February 23 / 13.50 Southwell (AW)

13.50

Standard

Spreadex Sports In-Play Racing Betting Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4291.88
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Spreadex Sports In-Play Racing Betting Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.13
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 00087-

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Two wins when trained by D J Bunyan in Ireland; not at his best in a light 2022 campaign before changing hands for 4,400gns in November; no surprise were his new yard to reinvigorate him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

4th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

14:25 Brighton

Dreams Delivered

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Ex-Irish gelding who won twice on Tapeta early in the year; the fitting of a tongue-tie back from a short break will need to help off his current mark.

7/1

7th

9

(12)

21st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:25 Bath

Dreams Delivered

9st 4lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Ex-Irish gelding who appreciated the step back up to this trip when winning off 3lb lower in first-time cheekpieces (AW) this month (also won for blinkers first going on); goes on the shortlist.

4/1

1st

2

(3)

4th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Dreams Delivered

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Appleby

Made a successful stable debut after five months off here (7f) in February, but has been a beaten favourite in all three outings since; won over 1m in Ireland, so the return to this trip is not a problem, and he won when blinkered for the first time, so interesting to see if the application of cheekpieces has a similar effect.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 5355-0

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Expensive to follow in the last six months, appearing to retain ability but unable to convert it into a winning opportunity; others look stronger for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(2)

26th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Ebury

9st 9lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Scott Dixon

Won twice for Martyn Meade at a much higher level back in 2019, but has failed to score since; always behind at Wolverhampton (9.5f; 40-1, held by Storm Asset) last time; highly unlikely to offer the solution.

25/1

8th

2

(9)

11th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ebury

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Won twice in 2019 but he's not added to his tally since, often well backed too; others look safer.

20/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 316-

Last run: 131 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Confirmed the promise of her Catterick debut in September by winning a 6f novice at Newcastle 17 days later; not so good upped to 7f at Catterick when last seen but she makes her handicap debut at a realistic level for a yard going well; one to note in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

10th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:20 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Parfait

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Has form figures of 133 in 6f/7f events on AW and retains low mileage; just needs to bounce back from a poor effort (back from layoff; not beaten entirely by 1m trip) here last week.

14/1

12th

6

(4)

31st Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Parfait

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Only had the five starts and looks better on AW than turf on the evidence so far, including a win here (6f) just over a year ago; third in both handicaps over 7f on Tapeta at the start of the year and although not seen in eight months, she has gone well fresh before; one for the shortlist.

3/1

3rd

3

(10)

2nd Mar 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Parfait

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

6f course novice winner in September and shaped well back from a break when keeping on for a never-nearer third on 7f Southwell handicap debut a week ago; much less exposed than today's opposition and looks capable of winning off this mark; same trainer/jockey took this race last year.

9/4

50/1

Form: 708-07 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Shadow of his former self now and recent efforts haven't pointed to a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

(3)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:13 Southwell (AW)

Tom Tulliver

8st 11lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Scott Dixon

Won a couple of classified events here (7f/1m) early last year and is 4lb lower than when third of 12 at this venue in December; his three efforts since (including last month's reappearance) leave him with something to prove though.

16/1

8th

6

(10)

29th Jul 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tom Tulliver

9st 2lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Scott Dixon

Well treated again now but he returns from six months off with the widest stall to contend with; others look safer.

16/1

12

15th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

15:12 Southwell (AW)

Tom Tulliver

8st 13lb

T: Scott Dixon

Form: 71153- D

Last run: 208 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins in the first half of 2022 (7f, soft and 1m, good); ran right up to his best when third of eight at Thirsk when last seen 208 days ago; today's rider was on board for both his wins and he ran well on his reappearance last year; may be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Redcar

Darbucks

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Christopher Kellett

Can front-run; made all at Ayr (7f, soft) in July but he failed to back that up at that same track next time; fair fourth having dictated the gallop at Hamilton (8.5f, good to soft) three weeks ago and now returns to 7f.

6/1

4th

2

(7)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:15 Hamilton

Darbucks

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Christopher Kellett

Three wins from his last nine starts, the latest at Ayr (7f, soft) in July, and he can't be discounted; however, good runs have been in the minority this year and it's been a long time since he won beyond 7f.

7/1

8th

6

(6)

21st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Darbucks

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Christopher Kellett

Enhanced his good form figures here with a narrow success over this trip 15 days ago when the ground was soft; overcame a wide draw that day; must have a chance.

9/2

11/4

Form: 016-63 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Game effort to win a 7f handicap at Newcastle in December off a 2lb lower mark; below par the next twice but he got back on track with a close third back at Newcastle nine days ago; that race was run to suit, however, and there might not be enough early speed for him in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:20 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Third in a 1m selling handicap here last month but beaten about 6l, and remains that bit more compelling at the 7f of his two career successes, the latest on Tapeta before Christmas; down to a new career-low mark.

16/1

5th

7

(3)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:20 Ripon

Like A Lion

9st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

He's 2lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (7f, AW) last December and didn't run badly when third of seven in selling handicap at Redcar (1m) last time; however, he needs something extra here and is untested beyond 1m.

