February 24 / 20.00 Wolverhampton (AW)

20.00

Standard

Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £4710.6
  • 1m 0f 142y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.40
  • Place: £4.70

Form: 657

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Out of a half-sister to German 1m Group 3 winner; well held at big prices in three maiden/novice events (6f) this year but he now goes handicapping and looks a possible improver on this step up in trip; needs watching in market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Sonic Pioneer

11st 1lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Martin Keighley

Dual Flat winner whose form in juvenile hurdles includes an emphatic success at Kempton (2m, good) and two non-completions (pulled up both times) in Grade 2 races; drops back in class after a break but he has a bit to prove and probably needs to kick on again to make a major impact.

5/1

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

12:40 Cheltenham

Sonic Pioneer

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Progressed well at an ordinary level for previous Flat yard and looked a jumper with a future when rattling home by 14l at Kempton in November (good; Flat winner on soft); only 5-2 for the Grade 2 at Chepstow over Christmas won by Tenter Le Tout and hard to believe he gave his true running; retains potential but probably vulnerable for win purposes even if back on song.

25/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 908-21

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Went close on handicap debut over C&D this month and he got off with the mark with a comfortable win at Lingfield (1m2f) six days later; up 4lb but he's open to more progress and is a big player back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Backer Bilk

11st 2lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Low-grade winner on the AW who has shown some aptitude for hurdling, making the frame in run-of-the-mill 2m maidens at Hereford (good) and Huntingdon (good to firm); not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but should feature in a weak race.

3/1

3rd

5

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Backer Bilk

10st 12lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Low-grade AW winner; did not achieve huge amount when well-held second of seven behind short-odds favourite at Hereford (2m, good) a fortnight ago, his second hurdle run, but might collect another minor prize here.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 668-53

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden who found improvement upped to 1m when a keeping-on third in Lingfield handicap last month; left James Ferguson for 7,000gns since; should have more to offer at this trip and is respected on stable debut; blinkers worn last twice are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(14)

26th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:05 Newcastle (AW)

Herkeios

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

12-race maiden who has been well beaten in his last two runs but he failed to see out 1m2f last time and was placed a few times earlier in the year, going close over C&D in March; each-way possible now back down in trip.

14/1

6th

8

(5)

12th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Herkeios

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Went close off 2lb higher at Newcastle (1m, AW) in March and was good third at Yarmouth next time, but his form has cooled in last two starts; has bit to prove again and he's now 0-11; reapplied blinkers replace cheekpieces.

10/1

6th

4

(3)

14th May 2025

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:42 Bath

Herkeios

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

0-10 but he's been generally consistent since joining this yard in January; behind Paragon when fourth of 13 at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last week and needs a bit more in the added cheekpieces (has tried blinkers and hood) to turn those placings around.

7/1

16/1

Form: 4768-

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Regressive form in four 2yo runs, ending with a well-held eighth on nursery debut here (9.4f) in December, when taking a strong hold; needs to do much better on this drop back in trip; blinkers replaced with cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

20th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Latona

8st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Michael Appleby

Unplaced in all 13 starts, yet to improve for the switch to Mick Applenby's stable; return to 7f can help but others have more pressing claims.

12/1

8

(2)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Latona

8st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

3yo maiden who gives the impression she may prove suited by this step back up to 1m on third start for shrewd new connections; new headgear combination; not ruled out.

5/1

9th

8

(8)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Latona

8st 12lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Wasn't placed in ten starts for Marco Botti; sold for 7,000gns to join upwardly mobile connections in July, and it would be no surprise if she showed significant improvement from her stable debut when fifth of 14 at Lingfield (7f, AW) ten days ago.

8/1

Form: -21132 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 321132 since joining Gay Kelleway and both wins have come at this track (7f/8.6f); up another 2lb after his second at Newcastle ten days ago but that was a near miss and he pulled clear with the winner; respected back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

19:40 Lingfield (AW)

Manton Road

9st 9lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Richard Phillips

In-form 4yo who has been placed at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in his last two starts including when runner-up in a handicap last Monday; usually comes from off the pace and has claims if he gets the breaks.

4/1

2nd

7

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Manton Road

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Phillips

Two of his four wins in 2025 came in handicaps here, one over C&D; has been below that form since and a resurgent effort last time came in a classified race.

10/1

3rd

4

(10)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Manton Road

9st 9lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Richard Phillips

Progressive in the early months of last year for Gay Kelleway but has lost his way; runs in 0-50 company for the first time but that's as a consequence of having regressed further for his current yard this season.

