October 20 / 17.00 Bath

17.00

Good

CB Protection Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3454.44
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
CB Protection Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 5-6821 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who seems to have been aided by cheekpieces lately and made all to open her account at Yarmouth (1m, good to soft) a week ago; respected under 5lb penalty here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Valkyrja

9st 11lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Matt Crawley

Low-mileage 4yo who seems to have been aided by cheekpieces lately and made all to open her account at Yarmouth (1m, good to soft) a week ago; respected under 5lb penalty here.

11/4

7

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:00 Yarmouth

Valkyrja

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Matt Crawley

Lightly raced 4yo who was runner-up with cheekpieces added on her Kempton reappearance (1m, AW; 5-1) last month; nudged up 1lb but the first three pulled clear last time and she's still unexposed at this trip; respected back on turf.

13/2

1

(2)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:27 Kempton (AW)

Valkyrja

9st 9lb

J: Fred Daly

T: Matt Crawley

Lightly raced 4yo who isn't particularly solid on form; chance largely depends on how well she responds to first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: -38759

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Didn't fire over 7f last month and has stamina to prove on this first attempt at 1m but was unlucky not to finish closer than fifth at Haydock (7f, good; denied clear run) two runs ago and has slipped to a dangerous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(11)

30th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

16:35 Yarmouth

Gemini Star

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Creditable second on seasonal/stable debut at Thirsk (6f, good) in May, but not seen again until disappointing AW run last week (finished lame); could still have untapped potential over 7f but is not easy to predict.

10/1

12th

4

(14)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:54 Newcastle (AW)

Gemini Star

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Modest strike-rate but she ran well on her seasonal and stable debut at Thirsk (6f, good), finishing second of 17; 2lb rise fair enough and she needs serious consideration.

6/1

2nd

5

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Gemini Star

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Won just one of her 19 starts for Alice Haynes but it came at this track (5f, soft); her best effort in 2025 came on seasonal return (6f, good to firm) and although she ended the campaign quietly it was over 7f and 1m; sold for 1,200gns in December; intriguing runner on stable debut.

12/1

Form: 684116

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Best known as a sprinter; looked as good as ever when scoring over 6f two starts ago and her fourth at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) suggests she can see out 1m but, nevertheless, specialist milers appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(4)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

You Are Everything

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Tony Carroll

Won twice over 6f on turf last summer; not seen to best effect on her return to AW six weeks ago; others appeal more.

16/1

5

(12)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

You Are Everything

9st 7lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Best known as a sprinter; looked as good as ever when scoring over 6f two starts ago and her fourth at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) suggests she can see out 1m but, nevertheless, specialist milers appeal more.

8/1

6th

1

(2)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

15:50 Brighton

You Are Everything

9st 9lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Scored at Chepstow (6f soft) when back on turf in June and followed up at Leicester (6f, good) in July, again finishing well from a long way off the pace; not sure to be ideally suited by the forecast faster ground here but still respected in current mood.

3/1

Form: 0U6455 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Has modest strike-rate in recent years and ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when safely held on last two starts at Ffos Las (1m2f/1m); needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Vellner

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has modest strike-rate in recent years and ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when safely held on last two starts at Ffos Las (1m2f/1m); needs to up his game.

14/1

1

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:40 Ffos Las

Vellner

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Sole handicap win over 1m on good ground but he has form on soft and heavy; signs of a revival two starts ago but he failed by a long chalk to confirm it on this track since; still capable of going well off his reduced mark if refitting cheekpieces helps.

8/1

4

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:25 Ffos Las

Vellner

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has dropped to a handy mark, but he didn't get going until it was too late when fourth of eight over C&D (good to soft) 12 days ago; capable of playing a part if things drop right; stable also runs Zambezi Magic.

6/1

Form: 673116 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Veteran who struck form with wins over C&D (good to soft) and at Brighton (1m, soft) last month; below that level on latest outing, though, and looks a shade vulnerable off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

18:15 Brighton

James Park Woods

9st 4lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Two of his four wins have been here but he's 4-61 overall and has offered little this year.

20/1

6th

8

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:37 Bath

James Park Woods

8st 12lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Won twice in the space of three days last September, over C&D and then following up at Brighton (both on slower than good); yet to shine this year and the ground may not be soft enough for him to show his best.

12/1

7th

5

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:45 Nottingham

James Park Woods

9st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Well held in his last four starts but he may have needed the run at Bath two weeks ago and he's now back on the same mark as when completing a double at Brighton (1m, soft) in September; has claims if he can recapture that form and any rain would be a bonus.

