July 26 / 16.50 Bath

16.50

Good

Dick Lovett Melksham Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Dick Lovett Melksham Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 980041 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Has emerged from a spell in the wilderness since fitted with headgear for last two runs, more recently when just too strong for Urban Forest here (1m5f, good) in first-time tongue-tie/visor a fortnight ago; only 3lb higher today; obvious contender if revival starts to gather momentum.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(14)

16th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Bath

Dirham Emirati

9st 2lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Gary Moore

All the better for this headgear combination and only narrowly failed in his hat-trick bid last time when third to Zillion; essentially 1lb lower with Connor Planas taking off 3lb; shortlisted.

6/1

3rd

2

(11)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 11y

Class 6

19:10 Bath

Dirham Emirati

9st 11lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary Moore

Turned things around in new headgear when scoring over C&D (good) last month and he followed up with another narrow win over 1m6f here last time; only 2lb higher than for that success and he remains very well treated on his old form; big player in hat-trick bid.

11/4

1st

2

(3)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Dirham Emirati

9st 9lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary Moore

slowly into stride

7/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 0-7828 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner; posted sound effort when second to well-handicapped rival off his lower turf mark at Ffos Las (1m6f, good) last month but was soundly beaten after racing too freely at Nottingham 18 days ago and has become unreliable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Beggarman

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hughie Morrison

Won twice at Ffos Las last year but he's scored on AW on four occasions, including first time out in 2024; absent since a heavy defeat at Newbury (1m4f, soft) in October but is back on a workable mark for his reappearance.

12/1

14

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Beggarman

10st 6lb

J: Mr Patrick Millman

T: Hughie Morrison

Won twice in small fields at Ffos Las (1m6f/2m) this summer and creditable fourth at Goodwood 13 days ago; placed twice on soft but has a poor record on heavy, including penultimate start, which clouds his each-way claims.

8/1

OUR TIP

33/1

  • Place: £11.10

Form: 510/8/

Last run: 1300 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly over hurdles 19 days ago but is not as good as he was in that sphere, and it's hard to know what to expect from this 10yo on his first Flat start since January 2020; all three wins were gained on the old Fibresand surface at Southwell.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Thahab Ifraj

11st 6lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Alexandra Dunn

Veteran with modest strike-rate in recent years; only beaten about 1l when fourth of seven here (2m1f, good) last month, after a break, and remains on a good mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same.

9/1

4th

6

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Thahab Ifraj

11st 7lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Alexandra Dunn

Seven-time hurdle winner; produced his best effort last season when narrowly denied at Exeter (2m2f, good) in October, but was well beaten next time and was pulled up in November on his final start; returns from 224 days off with something to prove.

14/1

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

12:20 Huntingdon

Thahab Ifraj

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Alexandra Dunn

pressed leader, pushed along briefly after 5th, lost ground quickly and reminders before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out

8/1

Form: 469263

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Generally disappointing since winning debut in 2021 but kept on for very respectable third off today's mark at Leicester (1m4f, good) on Thursday and is worth another go at a staying trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

18:25 Leicester

Geelong

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

raced wide, dwelt start, towards rear, headway on outer after 4f

11/2

4th

4

(9)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

18:25 Leicester

Geelong

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

raced wide, dwelt start, towards rear, headway on outer after 4f, no extra over 1f out, hung right inside final 110yds

11/2

2nd

4

(9)

1st May 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

18:25 Kempton (AW)

Geelong

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

1m3f wins here and at Windsor (good) last autumn came racing prominently; unfailingly consistent back over further under mostly rather more patient tactics since, and interesting to see how he's played tonight.

3/1

Form: 42-133 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Doubled her tally with emphatic success at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) last month and has finished third twice since, more recently behind Dirham Emirati and Urban Forest over 1m5f here a fortnight ago; holds no secrets from the handicapper but probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(9)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Hidden Pearl

9st 5lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Winning for a fifth time (all on turf) when doing it comfortably at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) but well beaten since then; wouldn't be the percentage play.

16/1

1

(1)

5th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:53 Nottingham

Hidden Pearl

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: John Berry

Winning for a fifth time (all on turf) when doing it comfortably at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) but then trailed home last at Bath; Taryn Langley returns with a 7lb claim and if back on her game she'd have every chance.

12/1

20/1

Form: /5370-

Last run: 304 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Has won four points since he was last seen under rules in September but last year's Flat form is somewhat unconvincing (albeit it includes a fairly good C&D run); others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

23rd Sep 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Humaniste

9st 7lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Added a sixth point win in May and has been giving it a good go back on the Flat since, including when fourth of 13 behind an improver at Bath (2m1f, good) last time; still unexposed on AW and has possibilities if he can transfer his form back to this sphere.

5/1

4th

8

(2)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Humaniste

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Added a sixth point win in May and has been giving it a good go back on the Flat since, keeping on stoutly into third of nine to Triple Nickle at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) recently; his proven stamina makes him a big player.

