October 21 / 16.55 Newbury

16.55

Good To Soft

BetVictor “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Final) (Part Of The Racing Excellence Initiative)

  • Prize money: £3996
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
RTV
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BetVictor “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Final) (Part Of The Racing Excellence Initiative)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 223660 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m winner at Lingfield (on AW in 2019 and heavy ground in July 2021); made a solid start to this season but has gone off the boil on last three outings; well handicapped were he to revive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(2)

18th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:16 Lingfield (AW)

Tin Fandango

10st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Usher

towards rear

7/1

5th

4

(12)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

17:45 Bath

Tin Fandango

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Searle

T: Mark Usher

Suited by slow ground and was runner-up over 2m at Chepstow and Newbury in the summer but his form nosedived at Ffos Las last month; has something to prove again after that and he's an infrequent winner.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: -22245 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times in a row in April-June (2m/1m6f); ran poorly next time and although her recent fifth of 11 on AW after 105-day absence matched that earlier 2022 turf form, to win this would demand better; has won on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Newbury

Russian Rumour

9st 11lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Usually consistent, but her modest effort at Goodwood (2m, soft) last time was disappointing given she does handle any ground; needs to bounce back from that.

5/1

4th

6

(1)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

Russian Rumour

9st 1lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

10-58 overall for this 9yo, with none of those races at this track; can make the running; won at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last September (by 12l) and Nottingham (1m6f, good) this May; not far away when third of four at Lingfield 12 days ago in hat-trick bid and has an each-way chance.

9/1

3rd

4

(1)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Russian Rumour

9st 4lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Jonathan Portman

Course winner (2m) who bids a for hat-trick after wins at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last September (by 12l) and on her Nottingham return under Donagh Murphy (1m6f, good) 17 days ago; only 2lb higher and much respected.

11/8

8/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 505219 D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Switched yards before second at Catterick (2m amateurs, soft) last month and back to his best when he went one better at Ffos Las (2m, good); flopped when favourite in Zikany's Goodwood race on latest start but perhaps making the running did not suit him; player if he bounces straight back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Byron Hill

11st 13lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: Patrick Neville

Sole hurdles win at Carlisle (2m1f, soft; from 8lb higher) in October 2024; consistent this year, without necessarily looking ready to win again; third to better-fancied stablemate Cosmic Soul at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) nine weeks ago.

7/1

3rd

2

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Byron Hill

11st 12lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Patrick Neville

On a long losing sequence and he was tried in a change of headgear when a below-form fourth of eight in 2m1f handicap here 13 days ago; this return to a longer trip should suit though so he's no forlorn hope from a slipping mark.

10/1

11/2

Form: -60561 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Four-month break before giving renewed encouragement at Salisbury (1m6f); upped in trip again when building on that to win 16-runner handicap at Goodwood (2m, good to soft; unraced on soft) 12 days ago, challenging 3f out and holding on from Tralee Hills; has 5lb penalty but may have more to give judged on his peak 2021 form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

18:55 Goodwood

Zikany

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Amanda Perrett

Wide-margin winner here on heavy ground over 2m in October 2024 and followed up with a smooth success at Newbury (2m, heavy) next time; a beaten favourite at Nottingham (soft) 590 days ago and it's likely he'll need his first start since over a trip short of his best.

12/1

6th

1

(11)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Zikany

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Amanda Perrett

in rear

11/4

6th

1

(11)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Zikany

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Amanda Perrett

in rear, headway from 2f out, weakened final 110yds

11/4

OUR TIP

5/2

Form: 3/111/ CD

Last run: 716 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Had nine wins on the spin (Flat and jumps, all on soft or heavy) in 2020 and this race was the sixth leg; smart 3m hurdles form for the last of those wins but he was put in his place in two Grade events before pulling up in the Stayers' at Cheltenham in March 2021; while hurdles form look way better than this mark, deep ground would be preferable and the market needs consulting after his layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(7)

21st Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newbury

Main Fact

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Searle

T: David Pipe

towards rear, shaken up under 4f out, drifted left 3f out, still plenty to do 2f out, never dangerous (jockey said gelding hung left-handed)

5/2

7/1

Form: 3/123- BF

Last run: 375 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Had fair Flat form over 1m4f/2m, winning once, in his four starts before going hurdling; mostly ran with credit (probably acts on soft) in that sphere, with two wins including when last seen in June; needs to improve on Flat form but that may well be possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

1st Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 3

19:10 Market Rasen

Restitution

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader after 5th, hit 7th

11/1

6th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

19:25 Warwick

Restitution

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Displayed huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December and put two lesser efforts behind him when staying-on third at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) last month; still unexposed over this trip and may benefit from the addition of cheekpieces.

