March 14 / 14.45 Newcastle

14.45

Good To Soft

Smirnoff At The Apartment Grand Wedding Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 2m 4f 62y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
Smirnoff At The Apartment Grand Wedding Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.50
  • Place: £3.30

Form: -47244

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
16-race maiden; runner-up at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft; beaten 6l) in November and latest fourth there on Boxing Day broadly comparable; others more convincing overall; stablemate of Ratemenow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Fairly Fulling

11st 4lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Came good over hurdles at 14th attempt, with clear success at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March; should be okay back at 2m on this stiff track but 7lb rise demands more from him.

11/4

16/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 35456

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed in a Hexham bumper (beaten 19l) in November; yet to show a massive amount over hurdles (0-3), though was staying on over an inadequate 2m at Kelso (novice; 66-1, beaten 32l) latest; back to a more suitable trip for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Ratemenow

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Placed in a Hexham bumper (beaten 19l) in November; yet to show a massive amount over hurdles (0-3), though was staying on over an inadequate 2m at Kelso (novice; 66-1, beaten 32l) latest; back to a more suitable trip for handicap debut.

16/1

6th

12

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:00 Kelso

Ratemenow

11st 0lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

He's displayed some ability but not enough to suggest he'll be posing a threat today; will be of greater interest when moving into handicaps.

50/1

5th

8

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

13:17 Catterick

Ratemenow

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Susan Corbett

His bumper debut third at Hexham (2m, good to soft) wasn't devoid of promise but lesser runs have followed in a bumper at Carlisle (soft) and a novice hurdle over this C&D (good).

100/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 7P5-57 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Fairly treated on peak efforts from 2024, 11lb lower than when beaten a neck at Sedgefield (2m4f) in October of that year; is entitled to come on for comeback run at Wetherby (beaten 37l) in January; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Knacker Trapper

10st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Didn't seem to stay 2m7f when below-par at Hexham last time, having run creditably on his two previous starts; could go well but on a long losing run.

10/1

9th

14

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Knacker Trapper

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Only win came in a Southwell novice handicap in May 2024 (2m4f, good); good run when second at Sedgefield last time (2m4f, good); stamina to prove, but could be in the mix.

12/1

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Knacker Trapper

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

It's now 11 outings since his last success but he's been lightly raced this term and comes here on the back of a good third of 15 in 2m4f Newcastle handicap hurdle 18 days ago; can make his presence felt off the same mark.

7/1

Form: -PP952

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Sole win from a similar mark at Carlisle (3m) in November 2024; runner-up over C&D latest, one of many solid efforts at this track (22242P2); still in front - looking the likeliest winner - in void race over C&D two-years ago; entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Glory Hights

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Only win in 17 runs over hurdles was at Carlisle in November 2024 (3m, good to soft); back on the same mark and two good runs over C&D on last two starts so could go well.

7/1

4th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Glory Hights

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Chris Grant

Sole win from a similar mark at Carlisle (3m) in November 2024; runner-up over C&D latest, one of many solid efforts at this track (22242P2); still in front - looking the likeliest winner - in void race over C&D two-years ago; entitled to respect.

5/1

2nd

12

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

13:35 Newcastle

Glory Hights

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Only previous win was over 3m but off this mark; stopped the rot when beaten 5l in first-time cheekpieces at Wetherby and he's effective at this trip.

12/1

Form: 1P548

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Uttoxeter bumper winner (2m, good) for Tom Symonds; hasn't kicked on over hurdles (0-4) since joining new trainer, sloppy jumping again the issue when beaten 38l on Wetherby handicap debut (2m4f, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Suspected

11st 8lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

Off the mark over hurdles over 3m here in April (good); now 6lb higher, but longer trip should suit and one with a chance.

4/1

1st

5

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Suspected

11st 6lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

Won a bumper for Tom Symonds at Uttoxeter last May (2m, good); fair form over hurdles for this yard, including in two handicaps; needs to improve for step up to 3m.

9/1

6th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Suspected

11st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Uttoxeter bumper winner (2m, good) for Tom Symonds; hasn't kicked on over hurdles (0-4) since joining new trainer, sloppy jumping again the issue when beaten 38l on Wetherby handicap debut (2m4f, soft).