8/1

3rd

3

(4)

29th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ffos Las

Humaniste

9st 10lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Won a point in the spring and has posted three pretty good efforts since returned to the Flat, most recently when third at Lingfield (2m, good to firm) last month; versatile regarding ground; probably on the premises again.

9/2

Form: -67654

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Has never won anywhere other than Brighton but proved she's effective at this track when keeping-on fourth here (11.6f, good) a week ago, and could plausibly have untapped potential over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

15th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:53 Southwell (AW)

Silver Bubble

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Gay Kelleway

Brighton specialist who is 0-22 on AW surfaces but does act on Tapeta; not beaten far on her last four starts and is an each-way player again.

7/1

4th

6

(3)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Silver Bubble

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Gay Kelleway

Won four times at Brighton in 2022; 0-13 last year and only fourth on her return to action on Saturday; conditions suit and she's capable at this level but she'll need to up her game if she's to gain her first AW win at the 22nd attempt.

5/1

4th

8

(2)

6th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Silver Bubble

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Gay Kelleway

Has done all his winning on turf but lost out only by a head in 1m2f Polytrack handicap at Chelmsford in November and his fourth over that C&D a few days later was also a decent effort; today's trip-and-surface combination will also suit; likely contender.

4/1

4/1

Form: 789242

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
A maiden after 24 runs but went down fighting when close second to Dirham Emirati here (1m5f, good) a fortnight ago and remains unexposed over this sort of trip; ought to be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

31st Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Bath

Urban Forest

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Ed de Giles

Went close to getting off the mark over 1m5f here (good; acts on good to soft) in July; lesser effort upped to 1m6f over C&D next time but wasn't beaten far at Brighton since and worth another go at a staying trip.

5/1

7th

8

(4)

21st Aug 2023

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:15 Brighton

Urban Forest

9st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

took keen hold, midfield

16/1

8th

10

(8)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Urban Forest

8st 12lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ed de Giles

A maiden after 24 runs but went down fighting when close second to Dirham Emirati here (1m5f, good) a fortnight ago and remains unexposed over this sort of trip; ought to be on the premises again.

4/1

7/1

Form: -71117

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Struck form and won three in a row over 1m4f in May/June; didn't fire on latest outing but today's move back up in trip will suit and further progress is not yet out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:08 Bath

Cloudy Rose

9st 1lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John Berry

Had 1m4f and 1m6f wins on consecutive starts last summer and she's now 2lb below her last winning mark; following two respectable shows over 1m4f this term, she is one to take seriously on this return to 1m6f.

6/1

4th

7

(9)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

16:50 Beverley

Cloudy Rose

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: John Berry

A two-time winner last season; resumed from six months off with an encouraging sixth of 12 in 1m4f handicap at Pontefract last month, challenging wide; that form has been well advertised since so this C&D scorer merits serious consideration off a 1lb lower mark.

5/1

6th

13

(10)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

16:27 Pontefract

Cloudy Rose

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John Berry

Two wins last season, the latest off today's mark at Doncaster (extended 1m6f, good); also suited by 1m4f but ended that campaign on a low note and her fitness must be taken on trust.

9/1

10/1

Form: 23-064

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over 1m4f at Leicester last summer; didn't really take to hurdling in the autumn and is yet to hit top gear since returned to the Flat in May but his recent Nottingham fourth (1m6f, good) was a good step back in the right direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Thunder Flash

9st 4lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Ian Williams

Dual winner over 1m4f at Leicester last summer; didn't really take to hurdling in the autumn and is yet to hit top gear since returned to the Flat in May but his recent Nottingham fourth (1m6f, good) was a good step back in the right direction.

10/1

4th

7

(7)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:42 Nottingham

Thunder Flash

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Ian Williams

Didn't really take to hurdling in the autumn and returned to the Flat with two low-key runs in May/June; others have much less to prove.

20/1

6th

7

(4)

27th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Newbury

Thunder Flash

9st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Two wins over 1m4f at Leicester (good to firm/good to soft) last summer; didn't really take to hurdles in the autumn and had excuses when tailed off on last month's Doncaster return, but is still 4lb above his last winning mark so he needs to find a bit more; cheekpieces return.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £17.70
Tricast £602.18
Trifecta £682.20

Selections

The Times:

Geelong

POSTDATA:

Beggarman

Daily Mail:

Hidden Pearl

NEWMARKET:

Cloudy Rose

Daily Record:

Urban Forest

SPOTLIGHT:

Silver Bubble

The Star:

Dirham Emirati

RP RATINGS:

Humaniste

WEST COUNTRY:

Thahab Ifraj

Telegraph:

Geelong

The Guardian:

Geelong

The Sun:

Geelong

D Express:

Beggarman

Daily Mirror:

Hidden Pearl