February 13 / 16.25 Chelmsford (AW)

16.25

Standard

Bet Boost At bet365 “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Initiative)

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Bet Boost At bet365 “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part Of The Racing Excellence Initiative)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 63/9-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well held over hurdles in final two runs last year but he returned to the Flat with eyecatching third at Southwell (1m3f) last month; now drops back in grade but he's untried beyond 1m4f and stamina could be an issue in this competitive race; visor removed and cheekpieces return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

14:57 Ascot

Junkanoo

9st 1lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Gary & Josh Moore

About 7l behind Diamond Bay at Goodwood (1m6f, good) on final Flat run but has since won well with the blinkers back on over hurdles, albeit an ordinary handicap; Ashley Lewis also takes off a handy 7lb; could have some role to play.

8/1

2

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

19:20 Fontwell

Junkanoo

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Generally disappointing over hurdles since Plumpton novice win (2m, good to soft) in early 2024 and not seen in this sphere since down-the-field finish in Ascot handicap in December; in fairly good form on the Flat this year, though, and his current hurdle mark ought to be workable; market may guide.

5/1

Form: 5063-6 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
All four wins have been at this track and latest was over C&D in November 2023; well treated on best form last year but he's not easy to predict and was never involved here (1m6f) last month; needs to step up again after that and slow starts have been a recurring theme; change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Has often blown the start and he refused to jump away at all without the usual blinkers (back on here) last month; is capable off this mark but a lot will hinge on his mood and how he handles the stalls.

16/1

3

(3)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

virtually refused to race, always behind

16/1

7

(2)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tradesman

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David Simcock

Handles Tapeta but is best known for his Chelmsford work and has three poor efforts to his name here, including one at a short price; is long odds-on to blow the start too, so doesn't come without risk, going without headgear for the first time in ages.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 77-542 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has record of 7-18 on AW and he nearly added another win to his tally at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) 11 days ago; 3lb well in off same mark and he's a big player on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Craftymaster

9st 12lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Has won five times this year including his last two starts off his lower turf mark; closely matched with V Power on last month's C&D running and another big effort is likely; stable also runs Letmebetheboss.

5/2

1st

7

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

The Craftymaster

8st 10lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Prolific AW winner, most recently when darting 14l clear at Wolverhampton (2m) in June; narrowly exploited lower turf mark at Lingfield (2m, good to firm) last month but he pulled clear with the runner-up and remains feasibly treated off 4lb higher; shortlisted.

4/1

Form: 634-26

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won four times (11.6f-1m6f) last year including twice on Polytrack; still looks feasibly treated on her second at Lingfield (2m) last month but she was a long way behind The Craftymaster there last time and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Sun Dancer Girl

9st 13lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Fergal O’Brien

Four wins for Andrew Balding (including over C&D) but was pulled up on hurdling/stable debut in June and has finished tailed off back on the Flat (2m) in last two runs; on dangerous mark on this drop back in trip but she needs a major revival.

25/1

2

(7)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Sun Dancer Girl

11st 2lb

J: Miss Remie Morgan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second to Moel Arthur over C&D in January (trained by Andrew Balding) and 3lb better off with that rival today; jumped poorly on her stable/hurdle debut at Stratford in June and then tailed off at Kempton (2m, AW) seven weeks ago; better than that but she does have something to prove for now.

16/1

8th

7

(5)

9th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:20 Kempton (AW)

Sun Dancer Girl

9st 3lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Fergal O’Brien

Didn't take to hurdling on stable debut at Stratford three weeks ago but she ran some good races on the Flat earlier in the year for Andrew Balding and is not ruled out now back in this code.

10/1

Form: 57-742

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has not won since July 2022 but he was only just caught at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) last week, when his rider eased up in the final strides; on same mark here (due to be 1lb higher in future) and he's respected back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(6)

10th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:20 Nottingham

Alright Sunshine

9st 3lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Mike Murphy

slightly awkward start, soon recovered and prominent, challenging 3f out, weakened from over 1f out

20/1

5th

6

(6)

10th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:20 Nottingham

Alright Sunshine

9st 3lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Mike Murphy

slightly awkward start, soon recovered and prominent, challenging 3f out, weakened from over 1f out

20/1

9th

16

(10)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Alright Sunshine

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Mike Murphy

Multiple winner but an exposed 10yo who doesn't arrive here in the best of form.

66/1

Form: 3214-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Off the mark (13th attempt) with easy win at Wolverhampton (1m6f) in December but vulnerable in both runs since including a well-held third at Southwell last time; bit to prove again and he's untried at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(5)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Currumbin

9st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Keady

Back to form when second of eight in 1m handicap at Newmarket 13 days ago; this C&D winner take a big step back up in trip now and must enter calculations off a reduced mark.

7/2

2nd

7

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Newmarket (July)

Currumbin

8st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Keady

His two Flat wins have been over 1m6f and 2m on AW; won over hurdles at Worcester last summer but he's been generally disappointing since, including in three Flat runs this season; continues to drop down the weights but he was sixth of seven over C&D last time and others are preferred.

20/1

6th

5

(6)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:32 Newmarket (July)

Currumbin

9st 7lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Michael Keady

His two Flat wins have been over 1m6f and 2m on AW; won over hurdles at Worcester last summer but he's been generally disappointing since, including in two Flat runs (1m2f/11.4f) this season; has plenty to prove and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip.

25/1

11/2

Form: 648-53

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who ran well when third at Southwell (2m, Tapeta) two weeks ago but that took his Flat record to 0-14 and he needs to find more back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:55 Cartmel

Star Legend

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Has been running well under both codes for most of this year and was clear of the rest behind a lightly raced winner at Worcester a month ago (2m7f, good); just 3lb higher.

2/1

2

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:17 Worcester

Star Legend

12st 0lb

J: Mr Conal Kavanagh

T: James Owen

Won three in a row on the Flat in the spring (1m6f-2m) and was placed over hurdles on next two outings (2m/2m2f); has won over 2m7f before and could plausibly still have untapped potential as a stayer over jumps.

9/2

5th

2

(6)

9th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:20 Kempton (AW)

Star Legend

9st 8lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Completed Flat hat-trick when winning by a neck at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) on June 5; solid efforts when third over hurdles the next twice and he has to be respected off a mark just 2lb higher than at Lingfield.

9/2

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Craftymaster

RP RATINGS:

Star Legend

Daily Mirror:

Junkanoo

The Times:

Currumbin

LAMBOURN:

Sun Dancer Girl

Daily Mail:

Tradesman

The Guardian:

The Craftymaster

D Express:

The Craftymaster

The Star:

The Craftymaster

Daily Record:

The Craftymaster

POSTDATA:

Star Legend

Telegraph:

Star Legend

The Sun:

Junkanoo