January 31 / 17.55 Newcastle (AW)

17.55

Standard

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  • Prize money: £5652.72
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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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

6th

5

(9)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:38 Ayr

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins earlier this year and he's been running well in defeat across the past few months, including over C&D and on soft ground here; there is every chance that he will be thereabouts once more.

7/1

3rd

5

(3)

21st Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

16:30 Hamilton

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Has won and finished close up in all three C&D handicaps; on his latest winning mark for last five starts but he's been involved in tight finishes in the most recent two (7f and this C&D) so is entitled to figure.

6/1

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

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

9th

2

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Benacre

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Charlie Johnston

Recent efforts have not been his best but he's a dual C&D winner who has never been this low in the weights; a revival would come as no surprise.

10/1

5th

5

(3)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Benacre

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

No turf win since 2022 but he has won three AW handicaps in the last 14 months; should be well treated but recent efforts haven't been his best; this is a drop in class so not dismissed, even though the return of cheekpieces wouldn't be an obvious plus based on previous usage.

9/1

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

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

1st

1

(4)

15th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Midnights Dream

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Joseph Parr

Has been in good form, threatening off slightly higher marks this summer before winning at Wolverhampton (7.2f, Tapeta) on Tuesday in second-time cheekpieces; that was an apprentice contest, so he carries no penalty today; shortlisted.

7/2

1st

1

(5)

13th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnights Dream

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Joseph Parr

Placed in both C&D runs in July and he has held his form since; likely to run his race but his losing run is up to 19 and he may have to make do with more minor money.

9/2

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

3rd

4

(1)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Beattie Is Back

10st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Having dropped down the weights he returned to form with a bang back at 7f when readily landing a C&D handicap 23 days ago (front two clear of Havana Prince); up 6lb but remains of interest.

9/2

1st

6

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Beattie Is Back

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Did best of those in the stands' side group at York (6f, good to firm) in July and then kept on for third of nine at Southwell (6f, AW) 27 days ago despite not getting the best of passages; now down to a career-low mark and this dual C&D winner should appreciate stepping back up in trip.

7/2

3rd

1

(7)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:51 Southwell (AW)

Beattie Is Back

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

He's struggled to get competitive on turf on his four starts since May, albeit he fared best in the near-side group at York a fortnight ago; Tapeta seems to be his preferred surface and he's 5lb lower than when going close at Wolverhampton (7f) in February; no surprise to see a big run.

8/1

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

9th

6

(4)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kitaab

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Showed signs of a revival when fourth in a handicap at Thirsk (6f, good) in June but has failed to build on it twice since, despite being prominent in the betting over 6f here latterly; down to a mark in the 40s for the first time but the market is perhaps the best guide back from 11 weeks off.

15/2

11th

5

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Newcastle (AW)

Kitaab

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Showed signs of a revival when fourth in a handicap at Thirsk (6f, good; 11-1) and a slow start was no help at Chester (stays 7f); only 2-35 but he's not without a chance.

5/1

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

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

3rd

5

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

War Howl

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ben Haslam

Ran better when 3l off the winner at Doncaster (7f) three weeks ago; 0-5 on the AW but sole placing was on this track; respected.

4/1

7th

10

(10)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

War Howl

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

A two-time scorer (including over C&D) for Michael Appleby last summer; well below par for his present handler this season, however, and he failed to beat a rival in 1m Pontefract handicap last time.

20/1

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