25/1

Form: P86-34

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Didn't jump fluently, but still raised her game when placed on handicap debut at Carlisle (2m4f; 33-1) in November, and she ran to a similar level at Market Rasen (fourth) on Boxing Day; this is a suitable option; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Roxby Belle

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Didn't jump fluently, but still raised her game when placed on handicap debut at Carlisle (2m4f; 33-1) in November, and she ran to a similar level at Market Rasen (fourth) on Boxing Day; this is a suitable option; possibilities.

13/2

6th

14

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:18 Hexham

Roxby Belle

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Mark Walford

held up in midfield, weakened after 2 out

66/1

6th

14

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:18 Hexham

Roxby Belle

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Mark Walford

held up in midfield, weakened after 2 out

66/1

Form: /4222-

Last run: 340 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Positives since introduced to handicapping, filling the runner-up spot three times in succession at Southwell, over C&D (beaten a neck) and at Carlisle (3m1f); has a steadily rising mark and a 340-day absence to overcome but is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:50 Hexham

Passengerontheship

10st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Second in three hurdles in early 2025 but is still 0-10 under rules; pulled up here (3m, good) 17 days ago on second chase start in first-time tongue-tie (retained); the jury is out at present.

15/2

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Passengerontheship

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; fine second to a subsequent three-time winner in a handicap hurdle at Carlisle in April 2025 (3m1f, good); hasn't done as well since, although not disgraced when sixth on chase debut at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft); tongue-tie now tried; chance back up in trip.

8/1

6th

4

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Passengerontheship

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Second in three consecutive races over hurdles at up to 3m on last three starts last season; should improve on his reappearance run over hurdles (over C&D earlier this month); quite interesting on chase debut.

7/1

Form: -33342

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Fourth to Parish Star over C&D (heavy; beaten 13l) in January and went closer (runner-up) in a five-runner affair at Musselburgh subsequently; usual 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retains the ride; can added cheekpieces make a difference?
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Snow Dragon

11st 4lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Fourth to Parish Star over C&D (heavy; beaten 13l) in January and went closer (runner-up) in a five-runner affair at Musselburgh subsequently; usual 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retains the ride; can added cheekpieces make a difference?

4/1

2nd

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

16:50 Musselburgh

Snow Dragon

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Eight-race maiden who has consistent form figures, including over C&D, this season; reasonably solid but chance of winning may depend on whether he's able to show better progress.

6/1

4th

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Snow Dragon

11st 8lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Yet to win in seven runs over hurdles; fair third at Musselburgh in November (2m4f, good to soft) but not so good over same C&D on soft ground last time; may fare better here.

4/1

Form: 5P6-F4

Last run: 133 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Fell on chase debut at Hexham (2m4f; 3-1) in October; failed to stay 3m (ran respectably) back over hurdles at Ayr the following month; off since but 8lb lower than when first introduced to handicapping 14 months ago; stablemate of Snow Dragon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Helsgetaway

11st 2lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

0-8 over hurdles; sound run from the front when third to a pair of dead-heaters over C&D last time (good); one with a chance.

11/2

3rd

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Helsgetaway

11st 6lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Exposed; fair fourth at Ayr in November (3m, soft) and may have needed the race after a break when well beaten at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft).

16/1

10th

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Helsgetaway

11st 6lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Fell on chase debut at Hexham (2m4f; 3-1) in October; failed to stay 3m (ran respectably) back over hurdles at Ayr the following month; off since but 8lb lower than when first introduced to handicapping 14 months ago; stablemate of Snow Dragon.

10/1

Form: 25-575

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Wetherby bumper (2m, soft) in December 2024 but she has struggled to get to grips with hurdles (0-3), making various mistakes at Market Rasen (2m2f novice; 40-1) latest; some improvement needed on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Dillys Gunner

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up in a Wetherby bumper (2m, soft) in December 2024 but she has struggled to get to grips with hurdles (0-3), making various mistakes at Market Rasen (2m2f novice; 40-1) latest; some improvement needed on handicap debut.