6/1

3rd

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

Restitution

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

Appeared to display huge improvement when sauntering to 12l win at Doncaster (2m, good) in December; subsequent defeat in major handicap is not viewed harshly but he looked out of sorts at Stratford last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

20/1

7/1

Form: 543352 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Three wins last summer; none since but this consistent 8yo goes well on ground softer than good and made late gains when second of 16 to Zikany at Goodwood (2m) 12 days ago; well capable of being seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

(11)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Sandown

Tralee Hills

9st 4lb

J: Theodore Ladd

T: Simon Hodgson

Hardy veteran who drew a blank in 2022 but got back in front over 1m6f at Bath this April and his other races this season have been at 1m4f; ground softer than good would be preferable; considered each-way if he gets it.

14/1

8th

2

(4)

5th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

18:20 Epsom

Tralee Hills

10st 9lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Simon Hodgson

Good summer in 2021 included a win in this race under Serena Brotherton; drew a blank in 2022 but got back in front at Bath (1m6f) this April when last seen; it looks as if ground softer than good may be needed if he races over as short as 1m4f these days.

7/2

1st

1

(13)

21st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Bath

Tralee Hills

9st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Simon Hodgson

His seven wins have all been at middle distances but he has form at up to 2m and is ideally suited on slow ground; last success was in July 2021 but that was off 3lb higher and he returned to turf with an eyecatching fourth at Pontefract (1m4f, soft) ten days ago; kept on well out wide in that race and he looks interesting back up in trip.

8/1

14/1

Form: 10-427

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
1m6f win on soft ground for Paul George in May 2021 off 4lb lower; four runs for this trainer, pipped at Ffos Las (2m, good) in August before a return there last month showed again that consistency is not a strong point; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Arthalot

11st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

midfield, headway after 8th, disputing third after 2 out, no extra from last

8/1

7th

8

5th May 2024

Heavy

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

17:35 Salisbury

Arthalot

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Victor Dartnall

Ended last year in poor form over hurdles and was again well beaten when returned to the Flat in February (1m4f, AW): needs subsequent wind op to have made a massive difference; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers.

20/1

7th

8

5th May 2024

Heavy

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

17:35 Salisbury

Arthalot

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Victor Dartnall

Ended last year in poor form over hurdles and was again well beaten when returned to the Flat in February (1m4f, AW): needs subsequent wind op to have made a massive difference; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers.

20/1

20/1

Form: -82666

Last run: 153 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-10; acts on good to soft; fair sixth of 15 here two starts back, slipping badly on the turn for home; failed to back that up eight days later in May; goes beyond 1m4f for first time on this first run since sold out of Richard Hannon's for 18,000gns at end of August.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(4)

21st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Bath

Gustav Holst

8st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Usher

Regressive 20-race maiden who has finished down the field in all six runs (1m5f-2m) this year; mark continues to fall but he needs to raise his game back on turf.

14/1

6th

7

(4)

31st Mar 2023

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

14:40 Southwell (AW)

Gustav Holst

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Usher

in touch with leaders

12/1

6th

7

(3)

11th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Gustav Holst

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Mark Usher

Runner-up in three of his first seven starts but appears to have lost his way and now 0-18; drops in trip and easy enough to swerve.

11/1

10th
16 (4)

20/1

Form: 297437

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 7lb

9 yo

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Career record is 2-61 and he's on five-year losing run; acts in the mud, third at Ffos Las (1m6f) last month and not disgraced on AW last week but he's 4lb out of the handicap and not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

33/1

Form: 138266 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Both wins have been on Lingfield AW (1m4f and 2m) and he wasn't totally disgraced there on latest outing; his few turf races (two bumpers, two hurdle races and one Flat handicap) were inauspicious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

19th Apr 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Reeceltic

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

took keen hold, towards rear

11/2

4th

8

(5)

21st Jan 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

11:55 Lingfield (AW)

Reeceltic

9st 1lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

Posted his third win on Lingfield AW when scoring over this trip in November; only narrowly denied another C&D success by Smith the following month and this 8yo shaped as if still in good form when keeping on from too far back at Chelmsford 18 days ago; another to consider.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

3rd Jan 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Reeceltic

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on and went fourth final 110yds, stayed on

7/4

16/1

Form: 575/37

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won two low-grade handicap hurdles (on good to soft in May and good in June) before his staying-on third of seven over 1m6f at Salisbury in August on return to Flat; not beaten far in a steadily run race three weeks ago; this extra 2f is interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

20:51 Salisbury

Masterdream

9st 5lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Neil Mulholland

Has done most of his winning over jumps and gained his only Flat success three years ago; placed in ordinary handicap hurdle last time; returns to this code for first time since last autumn.

