June 22 / 14.05 Chelmsford (AW)

14.05

Standard

Karen Millen Handicap

  • Prize money: £5050.8
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Karen Millen Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 672346 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
5-20 on the AW including four wins on Polytrack; has run with plenty of credit in couple of warm handicaps on turf lately (5f/6f), especially as he was a long out the weights in both; returns to his optimum trip and is able to race off his proper mark this time (1lb higher than when last successful); respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(1)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Not the force of old and, although he retains some ability, others in this field have more pressing claims.

10/1

4th

3

(5)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

15:08 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Multiple 5f winner down the years, including over C&D, but his powers appear to be on the wane; a couple of respectable efforts last month but more will be needed to win.

8/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 716672 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner who ran his best race since returned to turf when beaten a neck at Windsor (5f, good) ten days ago; has run well on Polytrack, including here, and respected off the same mark as last time (1lb higher than for his last win).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(7)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Beverley

Level Up

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: David Evans

Multiple winner in previous seasons; 0-11 this year but is proving consistent, close second returned to AW most recently; remains 1lb below last winning mark; in the mix.

9/2

2nd

3

(1)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

17:03 Wolverhampton (AW)

Level Up

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Evans

The winner of 12 of his 92 starts, the latest success coming at Chelmsford in October off 1lb higher; several good runs to his name this time around and Billy Loughnane replaces a 7lb claimer today; one to take seriously.

2/1

2nd

1

(1)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:42 Ffos Las

Level Up

10st 0lb

J: Alexandra McDonnell

T: David Evans

Losing run up to 13 and he finished over 4l behind Sonic Si when fifth of seven at Chepstow (5f, good to soft) on Monday; 1-1 here but he needs to do better than that latest effort.

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 42-216 CD

Last run: 119 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Both of last year's wins came over C&D and added another success at Southwell (5f, Tapeta) in January; not seen in four months, but has won after a similar absence and should get the solid pace she needs; each-way shout; stable also runs The Tron for the same owner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(11)

26th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Miss Belladonna

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Derek Shaw

Her three wins have all come on AW and latest was off a similar mark on Tapeta at Southwell (5f) last January; returns after 219 days off but she has won when fresh in the past and needs a close look in the market.

12/1

5th

6

(6)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:15 Doncaster

Miss Belladonna

9st 6lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Derek Shaw

slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 3f out, went second 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

6/1

9/1

Form: 134623 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
3-37 with his wins all coming over 5f on Tapeta, the latest in a 0-50 classified event at Southwell in February; has gone well here, but looks worth taking on at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

4th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Tron

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Derek Shaw

Has gained last three wins at classified level, the most recent over C&D in January; poor strike-rate in handicaps but holds place claims on plenty of form; best to forgive latest effort.

14/1

10th

10

(10)

27th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

The Tron

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Derek Shaw

All wins over 5f, in a handicap here in early 2022 and three classified races subsequently; has work to do on rare 6f run.

16/1

3rd

9

(3)

12th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Tron

8st 13lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Derek Shaw

took keen hold, midfield, headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on

13/2

Form: 1-6331 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Dual Tapeta winner who was having only his third start on turf when successful at Yarmouth (5f, soft) in April; 3lb rise fair enough, but is 0-10 on Polytrack and others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

20:10 Yarmouth

Munificent

9st 1lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Four-time winner; winless this year but he's been running well for the most part and didn't get the best of runs when fifth of ten at Nottingham (5f) last time; shortlisted.

8/1

5th

10

(2)

10th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

20:18 Nottingham

Munificent

9st 1lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Triple Tapeta winner who is still lightly raced on turf and was successful in this sphere (5f, soft) last spring; mixed record in his four runs this year but he was runner-up at Wolverhampton last time and has claims if he can back that up.

6/1

Form: 411277 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Handy sort who has won 12 times on the AW including six here (5f/6f); well below his best in two starts last month, though, including when a tailed-off last of seven over C&D on his most recent outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(4)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:04 Leicester

Sir Rodneyredblood

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

9yo who has had 16 wins on AW, in January most recently; sole turf win (from 19 attempts) was at Yarmouth in 2022 but he came within a neck of another in a classified at same track (6f, good to firm) 18 days ago, which was the first time this year that he's worn his usual cheekpieces; has a shout if that form is repeated.

5/2

2nd

2

(2)

26th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

13:30 Yarmouth

Sir Rodneyredblood

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

9yo who has won 16 times on AW; his sole turf win came at Yarmouth but he failed to beat a rival over C&D (good) when last seen in April and needs to bounce back after that 16l defeat; cheekpieces reapplied.

7/2

8th

5

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:03 Yarmouth

Sir Rodneyredblood

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: J R Jenkins

Chelmsford specialist who ran another sound race there on final start in March; only 1-17 on turf but has course form and this mark gives him a chance.

10/1

Form: 128754 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer whose four wins have come at Lingfield (5f, Polytrack) and is back on the same mark as for the latest; finished 4l behind Libertus there 16 days ago and now 6lb better off, but he still needs to find a bit more for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Micks Spirit

8st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Conrad Allen

Ten-time C&D winner, mainly from the front, including twice earlier in the year, latterly off this mark; this company a bit warmer than he's used to and there's other pace in here, so he'll need something close to a career-best effort.

16/1

4th

3

(7)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 60y

Class 5

20:51 Brighton

Micks Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Conrad Allen

Front-runner who is 11-61 on the AW, but 0-6 on turf; has a bit to prove and will probably need the ground to dry out in any case.

20/1

6th

8

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Micks Spirit

9st 3lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: Conrad Allen

Cracking 8yo who has won two Polytrack races in every season for the last five years; however, he finished behind Spendmore Lane and Ancient State at Lingfield recently and the return to Tapeta looks a negative.

20/1

Form: 01-351 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Course winner (6f) who has looked to retain his ability since returning from 405 days off last month, just getting up at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) eight days ago; has the plum draw, but 2lb wrong under his penalty and a turning 5f may not be his ideal scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

22nd Jun 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Tomshalfbrother

9st 4lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Robert Cowell

outpaced in rear

6/1

Form: 10-972

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1-11, but ran a subsequent winner to a head when dropped in trip at Lingfield (5f, Polytrack) 16 days ago, finishing well clear of the rest; 4lb rise and the outside stall need to be overcome, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

7

(7)

30th Jun 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Libertus

9st 13lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: James Fanshawe

upset in stalls, dwelt start, in rear

7/1

1

(9)

22nd Jun 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Libertus

9st 11lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: James Fanshawe

stumbled badly and unseated rider start

11/2

2nd

2

(1)

6th Jun 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 5

19:35 Lingfield (AW)

Libertus

9st 8lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: James Fanshawe

slowly into stride, in rear, raced wide home turn, ridden and rapid headway from over 1f out, keeping on when switched right inside final 110yds, just failed

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.60
Straight Forecast £19.44
Tricast £192.30
Trifecta £195.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Libertus

TOPSPEED:

Mick's Spirit

POSTDATA:

Level Up

SPOTLIGHT:

The Defiant

NEWMARKET:

Tomshalfbrother

The Guardian:

Munificent

Daily Mirror:

Level Up

D Express:

Libertus

The Sun:

Libertus

The Star:

Libertus

The Times:

Mick's Spirit

Daily Mail:

Mick's Spirit

RP RATINGS:

The Defiant

Daily Record:

Tomshalfbrother