1:35 Newcastle (AW)
This Class 6 apprentice handicap at Newcastle over 1m2f42y on standard to slow ground brings together a field of 13 modest performers. With the pace shape rated unclear due to limited run-style evidence across the runners, the race lacks a clear blueprint for how it will unfold. The KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Bearwith and Rubellite both on 61, suggesting a competitive renewal where course form, trip suitability and the first-time headgear applied to several runners could prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style data to form a firm view on how the race will be run. A couple of runners are noted as usually held up and producing their effort late, but with limited evidence overall this adds little certainty. The key question is whether the race develops into a test of stamina or whether those with established course form at Newcastle can capitalise on their familiarity with the surface and track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bearwith KTB Selection61/100Modest performer who has won twice at this track from nine runs and also has a solid record at today's trip with six wins from 31 attempts.
- 2Rubellite61/100Modest performer who has won three times at this track from 15 runs and looks well placed from stall 2.
- 3Cavalry Call49/100Modest performer who has been largely out of form for some time with a string of uncompetitive efforts.
- 4Golspie48/100Modest performer who has been consistent enough this year without winning, finishing in the first four on four of his last six starts.
- 5Gemini Man47/100Limited class performer who has won once from three starts at this track.
- 6Jewel Maker46/100Jewel Maker is a limited performer at this level with a recent record of 907487 that shows little spark.
- 7Eagles Dream46/100Modest performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of poor efforts including two heavy defeats this year.
- 8Sweet Kiss45/100Limited performer who has won three times at this trip but has looked modest on her last few starts.
- 9Idyllic43/100Modest performer who has failed to place in three runs at this track and shows a similar lack of impact on this going.
- 10Token Love41/100Token Love is a limited performer who has shown just one placed effort in two runs at this trip.
- 11Maple40/100Limited performer who has been placed on all three starts at this trip and shown consistent form at Newcastle with two seconds and a third from three runs here.
- 12Naturalia38/100Naturalia is a limited performer who has been consistent in recent months without winning, finishing in the first four in four of her last five starts.
- 13Broadstone28/100Limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track on his only visit.
The contenders
Bearwith KTB Fit 61/100
Bearwith is a modest performer who has won twice at this track from nine runs and also has a solid record at today's trip with six wins from 31 attempts. He handles the standard to slow surface well enough with a win and five places from six starts. The trainer holds a fair 14% strike rate here while the jockey's 8% rate from 100 rides is more modest. Dropping in class from a recent string of efforts that read 802449, the eight-year-old is drawn in stall 6 and brings the best combination of course wins and surface proficiency among the principals.
Rubellite KTB Fit 61/100
Rubellite is a modest performer who has won three times at this track from 15 runs and looks well placed from stall 2. Recent form of 524114 shows two wins in the last month yet he drops back from 1m6f to a trip where he is zero from five. Trainer records a solid 11% strike-rate here while the claiming jockey is operating at a strong 33% from limited rides. The six-year-old has placed once from two starts on standard to slow ground and his three course victories make him a major player if he can translate his recent momentum back to this distance.
Cavalry Call KTB Fit 49/100
Cavalry Call is a modest performer who has been largely out of form for some time with a string of uncompetitive efforts. Has placed once in four runs at this track but is 0-2 on standard to slow going and now drops back in trip having been well held over further last time. First-time headgear is tried while the trainer's modest strike rate here adds little encouragement. Recent form of 777-87 underlines his struggles, though his placed effort at Newcastle offers a sliver of hope from draw 1 if the new headgear sparks improvement.
Golspie KTB Fit 48/100
Golspie is a modest performer who has been consistent enough this year without winning, finishing in the first four on four of his last six starts. He has won at this trip in the past and is 1 from 19 at Newcastle, though both trainer and jockey have modest strike rates here. First-time headgear is now added after a string of placed efforts on this surface. Recent form reads 423443 and the six-year-old drops in class from stall 13, where his consistency on standard to slow ground could see him involved once more.
