February 24 / 14.45 Southwell (AW)

14.45

Standard

BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £31614
  • 0m 4f 214y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

Form: 7284-1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Smart sprinter on AW, winning six of his nine AW runs in Britain; better than ever when seeing off a high-class rival at Lingfield three weeks ago (6f); penalised for that and he won't find it so easy dominating these rivals over the shorter trip; still likely to be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Diligent Harry

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Good strike-rate on AW includes a Listed sprint double at Lingfield this year; has lots of good form on turf, including very close third in this race two years ago and respectable fourth in Newmarket Group 3 last time; still a maiden (0-19) in this sphere, however.

20/1

4th

4

(14)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Diligent Harry

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Good strike-rate on AW includes a Listed sprint double at Lingfield this year, sharing the spoils with Completely Random on reappearance; similar to that rival, looks far from guaranteed to maintain the form back on turf; 0-18 in this sphere.

14/1

1st

1

(6)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 1

13:25 Lingfield (AW)

Diligent Harry

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Smart on turf but AW is his thing and he added another Listed win to his tally when dead-heating in the Kachy Stakes (6f) here three weeks ago; has a penalty to shoulder but that was also the case when he won the corresponding race in 2024 (run at Southwell); a lower draw would have been preferable but he looks set to go well again.

2/1

Form: 03243-

Last run: 110 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Soared back up the weights since joining Mick Appleby and he was running well in Listed and Group 3 company in the second half of last year; chance at the weights but he has to prove his effectiveness at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(13)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Juan Les Pins

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Ended a lengthy losing run at Newcastle in March and added to his tally with a Thirsk win last month (6f, good); better form when a close third in a Class 3 at Newbury three weeks ago and a 1lb rise is manageable; conditions won't be an issue having finished third in a Wokingham in his prime; high on the list.

11/2

3rd

16

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Juan Les Pins

8st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

He had dropped a long way in the weights prior to popping up at Newcastle (5f) last month; ran well at Doncaster ten days later and back on the scoresheet with a Thirsk win last week (6f, good); won that apprentice race (no penalty today) last time with more authority than the winning margin might suggest but he is up in class today.

10/1

Form: 5611-4 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Useful on turf, finishing a close third in the Dash at Epsom last summer (RPR 106); gelded last August and took an instant liking to the AW, winning easily at Wolverhampton in November and then producing a dazzling display over C&D in December; just missed a beat at the start when a solid fourth in Dubai (turf Group 2) four weeks ago; back in calmer waters here and he's the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:38 Southwell (AW)

Clarendon House

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Robert Cowell

High-class sprinter on turf and AW; his two C&D wins have both been mighty performances and there is no doubt he has the raw ability to give the weight away to today's opponents; sadly he has become a nightmare at the start, refusing to race in three of his last five runs; can't be supported with confidence; stable run four here.

16/1

1

(7)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

20:45 Southwell (AW)

Clarendon House

9st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Robert Cowell

High-class sprinter on his day and he has tasted defeat in just one of his four runs on AW; fine effort to beat Marshman in a Listed race here in February and third in a Newmarket Group 3 next time; no doubt he has the ability to win a race of this nature but he is increasingly troublesome at the start and he has refused to race twice this summer; capable but too much risk attached to recommend.

10/1

Form: 0172-2 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Well suited by the AW and he's coming here on the back of two good runner-up finishes; put in his place by Clarendon House here in December though and he's 12lb worse off with that rival today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

4th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Bedford Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Appleby

Record of 4-22 on AW; no win since 2023 but has consistent handicap form this winter, going close on a few occasions, and faced a stiff task at Listed level last time; fighting chance off current mark.

9/2

9th

2

(7)

22nd Feb 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 1

14:40 Southwell (AW)

Bedford Flyer

9st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Appleby

mounted in chute and taken down early, prominent, in touch with leaders after 1f, weakened over 1f out

20/1

5th
5 (8)
Bergerac

22/1

Form: 0211-8 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ended 2023 in the form of his life, winning at Newcastle then beating Hiya Maite over C&D in December; stayed on well on that occasion but he's since disappointed at Lingfield; returning to a straight track can help but he's not an obvious winner on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

12

(17)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Bergerac

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

8yo who was inconsistent last season and lacks a recent run; however, he's just 1lb higher than when both second of 13 over C&D (good) last May and winning at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) next time; not ruled out each-way.

33/1

13

(21)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Bergerac

8st 13lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Not far off his best this year and won at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) in June, but he's been in and out since and was well held in the Ayr Gold Cup; this C&D winner could be revived but he doesn't have the potential of some of these.