10/1

Form: 867413 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Belatedly off the mark over C&D (good to soft) last month, on 14th start, and posted another good effort when third over C&D (good to firm) three weeks ago; must be considered in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(1)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:43 Bath

Baynoona

9st 9lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Sue Gardner

Sole win came over C&D under Millie Wonnacott last September; had the odd ground/trip excuse since and was messed around in the closing stages at Chepstow last time; chance.

10/1

7th

9

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

17:05 Chepstow

Baynoona

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Sue Gardner

Second at Bath in the spring before appearing not to see out 1m2f on latest outing (not for the first time); last autumn's win (good to soft) came off a similar mark and it wouldn't be a shock were she to pop up.

10/1

8th

9

(7)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Baynoona

8st 7lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Sue Gardner

1m win here last September off a 2lb lower mark; two respectable runs here last month and stepping back up in trip can help; each-way chance.

4/1

Form: 222304

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Has modest 1-38 career strike-rate but stayed on for fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) last week and has now made the frame on six of his seven starts for Alison Thorpe; won't mind what the weather does and probably won't be far away; tongue-tie refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

16:35 Chepstow

Bobby Dassler

8st 2lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Barry John Murphy

Acts on all ground and returned to winning form over C&D (good) in June; well behind the winner in all four starts since, though, and has plenty to find from 10lb out of the weights.

50/1

8th

6

(6)

18th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

15:50 Chepstow

Bobby Dassler

8st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Barry John Murphy

All three wins at about 1m, most recently over C&D in June (good; has won on good to firm), but his form has taken a turn for the worse since, over 1m (on two occasions) and 1m4f; has plenty to prove; usually wears aids but not today.

16/1

7th

5

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 6

20:00 Ffos Las

Bobby Dassler

9st 4lb

J: Ebrahim Nader

T: Barry John Murphy

Has done a lot of his racing at 1m and has often pulled hard when going further, including in the hood (back on tonight; tongue-tie comes off) but does stay this far; not much room for manoeuvre off this mark and needs to leave two lesser efforts behind.

20/1

Form: 843237 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Course regular who was placed on consecutive C&D starts last month (heavy/good to soft); not in same form on good to firm ground here last time, though, and remains without a win since 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:00 Chepstow

Eye Of The Water

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Ronald Harris

Hasn't won for ages but he was a close third under a prominent ride in a classified event at Bath (1m, firm) when last seen in early July; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's ideally suited by slow ground

11/2

3rd

3

(11)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:43 Bath

Eye Of The Water

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ronald Harris

This veteran hasn't tasted success for nearly three years; he ran okay over C&D two starts ago and when sixth at Ffos Las last week but more is needed.

11/1

Form: 713875 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Won off her basement mark when dropped back to 1m at Chepstow (soft) in June but has not really built on that performance since and was just a respectable fifth behind James Park Woods over C&D last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(1)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Anticipating

8st 9lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Alexandra Dunn

Won off her basement mark when dropped back to 1m at Chepstow (soft) in June but has not really built on that performance since and was just a respectable fifth behind James Park Woods over C&D last month.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Bath

Anticipating

9st 4lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Alexandra Dunn

Opened account off basement mark at Chepstow (1m, soft) in June, her 13th start; below that form lately but now back down to her winning mark, and will be suited by today's conditions.

7/1

Form: 569509 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice at Chepstow this season (1m, good/good to firm) but is far too inconsistent to rely upon, and his recent efforts have been very disappointing; swaps usual blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(9)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Letter Of The Law

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John O’Shea

Runner-up twice at Chepstow this season (1m, good/good to firm) but is far too inconsistent to rely upon, and his recent efforts have been very disappointing; swaps usual blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.

33/1

9th

10

(1)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:52 Bath

Letter Of The Law

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John O’Shea

Very hit-and-miss these days and his second of 13 at Chepstow (good to firm) in July hasn't been reproduced in six subsequent starts; 1lb out of the weights and others look a lot safer.

33/1

17

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

15:03 Chepstow

Letter Of The Law

8st 3lb

J: Jay Mackay

T: John O’Shea

Usually leads and has the option of going up the far side from stall 1; hit-and-miss these days, for a trainer also responsible for Romanovich (a fellow front-runner drawn on the opposite wing) but is capable off a feather weight if tactics decide the day.

25/1

Non-runners

Claxton Bay, Dappled Light

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.00
Straight Forecast £11.05
Tricast £43.95
Trifecta £75.90

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Baynoona

NEWMARKET:

Valkyrja

POSTDATA:

Claxton Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Gemini Star

The Star:

You Are Everything

Daily Mail:

James Park Woods

Telegraph:

Valkyrja

Daily Record:

Valkyrja

The Guardian:

Baynoona

D Express:

Baynoona

Daily Mirror:

Baynoona

The Sun:

Baynoona

The Times:

Claxton Bay

RP RATINGS:

Gemini Star