Gemini Man KTB Fit 47/100
Gemini Man is a limited class performer who has won once from three starts at this track. Drops back from 1m4f to a trip he has won at before though he is unproven on standard to slow ground. The trainer's modest 9% strike rate from nearly a thousand runs here is offset by the jockey's solid 13% from 15 rides at the venue. Recent form of -1211P shows strong prior wins at the trip and the eight-year-old from draw 3 could capitalise on his course record if the surface proves suitable.
The rest of the field
Jewel MakerKTB Fit 46/100
Jewel Maker is a limited performer at this level with a recent record of 907487 that shows little spark. He has won twice from 14 starts at Newcastle and steps up to a trip he has handled before with three wins from 23 starts. The 11-year-old has only placed once from two runs on standard to slow ground and faces a wide draw in stall 12.
Eagles DreamKTB Fit 46/100
Eagles Dream is a modest performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of poor efforts including two heavy defeats this year. First time headgear is now tried as he steps up in trip to 1m2f for the first time, which asks a fresh question. Trainer has a 10% strike rate at the track from 166 runs while the jockey is operating at 7% from 253 rides here.
Sweet KissKTB Fit 45/100
Sweet Kiss is a limited performer who has won three times at this trip but has looked modest on her last few starts. She has shown some ability on this track with a fourth here last season yet remains unproven on standard to slow going. The yard’s modest record at Newcastle adds little encouragement.
IdyllicKTB Fit 43/100
Idyllic is a modest performer who has failed to place in three runs at this track and shows a similar lack of impact on this going. Has won over today's trip but the recent form figures of 76-654 suggest he is struggling to find the required spark. Trainer and jockey both operate at modest strike rates here.
Token LoveKTB Fit 41/100
Token Love is a limited performer who has shown just one placed effort in two runs at this trip. First-time headgear is now fitted after a string of modest efforts, though the yard's 3% strike-rate at Newcastle and the jockey's 6% record here offer little encouragement. The horse remains unproven on standard to slow going and makes its first appearance at the track.
MapleKTB Fit 40/100
Maple is a limited performer who has been placed on all three starts at this trip and shown consistent form at Newcastle with two seconds and a third from three runs here. Placed on standard to slow going but is yet to win on any surface. Trainer and jockey both have modest strike rates at the track.
NaturaliaKTB Fit 38/100
Naturalia is a limited performer who has been consistent in recent months without winning, finishing in the first four in four of her last five starts. She has been well beaten on all three previous visits to this track and holds a modest 2% strike-rate on this surface from her two attempts. The yard has a solid 11% record here while the jockey is operating at just 2% from 49 rides.
BroadstoneKTB Fit 28/100
Broadstone is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time and showed little at this track on his only visit. He drops back in trip today having been placed once at the distance without winning, though he remains unproven on standard to slow ground. The trainer has a 0% strike rate from 32 runs here while the jockey is also 0% from five rides at the venue.
KTB verdict
Bearwith is the KTB Selection. He brings the strongest combination of two course wins from nine starts, a proven record on standard to slow ground with a win and five places from six attempts, and a drop in class that looks ideal for an eight-year-old with six wins at today's trip. His recent efforts have been modest yet his Newcastle record and surface proficiency set a clear standard. The main dangers are Rubellite, who arrives in form with two recent wins and three course victories from a good draw, and Golspie, whose consistency this year and first-time headgear could see him improve further on a track where he has won before.
KTB Selection Bearwith
This is the narrative read of the 1:35 Newcastle (AW). For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Newcastle (AW) racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Newcastle?
Bearwith has won twice from nine runs at the track, while Rubellite has three wins from 15 starts.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Cavalry Call, Golspie, Eagles Dream and Token Love are all fitted with first-time headgear.
Which horse is dropping back in trip from 1m6f?
Rubellite is dropping back from 1m6f to a trip where he is zero from five.
Who has the best jockey strike rate at Newcastle among the principals?
Conor Whiteley on Rubellite has a 33% strike rate at Newcastle from 21 rides.
Which runner is completely unproven on standard to slow ground?
Gemini Man, Eagles Dream, Sweet Kiss and Token Love are all unproven on standard to slow ground.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Help and support: BeGambleAware.org and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies