February 23 / 19.30 Wolverhampton (AW)

19.30

Standard

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  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 5f 219y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.40
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 7150-2 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
1m4f winner on Tapeta last September when with Alex French; three moderate hurdling efforts for Jennie Candlish around the turn of the year but fared a lot better back on the Flat for Ivan Furtado when second of ten over 1m3f at Southwell last week; stays 1m6f and capable of playing a prominent role from the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lawmans Blis

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Joey Ramsden

Won on his second stable start (and second run since wind surgery) in 14-runner handicap at Catterick (1m4f) last month, getting up late having lost a lot of ground when hampered around half a mile out; big player here.

3/1

14

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lawmans Blis

9st 10lb

T: Joey Ramsden

1st

12

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Lawmans Blis

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Joey Ramsden

Five-time Flat winner who landed a novice hurdle last March; it's been slim pickings in the main since and he was soundly beaten on his recent stable debut at Southwell; however, he was sent off the 4-1 joint-favourite and it will be interesting to see if his backers return.

8/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 0/5911 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Arrives on a quick hat-trick after wins in 1m4f classified events at Southwell and here this month; this mare may be an 8yo but she's unexposed on the Flat and again the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

5th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders

16/1

7th

2

(1)

5th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders

16/1

5th

4

(2)

10th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bella Bluesky

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ewan Whillans

raced in last throughout

14/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.40

Form: 908/5

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who achieved his first worthwhile form when returning from a long absence to finish fifth of ten to Taxiing on his C&D handicap debut last month; will need to build on that but he's entitled to strip fitter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Worcester

Midnight Shimmer

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 on the Flat; placed off basement marks on consecutive 1m6f AW starts in February/March and has winning jumpers in his pedigree but will need to take very well to hurdling to pose a threat here.

33/1

6th

6

(3)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnight Shimmer

9st 0lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Neil Mulholland

Low-mileage 6yo who was placed over C&D before going close over this trip at Southwell; disappointing when stepped up 2m back at Southwell latest but he's a contender on his 1m6f form; fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

8/1

6th

6

(3)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnight Shimmer

9st 0lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, led after 1f

8/1

Form: 633-95 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
On dangerous mark and was not beaten far at Southwell (1m6f) last time but that took his overall record to 1-28; has a hood and cheekpieces combined for the first time now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

16:40 Musselburgh

Heatherdown Hero

8st 7lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ran well to be fourth after completely blowing the start at Ripon (1m4f) and he won over this far on the AW earlier this year when off the same mark; likely to go well.

12/1

4th

6

(6)

20th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 6

13:35 Ripon

Heatherdown Hero

10st 2lb

J: Miss Alex Garven

T: Rebecca Menzies

lost many lengths start

12/1

5th

3

(9)

29th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

16:10 Beverley

Heatherdown Hero

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Rebecca Menzies

took keen hold, in rear

7/1

4/1

Form: 4-3441 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Came good for the first time on the Flat over C&D in November and has held his form well here since, getting his head back in front over 1m4f three weeks ago; should give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:12 Bath

Virtual Hug

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Nikki Evans

Belatedly opened his Flat turf account in similar event over C&D (good) last week, taking Bath record to 42321 and adding to his AW/hurdles wins; incurs 4lb penalty but defied this mark a couple of years ago; very solid chance.

11/4

1st

9

(8)

4th May 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:35 Bath

Virtual Hug

8st 13lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Nikki Evans

Multiple AW winner who has won over hurdles but is 0-18 on turf on the Flat; won at Wolverhampton in March (1m4f) but he's not easy to predict.

12/1

4th

10

(2)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Virtual Hug

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Nikki Evans

Landed some tidy bets when taking this in 2024 but subsequently went on a barren spell; finally back on the scoresheet last month but disappointed in a classified (also C&D) one week later; had an excuse that day but others look more solid.

