April 28 / 15.30 Wetherby

15.30

Soft

Vickers.Bet Handicap

  • Prize money: £6359.3
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Vickers.Bet Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1st
10 (15)
Astral Spirit

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 28322- BF

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Consistent maiden in her first season last year, solid second off this mark at Doncaster (7f, heavy) on final outing; threatening to win a race of this nature and is one for the shortlist on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newmarket

Astral Spirit

10st 1lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year; made all at Wetherby (1m, soft; off 4lb lower) on reappearance, showing improvement; may well build on that win and have a productive 2024 campaign; shortlisted.

15/2

9th

4

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Newmarket

Astral Spirit

10st 1lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year; made all at Wetherby (1m, soft; off 4lb lower) on reappearance, showing improvement; may well build on that win and have a productive 2024 campaign; shortlisted.

15/2

1st

10

(15)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Astral Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Consistent maiden in her first season last year, solid second off this mark at Doncaster (7f, heavy) on final outing; threatening to win a race of this nature and is one for the shortlist on reappearance.

13/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0-6032 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
All wins on soft/heavy but has performed well on faster ground; close second at Pontefract six days ago, confirming that he's back in better form; won last year's Spring Mile off 11lb higher and remains attractively weighted; warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -33354 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Acts on any going; has made the frame in most outings (AW/turf) this year, one place behind Harswell Duke at Pontefract latest; defied a 4lb higher mark over C&D last June; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in rear

8/1

4

(2)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:35 Chester

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored three times at 1m in 2023 and he arrives in very good nick, runner-up in 1m Redcar handicap nine days ago; he must enter calculations off the same mark from his inside berth.

7/2

2nd

2

(10)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who is 0-7 this year; however, he's run some good races and won three times in 2023; each-way contender off a reduced mark.

7/1

Form: 545492

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on AW for current yard, respectable second off this mark at Newcastle (1m) most recently; ideally needs a dry surface back on turf, having gained his Irish wins in good/good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(10)

1st Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Admiral Nelson

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Peter Niven

Form dipped at Redcar in June when last seen; has some respectable Newcastle form for current yard, notably a success off 2lb higher last December; interesting back at this venue.

14/1

8th

5

(10)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:55 Redcar

Admiral Nelson

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Peter Niven

Not the best of strike-rates (3-34) and yet to win over 1m; fair run when fourth after a slow start over C&D last time (soft; just behind Young Fire); worth considering.

11/1

16/1

Form: 047-66 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on best form but needs to step up on this year's AW efforts; last four wins in that sphere; others have stronger claims on recent evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

3rd

10

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

15:57 Redcar

Crownthorpe

8st 12lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Alan Brown

11-84; runner-up at Carlisle (1m, soft; joint-favourite) in July on last turf appearance; 0-4 on AW (1m-1m2f) since, not doing enough to suggest his turn is near; blinkers are added on this attempt for first win since April 2023.

16/1

11/2

Form: 129-72 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in reapplied blinkers at Windsor (1m, good) two weeks ago, taking form figures in this headgear to 11292; interesting off same mark, especially if the ground is slow; both wins on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Dream Pirate

9st 6lb

J: George Wood

T: T J Kent

Two course wins on slower than good, the latest off 2lb lower last September; added a 1m2f success at Lingfield in January and his subsequent modest effort at Nottingham may have been needed after three-months off; more appealing than many.

7/1

9th

3

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Dream Pirate

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: T J Kent

Back to winning ways on Lingfield's AW (1m2f) in January; his four successes prior to that all came on turf (including 1m here) so he should remain competitive off only 2lb higher if fully primed after three months off.

13/2

14/1

Form: 441067 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Has done all his winning on AW, most recently off this mark in February; below form since; placed in last two turf attempts (last July) and has each-way possibilities on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

(7)

29th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:40 Down Royal

Goldsmith

8st 13lb

T: H D McGuigan

Third reserve; five AW wins when trained in Britain; mostly below form for this yard.

12th

8

(3)

10th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Goldsmith

9st 8lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: H D McGuigan

Five AW wins when trained in Britain; mostly below form on turf recently for this yard, though was second at Naas over 1m; can do better back on AW.

33/1

2

(8)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 205y

14:13 Bellewstown

Goldsmith

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: H D McGuigan

All five wins in Britain came on AW at 1m-1m2f; 0-14 on turf but was second in a big field at Naas in July so has it in him to go well; hood removed.

10/1

14/1

Form: 623364 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent on AW since rejoining this stable; has frame possibilities, provided he continues in the same vein, but doesn't look the likeliest winner; 0-19 on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

(3)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Fox Power

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

Largely consistent on AW since rejoining this stable; has frame possibilities, provided he continues in the same vein, but doesn't look the likeliest winner; 0-19 on turf.

14/1

8th

15

(3)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Fox Power

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

14/1

Form: 5556-0

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Failed to progress from his novice success for previous stable; debut for new yard didn't go smoothly (stumbled early, met some traffic) but he was 100-1 for that race; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(11)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

9st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

It was a narrow verdict over 8.6f here four weeks ago and he went up only 3lb; with that run under his belt and being a triple C&D winner, he should feature again if able to overcome a wider than ideal draw.

7/1

1st

6

(4)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Won three times over 9.4f here last year and ended that year with a keeping-on second over that trip; returns from two-month break on fairly tough mark, though, and this drop back to 8.6f is not ideal.

6/1

5

(10)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Thomas Faulkner

Three C&D wins this year, the latest from off the pace in amateur riders' race three weeks ago; 4b higher tonight, though, and this contest may not pan as favourably for him.

5/1

12/1

Form: 1-4220 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Possibly out of his depth in Class 3 last time; generally consistent and has place possibilities back down in grade, provided the pick of his winter AW form is transferred back to turf.
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

16:35 Redcar

Leap Day

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

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

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Leap Day

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

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

17:45 Redcar

Leap Day

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

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

25/1

Form: 488070 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Faced a tough task (well held) in the Spring Mile last time and this is a more suitable level; however, there is still a question mark over his current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

25th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 8lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Pleasing return from over eight months off in February; no issue with dropping back to 1m 19 days ago but proved disappointing; rather watch.

7/2

6th

4

(1)

6th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Last win gained in C&D Class 4 two years ago; most recently runner-up in 1m2f Class 6 here off 249-day absence (beaten by Rock Armour who runs in the 5.30); player if backing that up.

5/1

2nd

9

(12)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:57 Newcastle (AW)

Skilled Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

His last win was in April 2023 and he generally struggled in eight runs last year; has dropped a long way in the weights but he has lots to prove after 249 days off.

20/1

Non-runners

Time Tells All, Ey Up Its The Boss, Yoshimi, Soames Forsyte, Partisan Hero

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.00
Straight Forecast £10.35
Tricast £63.91
Trifecta £92.80

Selections

D Express:

Astral Spirit

NEWMARKET:

Dream Pirate

SPOTLIGHT:

Harswell Duke

RP RATINGS:

Star Shield

The Times:

Ey Up Its The Boss

TOPSPEED:

Admiral Nelson

Daily Mirror:

Astral Spirit

The Sun:

Astral Spirit

The Star:

Dream Pirate

Daily Record:

Dream Pirate

Telegraph:

Harswell Duke

POSTDATA:

Star Shield