Newcastle Race 2 - Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At Betmgm.co.uk Handicap (Rider Restricted Race)
AL NAJASHI (1) has improved rapidly in recent weeks landing his latest race by 13L on Friday. Turned out again quickly and very well in from a handicapping perspective. Faces a straight track for the first time but is surely booked for victory again. Southern raiders OCEAN OF STORMS (2) and OKIRU (3) move into handicaps for the first time and arrive with potential for improvement. The former makes his seasonal debut while the latter is back after a recent gelding operation. Both are entitled to respect. MY SHAGAF (4) has blinkers removed and can progress on latest outing. Worth giving close consideration.
Jockey: S Donohoe
Weight: 64kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; won by 13 len at Wolverhampton February 13 over 1400m defeating Karisma's Angel carrying 60kg at $1.40. The start before that favourite; scored a big 5.5 len win at Lingfield All Weather February 7 over 1200m defeating Thankfully Simmy carrying 58.5kg at $1.50. Sure to go well again.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 13/02/2026 | 6 | HCP 3 | $10,890.00 | Wolverhampton | 1408m | Neutral | Stevie Donohoe | 60kg | 1:27.71 | 5-1-1 | 9 |
| 13.0L | $1.36 |
| 1/5 | 07/02/2026 | 21 | APP HCP 3 | $13,060.00 | Lingfield | 1207m | Neutral | Cian Horgan | 58.5kg | 1:13.51 | 4-3-1 | 6 |
| 5.5L | $1.50 |
| 1/10 | 17/01/2026 | 49 | HCP 3 | $13,280.00 | Southwell | 1222m | Neutral | Stevie Donohoe | 60.5kg | 1:14.65 | 7-6-1 | 4 |
| 2.0L | $2.25 |
| 4/8 | 29/11/2025 | 26 | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Wolverhampton | 1005m | Neutral | Stevie Donohoe | 60.5kg | 1:01.89 | 6-7-4 | 8 |
| 9.3L | $81.00 |
| 4/5 | 03/11/2025 | 66 | MDN 2 | $11,430.00 | Wolverhampton | 1005m | Neutral | Stevie Donohoe | 60.5kg | 1:02.28 | 5-5-4 | 5 |
| 7.0L | $11.00 |
| 10/10 | 29/08/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $18,150.00 | Salisbury | 1207m | Good Soft | Daniel Muscutt | 59kg | 1:17.92 | 4-7-10 | 5 |
| 22.5L | $15.00 |
Jockey: Jack Nicholls
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a four months break. Finished off last preparation fourth of 9 at Wolverhampton October 20 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Return Of The Gods carrying 60.5kg at $21. On debut second last of 9 at York September 7 over 1400m, 19 len behind Proud Nation with 60.5kg at $17. Can go on with the job this prep.
Last Starts 122 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 20/10/2025 | 24 | MDN 2 | $13,650.00 | Wolverhampton | 1207m | Neutral | Harry Davies | 60.5kg | 1:13.74 | 5-4-4 | 6 |
| 2.5L | $21.00 |
| 8/9 | 26/09/2025 | 19 | NOV 2 | $18,150.00 | Haydock Park | 1408m | Good Soft | Jack Mitchell | 60.5kg | 1:31.48 | 1-1-8 | 1 |
| 9.8L | $11.00 |
| 8/9 | 07/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $45,370.00 | York | 1408m | Good | Harry Davies | 60.5kg | 1:24.81 | 9-8-8 | 9 |
| 19.3L | $17.00 |
Jockey: William Cox
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 43 day let-up. At the latest run raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 8 at Kempton Park All Weather on January 7 over 1400m, 5 len behind Free Your Spirit carrying 56kg at $4.50. Before that led but faded 2nd of 10 at Wolverhampton on December 22 over 1400m, 3 len behind Free Your Spirit carrying 60.5kg at $7. Solid top-three prospects.
Last Starts 43 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 07/01/2026 | 16 | NOV 35 | $18,150.00 | Kempton Park | 1408m | NS | Luke Morris | 56kg | 1:26.95 | 2-2-5 | 4 |
| 4.8L | $4.50 |
| 2/10 | 22/12/2025 | 20 | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Wolverhampton | 1408m | Neutral | Luke Morris | 60.5kg | 1:29.59 | 1-1-2 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $7.00 |
| 3/9 | 02/12/2025 | 29 | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Newcastle | 1408m | Neutral | William Cox | 60.5kg | 1:29.10 | 1-1-3 | 8 |
| 2.5L | $23.00 |
| 7/9 | 03/11/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $11,430.00 | Wolverhampton | 1408m | Neutral | Luke Morris | 60.5kg | 1:28.65 | 3-5-7 | 8 |
| 14.0L | $15.00 |
Jockey: Connor Planas
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run second last of 9 at Wolverhampton on January 30 over 1400m, 8 len behind Three Non Blondes with 56kg at $17. The race before that led but faded 3rd of 9 at Southwell All Weather on December 19 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Florida Suite with 61kg at $6. Looking to others.
