March 14 / 20.00 Southwell (AW)

20.00

Standard

Scu Selects Expert Tips By BetUK Handicap

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 1m 4f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Scu Selects Expert Tips By BetUK Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 39-362 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Successful three times on AW in 2021, including over C&D; consistent in the main since, most recently second at Wolverhampton; holds solid claims and should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

Best form so far on Tapeta including all four wins, but has generally been disappointing since returning from eight months off in December and failed to beat a rival at Southwell (1m3f) last time; down in grade but enough to prove.

11/1

2

(3)

30th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Four wins on Tapeta including twice over 1m4f here; back off his last winning mark, but needs to better his two efforts since returning from a lengthy absence last month.

8/1

7th

3

(7)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Only 1lb higher than for his 1m4f win here last March; low-key return to action (after 232 days off) at Lingfield four weeks ago but he took a good step forward with his reappearance behind him last winter and the same is quite possible here; each-way claims.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 507-84

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; posted an encouraging effort at Lingfield (1m4f) last month, getting closer to the target than previously (beaten under 3l); could be dangerous if first-time cheekpieces squeeze out more improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 6

20:07 Epsom

Fighting Poet

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Richard Phillips

Two runs here came in this race but he couldn't better his 2024 runner-up spot when only sixth last year; reappearance effort wasn't bad eight weeks ago but he's been poor in both starts this month, including when well behind Gearing's Point at Brighton last Monday.

33/1

6th

2

(5)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

19:05 Brighton

Fighting Poet

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Richard Phillips

Three-time course winner, all in late summer; pleasing comeback early last month but below par here a fortnight ago, when well behind Foinix, and needs to bounce back (has never been the most consistent).

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 63-133 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Opened his account in C&D classified event in January and has remained in form with two placed efforts since, latest over 1m6f back here; return to 1m4f looks ideal and he may still have more to offer on this surface; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(4)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Bond Spirit

9st 0lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Louise Allan

Modest sixth in similar event over C&D on reappearance, extending his losing run, but may fare better with the outing under his belt; scored twice at Southwell in 2023.

16/1

7

(6)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Bond Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Louise Allan

Beaten just under 7l when fourth of eight in Bath handicap over an extended 1m3f seven weeks ago, extending his losing run to 17; others are more persuasive.

16/1

9

(11)

3rd Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Bond Spirit

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Louise Allan

Last won over C&D last May; first-time blinkers (retained) replaced visor for his last two starts and he responded with a creditable third in a classified at Yarmouth (11.5f, good to soft) on first occasion; tailed off on latest, however, which was a poor show notwithstanding the 1m2f.

25/1

12/1

Form: 8574-7 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Defied a 13lb higher mark over C&D in early 2022; generally not in the same form since but has become so well handicapped that a revival is possible; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(11)

17th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:40 Redcar

Soaring Star

8st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Philip Kirby

Sole turf success came in 2020; close third to Cusack at Newcastle on latest AW start; not straightforward but is capable of being involved, provided he takes well to new headgear.

12/1

3rd

5

(2)

31st Mar 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Soaring Star

9st 7lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Philip Kirby

took keen hold, towards rear, carried head awkwardly but headway from over 2f out, every chance when ridden 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

8/1

4th

3

(4)

14th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Soaring Star

9st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Defied a 13lb higher mark over C&D in early 2022; generally not in the same form since but has become so well handicapped that a revival is possible; not dismissed.

12/1

16/1

Form: 758-97 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
On a handy mark but has a better strike-rate on turf than on AW and the balance of his recent form suggests it's best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:31 Bath

Bug Boy

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tony Newcombe

C&D winner who hasn't scored since August 2023; well beaten in his only two starts since September 2024 and looks best watched.

20/1

6th

4

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Chepstow

Bug Boy

9st 7lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Tony Newcombe

Good record here down the years, with form figures of 21319 highlighting two wins at 1m4f (good); also scored twice over this trip in 2023 (including on good to soft) but no wins since and he only saw the track once last year; still worth a market check ahead of his return.

10/1

Form: 0-8338

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; placed on two occasions (1m/9.5f) this year, giving him each-way hopes in this field; form dipped sharply over 1m4f last time, albeit having lost a shoe; may bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

13th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Claddaghduff

9st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Is lightly raced for a 5yo but hasn't looked entirely straightforward and pinpointing his best trip is proving difficult; rather watch.

10/1

6th

4

(3)

14th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Claddaghduff

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Seven-race maiden; placed on two occasions (1m/9.5f) this year, giving him each-way hopes in this field; form dipped sharply over 1m4f last time, albeit having lost a shoe; may bounce back.

7/1

8th

1

(6)

24th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Claddaghduff

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Jamie Osborne

Latecomer to the game who's found his level since handicapping; isn't bred for this sort of trip (upped from 9.5f) but shapes as though it will help and is respected in a first-time tongue-tie.

3/1

Form: 43112/ BF

Last run: 458 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
In good form at Newcastle when last seen but has done his winning over 1m6f/2m and this drop back in distance looks a negative on return from 15-month absence; opposed unless the market signals are notably strong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(11)

10th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:20 Catterick

Victoriano

9st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

No turf win since August 2019; won three times on the AW (2m) last year, but it's difficult to draw a great deal of confidence from either of his two efforts since returning to action; look elsewhere.

28/1

10th

8

(10)

8th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Victoriano

9st 2lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

raced wide early, pressed leaders, lost ground after 5f, disputed lead after 6f

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 87333-

Last run: 147 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden but has consistent form figures of 333 (all over 12.5f at Newcastle last autumn) since switched to AW and fitted with cheekpieces; each-way possibilities on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Purple Ice

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Only win was over C&D in early May, but has lost his form since (including over C&D) and others have stronger claims.

14/1

7th

11

(2)

29th Jul 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

14:00 Newcastle (AW)

Purple Ice

8st 11lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Michael Dods

Off the mark at the 14th attempt when landing a C&D handicap in May but that was a narrow success in a Class 6 event and he's been well below that form in both subsequent runs; now returns to AW but this is a big step back up in grade and others are more convincing.

25/1

6th

4

(11)

10th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Purple Ice

9st 11lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Michael Dods

0-10 on turf and 1-15 overall, his win coming at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in May; has plenty to prove after a poor effort at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) last month, though.

20/1

Form: 5606-2

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden but has come down the weights and took a step back in the right direction at Wolverhampton (second over 1m4f) most recently, posting his best handicap effort; unexposed at this trip; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

17th Jun 2023

Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

17:15 Bath

Testing Faith

8st 13lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Ian Williams

held up in rear, headway after 6f, lost position over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out

6/1

8th

6

(3)

24th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 6

16:10 Yarmouth

Testing Faith

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

midfield, good headway on outer over 3f out

7/2

4th

1

(5)

18th Apr 2023

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Testing Faith

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

took keen hold early, held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, pushed along and switched right over 2f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out

11/1

Non-runners

Testing Faith

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.40
Straight Forecast £43.66
Tricast £102.39
Trifecta £130.10

Selections

RP Ratings:

Scarborough Castle

SPOTLIGHT:

Bond Spirit

The Times:

Bug Boy

Daily Mirror:

Testing Faith

The Guardian:

Purple Ice

D Express:

Bond Spirit

The Star:

Bond Spirit

POSTDATA:

Scarborough Castle

NEWMARKET:

Scarborough Castle

Telegraph:

Scarborough Castle

Daily Record:

Scarborough Castle

Daily Mail:

Bug Boy