".... taking on the market at Newcastle & York...."

Friday, 26th June 2026

“…. taking on the market at Newcastle & York….”

>>>>> Get this evening’s Gosforth Cup pick….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on ITV on Saturday….

I’m on BAHADUR in the 3.15 at Newcastle – up at 16s….

…. I’m on CAVIAR COWBOY at 13/2 & 6s in the 1.40 at Newcastle….

…. I’m on RAPPER’S DELIGHT at 14s in the 3.45 at Newcastle….

…. and I’m on MIGHTY MAGNUS at 16s in the 2.25 at York….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

…. the Northumberland Plate – Newcastle – 3.15....

I’ve got big respect for Sir Mark Prescott’s Synergism who appears to have been aimed at this….

…. but – all things considered I’m going to go with BAHADUR at the general 16s….

The historic record says that turning out for tomorrow’s race off a run at the Royal meeting is a big no-no….

… but stats aren’t gospel…. they’re there to be challenged and opposed when you can make the case….

…. and I reckon Sean Woods – who has a good record at Newcastle – is turning his charge around quickly because he knows he’s got him in good shape and that he didn’t get the rub of the green in last week’s Ascot Stakes….

Under Robert Havlin he was never particularly well-positioned and simply didn’t get into the race – and it wasn’t his true showing….

Previous to that at Goodwood he’d improved for the step up to 2m and gave the impression there’s plenty more to come yet….

Tomorrow is a second bite of the cherry and he’s dropped on with the draw in stall 17 – it often pays to be out wide for this contest – and position shouldn’t be a problem this time….

He’ll have the assistance of William Buick in the saddle….

…. we know he handles the tapeta surface – he’s already got a win at Newcastle – and another at Wolverhampton – under his belt….

…. we know he stays….

…. and if he hadn’t gone to Ascot last week I think he’d be a shorter price for this….

Given a better racing position and passage through the race tomorrow I reckon he can run a big one….

-----

…. the Education Network – Newcastle – 1.40....

CAVIAR COWBOY is the pick at the general 13/2 & 6s….

He won in good style stepped up to 7f at Lingfield in April….

…. and backed that up at Kempton in May – beaten a neck by Lord Britain….

That one ran in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot last week….

…. sent off at 100s he had the look of one running for the minor prize money….

…. but he certainly wasn’t disgraced in finishing just over 6l behind the winner….

That performance pays a compliment to James Fanshawe’s 3yo who surely has much more to give off a mark of 86 (he’s 1lb out of the handicap tomorrow)….

Luke Morris gets the nod to do the 8-02….

…. he doesn’t do it too often….

…. but on the three occasions he’s done it since the beginning of April he logged a winner for his governor, Sir Mark Prescott, and a placer for David O’Meara in a big handicap at Epsom….

-----

…. the Over 200 Shops Nationwide – Newcastle – 3.45....

Power Fizz looks a good favourite for William Haggas….

…. but I’m never afraid to oppose a shortie in a handicap….

…. and I’m swinging the bat at RAPPER’S DELIGHT – up at an attractive 14s….

It’s his first race of the season but he goes well off a break and he has the profile of a horse with more to give….

His winter assignments at Meydan were something of a mixed bag….

…. but his 2.25 length defeat to Desperate Hero over 6f in February is encouraging….

That was a race that was run to suit the closers and Richard Spencer’s charge did by far the best of those that raced close to the pace early….

…. and Desperate Hero is now 19lb higher in the handicap on a mark of 106….

…. which suggests Rapper’s Delight is nicely weighted off his mark of 89….

Bottom line: he’s an unexposed horse that makes appeal at the price….

-----

…. the Dubai Dash – York – 2.25....

There’s plenty of obvious ones for this – horses that have already shown up well in big 3yo sprint handicaps at York & Epsom….

…. but at a bigger price – he’s up at a general 16s – MIGHTY MAGNUS is interesting….

He’s Michael Dods’s only runner of the day at a track – a track where Dods has done well over the years when targeting big handicaps….

…. and last time a change of tactics at Musselburgh saw the 3yo break his duck in handicaps….

Previously he’d done his racing up in the vanguard….

…. but he was held up off the pace in Scotland and came through to pick off his rivals late on….

The change in running style could see him improve again….

…. and repeat tactics could be particularly effective tomorrow….

…. there’s loads of early pace on all over the track and – if it collapses (as it can do at York) – he’s one that could be closing late to take advantage….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd