January 31 / 17.55 Newcastle (AW)

17.55

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £5652.72
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.30
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 8860-6 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Lost his way after winning 7.6f turf claimer last summer but, following a break, wasn't beaten far in 6f handicap here a fortnight ago; sure to be suited by today's move back up in trip and lurks on a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

3rd

2

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Abduction

9st 3lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

C&D win off this mark in April; mixed since but his latest third at Ayr (6f, soft) was a sound effort and today he has the assistance of an apprentice who is good value for his 7lb claim; high on the list.

5/1

3rd

8

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Abduction

9st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this year, the latest off this mark at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April; penultimate Hamilton seventh suggested he was still in good form; no surprise to see him in the thick of it.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3402-7 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f Tapeta winner last year (one here); below form when fading seventh at Chelmsford three weeks ago but ran big race in defeat over C&D in December and has obvious claims if judged on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

Benacre

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Charlie Johnston

Not won on turf since his 2yo days but it was a fairly close third at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April; now 4lb lower after four lesser runs; handicapping case can be made but percentage call is to oppose.

9/1

5th

5

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Benacre

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Not won on turf since his 2yo days and has gone off the boil, finishing a remote last behind Physique at Beverley a few weeks ago; hard to recommend off the back of that.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 7800-5 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Out of form in the autumn but, following a two-month break, was seemingly aided by first-time blinkers (retained) when fifth at Kempton (1m) ten days ago; should be okay back at 7f and has become well handicapped; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(12)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnights Dream

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Joseph Parr

Dual winner for Roger Varian (7f/1m; AW/good to firm); has slipped to a good mark and he halted the slide in his fortunes with a third at Yarmouth; considered despite an awkward draw.

5/1

3rd

2

(7)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

16:50 Yarmouth

Midnights Dream

9st 13lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Joseph Parr

Dual winner for Roger Varian (7f/1m; AW/good to firm) and he's now 13lb lower than for the second win; ran his best race since joining this stable when sixth of 18 at Doncaster (1m, good to soft; first-time visor) 18 days ago and has claims if building on that; headgear removed.

3/1

Form: 4617-6 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Scored at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) during last year's truncated turf campaign and returned from seven-month break with very encouraging sixth at Southwell (6f) 11 days ago; back up to optimum trip today and a big player if that recent run brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Ripon

Beattie Is Back

10st 1lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Triple AW winner but he's 1-13 on turf and was beaten 10l behind Glory Hyde over C&D two weeks ago; has something to prove and all of his wins have been over 7f.

7/1

6th

1

(5)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Beattie Is Back

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

4-29; runner-up off this mark at Wolverhampton (7f; beaten a neck) in February; in rear throughout at York (6f; 40-1) on return from a three-month break; this is slightly easier (Class 5) and Ethan Tindall takes off a handy 5lb.

7/1

15th

16

(22)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Beattie Is Back

9st 5lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Landed a 7f turf win at Doncaster (good to firm) last summer and close second at Wolverhampton (7f) on latest start in February; back from a 12-week break with his stable among the winners but he's done all his winning at 7f.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 447-6R C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Much better known as a sprinter but appears to stay 7f; largely in good form last year and back on a workable mark now but returned from break with two below-par runs in December/January (started slowly; wore usual cheekpieces) and refused to race here 11 days ago (first-time visor); no headgear today; too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(17)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Northern Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Effective on AW and turf; respectable third in big field at Doncaster (6f) returned to this sphere last time; remains on a workable mark and gained last two wins over 5f.

11/1

3rd

18

(3)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Northern Spirit

8st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Brian Ellison

Usually slowly away but his refusal to race at Newcastle in January was a first; won't mind getting back on the grass and he is proven in big-field handicaps; could go well at a price.

33/1

7th

2

(1)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Northern Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Usually slowly away but his refusal to race here last month was a first; ran okay over 7f here last week and capable of a big run but he is a risky proposition.

14/1

Form: 541-32 CD BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Resurgent 7yo who won three times here in the autumn (6f-7f); repeatedly denied clear run when close third here (1m) on New Year's Day and did not have race run to suit patient tactics when close second here (1m) on latest outing; drops back in trip today; remains of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

19:09 Carlisle

The Green Man

9st 2lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Philip Kirby

Seven wins include three on turf and it was a first success at 7f when scoring at Newcastle (AW; stays 1m) in December; took a good step forward from his return to turf when a keeping-on fourth at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; respected.

6/1

4th

11

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

The Green Man

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

A three-time 6f/7f scorer in 2025; kept busy and in good form (on the AW) this term until only 16th in 7f York handicap eight days ago; he's the type to bounce back though.

16/1

16th

18

(5)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

The Green Man

9st 2lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Philip Kirby

Has raced almost exclusively on Newcastle's AW since joining Phil Kirby last autumn, winning three times (6f/7f) and placed on six other occasions, including last four starts; three 6f turf wins earlier in career (including here on good to firm) provide hope that he can continue the good work now back on the grass.

10/1

8th
9 (1)
Kitaab

25/1

Form: 2/27-9 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Dual 6f winner in 2024; also suited by 7f but returned from one-year absence with low-key run here (6f) last week and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:12 Chester

Kitaab

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

No win since October 2024 but he's on a reduced mark and showed signs of a revival when fourth at Thirsk (6f, good; 11-1) last month; has possibilities if he can build on that and he's effective at this trip.

12/1

4th

10

(9)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Thirsk

Kitaab

8st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Philip Kirby

No win since October 2024 (Newcastle); weakened quickly on turf return at Doncaster (7f) three weeks ago; the only real glimpse of life this year was when a never-nearer fourth at Southwell (5f; 25-1) in February; stablemate of East Tyrone.

33/1

8th

1

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:45 Doncaster

Kitaab

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Dual AW winner but he's generally struggled this year and was beaten 10l at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) last month; continues to drop down the weights but he has plenty to prove and is 0-11 on turf.

14/1

10/1

Form: 11296- D

Last run: 120 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f turf winner for Michael Appleby last summer; also has form over C&D but absent since two below-par runs in the autumn and, having changed hands for 22,000gns, remains on fairly tough mark for stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(10)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

War Howl

9st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Won twice over 7f this time last year for Mick Appleby and is 8lb lower than when successful at Ascot on the second occasion, but six starts for this yard so far this year leave plenty to be desired; others safer.

12/1

Form: 7007-3 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £107.10
Straight Forecast £84.10
Tricast £340.04
Trifecta £651.10

Selections

Daily Mail:

The Green Man

The Times:

Beattie Is Back

POSTDATA:

Space Cowboy

SPOTLIGHT:

Midnight's Dream

TOPSPEED:

Northern Spirit

RP RATINGS:

Benacre

Telegraph:

Midnight's Dream

D Express:

The Green Man

Daily Mirror:

The Green Man

Daily Record:

The Green Man

The Guardian:

Beattie Is Back

The Star:

Beattie Is Back

NEWMARKET:

Space Cowboy

The Sun:

Space Cowboy