March 12 / 20.15 Newcastle (AW)

20.15

Standard

Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.70
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 7-6353

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Recent efforts respectable, including when stepped back up to 7f at Southwell latest, but will need to pull out a bit more if he's to land a first handicap success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

24th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: John & Sean Quinn

7f winner on Newcastle AW in March when only 1lb lower; that stiffer finish suits him well and he was beaten 3l over C&D when last seen in April.

7/2

4

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:00 Ayr

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 12lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: John & Sean Quinn

7f winner on Newcastle AW in March; back on turf for the first time since last October but he's 8lb lower today and he does act on grass; however, jockey bookings suggest Highfield Viking is the stable preferred.

14/1

3rd

3

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:42 Southwell (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Wins have been over 6f on turf and 7f on the AW (Newcastle); has been running well for a while and latest effort back at Newcastle was better than it looks.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 343355 CD

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two Class 6 wins here (including this trip) in late 2025 but recent efforts no more than respectable, including at Wolverhampton on Monday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(5)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:48 Musselburgh

Concert Boy

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Five wins on AW but 0-25 on turf; beaten in a classified event at Ayr when last seen and others are more appealing.

14/1

6th

2

(3)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Ayr

Concert Boy

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Five-time AW winner but 0-24 on turf; will appreciate this ease in grade but has been out of form since returning from a break in June; needs to turn things around.

10/1

12th

13

(5)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Concert Boy

8st 11lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Katie Scott

Very rarely goes this far and it's a long time since he won at higher than 0-55 level; always a chance he'll miss the break too and he's some way down the pecking order.

25/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 421223 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Well backed when getting up late to win 6f course handicap last month; three solid placed efforts have followed (including C&D) and he could be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(10)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:42 Catterick

Pit Boss

8st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Scored by a neck at Newcastle (6f, AW) in February and he repeated the feat over that C&D in March; very low-key return when last of nine here three weeks ago and he's probably still building back up to an AW campaign.

33/1

9th

5

(9)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:36 Catterick

Pit Boss

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Not run on turf since down the field behind Dream Deal in this race last year; turned in a string of consistent efforts round Newcastle last winter, winning twice, and this may set him up for a return to Tapeta.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 100-90 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
C&D winner off this mark last summer but has struggled for form on AW this winter, including back from a second wind operation last time; would need to see market support to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(8)

2nd Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Finn Ironside

9st 9lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

Doubled his tally over C&D when making all in a class 5 handicap four weeks ago, his third win when ridden by Elle-May Croot; likes it here and has good claims off 3lb higher, but could be taken on for the lead by Spartan Fighter.

3/1

1st

9

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Finn Ironside

9st 0lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Ivan Furtado

No match for Coramento here last month in a race he won the previous season; however, he does have a pull in the weights with the winner and must have an each-way chance.

7/1

Form: 70-161 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Made it two wins from three starts this year when picking up well to lead towards the finish over C&D 16 days ago; the third (Call Glory), fourth and fifth in that race have all run well since so the form has bit of substance; respected up 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(9)

19th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Operation Gimcrack

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Bryan Smart

Dual 7f winner who has been knocking on the door in his last two starts, including a close third over C&D last time; ties in closely with Donald on that form and he's an interesting contender off unchanged mark.

5/1

3rd

2

(3)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:54 Newcastle (AW)

Operation Gimcrack

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Two AW wins earlier in the year and he was back at his best when second at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago; has his first 6f run since his racecourse debut today but it shouldn't be a problem; high on the list.

5/1

2nd

3

(11)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Doncaster

Operation Gimcrack

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Bryan Smart

Dual AW winner, including from this mark at Newcastle (7f) in February; is yet to win on turf (0-13) but was beaten a nose in this last year, and was returning from a ten-week break when sixth of ten at Redcar (7f; 50-1; beaten 10l) in June; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 3-5927 CD BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Two-time C&D winner who went desperately close to making it three when pipped at the post by Flowstate (won twice since) last month; disappointed back here since but he's nicely handicapped if bouncing back to form in a first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Redcar

Front Gunner

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Sole turf win came off 2lb lower in this race last year, when with Ann Duffield, and he is 1lb below his last winning mark; interesting to see how he fares in the market on his first start for Ivan Furtado (same owners).

12/1

6th

7

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:00 Thirsk

Front Gunner

9st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Stephen Hanlon

He has won on fast turf (7f) but he is a better horse on AW; not at his best on his last two starts and now tries 1m for the first time on his 26th start.

