15.04
SoftBetter Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap
- Prize money: £3663.8
- 0m 7f 219y
- Class 5
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 6317-2 D
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 11lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 70
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 (7) |
19th May 2026 Good 1m 3f 133y Class 5 |
9st 7lb |
Made a winning stable debut at Goodwood (1m4f, good to soft) last June but she's now 12lb lower following some lesser efforts; better is needed but any rain will suit. |
14/1 |
|
9th 9 (8) |
4th May 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 2f 219y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Made successful stable debut/reappearance at Goodwood (1m4f, good to soft) in June last year, but now 9lb lower for a reason; others stronger. |
14/1 |
|
5th 7 (6) |
8th Apr 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 2f 219y Class 4 |
8st 12lb |
Made a successful stable debut after seven months off at Goodwood (1m4f, good to soft) in June last year, but is now 7lb lower for a reason; others stronger. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /47-87
Last run: 27 days
W: 9st 10lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 69
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 9 (9) |
21st May 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
Long time since he has shown any worthwhile form and now 0-28; look elsewhere. |
20/1 |
|
10th 10 (8) |
12th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 6 |
8st 9lb |
Longstanding maiden who hasn't offered much for a good while now. |
33/1 |
|
8th 11 (9) |
29th Apr 2026 Standard 1m 0f 13y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
Mostly down the field for this yard, including over C&D last time; can't be supported. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-5402 D
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 (8) |
27th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 96y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
Has won here twice already this month, taking his course record to 112311; all those races were over the extended 1m, so this race asks a slightly different question but he grabbed control well over 1f out last time, is back in career-best form and highly respected. |
4/1 |
|
1st 8 (10) |
12th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 100y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Prevailed by half a length last week, taking C&D record to 11231; successful in this race for the last two years and commands respect, even under a 4lb penalty, kept to his ideal scenario. |
4/1 |
|
1st 1 (14) |
4th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 100y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Acts on good to firm and soft ground; overall record of 3-38 but his last two wins have come over C&D and he returned to form with a front-running third here 11 days ago; remains well handicapped off 2lb lower than for his last success and he could make another bold bid. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 67000- D
Last run: 177 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (2) |
23rd Sep 2024 Good To Soft 1m 0f 68y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
Continues to tumble down the weights and he's one to watch in the betting in a first-time tongue-tie, but he's been well beaten on all three starts this season and a major turnaround is required. |
16/1 |
|
11th 8 (5) |
11th Aug 2024 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Gained both wins over C&D but seems badly to have lost his way since his dead-heat here last June; well-beaten 50-1 shot on both appearances this year; considered only if much stronger in the betting today. |
12/1 |
|
14th 11 (4) |
14th May 2024 Good To Firm 1m 0f 100y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Both wins at Ripon (1m, good to firm), the latest from 5lb higher last summer; hasn't beaten many in his last four starts including on his recent Thirsk reappearance; best watched for now. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22623- BF
Last run: 161 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 6 (7) |
3rd Sep 2024 Standard 1m 0f 13y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Plenty of short-priced defeats to her name but doesn't do anything wrong and the cheekpieces have helped, with two Kempton wins from the front this summer; has a career-high mark to overcome, having gone up another 3lb for her Sandown near-miss. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 15 (8) |
8th Aug 2024 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
took keen hold, prominent |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 54751-
Last run: 182 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 66
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 4 (3) |
22nd May 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 6y Class 5 |
9st 6lb |
He was gaining his first win away from Hamilton when landing a C&D handicap last October off a 2lb lower mark; promising return to action at his beloved Hamilton 19 days ago; that should have blown away any cobwebs and he rates a strong contender for a yard who could be hitting top gear judged on recent results. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 4 (2) |
3rd May 2026 Good 1m 0f 68y Class 5 |
9st 7lb |
One of his seven wins here came in this race two seasons ago; had the benefit of a run that year and record after this sort of break isn't overly encouraging; however, his course record is too good to ignore, he's on a competitive mark and goes on all ground. |
7/2 |
|
1 (7) |
14th Oct 2025 Good 1m 0f 53y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Prevailed by a neck at Pontefract (1m, soft) last week, making it three wins from his last four starts and recording first success away from Hamilton; only 3lb higher even with another penalty; respected in current form. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 55340- CD BF
Last run: 195 days
W: 9st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 66
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 (3) |
30th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 100y Class 6 |
9st 5lb |
Veteran C&D scorer who slipped in the weights in the second half of last year and arrives in fine form; runner-up in 14-runner event here last month; merits serious consideration. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 9 (5) |
4th May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 100y Class 6 |
8st 13lb |
Veteran who won this race last year and returned to form with a creditable second over C&D (Woodleigh fifth) 11 days ago; has possibilities off unchanged mark and he won't mind what the weather does. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 8 (6) |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 1m 0f 100y Class 6 |
8st 13lb |
Veteran who gained most recently success in C&D contest (off 5lb higher) last May on second start of his 2025 campaign; reasonably interesting returned to this scenario with Thirsk reappearance under his belt. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 84391- D
Last run: 193 days
W: 9st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 65
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (5) |
1st Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
11lb below his last winning mark and ran well when a close fourth of ten over C&D early last month, but twice held over 1m back here since; not quite sure what to expect. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 2 (5) |
1st Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
11lb below his last winning mark and ran well when a close fourth of ten over C&D early last month, but twice held over 1m back here since; not quite sure what to expect. |
10/1 |
|
5th 2 (2) |
28th Oct 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Finished well for fourth over 7f here two starts ago ago but faded into sixth when back up to 1m in refitted blinkers here last time and remains without a win this year; cheekpieces given another whirl today. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 43555-
Last run: 166 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 63
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 13 (4) |
27th Jul 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
Couldn't win for Jack Channon and hasn't remotely threatened to put that right in six starts for current yard. |
50/1 |
|
11th 4 (9) |
1st Jul 2024 Good To Firm 1m 0f 6y Class 6 |
9st 7lb |
Ex-Jack Channon; this 17-race maiden lacks persuasive claims judged on what he's done for new yard this season. |
14/1 |
|
6th 4 (8) |
19th Jun 2024 Good 1m 5f 16y Class 6 |
9st 7lb |
took keen hold, led |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 65-649 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 9st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 63
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 (3) |
14th May 2024 Good 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
9st 4lb |
led narrowly or disputed lead, headed 3f out, no extra over 1f out |
5/2 |
|
3rd 5 (3) |
14th May 2024 Good 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
9st 4lb |
led narrowly or disputed lead, headed 3f out, no extra over 1f out |
5/2 |
|
4th 1 (6) |
26th Apr 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 10lb |
Beaten favourite at Thirsk this month and that abject performance may well have been down to heavy ground; has had excuses with one thing and another in previous runs here this year and is evidently felt capable off this sort of mark (down another 2lb). |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -93222
Last run: 23 days
W: 9st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 61
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 4 (10) |
20th Oct 2025 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 6 |
9st 7lb |
Blows hot and cold but he is 2lb lower than for his last win (8.6f here in June) and fully effective over C&D; not solid but couldn't discount with confidence. |
14/1 |
|
2 (9) |
9th Oct 2025 Standard 1m 4f 98y Class 5 |
9st 10lb |
0-10 here but scored at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) in February; campaigned over shorter since March and won again at that venue (8.5f) in June; case to be made now he's back on that winning mark. |
20/1 |
|
5th 8 (9) |
15th Sep 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Retains a fair chunk of ability aged nine but all of his 2025 AW form is at Wolverhampton, winning twice; not sure quite what to expect back elsewhere. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 600-03 CD
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 1lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 60
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 (8) |
4th Oct 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
slowly away, in rear, ran in snatches |
16/1 |
|
7th 2 (11) |
3rd Sep 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
Two of his four wins have come over C&D and although his losing run is up to 12, he is 7lb lower than when last successful; one for the shortlist returned here. |
15/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 16282-
Last run: 196 days
W: 9st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 59
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 12 (2) |
16th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 218y Class 5 |
8st 12lb |
Added two more wins in 2025, at 1m (good to soft) and on this track (7f, soft; made all); back on his last winning mark but this year's efforts lag behind what will be needed today. |
25/1 |
|
8th 8 (2) |
1st May 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
8st 9lb |
Realistically weighted on his best efforts last year and his second run in March was better than the first; however, his AW exploits are unconvincing. |
14/1 |
|
6th 4 (13) |
29th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
1m on good to soft ground no problem and he is feasibly weighted on his best efforts last year; should be sharper with his recent return to action under his belt and he has the assistance of a leading amateur in the saddle; one for the shortlist. |
12/1 |
Verdict
Big Bear Hug has a good deal to recommend her on ground that suits but a stiffer test back at 1m might be preferable and it could be worth persevering with VECCHIO back on turf in an easier grade than he’s been running in on the AW. He has to negotiate the highest draw but his Goodwood run over 1m last spring was promising and he has come down a good deal in the weights since. Arkenstaar, who ran well on his reappearance last spring, Reel Prospect now back on turf, Kynsa for a new yard, and Sense Of Worth, off his lower turf mark, are others to consider.[Emily Weber]
Selections
Daily Mirror:
Big Bear HugThe Star:
Big Bear Hug