17:45 Newcastle

Saturday 4 October 2025

All16:4017:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 519 Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 44.91s

(3)

Percy Willis^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 64| CD

17/2

Six-time AW winner including three at this C&D, finished second of 8 in handicap here (11/2) 9 days ago running one of this season's better races. Returns to ideal conditions.

Form: 434742

(9)

Rubellite⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Russell| T: R A Fahey| OR: 61| BF| CD

3/1

Won at Wolverhampton 32 days ago and has been successful twice at this course and distance. Third of 8 in handicap at this C&D (13/8) 9 days ago when meeting trouble in running, slowly away and short of room 3f out. Can give another good account in this similar contest.

Form: 133613

(2)

Star Cast¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Alexandra Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 65

50/1

Shown no ability in 5 starts, beaten far back when last of 4 on AW at Wolverhampton (20/1) 145 days ago.

Form: 673-84

(6)

Karthon^v³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 64| BF

3/1

Has shown fair form on AW with two runner-up finishes. Sixth of 11 in 12f handicap at Kempton (13/8) 38 days ago after a sluggish start and not getting a clear run.

Form: 382326

(8)

Bintazzo²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: R Varian| OR: 64

6/4

Lightly-raced runner who showed promise when fourth of 14 in a novice race at Windsor (20/1) 26 days ago. Making handicap debut with significant step up to 12f likely to suit based on previous running style.

Form: 544

(5)

Tracker Issue⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: A Nicol| OR: 60

28/1

Poor form since recent yard change, 6th of 8 in handicap at this C&D (16/1) 9 days ago when weakening tamely after setting the pace. Cheekpieces now removed.

Form: 376406

(7)

Bruce Banner⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Hogan| T: R Menzies| OR: 60| CD

20/1

Course and distance winner who finished fifth of 5 here over 16f (15/2) 9 days ago, not staying the longer trip after a lengthy break. Back to more suitable distance today.

Form: 8-13155

(1)

Free Pic¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: A Mullen| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 47

14/1

Improved when upped in trip with 2nd at Thirsk (8f) and 3rd in Leicester handicap (10f) in July, before finishing fourth of 8 in handicap at Pontefract (4/1) 16 days ago, plugging on late. Step up to 12f could suit based on recent staying-on efforts.

Form: 070234

Non-Runners

(4)

Cloudside Rock³⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: Jack Dace

Forecasts

Bintazzo (6/4), Karthon (3/1), Rubellite (3/1), Cloudside Rock (4/1), Percy Willis (17/2), Free Pic (14/1), Bruce Banner (20/1), Tracker Issue (28/1), Star Cast (50/1)

RUBELLITE has been successful twice over course and distance and remains in excellent form, as shown when an unlucky third here 9 days ago after meeting trouble in running. Cloudside Rock justified support when scoring at Ffos Las but needs to prove himself on all-weather, while Percy Willis is a reliable performer with three course and distance victories to his name.