Newcastle (AW) · 4:58pm

Pertemps Network Educational Handicap

Flat (AW) 1m 4½f TAPETA: STANDARD TO SLOW Class 5 4yo+ 13 runners

Clear read Character Testing stands out on our figures. Field updated — 1 non-runner removed.

Romantic Spirit is the only confirmed front-runner, so expect a steady gallop the leader can control, and is favourably drawn (mid is best over this trip here) — a powerful setup if left alone up front. On recent form Character Testing sets the standard (RPR 97). Note Romantic Spirit for an in-form yard. Character Testing rates the clear standout and is taken to confirm.

How it played out: Elemental Eye won. Our top composite read Character Testing finished 9th.

The key questions

How will the race be run?

Does Character Testing stay 1m 4½f?

It's the highest-rated but unproven beyond today's trip — a stamina question over this distance.

Does the draw matter?

Mid draws are favoured over route at Newcastle (AW) (impact value 1.48, beating 53% of rivals on average). Romantic Spirit, the likely leader, is drawn in the favoured section — a positive.

Anyone well-treated?

Golspie drops in class — often a positive trainer angle.

Pace map — who goes forward, who waits

Leads 1

5Romantic Spirit

Prominent 3

2Character Testing

7Big Win

13Arth's Gold

Mid-pack 2

6Skinny Malinka

11Natzor

Held up 7

12Jujubella

8Golspie

10Sure And Stedfast

1Elemental Eye

4Free World

3Billy Bathgate

9It's Only Fun

Pace confidence: 92%

Draw & pace bias — impact value >1.0 = favoured

Mid draws are favoured over route at Newcastle (AW) (impact value 1.48, beating 53% of rivals on average). Romantic Spirit, the likely leader, is drawn in the favoured section — a positive.

Low draw

IV 0.69

46% rivals beaten · n=148

Mid draw

IV 1.48

53% rivals beaten · n=171

High draw

IV 1.13

51% rivals beaten · n=209

What the data likes (our composite read — not tips)

No. 1 read Character Testing Races prominently Finished 9

Stall 2 · Trainer Mark Walford · Jockey Rhys Elliott(5)

Holds solid claims on these figures. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time tongue-tie+cheekpieces could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

97 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 12% · Jockey 5%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 79

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

378524 last time ←

GroundProven on standard — won 1 of 5

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 12%, jockey 5%

DrawDrawn 2 (low third) — against the draw bias (impact value 0.69)

First-time tongue-tie+cheekpieces

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

2 Big Win Races prominently Finished 4

Stall 7 · Trainer James Owen · Jockey Luke Morris

Reliable and on the up — placed in 3 of his last 6, with the form figures climbing. First-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up; the stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

78 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 20% · Jockey 12%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 78

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

553521 last time ←

GroundYet to win on standard (0 from 4)

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 1 of 3 around 1m 4½f

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 20%, jockey 12%

DrawDrawn 7 (mid third) — favoured here (impact value 1.48)

First-time cheekpieces

Weakened in the closing stages last time

3 Jujubella Held up, comes late Finished 2

Stall 12 · Trainer Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore · Jockey Darragh Keenan

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb. First-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

74 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 13% · Jockey 11%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 69

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

7611953 last time ←

GroundProven on standard — won 3 of 11

DistanceHas won around 1m 4½f — 1 from 6

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 4 here

FitnessQuick turnaround — back within 2 days

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 13%, jockey 11%

DrawDrawn 12 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.13)

First-time cheekpieces

4 Romantic Spirit Likely to lead Finished 7

Stall 5 · Trainer David Menuisier · Jockey Ray Dawson

Holds solid claims on these figures. The stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

75 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 8% · Jockey 14%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 67

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

214577 last time ←

GroundProven on standard — won 4 of 13

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 8%, jockey 14%

DrawDrawn 5 (mid third) — favoured here (impact value 1.48)

Stable hot (4/13, 31%)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

5 Golspie Held up, comes late Finished 3

Stall 8 · Trainer Patrick Morris · Jockey Finley Marsh

Holds solid claims on these figures. First-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up; drops in class, often a positive sign.

