April 03 / 16.42 Newcastle (AW)

16.42

Standard

Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate Marathon Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £90195
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV4
View Course
Midnite All-Weather Easter Plate Marathon Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 181-01 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
In and out on his five runs since returning from an absence in October but he's won three of them, most recently at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in January; has also won on Tapeta; this steadily progressive 6yo has gone up just 2lb for last time and could again be involved; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Berkshire Sundance

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Good strike-rate of 7-17 and he should have brighter prospects than some of staying this extreme trip given he wasn't stopping at the end of the Chester Cup over an extended 2m2f last time; has raised his game in cheekpieces (fitted in only his last two races) and he could outrun his odds if coping okay with fast ground.

16/1

6th

6

(15)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Berkshire Sundance

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Missed most of last season but won on good/AW in four of his six starts since, the latest in clearcut fashion with first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle on AW Championships day; raised another 7lb, drawn wide and lacks any race experience at this track, but he's going from strength to strength.

10/1

1st

9

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In and out on his five runs since returning from an absence in October but he's won three of them, most recently at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in January; has also won on Tapeta; this steadily progressive 6yo has gone up just 2lb for last time and could again be involved; cheekpieces go on.

9/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 289-68 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2024 and he's dropping down the weights; this 8yo has shown the odd sign of spark over the last 12 months but his AW exploits this winter indicate it's best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(15)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap in April; also effective at 2m this term, including C&D, but he's edged back up the weights; place player but he may be vulnerable for win purposes.

14/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 31-322 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won the 2m2f Cesarewitch in October and running really well in defeat on AW over 1m2f/1m3f (including here) this year, most recently second at Lingfield behind Regal Ulixes (declared 4:10); leading player back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Beylerbeyi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; back to near his best when eighth of 20 at Royal Ascot (2m4f) but he needs to hit a new high if he's to win this.

16/1

8th

1

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Beylerbeyi

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; not nearly so good in his two races back on turf but his recent run at Epsom (1m2f) should have teed him up nicely for this; current mark and tactical issues coming from the rear are the chief worries.

12/1

10th

5

(17)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Beylerbeyi

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Acts on good to soft, much more to prove on soft; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 10lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year, prior to tailing off at 50-1 in the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester four weeks ago; he's not on a bad mark but plenty needs to go right if one of his late rushes is to prevail in this.

33/1

Form: 30-334

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this last year and also ran well over C&D when fourth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate last June; he's been running pretty well at Dundalk this year and could build on those efforts now back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:40 Killarney

Tribal Star

10st 0lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Premier handicap winner over 1m2f at Dundalk last season; upped in trip this year to decent effect; good third in the Chester Plate in May; made no impact in the Northumberland Plate last time but will appreciate the calmer waters here.

7/1

11th

14

(20)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Tribal Star

8st 13lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Brought over from Ireland for five British races and ran well every time, including when fourth in this contest last year and third in the Chester Plate last month; he didn't win any of them, though, and has taken just one Irish handicap; plenty seemingly needs to go right if he's to win this but he has a place chance despite wide draw.

18/1

9th

9

(11)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Tribal Star

8st 10lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seen mostly on AW, including fourth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m) last June; running well on AW this year and good effort back on turf at Chester last month, only fading late on over 2m3f; upped in grade here and could go well with rider's claim.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0051-1 CD

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Second in this in 2024 and fourth last year; won at Kempton (2m) in December and followed up by 3l over this C&D in January; this 6yo is on a career-high mark but is clearly thriving and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Duke Of Oxford

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Michael Bell

Eight AW wins, two last winter in 2m handicaps; however, he failed to beat a rival in Group 3 at Sandown (2m, good) on turf return, has tons to prove on turf record (0-5) and even best AW form does not look good enough.

25/1

7th

4

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Duke Of Oxford

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Bell

Progressive on AW in the winter with 2m handicap wins at Kempton and Newcastle; however, only fifth of 12 at Newcastle (2m) last month and the suitability of turf is questionable.

40/1

Form: 5617-1 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) in November and back on the scoresheet at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) three weeks ago; those wins were in Class 4 and he's back up in grade today off a career-high mark, but he did it readily last time and a 3lb rise isn't harsh; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Artisan Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20, however, and he was tailed off at Thirsk (good) on penultimate start, before he failed to shine at Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting (AW) for the third year in a row; not the percentage call.

20/1

18th

5

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Artisan Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20 and he was tailed off at Thirsk last time; back to AW and he's 7-34 in this sphere, but he's not shone at this meeting (16th in the Plate, 12th in the Vase) in the last two years.

25/1

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 2942-6 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Dramatic Star

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.

9/2

7th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won twice in 2024, including over 1m4f on Tapeta; had only five runs last year but he went close on two occasions, including in a Class 2 at Southwell (1m4f) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he hit a personal best last time and he's a key player on this drop back in grade.

