April 18 / 20.30 Southwell (AW)

20.30

Standard

Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 16y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Sunny

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 000-36

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
On a good mark and he made a pleasing return to action when third over C&D in February, coming from well off the pace in the straight; didn't get home under a more forceful ride at Newcastle (7f) 18 days ago; Paul Mulrennan takes over today and he's one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

20:05 Doncaster

Papa Cocktail

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Michael Herrington

Exposed sprinter who wins in his turn these days but his C&D record reads 312; that latest visit was just one month ago and he competes from the same mark as when far from disgraced in midfield at York a fortnight ago; each-way contender.

12/1

10th

4

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Papa Cocktail

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Michael Herrington

Consistent spell on Tapeta over the winter and continued the good work back on turf when close second of six at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; he's never won above a mark of 75, though.

12/1

2nd

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

18:27 Doncaster

Papa Cocktail

8st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Michael Herrington

C&D win last summer came off 18lb lower and he returns to turf 10lb higher than when last running on grass, thanks to a consistent spell on Tapeta; will need something close to a career-best to take this and he's not improving at his age.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6-5331 C

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt for this yard when keeping on to win a 7f handicap here on Friday; 5lb penalty asks a stiffer question but no concerns over his wellbeing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

30th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Kaths Toyboy

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

Not quite on his game since back from a break but he's getting temptingly treated again relative to his form at 7f and 6f here last spring; having first run over C&D this winter, which might make a difference.

5/1

7th

6

(2)

19th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kaths Toyboy

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Kevin Frost

2-29 on AW, both wins off lower marks; placed at Southwell (7f) on return from break but posted a lesser effort over same C&D since; others preferred on balance.

14/1

7th

1

(5)

6th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Kaths Toyboy

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

took keen hold, prominent

7/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 562477 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Made a bright start to life with Mick Appleby, winning over C&D and at Lingfield (7f) around the turn of the year; his progress has stalled more recently though, including when a warm favourite at Lingfield last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(10)

18th Apr 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Politics

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

midfield, headway when switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final 110yds, went third final strides

4/1

7th

2

(6)

25th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Politics

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

prominent

2/1

7th

8

(6)

24th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

14:20 Lingfield (AW)

Politics

8st 5lb

J: Theodore Ladd

T: Michael Appleby

Has held his form all winter and boasts a win and a second from two runs over C&D; no obvious reason why he won't go well again but is 5lb above his last successful mark and has done most recent racing in lesser company.

6/1

Form: -21222 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 23rd attempt when making all in an uncompetitive 5f novice here in January; better form in finishing second in three 6f handicaps since; likely to face competition for the lead this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

13:45 Brighton

Thismydream

9st 4lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Michael Attwater

Has shown inconsistent form, mostly on AW, this year and ran below par over C&D in most recent turf attempt; far from sure to take advantage of a reduced mark.

20/1

5

(7)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Thismydream

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Michael Attwater

Won off 9lb higher at Bath (5.6f) last August but he's been up and down since then and has been well held in last three starts; has plenty to prove again and he's not run over this trip since 2021.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Thismydream

9st 9lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Michael Attwater

Should be making a big impact off this sort of mark but mixed record early in the year and well held, albeit after 164 days off, at Brighton five weeks ago; others look safer.

12/1

5/1

Form: -81912 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who has won two of his four C&D handicaps and ran well in the other two; another creditable effort at Chelmsford 17 days ago and he is likely to give it plenty from the front again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Blackjack

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Often front-runner; fourth of nine over C&D in January but he's struggled in three starts since; another headgear swap; others preferred.

20/1

7th

4

(2)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Blackjack

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Conditions to suit and this mark shouldn't be beyond him; he does need to bounce back from a couple of low-key runs in February though.

20/1

6th
10 (8)
Gunnerside

7/1

Form: 333241 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Had been threatening prior to ending his losing run over C&D 12 days ago, keeping on well in a competitive race by 0-55 standards; this is tougher but he's only gone up 2lb and the latest run was backed up by the clock; wouldn't pay to underestimate him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(7)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Gunnerside

9st 9lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Made the frame in three consecutive handicaps here (6f-7f) in the autumn and had excuse (became upset in stalls) when a disappointing favourite on latest outing four weeks ago; favoured by the weights in this classified race; major player.

