17:00 Newcastle

Wednesday 4 February 2026

All16:2317:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 1m 13.38s

(4)

Captain Vallo^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 60| CD

11/2

A 3-time C&D winner who wasn't discredited on his second run back from a four-month lay-off when fourth of 9 in handicap over C&D 19 days ago. Merits consideration eased 1 lb.

Form: 22399-4

(7)

Teardrops^b,t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: George Wood| T: R Spencer| OR: 60| BF| CD

7/4

Thriving of late and bagged a third C&D win in January. Took another step forward when second of 9 in handicap over C&D 15 days ago so this low-mileage 4-y-o merits serious consideration off the same mark here.

Form: 3115-12

(2)

Mersea¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Oliver Stammers| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 59| CD

10/1

C&D winner. Last of 11 in handicap at this course (5f, 25/1) 15 days ago though so has a bit to prove now.

Form: 0786-50

(8)

Howzak^t1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty| T: L Bailey| OR: 57| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Last of 9 in handicap over C&D 37 days ago. Tongue strap goes on for the 1st time with something to prove now.

Form: 10/0879-

(3)

Penny Mountain²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Kaiya Fraser| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 54| CD

7/1

Got off the mark over C&D in January but found his run of good form coming to a halt when sixth of 7 to Teardrops in handicap over C&D 22 days ago. The sort to bounce back though.

Form: 704-136

(5)

Asadjumeirah^t,p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 53| CD

8/1

A 5-time C&D winner, including in this 12 months ago. Posted a good third of 8 (given he went freely) in handicap back over C&D 15 days ago so he can't be ruled out in his follow-up bid.

Form: 2348-43

(1)

East Tyrone^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: P A Kirby| OR: 51| D

8/1

Kickstarted 2026 with success at Wolverhampton in January and has continued in good nick, third of 9 there (6.1f) 9 days ago. Can make his presence felt once more.

Form: 469-133

(6)

Laurens Dream^b1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 50| CD

9/2

C&D winner who recorded a creditable second of 8 in classified event at Southwell (7.1f) 13 days ago. Blinkers replace cheekpieces now but it's 19 runs since her last win in 2024.

Form: 66-6222

Forecasts

Teardrops (7/4), Laurens Dream (9/2), Captain Vallo (11/2), Penny Mountain (7/1), Asadjumeirah (8/1), East Tyrone (8/1), Mersea (10/1), Howzak (28/1)

A tight-knit sprint in which marginal preference is for TEARDROPS who continues on the up and can quickly resume winning ways to garner a fourth C&D victory of the winter. Last year's victor Asadjumeirah rates a big danger though, while East Tyrone and Captain Vallo both command plenty of respect too. Laurens Dream completes the shortlist.