20:45 Newcastle (AW) — Penny Hotels Handicap model predictions

Rocket Rod (IRE)

0%

4-39, three of those wins here (7f-1m) in 2022; soundly beaten both starts since returning from a near two-year absence; makes no appeal despite this easing mark.

Penny Mountain (IRE)

0%

Ready winner here (6f, Class 6; 11-1) on New Year's Day, and in the frame four times since, including over 7f here (18-1) in March; fifth at Musselburgh latest and that form has taken a few knocks since; tackles 1m for the first time.

Mercurius Power (IRE)

0%

Difficult to win with in recent years, now 7lb lower than when last successful at Southwell (1m) in August 2024; met trouble when sixth (beaten over 4l) here on penultimate start, but latest Leicester effort was less encouraging.

Barleybrown (GB)

0%

Won four over C&D (BHA marks between 50-60) in 2024; began 2026 with a respectable third to Sea Legend, but it's been disappointing - with some mitigation - that he hasn't built on that since; stablemate of Billyjoegold.

Wicklow Way (IRE)

0%

Seemed to have turned a corner when cosily accounting for Alpine Sierra (three wins since) over 1m2f here (7-1) in March; bombed out at Nottingham (1m2f) next time and trapped wide at Wolverhampton (9.5f) latest; noted with Jack Garritty (1-2) back aboard.

Trais Fluors (GB)

0%

Veteran (13-102); has won just once since late 2024, when edging out Pallas Lord over C&D (15-2) on New Year's Day; kept on after a slow start, fifth of seven, at Ayr (7f; 33-1) four weeks ago.

First Encounter (GB)

0%

Hit form, winning classified contests at Wolverhampton (8.5f) and Lingfield (1m) earlier this year; not far off those levels when last seen at Wolverhampton (sixth) two months ago; possible player on first visit to Newcastle with the promising Conor Whiteley booked.

Volenti (IRE)

0%

Four C&D wins, including when justifying favouritism in January 2025; in reasonable form on turf this time last year (from marks in mid 60s) but has lost his way since then, tumbling down the handicap; latest Ripon fourth (beaten 8l) isn't enough to tempt.

Little Ted (GB)

0%

9-96; just failed to reel in Wyvern over 7f here in December but laboured since; weakened, well down the field at Ripon (1m, good; beaten 17l) latest; is fairly treated but the chances are that age is beginning to catch up with him.

Cable Beach (GB)

0%

Pounced late at Southwell (7f; from 2lb lower) last November and close up (fourth) behind Little Ted over 7f here the following month; freshened up since fair third at Southwell (first try at 1m) in January; market can guide.

Billyjoegold (GB)

0%

Distant third on debut here (7f novice; 66-1) in March and he has struggled in three subsequent appearances; it's still early days and his half-brother Bobby Joe Leg is a prolific winner; stablemate of Barleybrown.

Abu Royal (IRE)

0%

1-25, that win for the Johnstons in an Ayr maiden (1m) in May 2023; in freefall since joining this trainer (0-7), weakening tamely after taking a keen hold in an added visor at Southwell (1m3f; last of ten) nine weeks ago, the drop back in trip needs to make a big difference.

Dinah Myte (GB)

0%

Sole win from 12 came in the mud at Ffos Las (1m, heavy) last September; didn't offer much in her first three starts this year, and only a smidgen more when sixth of nine at Kempton (1m; 28-1, beaten 3l) four weeks ago.