February 14 / 15.00 Southwell (AW)

15.00

Standard

Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

  • Prize money: £13189.68
  • 0m 7f 14y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Snow showers

Form: 11/0/0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
4-11 for Charlie Appleby in his younger days, his wins coming over 7f on turf including a Group 3 and two Listed races; absent for two years before failing to beat a rival on stable debut at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) four weeks ago, which wouldn't be the ideal preparation for a race as warm as this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:50 Listowel

Noble Truth

9st 8lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Won the Jersey Stakes in 2022 for Godolphin but few runs since for various trainers and badly regressive; not easy to fancy despite plummeting mark.

28/1

11

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

14:50 Leopardstown

Noble Truth

8st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: John C McConnell

Landed the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022 for Charlie Appleby; nearer last than first in all five starts since, including twice in big Ascot handicaps this summer; much reduced mark but impossible to have faith in.

25/1

12

(18)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ascot

Noble Truth

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John C McConnell

Landed the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022; four duck eggs since, latest in the Wokingham on debut for this Irish yard; best watched unless the market suggests a big revival is likely.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1/115- CD

Last run: 342 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Handy sort who proved highly progressive last winter, completing a four-timer over 7f on Tapeta including a win here; off since a lesser performance in a Wolverhampton Listed contest (7f, Tapeta) last March and will need to be as good as ever to defy this mark on his return; market may be revealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Doctor Khan Junior

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

C&D scorer who resumed winning ways in 7f Southwell handicap 34 days ago, gamely making all; up 3lb but he remains with relatively few miles on the clock and can go very well again.

5/2

1st

3

(7)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:03 Southwell (AW)

Doctor Khan Junior

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Hugely progressive in 2023/early 2024, winning six times; short of his best in two runs in 2025 but his latest close fourth at Kempton was a step back in the right direction; he will need another step forward to take this but it's not out of the question.

5/1

2

(6)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

15:00 Southwell (AW)

Doctor Khan Junior

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Handy sort who proved highly progressive last winter, completing a four-timer over 7f on Tapeta including a win here; off since a lesser performance in a Wolverhampton Listed contest (7f, Tapeta) last March and will need to be as good as ever to defy this mark on his return; market may be revealing.

8/1

Form: 0321-1 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Picked up for 30,000gns last summer and has proved another shrewd purchase by his new owners judged on his wins over C&D in December and at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) last month; won with some authority last time so another 5lb rise may not stop him, while he remains relatively unexposed after eight starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Royal Zabeel

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Ties in with Golden Mind on Musselburgh running but the pair of them are facing a stiffer assignment in this major prize; remains useful on turf but a lower mark in this sphere reflects that his peak form, namely dual Listed honours, has been shown on AW.

33/1

4th

1

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Royal Zabeel

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Made his name on AW but he can do it on turf when the ground is quick, as when a cosy winner at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in August; has since added a second Listed AW event, at Southwell in November, but the Saudi Arabia venture came to nothing in February and he has ground worries today.

12/1

Form: 00211- C

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Record on Tapeta reads 12511, his last two wins coming at Wolverhampton (7f) in the autumn; up another 3lb on this return from three months off, but he has a good record fresh so has to be taken seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(28)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Yorkshire

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Edward Bethell

Effective on turf but still has a better strike-rate on AW and ended his rather truncated 2025 campaign with defeats (admittedly not entirely disgraced) in major handicaps over this C&D, finishing sixth then ninth; needs to raise his game on reappearance.

16/1

9

(14)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ascot

Yorkshire

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Couple of sound efforts back on turf since his productive spell on AW; has something to find with Akkadian Thunder on Royal Ascot running last time but that effort suggests he could be set for further prize-money, which again goes down to sixth place.

14/1

6th

16

(31)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Yorkshire

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Can lead; progressive on AW since dead-heating for most recent turf win, at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) last May; ran a solid race when a close fourth of ten back on turf at Haydock (7f, good) in April, but several of these should prove better treated.

50/1

Form: 34/9-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Winner of 12 races on turf and 3lb lower than for the latest of those in the summer of 2023, but has run poorly in two well-spaced-out starts since November of that year; 0-9 on the AW; look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

16:25 Musselburgh

Gweedore

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

Stable stalwart; just 1lb higher than for his front-running C&D win last November (soft) but his two runs this year have been unconvincing; will no doubt pop up at some point but perhaps in a race with less pace pressure.

16/1

14th

7

(9)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Gweedore

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Katie Scott

He has been a fine advertisement for Katie Scott, winning 13 races over 7f and 1m; 0-6 at this trip but he was beaten less than one length in the 2023 Ayr Gold Cup; recent Musselburgh return should have blown away the cobwebs but others are still more appealing for win purposes.

33/1

7th

5

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 2

13:55 Musselburgh

Gweedore

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Often leads; superb 9yo with six course wins, the latest over C&D (soft) in November; not weighted out of it off the same mark as his second to Persuasion here last April but he's had a much longer break this time and is drawn widest.

13/2

Form: 41-216 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Gained wins at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in December and at Chelmsford (1m, Polytrack) last month, but pulled his chance away at the former track (1m) six days later; this shorter trip in a race likely to be truly run ought to help him settle better and he could easily bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

12th

6

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Apiarist

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Finished a good third in this race 12 months ago when rated 2lb lower; arrives in good form, having beaten Popmaster at Lingfield (1m) before a good third at Kempton (7f) 16 days ago; chance if stall 1 proves no hindrance.

10/1

3rd

4

(3)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Apiarist

9st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Beat very good yardstick in Popmaster for fourth AW win from just eight tries at Lingfield 19 days ago (1m; ridden by Jack Callan for the first time); up just 3lb, and no issue with this shorter trip, but he's never been to Kempton and trainer is just 1-14 here last five years.

