15:00 Newcastle

Friday 3 April 2026

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:42

BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 40.17s

(8)

Chancellor^p1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| BF| D

3/1

Has returned a much-improved performer since gelding and breathing operations, winning twice (including listed race at Southwell) and only just denied in 2 others starts, notably the Winter Derby at Lingfield latest. Headgear applied for the first time back in a handicap.

Form: 6712-12

(14)

Tyrrhenian Sea⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 106| CD

15/2

Confirmed himself as good as ever despite his advancing years when length second to Chancellor in listed race at Southwell 8 weeks ago, clear of rest. 3 lb better off with winner here.

Form: 17832-2

(11)

Witch Hunter²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 104| CD

18/1

Proved he retains a smart level of ability when winning over C&D in January. Shaped as if amiss last time (subsequently found to have sustained a small wound to right-hind fetlock). Likely to find this too competitive.

Form: 03-5148

(2)

Popmaster³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 99| D

40/1

Likeable 8-y-o at the very top of his game at present, backing up a win over 1m at Kempton with close seconds under this rider there and at Lingfield (neck behind Apiarist).

Form: 4-32122

(13)

Blue Rc⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: J Tate| OR: 99| D

9/2

Continues to thrive and gained compensation for an unlucky defeat 3 weeks earlier when landing the odds in good style at Southwell on New Year's Day. Remains of firm interest.

Form: 21122-1

(1)

Apiarist¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| CD

22/1

Built on the promise of his return when winning at Lingfield (1m) by neck from Popmaster, his fifth career success (4 on all-weather). Respectable third at Kempton (7f) since and return to 1m will suit.

Form: 003-413

(6)

Storm Star⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| CD

12/1

Improved again to complete a C&D hat-trick in this race last year off 3 lb lower. Shaped as if retaining ability first 2 starts this winter but underperformed in listed race at Southwell 8 weeks ago. Type to bounce back.

Form: 1113-66

(10)

The Lost King²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 97

7/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o who has looked as good as ever on the AW this year, winning 2 of his 3 starts, including when beating subsequent winner First Principle (off level weights) by 1¼ lengths in a useful handicap at Wolverhampton 4 weeks ago. Likely to make another bold bid.

Form: 6/30-121

(5)

Flight Plan³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 96| C| D

28/1

Didn't pull up any trees in 3 handicaps at Meydan in January but made much more of an impact back on these shores when fourth at Lingfield 5 weeks ago, albeit not showing enough to warrant interest in a very competitive event such as this.

Form: 55-6094

(7)

First Principle^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 96| D

12/1

Front runner with a steadily progressive profile, good second to The Lost King at Wolverhampton on return before edging out Dosman when going one better over same C&D. Can give another good account.

Form: 1812-21

(9)

Nikovo²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: M Herrington| OR: 93| CD

28/1

In excellent form and gained due reward when winning 7f handicap for the second consecutive year here last month, overcoming pace bias. Only sixth in this last year off this mark but arrives better than ever.

Form: 87-2331

(12)

Dosman¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Jonny Peate| T: Oli Rix| OR: 92| D

18/1

Gained reward for what had been a promising start for new connections when winning at Southwell in clear-cut fashion. Just unable to reel in First Principle at Wolverhampton 2 weeks ago and he's not to be underestimated.

Form: 38-3212

(3)

Rogue Encore^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 85| CD

50/1

Notched third C&D win in September but down the field in 3 runs since returning from a break in January, albeit caught behind a weakening rival here last week.

Form: 271-509

(4)

Shafdar²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84| BF| D

10/1

Promising start for new connections since coming from France, building on yard debut when easily landing the odds in a Chelmsford maiden. Good second on handicap bow there next time, unable to reel in his stablemate after a slow start. Has more to offer still.

Form: 8/5-312

Forecasts

Chancellor (3/1), The Lost King (7/2), Blue Rc (9/2), Tyrrhenian Sea (15/2), Shafdar (10/1), Storm Star (12/1), First Principle (12/1), Dosman (18/1), Witch Hunter (18/1), Apiarist (22/1), Nikovo (28/1), Flight Plan (28/1), Popmaster (40/1), Rogue Encore (50/1)

This looks ultra-competitive with the vote going to BLUE RC, who took his form to another level when landing the odds at Southwell on New Year's Day. The thriving The Lost King is a solid alternative, while Shafdar and Nikovo both make each-way appeal at bigger odds.