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

9th

1

(3)

15th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 53y

Class 5

17:35 Leicester

Harswell Duke

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Liam Bailey

Suited by soft/heavy but winless since the 2023 Spring Mile and could have run better than he did at Pontefract last week.

12/1

5th

6

(5)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:12 Pontefract

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Suited by soft/heavy; losing run goes back to his win in the 2023 Spring Mile but current mark is attractive; has C&D form; first run since rejoining the yard he was with in 2020/2021.

12/1

8th

5

(9)

24th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:02 Beverley

Harswell Duke

9st 5lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Runner-up twice in a row in April (1m, soft) and he's on a competitive mark on that form; not at the same level since but he was returning from a break when fifth at Carlisle (7f, soft) last time and could improve for that outing; one to consider if getting his preferred testing ground.

8/1

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

11th

1

(10)

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:20 Thirsk

Crownthorpe

9st 11lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alan Brown

held up in rear

20/1

11th

1

(10)

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:20 Thirsk

Crownthorpe

9st 11lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Alan Brown

held up in rear, outpaced 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no telling impression

20/1

5th

3

(1)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Crownthorpe

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Alan Brown

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened final 110yds

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

3rd

5

(2)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

15:18 Nottingham

Dream Pirate

9st 11lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: T J Kent

Won back-to-back races last season and won with sufficient authority over C&D two weeks ago to believe he might repeat the feat off 6lb higher; has been competitive off loftier figures in the past.

3/1

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

4

(13)

31st May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Down Royal

Goldsmith

9st 11lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: H D McGuigan

Has done all his winning on AW; has placed form on turf; probably wants further than 7f and left former British yard for 9,000gns.

20/1

7th

6

(16)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Goldsmith

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

dwelt start, in rear, some headway on near side of group 2f out, never on terms

14/1

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

10th

2

(4)

1st Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

17:25 Bath

Serious Look

9st 12lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

slowly into stride, in rear, steady headway and in touch with leaders halfway

20/1

9th

4

(8)

20th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:45 Kempton (AW)

Serious Look

9st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Thomas Faulkner

Lost his way for George Boughey, wind surgery not helping last spring, before being sold for 6,500gns; the slide continued in three runs in the spring and he's best watched back from four months off.

25/1

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

8th

2

(2)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Thirsk

Leap Day

10st 3lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Sole win came on AW during a consistent spell in winter; less reliable since returned to turf but ran respectably (close fifth) in higher grade over C&D in May; that form gives cause for optimism.

14/1

10th

10

(8)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:00 Doncaster

Leap Day

8st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

prominent

14/1

15th

18

(19)

25th May 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Leap Day

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Won 1m novice at Southwell in December; patchy form since but not beaten far when fifth at Thirsk last Saturday (7f, good to firm); place chance.

16/1

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

10th

3

(4)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Pontefract

Skilled Warrior

9st 11lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Grant Tuer

Record is just 2-34; has a major question mark over current form; hopes rest on the drop to Class 6 prompting a revival.

16/1

11th

14

(11)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Skilled Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Grant Tuer

in touch with leaders on outer, outpaced 4f out, weakened over 1f out

25/1

11th

14

(11)

28th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Skilled Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Grant Tuer

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.

25/1

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