3/1

Form: 261-57

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Four wins over 1m last year, the latest on his second start for the yard at Newcastle in December; didn't find things panning out for him here (1m) a week ago and that effort can be forgiven, but he has something to prove down to this trip for the first time on his 26th start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

17:00 Windsor

Nikovo

9st 7lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Herrington

Not disgraced in the Victoria Cup last time but, generally speaking, is perhaps still on a difficult mark on turf; gained last three wins on Newcastle AW and has shown peak form there.

12/1

8th

24

(25)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Nikovo

8st 13lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Registered last three wins on Newcastle AW and ran respectably there on finals day; came up well short in the Spring Cup returned to turf last time and remains on a difficult mark in this sphere; sole handicap success on grass was off 13lb lower.

66/1

16th

18

(16)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Nikovo

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Herrington

Kept busy on AW during the winter, winning over 7f at Newcastle and far from disgraced in a valuable 1m event there on Good Friday; however, his turf form is at a lower level and he'll do well to regain the winning thread.

40/1

Form: 3045-7 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won twice over 6f on the AW last winter including here; just 1lb higher than when beating 17 rivals at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) last summer, but will need to settle better than when last of seven at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) last month (Apiarist second).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(9)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Evans

Only won one of his last 25 starts and regressed last year; now 11lb lower than when beaten a nose over C&D last spring but there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh; others have more pressing claims.

16/1

1

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 13lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Struggled on his last four starts but he has dropped 9lb as a result; fully effective around here and he's likely to bounce back soon; 7f perhaps his optimum trip though.

16/1

11

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Blue Prince

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: David Evans

Defied a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood last season and placed a few times on AW this year (up to April); not in top form since returning from a break and needs to stage a revival.

25/1

Form: 0714-4 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Both AW wins have come over 7f on Polytrack, but the trip just appeared to stretch him on Tapeta when beaten 4l into fourth of eight behind Royal Zabeel at Wolverhampton (7f) last month; cheekpieces now given a go but he will do well to reverse those placings on 6lb better terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Havanagreattime

8st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Richard Hughes

Has gained his wins over 6f on turf and 7f on AW; inconsistent since last success and has something to prove over this trip in this sphere; change of headgear.

33/1

9th

1

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:47 Kempton (AW)

Havanagreattime

9st 11lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

C&D winner who hasn't run over this trip since February; below best on last two outings and plenty to prove from widest draw back on AW.

12/1

12th

4

(3)

11th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:10 Windsor

Havanagreattime

9st 5lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Regained the winning thread at Newbury in April; inconsistent results over C&D since; each-way possibilities on penultimate effort (good second) but isn't guaranteed to reproduce it.

16/1

14/1

Form: 5980-4 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed the run of the race when fourth of 12 on his return from six months off at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) four weeks ago with Apiarist and Nikovo behind; now back off his last winning mark and the return to this trip should suit, but a bit more will be needed even so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:55 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Has won on soft ground and he's now 8lb lower than when runner-up at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in June; however, he's finished no better than seventh across his five outings since.

12/1

6

(9)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:30 Ayr

Liamarty Dreams

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Respectable second at Leicester in June but far from consistent otherwise this year and losing spell goes back to spring 2024; not particularly solid.

16/1

12

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:55 Haydock

Liamarty Dreams

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

C&D winner who was beaten just 1l when second at Leicester in June and is now 6lb lower; however, soundly beaten on his three runs since (C&D last time) and the first-time visor needs to prompt a revival.

33/1

Form: 03749- CD

Last run: 64 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on his only previous visit and 1lb lower than when successful at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) last April; failed to beat a rival on his return from 168 days off at Chelmsford (1m, Polytrack) in December and has something to prove after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(9)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Farasi Lane

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Dual course winner who scored twice at Wolverhampton (7f/8.6f) in March; only 1lb higher than for his last win and he's had excuses with traffic issues and a slow start in last two runs; should get a good tow into this race and has possibilities if he gets the breaks; cheekpieces reapplied.

12/1

6th

3

(10)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Farasi Lane

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Two wins and a near-miss to his name in eight starts here and boasts a decent record in the spring down the years, added to when he went in twice at Wolverhampton in March; hit traffic last time and the harder they go the better for him.

7/1

4th

6

(9)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Farasi Lane

9st 5lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Returned to winning form at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last month and followed up back there (7f) seven days later; back up in grade in search of a three-timer and although this looks tougher he cannot de discounted.

9/4

Form: /102-1 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Only had eight starts and has done well since switched to Tapeta, going down only narrowly at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) despite pulling hard before comfortably beating a subsequent winner over C&D last month; 7lb higher but still open to further progress and much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Our Havana

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since; doesn't look as if he's about to add to his tally.

25/1

9th

9

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Our Havana

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since, midfield at Thirsk most recently; goes back up in grade and needs to raise his game.

33/1

3

(10)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Our Havana

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper, including a Musselburgh win (good) in May; hasn't managed to reproduce that in three outings since but this is a bit easier than the Bunbury Cup he contested last time and Warren Fentiman takes 5lb off; not discounted.

20/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Royal Zabeel

RP RATINGS:

Yorkshire

Daily Mail:

Our Havana

POSTDATA:

Royal Zabeel

The Times:

Royal Zabeel

The Guardian:

Royal Zabeel

D Express:

Royal Zabeel

Daily Mirror:

Royal Zabeel

The Sun:

Royal Zabeel

The Star:

Royal Zabeel

Daily Record:

Royal Zabeel

TOPSPEED:

Yorkshire

Telegraph:

Yorkshire