18:15 Newcastle

Thursday 21 August 2025

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Racing League Race 30 Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 2m 38.57s

(8)

Great Bedwyn¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Joe Leavy| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| C| D

12/1

Course winner who made a winning return to action at York (11.8f) in May and he comes here on the back of a creditable fourth of 10 in handicap at Ascot (12f, good to firm, 22/1) 12 days ago, well positioned. Should give another good account but mark looks about right.

Form: 189564

(6)

King's Scholar²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carver| T: E Walker| OR: 85| D

14/1

Progressive since being stepped up to 1½m+, gaining a third career success at Hamilton (13f) in May. Not seen to best effect back there next time but possible 14f stretched his stamina when fifth of 9 in handicap at Yarmouth last time. Still, revised mark does demand that bit more.

Form: 12-1165

(13)

Per Contra¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

6/1

3-time winner for Ollie Sangster who has been in good form for present stable, placed at Ripon/York last month and best not judged too harshly on his latest sixth of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Chepstow (12f, good) 14 days ago having been set plenty to do. Live each-way player.

Form: 335236

(3)

Ribble Vibe¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 82

18/1

Fairly useful 9.5f winner for Andre Fabre in 2023. Very lightly raced since but shaping up nicely for present yard, albeit no match for winner when second of 6 in handicap at Thirsk (12f) 13 days ago. Not taken lightly having also shaped well over C&D on penultimate start.

Form: 1/65-532

(1)

Midnight Lion²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 80| C

22/1

Has done really well at this track since joining present yard, winning 5 times over 10f between December and March. Another solid effort there when fourth in Northumberland Vase in June and whilst recent exploits have been below that level, return to this venue rates a big plus.

Form: 110400

(9)

Gran Descans³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T E Whelan| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 88| D

4/1

Frankel colt who boasts an upwardly-mobile profile, defying a penalty with minimum fuss when making it 2 wins from 3 career starts in 7-runner novice at Lingfield (11.6f, good) 4 weeks ago. Bred to be smart and highly likely there's more to come now attentions switch to handicaps.

Form: 911

(5)

Circus Of Rome⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 86| D

5/2

Circus Maximus gelding who justified support and looked suited by the step up in trip when landing 12-runner handicap (5/1) at Newbury (12f, good to firm) 70 days ago, well on top finish. That race has thrown up winners and he's very much one to consider from revised mark.

Form: 22-1671

(4)

Bulldog Spirit^p1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 75| C| D

50/1

Course winner. 33/1, ninth of 12 in handicap at Chepstow (12f, good) 14 days ago, a steadily-run race at this trip proving an insufficient test. Cheekpieces go on 1st time but he looks to have work to do if he's to play a lead role here.

Form: 714249

(7)

Flickering Halo^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72| C

22/1

Course winner. Latest win here in May. 9/1, creditable second of 7 in handicap at Thirsk (12f, good) 19 days ago, no match for winner. Others more persuasive back up in class.

Form: 614672

(14)

Peaky Blinder^p⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Nicola Currie| T: A M Balding| OR: 80

12/1

From a top yard and he's improved plenty with each run, knowing more again with cheekpieces enlisted when third of 12 in novice (50/1) at Kempton (11f) 43 days ago. Good chance there's more to come now handicapping and he's not dismissed lightly.

Form: 633

(2)

Ivatt¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: C Fellowes| OR: 79

5/1

Lightly-raced maiden who was well backed and stepped up on previous efforts when second of 6 in handicap at Kempton (12f) 10 days ago, despite leaving the impression he'd have benefited from a stronger gallop. Well worth a look from this mark.

Form: 2-352

(12)

Freddy Robinson^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 63

50/1

One win from 26 Flat runs. Eleven runs since last win in 2024. Eighth of 12 in handicap at Chepstow (10f, good, 25/1) 14 days ago. Back up in trip now and he looks to have plenty on his plate again.

Form: 423238

(11)

Cascade Hall¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Amie Waugh⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 60

66/1

Still a maiden but he lines up here having a posted a good second of 5 in handicap at Musselburgh (12.5f) 13 days ago, forcing pace and left behind winner gradually. Performed well on last visit here but looks to have plenty on his plate up in class/operating from out of the weights.

Form: 003432

Non-Runners

(10)

Barenboim¹⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: Tom Dascombe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Circus Of Rome (5/2), Gran Descans (4/1), Ivatt (5/1), Per Contra (6/1), Great Bedwyn (12/1), Peaky Blinder (12/1), King's Scholar (14/1), Ribble Vibe (18/1), Flickering Halo (22/1), Midnight Lion (22/1), Barenboim (33/1), Bulldog Spirit (50/1), Freddy Robinson (50/1), Cascade Hall (66/1)

No shortage of chances in a race that could well be fought out by the 3-y-os. CIRCUS OF ROME improved for the step up to this trip and looked one to keep onside when doubling his tally at Newbury in June and, boasting a positive profile on all-weather, he's very much of interest again. That said, Gran Descans boasts an upwardly-mobile profile himself and is feared on handicap bow. Ivatt and Ribble Vibe complete the shortlist in a highly-intriguing contest.

Previous Winners

2024

Kamboo

Weight: 9-5 |Age: 3

J: Cieren Fallon | T: R Hughes

9/4

Prize Money

1st: £25,770.002nd: £12,085.003rd: £6,045.004th: £3,020.005th: £1,510.006th: £755.00