13/2

7th

7

(7)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Gunnerside

9st 9lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Made the frame in three consecutive handicaps here (6f-7f) in the autumn and had excuse (became upset in stalls) when a disappointing favourite on latest outing four weeks ago; favoured by the weights in this classified race; major player.

13/2

9th

2

(10)

12th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:52 Newcastle (AW)

Gunnerside

9st 8lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

upset in stalls, in rear, steady headway into midfield over 4f out, no extra over 2f out

7/1

7/1

Form: 228-95 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Runner-up four times over 6f for this yard last summer, including on Tapeta; on a competitive mark and two runs this spring should have him at his peak; more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(7)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:45 Hamilton

Majeski Man

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins over 5f on good/good to soft in spring of 2023; a couple of fair efforts this season, including when second at Redcar last time (5f, good to firm); on a good mark; each-way chance.

9/2

2nd

2

(1)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:13 Redcar

Majeski Man

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Hindered by unfavourable draw at Beverley last time and is better judged on his consistent spell leading up to that; interesting in this grade off 8lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(15)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Beverley

Majeski Man

9st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner who arrives in good order, third of seven at Yarmouth (5f) last time; he's one for the shortlist.

9/1

25/1

Form: 9868-0

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Winner in France when with Andre Fabre; struggled for Charlie Fellowes last year though and no sign of a revival when well beaten over 5f here on last month's stable debut; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:30 Lingfield (AW)

Fai Fai

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Daniel Steele

Pretty consistent last spring-autumn but doesn't win very often and made a low-key reappearance over C&D last month; needs to have taken significant benefit from that recent outing.

10/1

10th

12

(10)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

16:52 Lingfield (AW)

Fai Fai

8st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Daniel Steele

Remains generally consistent but is moderate these days and there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh; this a bit tougher than he's used to on his return from a layoff.

20/1

4

(2)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

13:45 Brighton

Fai Fai

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel Steele

Losing run is mounting up but he has a few pieces of encouraging recent C&D form; creditable third to State Of Madness, despite traffic issues, last week; in the mix.

7/2

Form: 07-584 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
He has had a quiet winter but there were more positive signs at Newcastle (6f) last month, beaten under 3l into fourth; on a dangerous mark if that was the start of a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Tough 9yo who has won four 6f handicaps here this year; form dipped last time, however, and returning to 7f isn't enough to tempt.

9/1

9th

1

(2)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

9st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Has won four of his five races, all over C&D, this year, his latest win coming last Tuesday when getting home by 0.5l; up 6lb but has won off higher marks in the past; should go well

7/2

1st

9

(7)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sprightly 9yo who completed a quick hat-trick of front-running C&D wins last month and lost out only by a neck off today's mark here on Wednesday; upped in grade but likely to give another good account.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 153567

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who won three handicaps over further earlier in the year; contests a sprint for the first time but he's a keen goer who might enjoy a well-run race at this trip; stable also runs Politics.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

9th Jul 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Bond Boy

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins early in the year, including over C&D off a 7lb higher mark in February; not beaten many home in his last seven starts (often slowly away) but the return of the visor may help and he's got the ability to go well.

12/1

10th

6

(6)

26th Jun 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bond Boy

9st 8lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

slowly away, in rear

16/1

13th

9

(10)

13th Jun 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Bond Boy

9st 6lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Michael Appleby

Did very well in early part of this year, winning three times (7f-8.6f), but has been out of form in recent weeks and needs to turn things around.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.30
Straight Forecast £18.70
Tricast £134.90
Trifecta £212.70

Selections

Daily Mail:

Blackjack

TOPSPEED:

Gunnerside

SPOTLIGHT:

Papa Cocktail

The Guardian:

Thismydream

The Sun:

Kath's Toyboy

D Express:

Blackjack

Daily Mirror:

Blackjack

Daily Record:

Blackjack

RP Ratings:

Papa Cocktail

The Times:

Papa Cocktail

POSTDATA:

Gunnerside

Telegraph:

Gunnerside

The Star:

Gunnerside