October 05 / 17.02 Salisbury

17.02

Soft

PKF Francis Clark Handicap

  • Prize money: £5888.24
  • 1m 1f 201y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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PKF Francis Clark Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.80
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 160733 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won at Windsor (1m2f, soft) in May and he's been a fair third the last twice (1m2f, good/soft), most recently behind runner-up Croeso Cymraeg in a four-runner race; needs something extra to return to winning ways today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

Monteria

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Stuart Kittow

Had plenty of racing on the Flat and won twice over 1m2f on soft ground; will need to run better than on his hurdling debut at Taunton (2m, good; 40-1).

50/1

10th

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:43 Hereford

Monteria

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Stuart Kittow

Had plenty of racing on the Flat and won twice over 1m2f on soft ground; will need to run better than on his hurdling debut at Taunton (2m, good; 40-1).

50/1

4

(11)

29th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

16:45 Doncaster

Monteria

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Stuart Kittow

Suited by 1m2f on soft or heavy but he didn't seem his old self in 2024 and was well adrift on a recent hurdle debut; has been given a chance at the weights, so a change in his fortunes can't be discounted.

25/1

OUR TIP

15/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 941482 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 here (1m4f, good to firm/soft) when winning in July and this 9yo returned to form with a close second of four at Ffos Las (1m2f, soft) three weeks ago; strong candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:03 Doncaster

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 13lb

J: Archie Young

T: James Evans

Veteran who was successful in this race last year but was in slightly better form at the time (completed an October double); that said, wasn't entirely disgraced when in the frame on latest start.

10/1

4th

1

(10)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

16:12 Bath

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 12lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Evans

Veteran who has lost his way since winning over this far at Lingfield in June (good to soft) but he is dropping back from Class 4 level.

20/1

4

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

17:25 Sandown

Croeso Cymraeg

9st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Evans

Veteran who showed a fire still burned when winning a six-runner handicap at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) in June; third to Beach Point over C&D next time but his form has dipped on his last two starts; rain will help but vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

33/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 361372 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won at Newmarket (1m, good) in August and she returned to form when beaten just a head off this mark at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) nine days ago; should be fine now back up in trip and she's a key contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

C&D winner against her own sex under Joanna Mason early last month off a 2lb lower mark; continued in form since and this is less competitive, so she needs a look.

7/1

8th

7

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Lingfield (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Kevin Frost

Ended a 19-race losing run at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last month, but couldn't get going in time when fifth of 12 at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) 16 days later; appears to stay this far and holds each-way claims.

20/1

5th

12

(2)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bint Al Daar

8st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

Mostly well below form in 2025 but came back down the weights and has often been competitive since October; indeed, Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) 16 days ago saw her first win since a C&D race in summer 2024; it's possible that she is on her way back but this is a warmer contest.

10/1

Form: 43123 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in July on his third start and solid second in Sandown handicap (1m, soft) next time; again ran well when third at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft) two weeks ago on his first outing since being gelded, when coming from further back than the front two; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

5th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 201y

Class 4

17:02 Salisbury

Battista

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in July on his third start and solid second in Sandown handicap (1m, soft) next time; again ran well when third at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to soft) two weeks ago on his first outing since being gelded, when coming from further back than the front two; retains potential.

5/2

3rd

6

(11)

19th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

17:10 Yarmouth

Battista

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Progressive; followed up his easy 8.5f Wolverhampton novice win with a second on his handicap debut at Sandown (1m) 48 days ago; gelded since and very much one to be interested in now stepping up in trip.

11/4

2nd

6

(6)

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:52 Sandown

Battista

9st 1lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

in rear

4/5

8/1

Form: 163528 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Lost a lot of ground at the start at Chester three weeks ago so comes with a risk attached; however, she ran okay in the circumstances and was a good second at Sandown (1m2f, good) two starts ago; has won on soft ground and can be in the mix if getting away on terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Wisper

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Alan King

All seven wins have been on turf and latest was over C&D last June; didn't fire in her final two runs last season but this is a drop back in grade and she won on her seasonal return in 2022 and 2023; needs a close look off dangerous mark.