10/1

Form: 25313- CD BF

Last run: 161 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Came good with a C&D win in September; not in the same form when third under a penalty back here the following week but he has fewer convictions than most of these, particularly on AW, and merits respect back from a break for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(3)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Ey Up Hes A Star

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

A win and two places from four 7f runs here; the step up to 1m in cheekpieces has opened new doors of late, keeping on well into third of 17 at Doncaster before delivered late to win at Ayr; was quite impressive for his win here last September and he can do better back on this surface.

4/1

1st

3

(10)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

Ey Up Hes A Star

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Campaigned mainly over 6f/7f but looked suited by step up to 1m when keeping-on third of 18 at Doncaster (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) three weeks ago; could still have more to offer over this trip; high on the list.

6/1

3rd

8

(6)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

17:15 Doncaster

Ey Up Hes A Star

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Gained sole win on AW; inconsistent kept to 7f this term but has possibilities off current mark provided he takes well to first-time cheekpieces and new trip.

14/1

Form: 0/264-

Last run: 233 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Successful over hurdles last summer but his losing run on Flat goes back to 2021; arrives fit from some creditable efforts over timber; feasibly treated given he was second off 2lb higher on the Flat last summer but he's hardly one for maximum faith.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

19th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 9lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Without a win on the Flat since 2021, but he's on a reduced mark and did best of the rest behind an emphatic winner over C&D two weeks ago; was strong in the market for that race and has each-way claims again.

4/1

2nd

2

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 9lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Without a win on the Flat since 2021 and he came in only ninth of 12 in 1m2f Ayr handicap 23 days ago; others appeal more.

9/1

9th

7

(5)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Ravenscraig Castle

9st 8lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

Largely consistent hurdler who returned to the Flat with respectable fourth (just behind Penelope's Sister) over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago; 1lb lower today and might be better suited by the slightly slower ground; each-way claims at least.

6/1

33/1

Form: 503-

Last run: 201 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Third in a 1m Redcar novice on her third start last August but it's barely modest form; withdrawn out after getting upset in the stalls on her intended handicap debut at Thirsk the following month; she was 66-1 at the time she was taken out and a watching brief is advised on reappearance unless the betting suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:12 Ayr

Siviez

8st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Eight-race maiden who has dropped 11lb in the weights since introduced to handicapping; attracted market support when a creditable fourth to Irish Dancer at Catterick (5f, good) last week; return to 6f should suit; dangerous to dismiss.

15/2

4th

3

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Siviez

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Lightly raced 4yo who has dropped down the weights but she's finished unplaced this spring in her first four handicaps and needs something extra.

8/1

Form: 156-87 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Veteran; possible he needed two comeback runs here last month and he's below his last winning mark; dangerous to discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

28th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Saisons DOr

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

An 11yo having his 99th start but doesn't arrive in much form and would be a surprise winner.

16/1

6th

3

(5)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:46 Catterick

Saisons DOr

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Done most winning earlier in the year and doesn't arrive in any form; on the positive side, he has three wins and a couple of seconds to his name from ten runs over C&D, which counts for something at a track that's always produced specialists.

12/1

7th

6

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Saisons DOr

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Veteran who proved he still had what it takes when making virtually all at Southwell in April and is back off the same mark; has won three times over this C&D and no surprise were he to run well.

8/1

Form: 232451 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Newcastle regular who posted his tenth win here when edging out Age Of Time over this trip 16 days ago; only 2lb higher so should remain very competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(4)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

14:48 Musselburgh

Pallas Lord

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Donald Whillans

Prolific on AW but won twice on turf in his youth; latest Carlisle fourth wasn't a bad run but this race demands more.

8/1

4th

2

(4)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:28 Carlisle

Pallas Lord

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Donald Whillans

Has recorded the majority of his wins on Newcastle AW; below par over C&D ten days ago, failing to build on his Hamilton effort; still hasn't scored on turf since 2022.

16/1

7th

6

(9)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

Pallas Lord

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Donald Whillans

Handy sort who is 1-1 here and ran well returned to turf when beaten a short head and a neck into third of eight at Hamilton (1m, good) a fortnight ago; ground faster than good probably not ideal, though.

7/1

Non-runners

Call Glory

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.50
Straight Forecast £31.17
Tricast £85.26
Trifecta £137.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Front Gunner

Telegraph:

Ey Up He's A Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Operation Gimcrack

The Guardian:

Pallas Lord

Daily Mirror:

Pit Boss

D Express:

Phoenix Of Dreams

Daily Record:

Call Glory

POSTDATA:

Front Gunner

The Times:

Front Gunner

The Star:

Operation Gimcrack

Daily Mail:

Pallas Lord