14/1

3rd

1

(1)

4th May 2023

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Like A Lion

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Largely below par on the AW this winter and again returned to turf in a change of headgear when sixth in 7f Catterick handicap eight days ago; handily weighted now so he can't be totally dismissed.

3/1

Form: 753-67 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
C&D winner as a 3yo; patchy record last year but he did run well at Newcastle in December off a 3lb higher mark; unable to back it up twice since and there are risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 13lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Revived by the drop to 0-50 classified events, runner-up over 7f at Wolverhampton and then C&D before seeing off six rivals in a 1m event here last week; that was a notably weak race, even for the grade, and he has a bit more on his plate as he bids to defy a penalty.

5/2

1st

3

(7)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:02 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

No win since 2024 and all his succes has come over 7f; that said, he is effective at this trip and arrives on the back of a pair of runner-up finishes at this level; unlikely to be found a better opportunity to register a first 1m success.

5/4

2nd

3

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Homer Stokes

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

Has won three times over C&D; clear of the remainder when runner-up in a Wolverhampton handicap last time; sound chance down in grade.

11/4

10/1

Form: 04-545 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Veteran who gained his 12th career win when making all in a small field at Brighton last summer; running well enough this winter to give him a squeak at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

1st Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:13 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 5lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

led

10/1

6th

6

(6)

1st Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:13 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 5lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

led

10/1

7th

2

(5)

21st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 8lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

12yo who was disappointing here (1m) last Tuesday but did too much too soon in that amateurs' race; had previously been running consistently well (including over C&D) and he may well bounce back with a bold bid.

10/1

Form: 26-283 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Most of her AW form is at Wolverhampton, close third over 7f there most recently; wasn't at her best here in December but she's not handicapped out of things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Port Noir

9st 3lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Robert Stephens

Has enjoyed a good year with four wins, two of them over C&D; last two efforts leave her with a bit to prove, though.

14/1

12th

2

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Port Noir

9st 9lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Robert Stephens

Hardy mare who landed four races on AW (1m to 9.5f) between February and April; also a previous four-time winner on turf but this is just her second crack at 1m2f on her 111th start; still not discounted.

12/1

7th

4

(5)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Port Noir

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Robert Stephens

9yo who has won four times since February including twice over C&D; held in third when unpenalised at Wolverhampton last time but she wasn't beaten far and that was another creditable effort; should be in the mix again off 3lb higher.

4/1

Form: 0647-9

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Had been knocking at the door prior to a front-running success in a small field at Ayr last August (1m, good); beaten five times since but she's dropped to a 2lb lower mark than for the win as a result; sharper with a recent 6f run behind her; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

17th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:55 Ayr

Far From A Ruby

9st 5lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Katie Scott

Defied a 10lb higher mark at this course (1m, good) last August; placed effort in 0-50 classified event here (1m, good to soft) eight days ago is inferior form; however, well treated if raising her game.

10/1

3rd

4

(8)

9th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:40 Ayr

Far From A Ruby

9st 9lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Katie Scott

Her form has gone the wrong way this year and she's been well beaten at Musselburgh the last twice; however, she doesn't have a good record there whereas she's run several good races here, including when fourth of six over C&D as recently as May; could play a major role now back here.

13/2

7th

8

(7)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

21:00 Musselburgh

Far From A Ruby

9st 2lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Katie Scott

mounted on course and taken down early, awkward start, soon recovered and prominent

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 42/897

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Promising on the Flat in Ireland; fair hurdler for this yard but he has been sent off at huge prices and made no impact in three Flat runs in 2023 (after a long absence); had a tack excuse last time but he still comes here with an awful lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th Jul 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:15 Stratford

Dutch Admiral

11st 8lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: David Bridgwater

Left some very uninspiring AW form behind when respectable fourth on hurdling return at Worcester (2m, good) last month but is not sure to be suited by today's move back up in trip and others have more persuasive profiles; most turf form is on good ground; once ran well on good to soft.

14/1

4th

7

15th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Worcester

Dutch Admiral

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Bridgwater

Won a Huntingdon juvenile hurdle in September 2020 but rather inconsistent form over hurdles after that; not been in best of form on the Flat this year following 444-day break (tried in headgear); others preferred.

25/1

10th

4

(5)

25th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dutch Admiral

9st 8lb

J: Deon Le Roux

T: David Bridgwater

disputed lead, raced in second under 4f out, pushed along and lost second over 3f out, dropped to rear and struggling from over 1f out

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.80
Straight Forecast £21.32
Tricast £123.98
Trifecta £178.60

Selections

The Times:

Like A Lion

RP Ratings:

Pink Parfait

SPOTLIGHT:

Darbucks

The Guardian:

Dreams Delivered

POSTDATA:

Fieldsman

Telegraph:

Pink Parfait

D Express:

Pink Parfait

Daily Mail:

Like A Lion

Daily Mirror:

Like A Lion

The Sun:

Like A Lion

The Star:

Like A Lion

Daily Record:

Like A Lion