Ability rating

92 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 7% · Jockey 12%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 72

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

442344 last time ←

GroundHas won on standard — 1 from 28

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 4)

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 16 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 7%, jockey 12%

DrawDrawn 8 (mid third) — favoured here (impact value 1.48)

First-time cheekpiecesDrops in class (C4→C5)

6 Sure And Stedfast Held up, comes late Finished 5

Stall 10 · Trainer Ewan Whillans · Jockey P J McDonald

Reliable and on the up — placed in 4 of his last 6, with the form figures climbing.

Ability rating

75 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 5% · Jockey 14%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 75

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

1821032 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 2)

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 5%, jockey 14%

DrawDrawn 10 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.13)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

7 Skinny Malinka Settles midfieldest Finished 11

Stall 6 · Trainer Noel Wilson · Jockey Ryan Sexton

Holds solid claims on these figures.

Ability rating

—

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 11% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

—

most recent run

Last 1 start — oldest to most recent

11 last time ←

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 11%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 6 (mid third) — favoured here (impact value 1.48)

8 Arth's Gold Races prominently Finished 10

Stall 13 · Trainer Richard Hannon · Jockey Dougie Costello

Reliable and on the up — placed in 3 of his last 6, with the form figures climbing. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

71 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 11% · Jockey 8%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 69

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

7210136 last time ←

GroundHas won on standard — 1 from 13

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 1 of 4 around 1m 4½f

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 11%, jockey 8%

DrawDrawn 13 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.13)

First-time cheekpieces

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

9 Elemental Eye Held up, comes late Finished 1

Stall 1 · Trainer Iain Jardine · Jockey Andrew Mullen

Holds solid claims on these figures. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; the stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

92 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 8% · Jockey 8%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 65

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

798553 last time ←

GroundYet to win on standard (0 from 5)

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 7)

Course3 runs at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 8%, jockey 8%

DrawDrawn 1 (low third) — against the draw bias (impact value 0.69)

Stable hot (9/36, 25%)

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

10 Natzor Settles midfield Finished 12

Stall 11 · Trainer Lizzie Quinlan · Jockey Paul Mulrennan

Holds solid claims on these figures. First-time tongue-tie+cheekpieces could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

84 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 14% · Jockey 12%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 65

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

1012114109 last time ←

GroundHas won on standard — 2 from 15

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 7)

Course5 runs at the track without winning

FitnessFreshened up — 57 days since his last run

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 14%, jockey 12%

DrawDrawn 11 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.13)

First-time tongue-tie+cheekpieces

Weakened in the closing stages last time

11 Free World Held up, comes late

Stall 4 · Trainer Ian Williams · Jockey Dougie Costello

Holds solid claims on these figures. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; drops in class, often a positive sign.

Ability rating

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 12% · Jockey 8%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 62

most recent run

Last 2 starts — oldest to most recent

169 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 1)

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 12%, jockey 8%

DrawDrawn 4 (low third) — against the draw bias (impact value 0.69)

Drops in class (C4→C5)

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

12 Billy Bathgate Held up, comes late Finished 6

Stall 3 · Trainer Ewan Whillans · Jockey Greg Fairley

Holds solid claims on these figures.

Ability rating

61 steady

recent best — career high 101 in 2021

This track

Trainer 5% · Jockey 3%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 59

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

443434 last time ←

GroundHas won on standard — 3 from 39

DistanceHas won around 1m 4½f — 1 from 20

CourseCourse winner — 2 from 10 here

FitnessFreshened up — 88 days since his last run

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 5%, jockey 3%

DrawDrawn 3 (low third) — against the draw bias (impact value 0.69)

Fresh (88d)

Kept on last time — a stronger gallop or longer trip may suit

13 It's Only Fun Held up, comes late Finished 8

Stall 9 · Trainer Sara Ender · Jockey Tom Kiely-Marshall(5)

Form has dipped a little of late, so needs to bounce back. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

65 regressing

recent best — career high 76 in 2025

This track

Trainer 5% · Jockey 8%

strike rate at Newcastle (AW)

Last time out

RPR 55

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

664412 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 1m 4½f (0 from 4)

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 5%, jockey 8%

DrawDrawn 9 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.13)

First-time cheekpieces

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

Figures from results history (RPR/TS), pace from running-style history, connections from trainer/jockey stats, breeding from sire aptitude. Shrunk for small samples. Information only, not betting advice. 18+. BeGambleAware.org.