15:00 Newcastle

Friday 18 April 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:0716:42

BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 36.22s

(14)

Valiant Force⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: D Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 108| D

6/1

Versatile colt finished creditable 2 lengths third of 11 to Clarendon House in listed race at Southwell (5f) in February. Backed that up winning a 4-runner race over a mile at Dundalk last month. This is tougher.

Form: 014-131

(10)

Symbol Of Light^h,p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 105| D

16/1

Landed the second leg of a double when winning 12-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) under a shrewd ride last time, showing a good attitude under pressure. Respected in bid for hat-trick (from 3 lb higher mark) but could be vulnerable to a better-handicapped one.

Form: 60-4011

(16)

Roi De France²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| BF| D

4/1

Typically smooth-travelling sort has been back on the up since disappointing in the Cambridgeshire. Ended 2024 with an excellent second in a 1m Kempton listed race and shaped as well as ever on return when runner up over 7f, needing a stronger gallop at the trip. Big player on return to 1m.

Form: 12012-3

(12)

Kingdom Come⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 103

10/1

Narrow second in this race last year off this mark. Arguably unlucky not to add to his tally when third of 12 to Symbol of Light in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) last time, having conceded first run to the winner. Solid claims again.

Form: 40902-3

(9)

Popmaster²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: E Walker| OR: 99

20/1

Has a good all-weather record and again ran creditably (after 7 weeks off) fourth of 9 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 23 days ago, needing a stronger pace to be seen to best effect. One for the shortlist back over a mile.

Form: 23-3834

(11)

Destructive⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97| D

8/1

Has looked a different model this year following a break/wind surgery, rattling off a hat-trick, his most recent victory a career best in 9-runner handicap at Lingfield (8f) 49 days ago, showing a sharp turn of foot. Up 6 lb but cannot be dismissed if proving as effective on a straight track.

Form: 454-111

(3)

Apiarist²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| CD

18/1

Has had a productive time on AW this winter, winning for a third time when getting on top towards the finish over 7f at Southwell in February. Failed to translate his form to turf when disappointing at Doncaster last month. May be capable of better back on the all-weather.

Form: 1-21610

(6)

Brewing^b,t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF| C

40/1

Thrives at this course having recorded 3 wins over 7f but failed to give his running on his most recent effort here, when left without cover after a slow start. Has been given time to get over that but this will require a career best.

Form: 643-517

(15)

Storm Star⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| CD

5/2

Yet to finish outside the frame in his career, including three wins here, the latest a career-best when travelling smoothly and quickening well to seal a 1m handicap. Likely to have been targeted at this race and must be respected in his bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 2333-11

(1)

Fantastic Fox²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 95| CD

18/1

C&D winner has notched creditable placed efforts over this trip on the all-weather in recent months, including when chasing home Storm Star over C&D. Not seen to best effect returned to turf 20 days ago but he's one to be interested back on tapeta.

Form: 595-230

(2)

Cracking Gold^t1,p³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

14/1

Keen-going sort delivered a career best when winning 8-runner handicap (11/4) at Southwell (8.1f) 30 days ago, driven out having again raced freely. This big field handicap may suit him even better and he'd be dangerous to dismiss in first time tongue tie.

Form: 404-231

(5)

Exquisite Acclaim^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Adam Caffrey| T: A McGuinness| OR: 93| D

80/1

Dundalk specialist was better than ever when winning a 1m handicap at that venue in February. More required up in class.

Form: 729-141

(8)

Final Voyage^p1⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Powell⁽³⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 93| D

40/1

Largely consistent type was a creditable runner-up behind Exquisite Acclaim in a Dundalk handicap in February. Best forgiven latest effort when poorly placed. Cheekpieces fitted but needs more in this company.

Form: 394-428

(7)

Nikovo²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: M Herrington| OR: 93| CD

25/1

C&D winner typically travelled strongly when back to winning ways here over 7f penultimate start but well-held at Kempton 23 days ago. Bounce back required.

Form: 61-5719

Forecasts

Storm Star (5/2), Roi De France (4/1), Valiant Force (6/1), Destructive (8/1), Kingdom Come (10/1), Cracking Gold (14/1), Symbol Of Light (16/1), Apiarist (18/1), Fantastic Fox (18/1), Popmaster (20/1), Nikovo (25/1), Final Voyage (40/1), Brewing (40/1), Exquisite Acclaim (80/1)

Already proven at listed level, ROI DE FRANCE caught the eye when third over 7f at Kempton last month. That run should put him spot on for this and he could well have a big handicap in him on his return to a mile. Kingdom Come was only narrowly defeated in this race last year and remains of interest from the same mark, while course specialist Storm Star is entitled to respect in his bid for the hat-trick.