33/1

Form: 9-45

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Well held in his three runs (7f/6f) this winter but he's bred to appreciate this step up in trip and could show a lot more on his handicap debut; one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

21st May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:52 Chepstow

Boundless Poet

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Ben Lund

Never progressed for Ollie Sangster and was sold for 1,000gns; beaten nearly 20l on stable debut in a 1m handicap and unraced beyond that far.

50/1

5

(9)

21st May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:52 Chepstow

Boundless Poet

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Ben Lund

Never progressed for Ollie Sangster and was sold for 1,000gns; beaten nearly 20l on stable debut in a 1m handicap and unraced beyond that far.

50/1

7th

9

(10)

10th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

17:53 Lingfield (AW)

Boundless Poet

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Ben Lund

raced wide, towards rear and hung right

25/1

16/1

Form: 3378-8

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Good third in 6f Leicester nursery in October but he's not come close to that form since and was out the back on recent stable debut at Southwell (5f); record now 0-9 and has plenty to prove on his step up to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

10th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Zadkiel

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

dwelt start, took keen hold, soon in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

12/1

7th

8

(1)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Zadkiel

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Good third in 6f Leicester nursery in October but he's not come close to that form since and was out the back on recent stable debut at Southwell (5f); record now 0-9 and has plenty to prove on his step up to this trip.

16/1

8th

4

(5)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Zadkiel

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

in touch with leaders

10/1

25/1

Form: 00-7

Last run: 52 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Well-bred colt; he hasn't shown much in three runs (6f-1m) for Kevin Philippart De Foy this winter; now goes handicapping off a lowly mark but he needs a transformation for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(4)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:27 Kempton (AW)

Master Milan

8st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Five-race maiden who holds very weak claims on form.

25/1

14

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Master Milan

9st 2lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Struggled in three starts for Kevin Philippart De Foy and he was again down the field on stable debut at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) in February; off since and has been gelded.

40/1

10/1

Form: 800-

Last run: 105 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Represents major yard; never figured in 6f/7f events last autumn (gelded since) but could well improve now handicapping at a modest level and upped in trip; interesting, especially if the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(7)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Unfortunate Heir

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Represents major yard; never figured in 6f/7f events last autumn (gelded since) but could well improve now handicapping at a modest level and upped in trip; interesting, especially if the market speaks positively.

10/1

10th

5

(11)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

17:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Unfortunate Heir

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

in rear

20/1

12/1

Form: 00-4

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Well held in three qualifying runs (7f/6f), most recently when fourth of five at Southwell (hood added) on recent return from a break; needs improvement at this new trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(7)

20th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Stay Around

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Ability at a moderate level over 6f-7f on first three starts but below that having raced keenly on the outer on handicap debut over 8.6f last time; likely to do better.

10/1

10th

3

(9)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Stay Around

9st 7lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Edward Bethell

Well held in three qualifying runs (7f/6f), most recently when fourth of five at Southwell (hood added) on recent return from a break; needs improvement at this new trip on handicap debut.

12/1

4th

4

(3)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:10 Southwell (AW)

Stay Around

9st 1lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Edward Bethell

Out the back in a couple of soft-ground 7f runs last October; gelded since; wears a hood on his reappearance/AW debut but his pedigree doesn't point to sprinting being his game.

40/1

Form: 515-39

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f Brighton nursery in October and ran respectably on AW in next two runs but his form slumped at Lingfield last month; now 1-10 and has something to prove; refitted cheekpieces replace blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(4)

24th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Majestic Heights

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won a 7f Brighton nursery in October and ran respectably on AW in next two runs but his form slumped at Lingfield last month; now 1-10 and has something to prove; refitted cheekpieces replace blinkers.

16/1

9th

6

(1)

22nd Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

13:55 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Heights

9st 6lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

Won a big-field nursery at Brighton in October (7f, good to soft) off a 5lb lower mark; two solid efforts on AW this winter and a change of headgear could prompt a bit more from him; more appealing than many.

5/1

9th

6

(1)

22nd Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

13:55 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Heights

9st 6lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

Won a big-field nursery at Brighton in October (7f, good to soft) off a 5lb lower mark; two solid efforts on AW this winter and a change of headgear could prompt a bit more from him; more appealing than many.

5/1

Non-runners

Ignition

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £106.00
Straight Forecast £70.40
Tricast £430.92
Trifecta £779.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Manton Road

Daily Mirror:

Stay Around

POSTDATA:

Backer Bilk

The Star:

Unfortunate Heir

The Guardian:

Herkeios

The Times:

Ignition

The Sun:

Stay Around

RP RATINGS:

Manton Road

NEWMARKET:

Manton Road

Daily Mail:

Manton Road

D Express:

Manton Road

Daily Record:

Manton Road

Telegraph:

Backer Bilk