17:15 Newcastle

Saturday 13 December 2025

All15:0515:4016:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:15

Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 26.63s

(8)

Houquetot¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| DWS

16/1

Useful ex-French recruit who was successful on 3 of his 5 starts at 2 yrs, including a 7f at Group 3 level. No better than midfield in pair of Group contests earlier this year but changed hands for €90,000 ahead of this (gelded/had wind surgery) and market can guide.

Form: 1217-06

(4)

Storm Star²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 100| C

11/4

Ultra-consistent and gradually progressive 4-y-o who is 4-5 here, bringing up a hat-trick in 1m handicap here on AW Finals' Day back in April. Absent since but course form an obvious plus and he commands respect from this 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 333-111

(2)

Pocklington⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: G R Oldroyd| OR: 96| BF| C

13/8

Low-mileage colt who was successful on first 2 starts here last year. Shaped well all 4 starts in defeat this summer, running another cracker when second of 13 in handicap (9/4) at Doncaster (6.5f, good) in September. Course record stands at 112 and he needs considering on first crack at 7f.

Form: 00-2532

(3)

Doctor Khan Junior^v³⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson| T: G R Oldroyd| OR: 93| CD

25/1

On a roll winter of 2023/24, producing a smart handicap performance to make it 4 wins in a row (one over C&D). Very lightly campaigned since, far from disgraced after 11 months off when seventh of 11 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f) in February. Absent again since and betting can point the way.

Form: 11/115-7

(6)

Eldrickjones⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: Roger Fell| OR: 88| CD

8/1

Fallen in the weights having been a little hit and miss during second half of this year and he built on an encouraging penultimate run when registering a fourth C&D victory 8 days ago, staying on to lead close home. Respected back up in class in present groove.

Form: 909741

(7)

Apotheosis^h,t¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 86| DWS

10/3

Dual juvenile winner placed third in handicaps over C&D/Goodwood in May. However, he folded tamely on final 2 turf starts when last seen during the summer so refitting of a hood/breathing operation needs to have had positive effect ahead of this return from 5 months off.

Form: 14-3300

(1)

Midnight Lion⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Lauren Young⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 84| CD

18/1

Versatile 7-time course winner, the latest over C&D in November. 5/1, respectable 2¼ lengths fifth of 10 to Eldrickjones in handicap at this C&D 8 days ago, weakening final 100 yds. Rider takes off handy 5 lb which rates a definite plus in what is a stronger affair.

Form: 015615

Non-Runners

(5)

Nikovo¹⁶

Weight: 8-13| Age: 6

T: M Herrington J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

Pocklington (13/8), Storm Star (11/4), Apotheosis (10/3), Eldrickjones (8/1), Nikovo (10/1), Houquetot (16/1), Midnight Lion (18/1), Doctor Khan Junior (25/1)

A good quality handicap. Dual course winner POCKLINGTON knocked on the door on several occasions on turf this summer, latterly when runner-up at Doncaster's St Leger Meeting in September. Unexposed at this 7f trip, he edges preference over the ultra-consistent and 4-time course winner Storm Star. Fellow course specialist Eldrickjones is another fancied to feature.