Newcastle
Tomorrow, May 11, 2025FlatClass 37f
Verdict
Verdict
A useful and competitive handicap. Considering he'd been off for 10 months SKUKUZA's Haydock reappearance was encouraging and he can build on that promise now. Grand Karat has a strong AW record and is another who should be sharper for last month's seasonal return. United Approach, who was a place ahead of Grand Karat at Kempton, and Thunder Roar complete the shortlist.
Skukuza
Grand Karat
United Approach
7f Hcap
7f Hcap
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places
1. Thunder RoarJ: Tom EavesT: Tony Coyle & Kaine WoodF: 24221-001d- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 95
- Days Since Last Run:
- 43
VerdictLatest win at Redcar in October. First past the post (subsequently demote to second) in 21-runner Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, good, 25/1) 43 days ago. Likely to go well if as effective back on AW.- 2. SkukuzaJ: Billy LoughnaneT: Ed DunlopF: 23/6212-5
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 95
- Days Since Last Run:
- 15
VerdictProgressed well last term, including runner-up in Britannia at Royal Ascot. Made a sound return from 10 months off when fifth of 10 at Haydock (7f) last month and should be spot on now. Big player under Loughnane. 
3. Local HeroJ: Tom MarquandT: Richard HannonF: 6531-4923- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-6
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 92
- Days Since Last Run:
- 9
VerdictWinner at Kempton in December and quickly back on the up when second of 9 in 7f handicap there in March. Respectable third of 6 back on turf at Newmarket since.
4. ApotheosisJ: Jack MitchellT: Simon & Ed CrisfordF: 3114-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- hood and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 260
VerdictWinner of a pair of 7f novices on turf last summer. Possibly unsuited by soft ground when last of 4 on Newmarket handicap debut in August, although he did hang and carry his head awkwardly so there might have been more to it (off since). Returns as an unexposed sort. Betting interesting.
5. Isla KaiJ: Faye McManomanT: Nigel TinklerF: 00873317/- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 596
VerdictUseful handicapper but off since a below-par run at Ayr in September 2023.- 6. Grand KaratJ: Trevor WhelanT: Harry CharltonF: 32/88131-4
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-2
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 88
- Days Since Last Run:
- 32
VerdictTwo 7f Southwell wins last year. Shaped as if needing run when fourth of 7 on Kempton return 32 days ago. Should be sharper now and Harry Charlton has his team in form. Considered. - 7. United ApproachJ: Clifford LeeT: James TateF: 1/42205-3
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 9-1
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 87
- Days Since Last Run:
- 32
Verdict15/8, respectable third (Grand Karat fourth) of 7 in handicap at Kempton (7f) on reappearance 32 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Looks competitive on form. 
8. Media ShooterJ: Sam JamesT: K. R. BurkeF: 14574671-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-1
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 87
- Days Since Last Run:
- 275
VerdictCheekpieces on first time, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Musselburgh (7f, good to firm) last August. Goes well on AW so could figure if fully primed for this first run since.
9. HiromichiJ: George BassT: Jack ChannonF: 19/14179-0- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 8-11
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 83
- Days Since Last Run:
- 24
VerdictDual winner of 1m handicaps last season but disappointed on last month's Newmarket reappearance. Needs to have come on a lot.
10. ZipJ: Warren FentimanT: Richard FaheyF: 3115-4327- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 8-11
- Gear:
- visor
- Official Rating:
- 83
- Days Since Last Run:
- 42
VerdictFour-time C&D winner, the latest in November. Respectable seventh of 15 in handicap (7/1) at Doncaster (7f, good) 42 days ago, doing too much too soon.
11. Atlantic GambleJ: Brandon WilkieT: William KnightF: 1111311-0- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-11
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 83
- Days Since Last Run:
- 34
VerdictA big success story in handicaps last season. winning 6 times. Only tenth of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Kempton (1mf) on reappearance 34 days ago but the outing was presumably needed.
12. WoodstockJ: Joanna MasonT: Ruth CarrF: 001675-03- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 8-11
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 83
- Days Since Last Run:
- 20
Verdict14/1, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Redcar (7f, good to firm) 20 days ago, running on. That form has been franked. Each-way claims.
13. BenacreJ: Jason HartT: Charlie JohnstonF: 0578-5251- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 82
- Days Since Last Run:
- 9
VerdictEnded a losing run in a C&D handicap 9 days ago. This is a deeper race and he doesn't have the profile of one likely to follow up.
14. EldrickjonesJ: Rowan ScottT: Roger FellF: 10058978-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 82
- Days Since Last Run:
- 239
VerdictBelow par when last seen in the autumn but he won this race off 3 lb higher last year and a revival can't be discounted back from a break.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite