15.39
SoftFlat Is Back On Racing TV Handicap
- Prize money: £5234
- 0m 7f 0y
- Class 4
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 6451-1 D
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 11lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 (2) |
5th Sep 2026 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Course winner at 7f who won the Spring Mile on turf in 2024; winless since but there were some flickers of life this summer before he faded at Chepstow 18 days ago; on a handy mark now and he might be more effective back on this track with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces. |
8/1 |
|
6th 2 (8) |
18th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 14y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Has done his winning at trips between 6f and 1m; losing run goes back to March 2024 but, following a spell in the doldrums for previous yard and this one, he's been back in better form of late, doing some good late work on the AW at Kempton (1m) and Wolverhampton (about 1m1f); can be involved with Tom Marquand up for the first time |
11/4 |
|
7th 10 (9) |
21st Jul 2026 Standard 1m 1f 104y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
Better with each of his three runs for this yard and wasn't beaten far at Kempton a fortnight ago, despite hanging right; stays this far and is quite happy on Tapeta, so he's one to consider. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 15759-
Last run: 171 days
W: 9st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (1) |
9th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
10st 1lb |
Won two in a row at Redcar (1m1f/1m, good to firm) last month and completed hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last Saturday; he's 6lb higher than last time and has never won over this far, but he's finished strongly for his recent wins and there's still plenty of mileage in his mark on old form. |
2/1 |
|
1st 2 (1) |
1st Aug 2026 Good 1m 1f 35y Class 6 |
9st 12lb |
Bids for a hat-trick after two wins on good to firm ground at Redcar, the latest in an apprentice handicap over 1m under Conor Whiteley on Wednesday; can race off 1lb lower and shouldn't have an issue with stepping back up trip, while rain would also be no problem; major claims. |
5/6 |
|
1st 5 (7) |
29th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 219y Class 6 |
9st 5lb |
Ended a two-year losing run when winning here over 1m1f on good to firm ten days ago, beating seven rivals; still well treated on his old form under a 4lb penalty and commands respect. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 8129-6 D
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 9lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (4) |
5th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 6y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Multiple winner at up to 8.5f on good or slower; on the slide in three starts this season but this combination of a drop in grade and new headgear may prompt a resurgence; return to shorter is also a plus; shortlisted. |
7/2 |
|
12th 6 (14) |
27th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
Five-time winner on a handy mark but it's been a quiet start to this season and, even if back on song, looks vulnerable to stronger stayers over this far; the return of a visor might be no bad thing. |
14/1 |
|
8th 2 (10) |
12th Jun 2026 Good 0m 7f 1y Class 4 |
11st 1lb |
C&D scorer who made a promising return from a poor draw when seventh of 22 in 7f York handicap four weeks ago; figures on a handy-looking mark now and he's interesting. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 62166- CD
Last run: 142 days
W: 9st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 (6) |
4th Nov 2024 Standard 0m 6f 16y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader 2f out, weakened from over 1f out |
8/1 |
|
6th 2 (6) |
4th Nov 2024 Standard 0m 6f 16y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader 2f out, weakened from over 1f out |
8/1 |
|
7th 1 (2) |
28th Oct 2024 Good To Soft 0m 5f 217y Class 6 |
9st 12lb |
prominent, outpaced over 1f out, soon weakened |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 16400- D
Last run: 146 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 7 (11) |
21st Aug 2026 Good 1m 4f 15y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Two wins over 1m2f at Ripon this year (good/good to soft) and a good second to Salamanca City (with whom he is 4lb better off) when stepped up to 1m4f there last time (good); won over 1m2f last September on only previous start here; interesting. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 1 (4) |
18th Jul 2026 Good 1m 4f 10y Class 3 |
9st 12lb |
Down the field at York and Windsor on his last two starts but he's won on his last four visits to Ripon (1m2f, good/good to soft), including twice this year; it's surprising he's only ever had one crack at 1m4f, given how well he kept on over that trip in 2024; firmly in calculations back here. |
11/2 |
|
6th 3 (2) |
27th Jun 2026 Good 1m 3f 99y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
Most likeable front runner who bagged a second win of 2026 in 1m2f Ripon handicap in May; unable to lead from a poor draw when 11th at York (1m2f) 15 days ago and remains very much one to consider. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1522-7 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 79
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 2 (8) |
16th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 3 |
9st 11lb |
A sixth win here when beating five rivals in March on latest outing (7f); went up only 2lb but lacking a recent run is probably not ideal in this much deeper race. |
14/1 |
|
1st 1 (3) |
13th Mar 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 3 |
9st 11lb |
Won a division of this off 9lb lower in 2025 when it was run as a 0-85, and raised his highest mark defied twice more after; holding his own in Polytrack Class 2s of late, but has more back in his favour tonight. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 4 (6) |
27th Feb 2026 Standard 1m 0f 1y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Has registered all wins over 7f and in lower grades; however, ran respectably in Lingfield Class 2 most recently, while shaping as if this return to 1m is worth a go; whether he can defy current mark is another matter. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 30664- D
Last run: 156 days
W: 9st 1lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 77
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 (7) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 0m 7f 6y Class 4 |
9st 2lb |
Veteran who retains some gusto and won from the front at Ayr (6f, good to soft) in July; however, his last two efforts have been well below par and he could be vulnerable to younger legs. |