33/1

22

(25)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Bergerac

9st 0lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Fine servant who was winning for the eighth time when successful in a 5f handicap at Hamilton in June; good third back at Hamilton in July but not at quite the same level on his last two starts; this will be his fifth attempt in one of the Cups here though and last season's Silver Cup third was his best result; stable has stronger claims elsewhere.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 00144- D

Last run: 98 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
His two standout efforts last year came on bottomless ground, winning the Stewards' Cup and a good 5f handicap at Doncaster; two creditable 6f runs back on AW in November, though; strong traveller who should appreciate a strongly run race at this trip; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Multiple winner down the years and gained his most recent success (narrowly, three starts ago) off current mark; subsequent dip in form is the negative.

12/1

11th

1

(15)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Getting on but retains a lot of his old ability, is still consistent enough and has won over C&D before; rare off-day at Thirsk a fortnight ago, having beating a subsequent winner in a small field off 1lb lower previously; quite capable of bouncing back.

12/1

6th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Retains a large portion of his ability despite his advanced years and took advantage of a reduced mark at Cattterick (6f, good) ten days ago; only nudged up 1lb for that narrow success.

7/2

28/1

Form: 38405- CD

Last run: 65 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Tough front-runner with four C&D wins to his name; good third in last summer's Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle off a BHA mark of 102; less good since and this looks a difficult race in which to try and dominate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

31st May 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Fine Wine

9st 3lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Established trailblazer who is 4-14 over C&D and looked to be on the way back when third of nine at Musselburgh (5f, good) at the start of the month; didn't back it up at York (5f, good to firm) next time but this is weaker; best watched for now.

8/1

7th

8

(6)

31st May 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Fine Wine

9st 3lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Established trailblazer who is 4-14 over C&D and looked to be on the way back when third of nine at Musselburgh (5f, good) at the start of the month; didn't back it up at York (5f, good to firm) next time but this is weaker; best watched for now.

8/1

17

(17)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:10 York

Fine Wine

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Scott Dixon

Ran away with this race in 2022 and went on to show smart form on both turf and AW in the next 12 months; not stood a lot of racing since but he showed he retained ability at Musselburgh 13 days ago; this is a much stronger contest but he couldn't be discounted with confidence.

20/1

20/1

Form: 12-511 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Made all to win Class 2 handicaps at Lingfield and Wolverhampton on his last two starts; has won at this level before but he'll need a big personal best to come out on top in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Epsom

One Night Stand

8st 2lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Not beaten far into fifth in the 2023 renewal when rated much higher; not the obvious answer today from 4lb wrong.

33/1

Form: 4300-1 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Good record on AW for Paul Midgley; improved upon his stable debut in December when digging deep to make all in a C&D handicap 32 days ago; looks to be flying too high today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

The Bell Conductor

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

His mark continues to fall but for good reason and this 9yo arrives with plenty to prove; wears a first-time tongue-tie; visor is removed.

16/1

6th

2

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

The Bell Conductor

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Well handicapped but hasn't obviously hinted as if likely to take advantage soon in his two outings this year, finishing last of six at Southwell last Saturday; visored first time.

9/1

8/1

Form: 48517- D BF

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Successful in a 5f Group 3 at Newbury last September on extremely testing ground (for today's rider Sean Levey); not sure that form is reliable though and he has more on his plate trying to defy a 5lb penalty today; not at his best in two AW runs at Dundalk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(12)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Naas

Thunderbear

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Five-time winner best with a bit of cut in the ground; sole win last season came in a Listed heat at this venue (6f, yielding); may have needed his comeback at Cork and likes it here, but would probably like to see some rain.

25/1

6th

3

(9)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:02 Cork

Thunderbear

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Just five runs last year but won a Listed race at Naas over this trip in October before a disappointing run in France, even allowing for a less than smooth passage; can run well if back to his best.

8/1

5

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 205y

15:50 Naas

Thunderbear

9st 7lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Has become hard to win with since landing a Group 3 as a 3yo but it was a good run in a deep Ascot handicap last time (5f, good to soft) and returning to further should suit (second in this 12 months ago); solid chance.

9/2

Non-runners

Hiya Maite

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £29.59

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Clarendon House

TOPSPEED:

Diligent Harry

SPOTLIGHT:

Aberama Gold

NEWMARKET:

Clarendon House

The Times:

Clarendon House

Telegraph:

Clarendon House

The Guardian:

Clarendon House

Daily Mail:

Clarendon House

D Express:

Clarendon House

Daily Mirror:

Clarendon House

The Sun:

Clarendon House

The Star:

Clarendon House

Daily Record:

Clarendon House

POSTDATA:

Diligent Harry

LAMBOURN:

Diligent Harry