7/1

3rd

2

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Worcester

Masterdream

11st 11lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

A three-time chase winner (at up to 3m2f) last season; pulled up in 2m7f handicap chase here in May, so has it to prove on his first run in this sphere since April 2024.

16/1

6

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Masterdream

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won three handicap chases last season (one over C&D on good) and back on his last winning mark; however, he's finished a remote last in his final two chase starts.

11/1

13th
14 (9)
Dereham

14/1

Form: 517106 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won over 2m5f at Pontefract in April and 2m at Newmarket in June; acts on soft but there have been lesser efforts on three of his last four starts, including the last two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Dereham

8st 10lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: John Berry

10yo whose last three wins came in this race (2022, 2023 and 2025) and it's now named after him; did it in good style from the back last year (good to firm) and is now 3lb higher; made a satisfactory return to action at Yarmouth last month and the chief concern today is probably whether there will be enough pace in the race for his stamina to kick in sufficiently.

11/4

4th

6

(3)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Dereham

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Shed his maiden tag in the corresponding race in 2021 (good to soft) and he has added a further four wins, the last three in consecutive renewals of a 2m handicap at Newmarket; chased home a stablemate in this race last year after a six-month absence; back from eight months off today and perhaps vulnerable to younger legs.

10/1

6

(4)

18th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:55 Pontefract

Dereham

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Course winner (extended 2m5f) who was third in this last year; form figures this term read 2123, the win coming at Newmarket (2m, good to firm) in June; solid.

3/1

14th
6 (14)
Nawar

14/1

Form: 46721- C

Last run: 470 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Furthest he's been was 1m5f when winning 16-runner race here (good to soft; acts on soft) last July when last seen on final run for Martin Bosley; raised 4lb but that still looks a competitive mark and 2m now looks worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

7th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Nawar

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Sean Curran

Signs that he wasn't a lost cause after a lengthy absence when finishing in midfield over 1m4f here in November; drops in class today and he needs a market check.

12/1

6th

8

(8)

30th Nov 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

16:15 Kempton (AW)

Nawar

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Sean Curran

in rear

40/1

12th

7

(11)

12th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Nawar

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Sean Curran

prominent, ridden over 2f out, dropped to rear and weakened final furlong

40/1

Form: 0482-0

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped judged on AW (in particular) and turf form from his Irish days and runner-up at Bath last October on first British run; failed to shine in his four runs over hurdles since, given wind surgery after first of those, and there was no revival when 50-1 back on Flat four weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(1)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Bath

Alghazaal

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Mark Usher

Record of 2-37 and his last win was over fences 13 months ago; several placed efforts on AW since October; not disgraced back on turf at Windsor (11.5f) this month; stays this far but others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

8

(4)

3rd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

20:15 Windsor

Alghazaal

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Mark Usher

Record of 2-36 and his last win was over fences 13 months ago; several placed efforts on AW since October but form dipped on Polytrack in last two runs and others are more persuasive.

14/1

Form: 845-6

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

21st Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newbury

Bard Of Brittany

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Sheena West

6th

13

(15)

9th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Goodwood

Bard Of Brittany

11st 4lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Sheena West

towards rear on outer, headway from 4f out, prominent 3f out, ridden from over 2f out, edged right when no extra over 1f out

33/1

Non-runners

Alghazaal, Bard Of Brittany

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £140.10
Straight Forecast £115.45
Tricast £1362.27
Trifecta £2664.70

Selections

RP Ratings:

Zikany

TOPSPEED:

Tralee Hills

NEWMARKET:

Dereham

POSTDATA:

Russian Rumour

D Express:

Restitution

SPOTLIGHT:

Masterdream

The Times:

Main Fact

Telegraph:

Zikany

The Sun:

Zikany

The Star:

Zikany

Daily Mirror:

Dereham

The Guardian:

Russian Rumour

Daily Mail:

Tralee Hills

Daily Record:

Tralee Hills