Newcastle - Sat 14 Mar 2026
IRANDANDO HAS returned from over three years on the sidelines to spring a surprise at Southwell before losing little in defeat when second at Ayr. The winner went on to contest this week's Martin Pipe and there doesn't appear to be anything of a similar level in here so Sam Allwood's top-weight looks to have an excellent chance. Recent Ludlow runner-up Dartmouth Castle is undoubtedly the main threat, although The Shanachie showed promise in a Kelso bumper and could progress for the switch to hurdles.
Diamond Mix arrives in search of a hat-trick and must be respected, but both of those Hexham wins came last year so it is the race-fit COUNT ADHEMAR who shades preference. Donald McCain's gelding built on an underwhelming fencing bow to finish a narrow second at Ludlow last month and any further progress might be enough. Forcetoreckonwith completes the shortlist.
An open contest in which only a tentative vote can go to SNOW DRAGON. The Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore-trained five-year-old has been performing well in defeat for much of the season, including when second at Musselburgh most recently. It's hard to fault his attitude and if first-time cheekpieces can help sharpen him up, a first career triumph may await. Roxby Belle hasn't been disgraced since going handicapping and has time to do better, as does Dilly's Gunner. Others to note include Glory Hights, Fairly Fulling and Passengerontheship.
YOUNG JACK is an obvious one after two second-placed finishes. Chris Grant's gelding looks well worth another chance, nudged up 1lb after his latest near-miss at Kelso. That was his first try in cheekpieces and this longer trip could draw further improvement. Finn Lough is a proven stayer to seriously consider off a competitive rating, while Johnson's Blue can probably take the measure of Caughtinyourtrance, who is respected but seems to reserve his best efforts for Cartmel in the summer.
After wins at Haydock and Carlisle, Haarar was backed as if defeat was out of the question under a penalty at Catterick but never looked like justifying the support and was beaten a long way out. He's been given longer to get over the run, but this represents a step back up in class and THE HATCHET is preferred. Open to more improvement, this low-mileage six-year-old has the scope to build on a very promising C&D second last month. Fingal's Hill and Bucephalus complete the shortlist.
Although he's finished runner-up on his last four outings, there doesn't appear to be anything ungenuine about Athair Mor and a 1lb nudge up the ratings for his latest second at Catterick shouldn't prevent another good showing. However, he may have to play second fiddle once more, with the lightly-raced MOBILE MAMMA getting the vote. Ruth Jefferson's mare impressed when making a winning chase bow over C&D almost a year ago and she should take all the beating if returning in similar form. Hawkseye View completes the shortlist.
There was plenty to like about Orestina's winning debut on the all-weather course here and she sets a decent standard. However, there are some interesting newcomers to this discipline and it could be worth taking a punt on point-to-point scorer EAGLE WARRIOR. The five-year-old is a half-brother to useful hurdler/chaser Taponthego and he would take all the beating if sharing the same ability. Dilrisk is a debutant who warrants close inspection in the market too.
This should go to IRANDANDO HAS, who returned from a massive asbence to win at Southwell in December and then backed that up by chasing home a useful sort of Gordon Elliott's at Ayr. He may want further than this 2m trip before long but the lengthy straight should bring his stamina into play and he can defy the penalty. Dartmouth Castle looks the danger after finishing a good second at Ludlow but he's a little more exposed than the selection. The Shanachie didn't meet with expectations at Kelso in a bumper on debut but better was expected and he may show it now hurdling.
Diamond Mix is in fine form and clearly improving but he's been doing his winning at Hexham and form there doesn't always translate elsewhere so lets take him on with COUNT ADHEMAR, who showed improved form when second at Ludlow last time and should be suited by the more galloping nature of his track. Forcetoreckonwith is another in-form type yet to win a race but she's getting better and it would be no surprise were his to be the day.
A massive field and plenty in with a chance but let's take a chance on handicap newcomer DILLY'S GUNNER, who hasn't been given an overly hard time in qualifying runs and now steps up in front from a modest mark. U S Marshall should have done better on his handicap debut but now drops in trip with cheekpieces tried, so should do better, although Snow Dragon, who is consistent but exposed, and Roxby Belle, who has run well on both starts in handicaps.
Caughtinyourtrance is an interesting recruit to fences and he could go well off the front being a former point winner who has contested Grade 2 events the last twice but JOHNSON'S BLUE is of definite interest stepping back up in trip after his best run to date over fences when third at Wetherby last time. His mark is a good one judged on the pick of his hurdles efforts. Young Jack is perhaps the most solid option as a consistent sort who stays well but he could again be vulnerable.
There could be more to come from THE HATCHET who has only had two starts in handicaps could again get things his own way in front. He rates the most likely winner, although the grade-dropping Bucephalus needs respecting back in an easier race with his mark still competitive. Haarar is another who needs respecting having not looked happ around Catterick last time. He was in fine form prior and this track should suit much better.
This can go to ATHAIR MOR, who has run many good races since going over fences, proving consistent but just lacking a bit of pace. He finally gets the step up in trip he's been craving and is a confident selection. Mobile Mamma has plenty of potential having made a winning start over fences back in March of last year and she's the danger if fit, although Goodoldbill stays well and is coming off a win at Sedgefield so needs respecting too.
RUBINIO showed plenty on debut at Wetherby and could have a big say here with improvement likely. He's favoured over Orestina, who made a winning debut at the course in an AW bumper but now has a penalty. There are three coming from point-to-points as well and of those Eagle Warrior appeals most despite having a hood fitted for the first time. He managed to win a point and has potential.
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