Last Starts 20 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 | 30/01/2026 | 42 | HCP 3 | $12,890.00 | Wolverhampton | 1408m | Neutral | Jack Nicholls | 56kg | 1:28.61 | 7-3-8 | 7 |
| 8.5L | $17.00 |
| 3/9 | 19/12/2025 | 21 | NSY HCP 2 | $12,890.00 | Southwell | 1609m | Neutral | Harry Davies | 61kg | 1:43.12 | 1-1-3 | 7 |
| 3.5L | $6.00 |
| 3/9 | 28/11/2025 | 27 | NOV F 2 | $11,430.00 | Southwell | 1408m | Neutral | Luke Morris | 59kg | 1:28.73 | 1-2-3 | 8 |
| 4.5L | $17.00 |
| 8/11 | 01/11/2025 | 38 | NOV F 2 | $18,150.00 | Newmarket (Rowley) | 1408m | Good Soft | Luke Morris | 58kg | 1:27.09 | 7-7-8 | 10 |
| 8.0L | $81.00 |
| 5/10 | 24/09/2025 | - | NOV F 2 | $20,300.00 | Kempton Park | 1207m | Neutral | Luke Morris | 58kg | 1:12.90 | 5-4-5 | 1 |
| 5.5L | $26.00 |
Jockey: D C Costello
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up ran last of 8 at Chelmsford on December 11 over 2000m, 12 len behind Gatehouse with 59.5kg at $15. Second-up 2nd of 11 at Southwell All Weather on January 17 over 1600m, 6 len behind Mr Wonka carrying 60.5kg at $21. Hard to see him troubling the top chances this time.
Last Starts 33 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 17/01/2026 | 37 | HCP 3 | $15,500.00 | Southwell | 1621m | Neutral | Paul Mulrennan | 60.5kg | 1:43.21 | 7-4-2 | 8 |
| 6.5L | $21.00 |
| 8/8 | 11/12/2025 | 77 | NOV 2 | $12,520.00 | Chelmsford City | 2011m | Neutral | Harry Russell | 59.5kg | 2:07.07 | 5-6-8 | 8 |
| 12.3L | $15.00 |
| 2/9 | 25/09/2025 | 27 | NOV 2 | $16,610.00 | Pontefract | 1614m | Good Soft | Harry Russell | 58.5kg | 1:49.81 | 5-5-2 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $151.00 |
| 10/11 | 29/08/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $12,700.00 | Thirsk | 1609m | Good | Harry Russell | 57kg | 1:39.43 | 11-10-10 | 3 |
| 25.0L | $201.00 |
Jockey: Barry Mchugh
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
She is resuming after a nine weeks break. Finished off last preparation eighth of 11 at Southwell All Weather December 18 over 1200m, 8 len behind Cherry Baker carrying 58kg at $151. On debut second last of 7 at this track November 22 over 1400m, 8 len behind Darn Hot Gallop carrying 58kg at $34. Other runners rate better.
Last Starts 63 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/11 | 18/12/2025 | 13 | NOV F 2 | $11,430.00 | Southwell | 1207m | Neutral | Barry Mchugh | 58kg | 1:16.08 | 6-7-8 | 1 |
| 8.8L | $151.00 |
| 6/8 | 05/12/2025 | 13 | NOV 2 | $11,430.00 | Newcastle | 1408m | Neutral | Barry Mchugh | 58kg | 1:28.44 | 5-5-6 | 4 |
| 9.5L | $81.00 |
| 6/7 | 22/11/2025 | - | NOV F 2 | $12,340.00 | Newcastle | 1408m | Neutral | Tom Eaves | 58kg | 1:28.57 | 7-7-6 | 3 |
| 8.8L | $34.00 |
Jockey: Rhys Elliott
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 at this track on January 22 over 1400m, nose behind Surgeon Commander with 58.5kg at $11. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 10 at Wolverhampton on January 19 over 1400m, 6 len behind Hardstyle carrying 61kg at $12. Sure to be about the mark.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 22/01/2026 | 3 | HCP 3 | $10,890.00 | Newcastle | 1408m | Neutral | Sean Kirrane | 58.5kg | 1:26.54 | 3-3-2 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $11.00 |
| 5/10 | 19/01/2026 | 18 | HCP 3 | $10,890.00 | Wolverhampton | 1408m | Neutral | Sean Kirrane | 61kg | 1:28.23 | 2-2-5 | 7 |
| 6.3L | $12.00 |
| 5/8 | 01/01/2026 | 134 | HCP 3 | $27,220.00 | Southwell | 1207m | Neutral | P J McDonald | 60kg | 1:15.05 | 6-5-5 | 3 |
| 7.8L | $15.00 |
| 6/7 | 20/08/2025 | 16 | HCP NSY 2 | $10,890.00 | Kempton Park | 1408m | NS | Callum Shepherd | 61kg | 1:27.91 | 1-2-6 | 3 |
| 4.3L | $5.00 |
| 4/5 | 04/08/2025 | 17 | HCP NSY 2 | $14,520.00 | Carlisle | 1609m | Good | Sam James | 58.5kg | 1:42.33 | 1-2-4 | 4 |
| 15.8L | $7.00 |
| 5/6 | 18/07/2025 | 36 | MDN 2 | $18,450.00 | Hamilton Park Uk | 1212m | Good | Sam James | 58.5kg | 1:10.99 | 6-6-5 | 4 |
| 6.8L | $51.00 |
| 5/8 | 12/06/2025 | 35 | OPEN NOV 2 | $12,520.00 | Nottingham | 1005m | Good | David Allan | 60.5kg | 0:59.47 | 5-5-5 | 8 |
| 5.3L | $17.00 |
| 8/10 | 08/05/2025 | 14 | OPEN MDN 2 | $72,600.00 | Chester | 1106m | Good | Sam James | 60.5kg | 1:09.81 | 2-5-8 | 4 |
| 6.5L | $19.00 |
| 7/12 | 24/04/2025 | - | NOV 2 | $13,610.00 | Beverley | 1005m | Good | Sean Kirrane | 59.5kg | 1:02.96 | 7-8-7 | 7 |
| 5.8L | $41.00 |