8/1

5th

2

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:50 Newmarket

Wisper

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Won at Windsor (11.5f) in June and creditable fifth at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f) on penultimate start; well beaten latest (good to soft probably not to blame) and this is her first crack at 1m4f, which is quite interesting.

16/1

6

(8)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Wisper

9st 1lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Alan King

Form for new stable features a win at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) in June and creditable effort at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good) last time; remains on career-high mark and is far more exposed than some of these rivals.

16/1

11/1

Form: 443-58

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who could be well handicapped in view of his juvenile promise; it's still early days but much better could have been expected when upped in trip on handicap debut at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in August; the hood adopted last time is left off here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

Won 2m Stratford maiden (good to firm) in July; not obviously ahead of his mark in handicaps since but has done enough to think he can be involved back on a less testing track than at Exeter last time; not far away.

9/2

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

led

9/2

4th

5

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

16:10 Exeter

Zodiac Star

11st 12lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Stratford maiden winner who was returning from wind surgery when a staying-on second at Ludlow (2m handicap, good); flattered get to 2l behind Brendas Asking who runs in the 3.00, but he was clear of the rest; today's stiffer track promises to suit.

8/1

Form: 882402 C BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
0-10 since his 2021 2yo campaign but this course winner has twice been a good second this season (1m2f/1m1f, soft), most recently at Goodwood eight days ago; wears a first-time visor and could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Wind Your Neck In

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up twice in February (including C&D on soft) before making it 14th time lucky over hurdles in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap (good) last month; he and the runner-up came well clear of the third so he should competitive off 6lb higher.

7/1

1st

5

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:18 Sedgefield

Wind Your Neck In

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

0-13 over hurdles and becoming rather frustrating but came second twice over 2m3f last month (soft/good to soft) and seems very likely to be in the shake-up again here.

3/1

2nd

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Wind Your Neck In

11st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Sam England

Last Flat win came in November 2023 and he's 0-12 over hurdles; however, he ran well when second off this reduced mark at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last Monday and can be in the mix if backing that up.

5/2

Form: 3210 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Made all in Chepstow novice (1m2f, good to firm) in June on his third start and turf debut; this unexposed 3yo shouldn't be written off after just one poor run, but it's hard to be confident in his claims today following his disappointing handicap debut performance at Kempton (1m, AW) 17 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

19:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Karakoy

10st 3lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Anonymous effort at Taunton latest took his record over 2m3f and beyond to 9P8, inclusive of one outing over tonight's C&D; mixed returns in a hood before now, so no guarantee which way he'll go for the visor.

12/1

8th

10

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Karakoy

10st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Flat winner (1m2f, good to firm) who is 0-9 over hurdles but he was a rallying third on his reappearance here (2m, good to firm) two weeks ago; should benefit from that run and he looks worth another try at this trip; not ruled out with hood removed.

9/1

8th

10

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Karakoy

10st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Flat winner (1m2f, good to firm) who is 0-9 over hurdles but he was a rallying third on his reappearance here (2m, good to firm) two weeks ago; should benefit from that run and he looks worth another try at this trip; not ruled out with hood removed.

9/1

Non-runners

Cap Francais

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.20
Straight Forecast £56.71
Tricast £217.32
Trifecta £280.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Battista

Telegraph:

Bint Al Daar

RP RATINGS:

Wind Your Neck In

POSTDATA:

Monteria

D Express:

Wisper

TOPSPEED:

Cap Francais

NEWMARKET:

Battista

The Times:

Battista

The Guardian:

Battista

Daily Mail:

Bint Al Daar

Daily Mirror:

Bint Al Daar

The Sun:

Bint Al Daar

The Star:

Wind Your Neck In

Daily Record:

Wind Your Neck In