February 22 / 15.20 Newcastle (AW)

15.20

Standard

BetUK’s Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £11124
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
BetUK’s Acca Club £5 Free Bet Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

1st
5 (7)
Badri

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.40
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 21064- C

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Wins have come over 6f-7f, usually from off the pace, and is having a first crack at 5f back from four months off; has gone well fresh more than once but he returns looking high in the weights (6lb above his last successful mark).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Badri

10st 2lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Herrington

Arrives in fine form and bidding for a hat-trick following back-to-back 6f wins here, emphatically making all on latter occasion; has won over the minimum trip too so rates a big player under a 4lb penalty.

7/2

1st

5

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

Badri

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Has performed well in both starts over C&D, including a game success 16 days ago (good); much more exposed than his rivals, but still high on list from 3lb higher.

11/2

1st

1

(7)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Badri

10st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

Much the oldest contestant in this field, being a 9yo, and he's conceding weight all round; managed to defy top weight at Redcar on penultimate start but that was in a slightly lower grade.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6045-6 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Eight-time Tapeta winner who's almost as good as ever despite his age; has done it fresh in the past but may have needed his Southwell comeback early last month and this is a bit easier down 2lb; the harder they go the better for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

2nd Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Venturous

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: David & Nicola Barron

Veteran whose losing run stretches back to March 2022; well beaten in two starts this winter and not sure he's in the form required to capitalise on his lowly mark; strong pace would help matters.

12/1

10th

5

(5)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Venturous

9st 6lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: David & Nicola Barron

held up in rear

25/1

9th

3

(12)

17th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Newcastle (AW)

Venturous

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

slowly away, raced in last

9/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 2153-2 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Boasts a good record here and has bounced back to form this winter, having tumbled down the weights during a winless spell on turf; has been put up another 2lb but looked to bump into one over C&D last time and is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Pockley

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Three course wins early in the year and he is now 3lb lower than for the latest of them; dropped down the weights on the back of some disappointing turf runs and he should be a more potent force back under these conditions.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1/1-57 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was taken on when just ahead of Venturous at Southwell early last month; again got no peace on Polytrack last time and should do better down 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(6)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

The Bell Conductor

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Veteran; goes well on soft ground and ran a fine race when second to Trilby (2lb worse off for 0.5l) at Haydock last time (5f, soft; tongue-tie tried); tongue-tie retained and sound each-way chance.

6/1

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

5th
7 (8)
Khabib

10/1

Form: 1522-8 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner early last year; will be happier back down from 6f, having finished well held here early last month, but he's on a career-high mark currently (7lb higher than when last successful).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Khabib

9st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Ray Craggs

Fair and consistent for Ray Craggs in 2024; off 20 months before coming in last of nine, on sole outing for David Thompson, over 6f here last month; has rejoined his former yard with lots to find.

25/1

9th

9

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Khabib

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David Thompson

All six wins over 5f; also second over 5f here (good) in August of 2024 but hasn't been seen since a poor run at Beverley later that month; previously trained by his owner; can only really watch after such a long time off.

25/1

5

(10)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Beverley

Khabib

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ray Craggs

It's now 12 starts since his last victory but he comes here on the back of a good second of nine in 5f Thirsk handicap nine days ago; this reliable C&D winner ought to be in the shake-up.

7/1

Form: 073-91 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four-time Polytrack winner who showed he can do it on Tapeta, as well as over this trip, when going in off 3lb lower at Southwell a month ago; found that race run to suit and will need to find a bit more if he's to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(7)

21st Dec 2023

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:10 Southwell (AW)

May Sonic

8st 9lb

J: William Cox

T: Charles Hills

held up in rear, no impression from 2f out

14/1

6

(5)

22nd Nov 2023

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

May Sonic

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

Much better on AW than turf; recent PB when going down by a neck at Southwell in September but didn't run his race back on an artificial surface at Kempton a fortnight ago; has just second run here.

16/1

11th

3

(3)

8th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

19:00 Kempton (AW)

May Sonic

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charles Hills

midfield

12/1

Form: 746-43

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Often made the running for Archie Watson but mainly over 6f and this is the first time he's run over 5f, having been picked up for 22,000gns early in the month; has been expensive to follow this winter and the headgear comes off for his new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Emperor Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Michael Keady

First run for Michael Keady when winning this race 12 months ago off a 3lb higher mark; two good runs on fast ground this year (below par on slower going in the Epsom Dash) and he's likely to make another bold bid.

5/1

2nd

3

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Emperor Spirit

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Michael Keady

Blows hot and cold but he is on a dangerous mark and his second of 17 at Ascot (5f, good to firm) in May was a fine effort; subsequent run in the Dash at Epsom can be forgiven (ground) and this should be more to his liking; other pace influences on show.

7/1

14th

16

(7)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Emperor Spirit

8st 11lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Michael Keady

Appreciated the return to turf when finishing second of 17 at Ascot five weeks ago; 1lb rise still leaves him on a feasible mark; rarely seen on slower than good.

20/1

6/1

Form: 234-43 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Can make the running but doesn't have to, as when having The Bell Conductor behind at Lingfield last month; was allowed his own way off this mark last time and will need to improve a bit on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(2)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Lord Riddiford

8st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has a stunning record at this meeting, winning four of his five attempts, including this race for the last three years (soft, good and good to soft); well held of late but he ran no worse last time out than he had in his prep race before the 2023 win and he's weighted to have a big chance despite being 3lb wrong; Hollie Doyle rode for his 2021 win; drying ground could be the sticking point, however.

5/1

6th

4

(5)

20th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Chelmsford (AW)

Lord Riddiford

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

bumped start, midfield, switched right and some headway 2f out, weakened from 1f out

10/1

12th

10

(3)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Epsom

Lord Riddiford

8st 2lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: John & Sean Quinn

Unplaced in this race in 2021 and 2023 and short of his best when last seen on AW in February; his last three wins have come in the same 5f handicap at Glorious Goodwood and that race looks a better fit than today's.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.50
Straight Forecast £37.15
Tricast £142.67
Trifecta £279.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Bell Conductor

The Sun:

Pockley

TOPSPEED:

Badri

LAMBOURN:

May Sonic

POSTDATA:

Lord Riddiford

D Express:

Emperor Spirit

The Star:

Venturous

Daily Record:

Pockley

The Times:

Badri

RP Ratings:

The Bell Conductor

Telegraph:

The Bell Conductor

Daily Mail:

The Bell Conductor

The Guardian:

May Sonic

Daily Mirror:

Lord Riddiford