15/2

5th

7

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

12:53 Market Rasen

Dillys Gunner

10st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Not disgraced on her first two hurdling starts (2m4f/2m3f, soft) but will find more realistic opportunities when qualified for handicaps.

25/1

Form: 34PP74

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
18-race maiden; massive prices and well beaten in three starts since November (chase and two maiden hurdles); no reason to expect better from 5lb wrong; better to focus elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: William de Best-Turner

21-race maiden; big prices and well beaten in four starts since November including in a hurdle handicap at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last month; out of the weights again and can only be watched.

100/1

12th

17

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: William de Best-Turner

18-race maiden; massive prices and well beaten in three starts since November (chase and two maiden hurdles); no reason to expect better from 5lb wrong; better to focus elsewhere.

100/1

13

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Raindance Queen

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: William de Best-Turner

One of her better runs when 16l fourth of 13 to King Of The Story over C&D last month but this maiden is even further out of the handicap this afternoon and is hard to fancy.

40/1

Form: 3595

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

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

Form: 136690

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the Flat (1m2f-1m4f) for Ollie Sangster and once over hurdles (2m2f, Kelso) for Rebecca Menzies; beaten 22l and 76l in two starts for new trainer; easing mark isn't enough to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Spartan Warrior

11st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won twice on the Flat (1m2f-1m4f) for Ollie Sangster and once over hurdles (2m2f, Kelso) for Rebecca Menzies; beaten 22l and 76l in two starts for new trainer; easing mark isn't enough to recommend.

50/1

10th

11

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Spartan Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Won at Kelso last May (2m2f, good) when with Rebecca Menzies; well beaten on stable debut last time and perhaps best watched for now.

50/1

5

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Spartan Warrior

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Menzies

1-8 over hurdles, the win gained off 1lb lower mark at Kelso (2m2f, good) in May; disappointed on both recent Flat starts, though, and arrives here with a point to prove.

8/1

Form: /34P0/

Last run: 885 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
With Dan Skelton when runner-up at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November 2022; pulled up over fences on final start for that trainer in July 2023 and well beaten on sole start for Phil Kirby; impossible to know what ability remains off 885-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Callistos King

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Hugh Burns

With Dan Skelton when runner-up at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November 2022; pulled up over fences on final start for that trainer in July 2023 and well beaten on sole start for Phil Kirby; impossible to know what ability remains off 885-day absence.

66/1

12th

9

11th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

15:30 Sedgefield

Callistos King

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear, headway before 3 out

14/1

3

18th Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Callistos King

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, prominent

5/1

Form: 0-7034

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-6; nothing worthwhile to report; left in remote fourth (beaten 32l) over 2m1f here (33-1) three weeks ago; could strip fitter on second run since wind surgery but the added hood will need to prove transformational.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

Elusive Warrior

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Poor form in bumpers and over hurdles, and his jumping wasn't great when third on recent chase debut at Sedgefield (2m, good); from out of the handicap he's 4lb higher than last time but there was some promise in that performance and he's open to further improvement if finding greater fluency.

14/1

3rd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Elusive Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Only poor form shown in his five runs over hurdles, tried in a hood when pulled up at Newcastle (2m4f) 18 days ago; goes chasing with tongue tie added and lots to prove.

25/1

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Elusive Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Sandy Thomson

0-6; nothing worthwhile to report; left in remote fourth (beaten 32l) over 2m1f here (33-1) three weeks ago; could strip fitter on second run since wind surgery but the added hood will need to prove transformational.

33/1

Non-runners

Maggies Boy, Venturevango

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £127.60
Straight Forecast £96.72
Tricast £1041.28
Trifecta £1222.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Snow Dragon

SPOTLIGHT:

Glory Hights

RP RATINGS:

Helsgetaway

Telegraph:

Passengerontheship

The Star:

Dilly's Gunner

TOPSPEED:

Spartan Warrior

The Times:

Snow Dragon

Daily Mail:

Snow Dragon

Daily Mirror:

Snow Dragon

Daily Record:

Snow Dragon

THE NORTH:

Helsgetaway

D Express:

Passengerontheship

The Guardian:

Glory Hights

The Sun:

Glory Hights