January 31 / 16.55 Newcastle (AW)

16.55

Standard

Midnite, Building The Future Of Betting Handicap

  • Prize money: £4396.56
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Midnite, Building The Future Of Betting Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 58857-

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Haydock (6f, good) last summer but he's not gone on from that and has been well held here (7f/6f) in last three starts; now 5lb lower than for his win but he has plenty to prove on this drop to 5f; tongue-tie reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Pal Joey

10st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ben Haslam

Started this year with a 5f win at Newcastle (Tapeta) but he's been disappointing since and was beaten 7l at Newcastle (1m) last month; has plenty to prove and he needs a major revival back in trip; tongue-tie reapplied.

16/1

8th

13

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pal Joey

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ben Haslam

Kickstarted 2026 with 5f win here but his form has nosedived since; it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

9th

8

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Pal Joey

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Ben Haslam

Kickstarted 2026 with 5f success at Newcastle in January but he's failed to reproduce it, again slowly away when fifth of seven at Hamilton (5f) six days ago; others are preferred.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2153-5 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner who is unexposed on AW and was close third at Southwell (6f) last month; faded into fifth when favourite there last time but he took a strong hold and raced wider than ideal around the home bend; now 1lb lower than for his penultimate run and he looks interesting on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

18:45 Southwell (AW)

I Need Your Love

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Heavy-ground turf win last October and he comes here on the back of second-place finishes at Newcastle (5f) and here (6f); sneaking back up the weights but should give it another good go.

4/1

2nd

10

(5)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

I Need Your Love

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Both of his wins have been on turf, with the most recent coming at Bath (5.7f, heavy) in October; went from the front when beaten a neck at Newcastle (5f, AW) 20 days ago and won't have an issue with the return to this trip.

7/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 806-69 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been on Tapeta (5f/6f), but he's finished down the field at Newcastle in his five starts; mark continues to fall but losing run is up to 12 and he needs a major revival back at this trip.
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

100/30

Form: 7664-2 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
His style of racing leaves him a hostage to fortune but he's a five-time Tapeta winner, who was runner-up at Wolverhampton (6f) last night; has claims if he can repeat that form and his penultimate win was over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

Water Of Leith

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Should be making a big impact off this mark and although he has been a shade underwhelming on turf this summer he has too much ability to leave out of calculations at this level.

6/1

5th

3

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Water Of Leith

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Jim Goldie

12-time winner, three of them here (5f/6f); not beaten far on last two starts and is on a fair mark so could go well.

7/1

10/1

Form: 03056-

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in three handicaps (Tapeta/turf) last spring but he's been out of sorts in last three runs; continues to slide down the weights but he's now 0-13 and needs to turn things around after a break; cheekpieces worn last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(7)

4th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:45 Catterick

Lucius Aurelius

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

Sole win from 21 starts came in a 5f handicap here in April off the same mark as today's but he's mostly struggled since; has failed to beat a rival on his last two outings and the headgear is now removed.

12/1

9th

6

(9)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Lucius Aurelius

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

Hasn't finished out of the first three in five starts here, including a win over this trip on good in April; well beaten at Pontefract in first-time blinkers latest but his course record affords him respect with regular cheekpieces also back in place.

9/1

8th

7

(3)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:30 Pontefract

Lucius Aurelius

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Kevin Ryan

Seems ideally suited by Catterick, the scene of his April win and bronze medal latest start; has an unconvincing record at Pontefract; new headgear needs to make a difference.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 623-13 D BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a favourable mark when scoring at Wolverhampton (5f) four weeks ago, but he was well below that form at Southwell last time; remains well handicapped on old form but he needs to step up again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Emperors Son

10st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Three wins for his former stable, the latest at Hamilton (6f, good) in June; sold for 11,000gns last month; widest stall to overcome on his stable debut; a hood now returns.

14/1

10th

9

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Newmarket (July)

Emperors Son

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Hamilton (6f, good) last month on second start back from a break and the neck runner-up went one better there next time; he's used to plying to his trade in a lower grade but is not discounted up just 2lb.

15/2

1st

4

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 5

16:02 Hamilton

Emperors Son

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Carlisle winner on debut in June 2023 (5f, good to firm); gained another win at Wolverhampton in January (5f) and fair run back on turf when fourth at Pontefract last time (6f); a possible, but perhaps better at shorter.

15/2

12/1

Form: 6381-5 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(12)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Latin Five

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Has run well over C&D, including when a close third in this race 12 months ago, but the track doesn't always lend itself to his hold-up style; drawn widest and could prove vulnerable, for all he is attractively weighted.

7/1

6th

9

(8)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Pounced to grab Thank The Lord (who, when factoring in riding arrangements, is now 6lb better off) over C&D three starts back; has lacked the pace to stake a claim in two C&D starts since; likely to need everything to fall his way.

25/1

7th

10

(6)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

8st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 3451-2 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Made all when justifying support over C&D (Ganesha second) last month and he backed that up with a close second here 11 days ago; nudged up another 1lb but he remains well treated on old form and should make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(9)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Our Absent Friends

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Acts on good to firm and soft; nine-time winner who scored by 4l at Catterick two weeks ago but was disappointing under a penalty there last Wednesday; up another 4lb, but he was as good as ever on his penultimate run and is a player if he can recapture that form.

5/1

5th

9

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Failed to beat a rival home at Thirsk (5f, good) but he's won over this C&D either side of that, including when coming 4l clear nine days ago; looks well treated under a 4lb penalty but this is a step up in class.

4/1

1st

3

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Our Absent Friends

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tristan Davidson

Wins his share and he got off the mark for the year over C&D last month; well held at Thirsk three days ago but in a Class 4; this should be more suitable.

6/1

7/1

Form: 0422-7 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
First two wins were at Hamilton and last two have been over C&D; been a bit up and down since September and was only seventh here last time, but he had a couple of close calls over C&D last month; that form puts him in the picture and he should get a good tow into this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Latest 6f run not the one to judge him on and his earlier 5f runs this year were both encouraging enough; on a dangerous mark if the new headgear has the desired effect.

5/1

13th

3

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Just one win since October 2023 and that came on AW; operating off a reduced mark now though and he has been keeping on late in 5f handicaps this spring; has his first 6f start in nearly two years but a tongue-tie is now added and he's not discounted.

8/1

6th

5

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

Ganesha

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Four wins divided between turf and the AW; some sign of returning to form from off the pace at Newcastle 20 days ago (5f); possible.

6/1

Form: 39019- D

Last run: 106 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Landed a gamble when scoring at Pontefract (5f, soft) in October but he has a patchy profile and was out the back at Redcar in final run in the autumn; has something to prove again after a break and he's 0-7 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:52 Nottingham

Wrestling Revenue

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Flexible regarding the going; had mixed results since winning at Pontefract (5f, soft) last October, but he wasn't far away after making the running at Ripon recently and is now 2lb lower than that last winning mark; probably needs a bit more.

13/2

5th

8

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ripon

Wrestling Revenue

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Well backed when winning a 5f handicap at Pontefract (soft) last October but hasn't matched that since, including beating only one home over C&D three weeks ago; back on the mark he defied at Pontefract but would need to see money for him again.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £79.90
Straight Forecast £56.83
Tricast £503.02
Trifecta £946.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Absent Friends

POSTDATA:

Emperor's Son

Telegraph:

Water Of Leith

The Times:

Emperor's Son

D Express:

Water Of Leith

RP RATINGS:

Our Absent Friends

The Guardian:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Mail:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Mirror:

Our Absent Friends

The Star:

Our Absent Friends

Daily Record:

Our Absent Friends