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent but he surged back to form with a win at Hamilton (5f, good; made all) two weeks ago; that was only his second go in blinkers and he's again of interest off 4lb higher.

8/1

9

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vantheman

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent but he had an excuse on his penultimate start and surged back to form to win at Hamilton (5f, good; made all) last Sunday; that was only his second go in blinkers and he's again of interest under a 5lb penalty.

9/1

1st

5

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Patchy last season and more of the same this term, failing to build on a Tapeta win off 3lb lower in three runs since; latest effort in first-time blinkers is readily ignored but it's hard to know what to expect for a yard also responsible for Mon Na Slieve.

10/1

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

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

1st

4

(2)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Night Storm

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Not seen since finishing well held on his Newbury debut (6f, good) 15 months ago; three winning siblings were all successful on the AW as was his dam; market should indicate what is expected on this return.

13/2

1st

4

(2)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Night Storm

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Not seen since finishing well held on his Newbury debut (6f, good) 15 months ago; three winning siblings were all successful on the AW as was his dam; market should indicate what is expected on this return.

13/2

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

4th

2

(2)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Buzz Box

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

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.

13/2

1st

2

(4)

4th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Newcastle (AW)

Buzz Box

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Bryan Smart

Finally got it together after a few costly defeats here when winning over C&D a month ago; Billy Loughnane, up for the first time that afternoon, retains the ride but he'll need a bit more upped 6lb.

3/1

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

3rd

3

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Kings Crown

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins this winter; never in the hunt at Wetherby last month on his return to turf but he is effective over C&D and seems to handle any ground; not ruled out.

8/1

5th

1

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Kings Crown

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins at Newcastle over the winter; his form has cooled more recently but today's return to Class 5 company will help and the cheekpieces return after being discarded last time.

6/1

6th

6

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Just 1lb higher than for his 5f win at Newcastle on New Year's Day; three runs since have not been quite so encouraging though and he may prove vulnerable back up at 6f.

14/1

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

4th

2

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Four of his six wins have come over C&D, including the corresponding race in 2024; drew a blank in 2025 but retains ability and he has run some solid races in defeat this year too, keeping on for fourth at Beverley 18 days ago; drops in class but he has the widest stall to contend with.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

9yo who is on an 18-race losing run; good second over C&D last July (good to firm) and is now 3lb lower.

10/1

5th

4

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has won two of three C&D starts (good and good to firm), the latest in July 2024; went very close to breaking the losing run when involved in a tight finish on Southwell AW in March; convincing claims.

9/2

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

1st

3

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Carlisle

Pop Star

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

His reduced mark appeals on form as recent as last September but he's struggled to get competitive on his seven runs since December.

14/1

11th

13

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Pop Star

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Iain Jardine

His reduced mark appeals on form as recent as last September but he's struggled to get competitive on his six runs since December.

33/1

12th

17

(16)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Pop Star

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Well treated if proving resurgent but otherwise looks far from solid on his form for current yard, most recently always towards the rear in C&D contest last weekend.

33/1

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

15th

17

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; not disgraced at Ripon next time; should make another bold bid.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; there wasn't much separating the first five but he's only 2lb higher here and should give it another good shot.

7/2

1st

2

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:57 Nottingham

Glory Fighter

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Ten-time turf winner, including C&D; close third at Newcastle when last seen in February; one to consider.

9/2

+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