3/1

Form: 1-2573 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who posted four wins in the second half of last year, including over C&D and at Southwell in December; however, he needs to produce more than he's managed on his last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Sax Appeal

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Eight-time AW winner, including thrice at Southwell; close third in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle last weekend when returned to this sphere; back up 2lb but takes a drop back in grade; solid chance.

7/2

3rd

6

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Sax Appeal

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Very busy and he's had his share of wins, including four (one here) over 2m in 2025; AW has dominated his career; three of his last four turf starts were respectable and he's edging down the weights, so not entirely dismissed.

25/1

3rd

1

(5)

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 2y

Class 4

15:35 Pontefract

Sax Appeal

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Very busy and he's had his share of wins, including four over 2m in 2025, but that's been mostly on AW which has dominated his career; best turf ratings two and three runs back before tailed off (might have overdone it up front) at Goodwood latest; again has just four rivals today but others are preferred.

15/2

16/1

Form: 44-126 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Made all at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) in January and head second to Berkshire Sundance at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) later that month; not quite at the same level at Southwell (2m2f, Tapeta) last month but he failed to settle; Newcastle form figures read 12139 and he has an each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(7)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:13 Kempton (AW)

Barenboim

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Kickstarted 2026 with C&D win in January but his more recent form is far less encouraging, last of nine at Chester (2m) last time; others are preferred.

40/1

9th

4

(3)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Barenboim

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Six-time AW winner, most recently off today's mark in January; struggled when back on turf this month, though, and ground slower than good will be a serious worry here.

33/1

8th

3

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Barenboim

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Tom Dascombe

Just 1lb above his last winning mark, but is 6-31 on the AW and 0-18 on turf, including six starts over hurdles; others more solid.

20/1

10th
3 (5)
Enemy

14/1

Form: 55-131 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Snapped a losing sequence at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in January before close third at Wolverhampton (2m), and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) latest; this 9yo is in a more competitive race today but there remains mileage in his mark judged on his old form; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(9)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Enemy

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Ian Williams

Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW early this year; beaten just over 7l in hot handicaps at Carlisle (1m3f) and Royal Ascot (1m6f) on last two outings, shaping much better than ninth of 16 suggests in the latter (big move to dispute lead early in straight) but his turf strike-rate is 3-37.

33/1

9th

9

(18)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Enemy

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ian Williams

Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW (3-36 on turf) earlier this year but this is a different ball game altogether and his run at Carlisle 17 days ago was no more than average; plenty of others appeal more.

50/1

9th

2

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Enemy

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ian Williams

Durable veteran who won twice on the AW early this year; however, he was soundly beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday and faces some unexposed rivals on his return to turf.

25/1

11/1

Form: 913-92 C BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent since finishing second in the Northumberland Vase over C&D last June and well beaten over C&D in January, but back on song when second at Chelmsford (1m6f) in February; capable of a bold show in a first-time hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:12 Ascot

Tryfan

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Harry Charlton

Better on AW but he did win on good to firm last May; placed in two of his AW starts last winter but tailed off in a hot 2m race at Easter (hooded) and well beaten when returned to turf at Salisbury in May; now tries cheekpieces and a lower turf mark is largely negated by being 4lb out of the handicap.

10/1

7th

5

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Tryfan

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Harry Charlton

Three-time winner whose sole success on turf came over C&D (good to firm) just under one year ago; also scored off this mark on AW (1m6f) in September but has been very in and out on last four starts, including when tried in a hood (removed) and beaten 32l in valuable AW event last time; drops back down in grade from lower turf mark and can make presence felt if on a going day.

12/1

25/1

Form: 106-75 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last July and is now just 1lb higher; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game on his three AW starts since December and needs something extra today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:23 Stratford

Charging Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Not at best on the Flat this year (albeit still capable of useful form) and managed only fourth of six when warm favourite for latest hurdle race, at Worcester (2m, good) in May; that said, he's a stout stayer on the Flat and could have untapped potential over this new trip over jumps.

9/4

11th

1

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Charging Thunder

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Not in peak form (hurdles or Flat) from last August onwards but it's not forgotten that he was third in the Plate itself last year off 3lb higher.

22/1

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £310.30
Straight Forecast £275.05
Tricast £973.37
Trifecta £2221.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Beylerbeyi

NEWMARKET:

Duke Of Oxford

TOPSPEED:

Dramatic Star

LAMBOURN:

Berkshire Sundance

POSTDATA:

Prydwen

Telegraph:

Dramatic Star

The Star:

Dramatic Star

The Guardian:

Duke Of Oxford

Daily Mirror:

Duke Of Oxford

The Sun:

Duke Of Oxford

RP RATINGS:

Beylerbeyi

The Times:

Beylerbeyi

Daily Mail:

Beylerbeyi

D Express:

Beylerbeyi

Daily Record:

Beylerbeyi