20:30 Newcastle

Thursday 19 March 2026

All17:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 20:31 | Winning time: 1m 28.22s

(2)

Panthere Noir^b1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 55

7/1

Remains a maiden and hasn't really threatened since finishing third in a Musselburgh maiden in September, though admittedly didn't get much room to open up late on when eighth of 12 in handicap (18/1) at this C&D 14 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time.

Form: 33753-8

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(4)

Hamish Leek^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 51

10/1

Stepped up on handicap debut when fifth of 11 at Kempton (7f) 3 weeks ago, making late headway. Blinkers sported there are retained and he's respected having eased 2 lb.

Form: 978-75

(7)

Fickle Mcselfish^p1³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 50

16/1

Yet to better poor form and was slowly away when fifth of 8 in handicap (28/1) at this course (8f) 33 days ago. Cheekpieces go on first time.

Form: 99-745

(1)

Container Express⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Aiden Brookes| T: P A Kirby| OR: 50| C

11/1

Winner of a C&D nursery in November and has recaptured some form here of late, running respectably when fourth in a 10-runner race over 6f here last week.

Form: 14-5534

(6)

Monk's Hill^h³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 50

8/1

Some encouragement when fourth at Southwell on return/handicap debut in January (1m) but below that level kept to that trip when seventh of 12 in handicap at Kempton (8f) 36 days ago. Drop to 7f at least looks a positive move.

Form: 638-47

(5)

Runninman⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C J Whiteley⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hanlon| OR: 49

7/1

Ran near his best in first-time blinkers when seventh of 10 in handicap at this course (6f) 8 days ago but more will be needed if he's to get off the mark.

Form: 33-3687

(3)

Spartacus Warrior^p1¹⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Barry McHugh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 48

20/1

Placed in nurseries at Beverley and Leicester last season. Returns from 5-month break in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 452063-

(10)

Trucial Pearl^v⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 47

11/8

Benefited from the step up to 7f and produced her best effort when a fast-finishing second at Chelmsford last week. Looks the one to beat from unchanged mark.

Form: 659-442

(8)

What A Tahoo³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 45

17/2

Very much learning in maidens/novices and showed more when fourth of 12 on handicap debut (6f) at this course last month. Up in trip this time.

Form: 87-94

(9)

Rupert Ritzik¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 45

50/1

Well held in varied events last season. Makes all-weather debut after 6 months off.

Form: 0089-

Forecasts

Trucial Pearl (11/8), Runninman (7/1), Panthere Noir (7/1), Monk's Hill (8/1), What A Tahoo (17/2), Hamish Leek (10/1), Container Express (11/1), Fickle Mcselfish (16/1), Spartacus Warrior (20/1), Rupert Ritzik (50/1)

TRUCIAL PEARL only just failed to reel in the winner at Chelmsford last week and is fancied to go one place better from an unchanged mark. Container Express arrives after 2 creditable efforts at the track and can pose the biggest threat, whilst it wouldn't be a surprise to see more from Monk's Hill now dropping to 7f.