January 10 / 14.20 Lingfield (AW)

14.20

Standard To Slow

Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £4972.3
  • 0m 5f 6y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Snow

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 34821- D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Ended a 14-race losing run when narrowly getting the better of a frustrating sort at Wolverhampton (5f, Tapeta) a fortnight ago; only 1lb higher, but he didn't run very well in his only previous visit here which could be a worry; stable also runs Almaty Star.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer; won at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January on second start since returning to this stable and he went close over that same C&D next time; ran creditably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 17 days ago but he has a better strike-rate on the AW (1-24 on turf).

10/1

6th

6

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:25 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and it's four years since his sole success in this sphere; not the percentage call in this first grass attempt since last August.

12/1

Form: 67176- CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Successful in his first three visits here, but he lost his unbeaten course record when only sixth of eight over C&D ten days ago, albeit that was in 0-105 company; should get the strong pace he needs and a bigger effort is anticipated back down at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

17:05 Windsor

The Thames Boatman

9st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Richard Hughes

Multiple AW winner; quirky sort who often starts slowly but he finally got off the mark (in a change of headgear) on turf in 5f Goodwood handicap last month; up 3lb but he can make his presence felt again.

4/1

1st

2

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Goodwood

The Thames Boatman

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

All seven wins have been on AW; record of 0-16 on turf but he was only beaten a nose off this mark at Bath (5f, firm) on Monday; has leading claims if he can repeat that form and he's versatile ground-wise; regular hood is removed and cheekpieces return.

11/4

2nd

1

(7)

27th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

16:00 Bath

The Thames Boatman

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Multiple AW winner; hindered by being hampered on Good Friday last time; 0-15 on turf but ran creditably (finished second) in this race last year; place claims off same mark.

3/1

Form: 95803- CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
C&D maiden winner as a 2yo who completed a four-timer over 5f on the AW last winter; back to form when beaten a short head and a head into third of nine at Wolverhampton (5f, Tapeta) last month and races off the same mark; contender if backing that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(7)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

16:00 Bath

Diomed Spirit

8st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Williams

Third, beaten 1.25l by Over Spiced, in a C&D handicap three weeks ago; that represented his best turf result but this race will demand an even bigger effort.

9/1

3rd

6

(3)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Bath

Diomed Spirit

8st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Stuart Williams

Big chance on his AW form but he has finished out of the placings in all nine turf runs; BHA mark is 15lb lower on turf but he's likely to remain vulnerable.

14/1

6th

3

(3)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diomed Spirit

9st 9lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Stuart Williams

Won from a similar mark at Lingfield (5f; 8-1) in November; form levels have dipped since finishing third back there in January, failing to beat a single rival the last twice; is 2-4 over C&D, so it's possible that added cheekpieces can rekindle a spark.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 27128- CD

Last run: 111 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Still 4lb above his last winning mark and has been off for 111 days, but he has gone well fresh before and appears to like this C&D (record 122); shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(13)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Almaty Star

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Had been running well on the AW this winter and wasn't for catching after setting a strong pace over this C&D last month (third has won since); an 8lb rise still leaves him on a fair mark based on his previous form but he does now step back up in grade.

5/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

17:40 Yarmouth

Almaty Star

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Ultra-reliable operator on AW, running another solid race when second to a class-dropper at Wolverhampton (5f; first time visor) last month; lesser strike-rate on turf but he is fully effective on it and he has been given a real chance by the handicapper, dropped 10lb for his last two turf defeats (in Class 3); should go well.

15/2

Abandoned

Form: 14532- CD BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Established trailblazer whose record over C&D reads 132, only going down by a neck on his return from 99 days off last month; the winner didn't do much for the form back here a week ago, but he could still be hard to catch if left alone in front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(8)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mc Loven

9st 2lb

J: Sean Davis

T: Sean Davis

Three wins in Britain at 5f (twice on AW); placed at Lingfield over the winter before being bought for 14,000gns in February; dropped out quickly after forcing pace on yard debut in Naas handicap last month on soft; probably best watched for now.

20/1

15th

5

(16)

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 205y

13:35 Naas

Mc Loven

9st 12lb

J: Sean Davis

T: Sean Davis

Three wins in Britain; placed 12 times, including on AW at Lingfield last month; could go well from a career-low mark (marginally) on Irish debut.

8/1

Abandoned

Form: 77794- D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
0-9 since joining this yard; was returning from 148 days off when a fair fourth of seven here (6f; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has dropped another 2lb since, but he may need the extra furlong now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(4)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 5lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Early promise for this yard but he's been struggling for form this winter; tackles 7f for the first time; stable may have stronger claims with Straight A.

20/1

8th

7

(9)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 3lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

took keen hold, held up in rear

20/1

7

(7)

19th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

GDay Mate

9st 4lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Rated considerably higher this time 12 months ago but he's down in the weights as a result of some modest runs since March; returning to 6f not enough to tempt this time.

14/1

Form: 21766- D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the AW in the autumn, but out of the frame in three starts since successful at Southwell (5f, Tapeta) in November; can race too freely and the hood made little difference last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

20th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dashing Harry

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

Still short of his best form but last month's midfield finish at Southwell was a step back in the right direction; 2lb lower today and no surprise to see him in the shake up.

7/1

10

(8)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Dashing Harry

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: James Horton

Well handicapped on the pick of his form which includes a win here, but he arrives under a cloud; finished last on Sunday and hard to fancy.

20/1

Verdict

Almaty Star seems to like this C&D (record 122) so makes the shortlist, as does fellow C&D winner Diomed Spirit who bounced back to form last time. Mc Loven will be a big danger to all if let loose on the lead, but another chance is given to THE THAMES BOATMAN. He lost his unbeaten course record last time, but that was in a 0-105 contest and he should find this somewhat easier.[David Bellingham]

Selections

The Times:

Mc Loven

RP RATINGS:

Michaela's Boy

TOPSPEED:

Dashing Harry

SPOTLIGHT:

The Thames Boatman

Telegraph:

Almaty Star

Daily Mail:

Diomed Spirit

D Express:

Mc Loven

The Sun:

Mc Loven

The Star:

Mc Loven

Daily Record:

Mc Loven

NEWMARKET:

Dashing Harry

POSTDATA:

Michaela's Boy

The Guardian:

Michaela's Boy

Daily Mirror:

Michaela's Boy

LAMBOURN:

The Thames Boatman