14/1

33/1

Form: 747-88 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last January but has struggled since finishing second over 1m4f here a year ago, including well held both starts for new trainer; remains to be seen whether first-time cheekpieces make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Gentle Fire

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

On a two-year losing spell and has a question mark over current form, having achieved little in two runs for new stable; opposed.

14/1

6th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Gentle Fire

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

14/1

13/2

Form: 05-218 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 4yo; had a near-miss at Chelmsford (1m5f, Polytrack) on her second run for this yard before getting off the mark over C&D last month; never involved over 1m5f at Lingfield since but it was a bit of messy race with a bunched finish; visor worn last time off, first-time tongue-tie on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Taxiing

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: David Evans

C&D win off 2lb higher in May; more recent efforts haven't been her best but getting back on AW may help, as could a change of headgear.

6/1

10th

6

(7)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Taxiing

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: David Evans

Both wins on AW (1m6f and 2m) but she acts on turf and is closely matched with Hawk Jet on a recent Salisbury run (1m6f); has possibilities but could probably do with the ground drying out.

10/1

4th

2

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

19:43 Salisbury

Taxiing

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Evans

Both wins on AW, off 1lb lower; ran creditably on turf at Lingfield (2m) in June but subsequent efforts leave something to be desired; not the percentage call.

16/1

Form: 53-240

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 17 starts came on soft turf but he has reached the frame three times here this winter; did fade out of it at Lingfield last time, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

17th Feb 2026

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

Three of his five wins have come over C&D, including a division of this race last year when rated 5lb higher; not shone yet this winter and he arrives with a bit to prove.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Mark Loughnane

Three-time course winner (1m6f) but he's been out of sorts in his last five runs and latest was at this track three weeks ago; has something to prove and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip.

20/1

11

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:08 Bath

Black Smoke

8st 6lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Mark Loughnane

Kept on well to score off this mark at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) in July and also has a soft-ground success on his record but both runs last month were below par and conditions are probably not ideal for him today.

16/1

Form: /0-776

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
0-19 since 2yo debut win, including no significant impact in four outings for new yard this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(1)

23rd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lady Valentine

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

0-19 since 2yo debut win, including no significant impact in four outings for new yard this winter.

10/1

6th

5

(7)

3rd Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Lady Valentine

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

0-18 since 2yo debut win, including no significant impact in three outings for new yard this winter; needs first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) to have a positive effect.

7/1

7th

4

(2)

20th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lady Valentine

9st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Michael Appleby

prominent on inner

13/2

13/2

Form: 93-274 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Doesn't win too often (2-31), but has slipped down the weights and mostly creditable efforts since returning to AW, finishing fourth of eight over C&D last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(2)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Crystal Guard

9st 2lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Iain Jardine

Dual 1m4f winner on Tapeta elsewhere; placed three times from six starts over this sort of trip on Tapeta and could make the frame from just 2lb above his last winning mark.

12/1

6th

8

(2)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

16:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Crystal Guard

8st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Iain Jardine

No AW win since January 2023 (Newcastle, 12.5f); managed to score at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) last July but fortunes dipped markedly towards the end of the turf season; more than enough to prove after layoff.

16/1

5

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

16:38 Musselburgh

Crystal Guard

9st 2lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Iain Jardine

Won here (12.4f, good) in July and respectable efforts in next two runs but his form nosedived at Hamilton last month; has something to prove again after that and he needs to bounce back; stablemate of Elemental Eye.

12/1

Non-runners

Freestyle, Princess Nieve

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.00
Straight Forecast £15.74
Tricast £190.68
Trifecta £245.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bella Bluesky

POSTDATA:

Lawmans Blis

The Star:

Midnight Shimmer

D Express:

Lawmans Blis

Daily Mirror:

Lawmans Blis

Daily Record:

Lawmans Blis

RP RATINGS:

Bella Bluesky

The Times:

Bella Bluesky

Telegraph:

Bella Bluesky

The Guardian:

Bella Bluesky

Daily Mail:

Bella Bluesky

The Sun:

Bella Bluesky