Willing Wilkie

Wed 21 Jan 2026

Winner 8 of 2026: SILKY WILKIE, trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Jack Nicholls (5). The ‘Create Your Bet Builders At Midnite Handicap’ over 6f at Newcastle.

Young Jack Nicholls gave Silky Wilkie a great ride, sitting just off the leading pair with our gelding travelling strongly throughout. Our now 7-year-old really picked up the pace inside the last two furlongs, looking like the winner before the eventual second challenged him against the stand side rail and even headed him. But our yard favourite with his unmistakable low head carriage showed a tremendous attitude in the final 50 yards and fought back to win by a neck. After some brilliant efforts, it was fantastic to see him back in the winner’s enclosure. Huge well done to Karl and his team at home, but mainly to Louise, who has been riding him nearly every day and looking after him for many years now.

A real team effort and a very deserving victory, as our now 7-year-old son of Mehmas has slowly established himself as a bit of an MPR stalwart after some incredible victories in the past. But it would probably be fair to say he became more famous for his agonising and narrow second-place finishes in some of the biggest sprint races of the Season: the Epsom Dash on Derby Day, the Beverly Bullet and the Ayr Gold Cup.

He is now the 9th winner from our 2025 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal. A huge opportunity to join our syndicates and some hugely talented horses for little money.

Find the race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Newcastle/20-January-2026/1443

Vanessa Ryle from Sky Sports Racing spoke to a delighted Jack Nicholls after the race:

Timeform rated his victory with a t91: "Has returned in good heart and took advantage of a much-reduced mark as he registered his first win since April 2023, not the force of old but at least still likely to be feasibly treated next time; tracked pace, hung right under 2f out, led before final 1f, tackled final 100 yds, won cosily."

You will find the official gallery including his winning photos via the link below:

https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C386159650/x5-silky-wilkie