16/1 |
|
6th 5 (2) |
21st Sep 2025 Soft 0m 6f 6y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Veteran who retains some gusto but registered his sole win this term in Class 6; it's over two years since last success above that level. |
12/1 |
|
125 |
19th Sep 2025 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
8st 7lb
|
|
Abandoned
Form: 01846- D
Last run: 156 days
W: 9st 0lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 5 (11) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Went close over C&D last week in a race he won two years earlier; now 3lb higher and they claimed 5lb last time, so may need more. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 3 (7) |
15th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
He was 4lb lower when beating Strike to take this race in 2024; could only finish fifth last year but he took advantage of a reduced mark to score at Redcar (6f, good to firm; First Folio fourth) 17 days ago; back up 5lb but he should be thereabouts. |
11/2 |
|
1st 7 (2) |
29th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 217y Class 4 |
9st 3lb |
Conditions to suit and he ran his best race of the year when third over C&D in May; beaten twice since but he is being given a chance by the handicapper. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 27-052 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 8st 12lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 7 (10) |
17th Aug 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Made all off 1lb higher at Windsor (1m, good) in spring 2024 and will also be suited by today's trip-and-surface combination but returned from long absence with 15l defeat last month and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing. |
50/1 |
|
9 (3) |
26th Jul 2025 Good To Soft 0m 7f 192y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Made all in good style at Windsor (1m, good) in April 2024 and this 7yo is well treated now 2lb higher if retaining that ability; however, he's returning from a 454-day absence so there are questions to answer. |
33/1 |
|
10th 3 (9) |
28th Apr 2024 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Wolverhampton winner early last year who scored in some style at Windsor (1m, good) this month but was disappointing under his penalty at Pontefract (1m, soft) six days ago; not quite sure what to expect after that; stable also runs Visibility. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3316-9 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 (8) |
18th May 2026 Good 0m 6f 195y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Not seen on turf since 2024 but is well treated on best Newcastle AW form and has won over this C&D; admittedly needs to stage a revival judged on 2026 efforts. |
14/1 |
|
7th 5 (7) |
1st May 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
Prolific here during the 2024/25 AW season but he's beaten one rival in two starts after an absence; couldn't support with any confidence. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-4220
Last run: 27 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (2) |
17th Oct 2025 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Has lost his form since a consistent spell and still has a poor strike-rate, with sole success in 2023; no certainty to take advantage of his reduced mark. |
12/1 |
|
7th 9 (9) |
28th Sep 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
Just one win from 26 starts and he hasn't been firing on all cylinders of late, including when fitted with blinkers at Redcar on Wednesday; full revival required. |
14/1 |
|
2 (6) |
24th Sep 2025 Soft 0m 7f 0y Class 6 |
9st 13lb |
Sole win from 25 starts came in a novice at Southwell in December 2023; ran well when fourth there last month but he needs to bounce back from two disappointing runs since; blinkers now replace cheekpieces. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 201-0
Last run: 8 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 (3) |
10th Jun 2024 Standard 1m 0f 1y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Won a weak maiden last year (6f, soft) but has offered precious little in three handicaps (5f/6f) and has changed yards; stayed 7f on debut but unraced over this far. |
16/1 |
|
5th 5 (2) |
2nd May 2024 Standard 0m 6f 1y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Soft-ground win last summer came in a weak maiden and two poor efforts this spring leave her with plenty to prove on her AW debut (half-sister to a dual course winner in Rose Hip). |
16/1 |
|
5th 5 (2) |
2nd May 2024 Standard 0m 6f 1y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Soft-ground win last summer came in a weak maiden and two poor efforts this spring leave her with plenty to prove on her AW debut (half-sister to a dual course winner in Rose Hip). |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 263-46
Last run: 9 days
W: 8st 11lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 73
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 (7) |
10th Aug 2024 Good To Soft 1m 2f 0y Class 5 |
9st 11lb |
midfield |
100/30 |
|
2nd 4 (5) |
22nd Jul 2024 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
0-11 but has run really well in second the last twice at Carlisle (1m, soft) and Hamilton (1m, good to soft); beaten just a nose last time when wearing a first-time visor; every chance he'll go one better today. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 6 (5) |
13th Jul 2024 Good To Soft 1m 0f 68y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Expensive to follow for this yard but he's well capable off this sort of mark and he was a good second at Carlisle 26 days ago (Arkenstaar third); new visor replaces cheekpieces this time. |
7/1 |
Verdict
Look Back Smiling continues on an upward curve and a 4lb rise for his Spring Mile success shouldn’t prevent another big run. Pisanello, who beat Look Back Smiling on 15lb better terms at Hamilton last summer and who goes well fresh, has to be in the picture despite dropping in trip, while Perseverants and Leap Day also have something to recommend them. It might be worth giving another chance to HELTER SKELTER, who was over 5l behind Look Back Smiling at the finish in the Spring Mile having hung violently left in the closing stages, but whose surge to the front at Doncaster marked him down as one who was ahead of his mark. Dropping to 7f could suit him well and he still has time on his side.[Paul Smith]
Selections
RP RATINGS:
William DewhirstThe Star:
PerseverantsThe Times:
Helter SkelterTelegraph:
Look Back SmilingD Express:
Look Back SmilingDaily Mirror:
Look Back SmilingDaily Record:
Look Back SmilingThe Guardian:
Legal ReformDaily Mail:
Legal ReformThe Sun:
Danzan