February 06 / 18.00 Newcastle (AW)

18.00

Standard

SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div I)

  • Prize money: £7851
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Snow showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.80
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 048-96 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
C&D scorer who hinted at a revival when sixth of 11 over C&D 17 days ago; needs considering off a slipping mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(6)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Has won here but at his best at Newcastle where he has gained his last four wins; can ruin chance by starting slowly but is not firing on all cylinders at present anyway; best to wait until he returns to Newcastle.

16/1

3rd

1

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

16:15 Wetherby

Dark Kestrel

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on the AW, but has a 15lb lower rating on turf; Newcastle winner in March; not disgraced on latest turf start at Beverley last month, but modest effort in a visor (on again) on Tapeta last time; a possible.

6/1

20/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: 08068- D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
A multiple 5f winner on turf but he signed off for 2025 with poor efforts over C&D and in 5f handicap at Southwell; has something to prove after a short break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(7)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Catterick

Albegone

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Latest C&D second on good to firm shows he's in reasonable form; ought to be in the mix again at a course which suits (four wins) but all nine career successes have come on good or softer.

9/2

2nd

7

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Catterick

Albegone

8st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Has won twice on good ground but other seven wins have been on good to soft/soft; had his ground when third at Nottingham two runs back, and not beaten far when seventh at Thirsk last week (5f, good); on a good mark but needs rain not sun.

5/1

7th

9

(4)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Albegone

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Arrives in good nick without winning this season, third of six in 5f Nottingham handicap five days ago; ought to be in the shake-up again.

8/1

OUR TIP

25/1

  • Place: £8.90

Form: 083-98 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Veteran who won twice over 5f in 2025 but also proved hard to catch right; last of eight over C&D 15 days ago too, so others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:52 Catterick

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two of 11 wins have been over C&D; latest success was at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but rather disappointing since; has a bit to prove.

9/1

15th

17

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; not disgraced at Ripon next time; should make another bold bid.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Admirable veteran who recorded his 11th win when making all at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; there wasn't much separating the first five but he's only 2lb higher here and should give it another good shot.

7/2

13/2

Form: 3037-4

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
0-13 but he wasn't discredited after three months off when a close fourth of five in C&D handicap 24 days ago; possibilities eased 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Thirsk

Farandaway

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

It took him 17 attempts to put his head in front, finally opening his account in a 6f maiden at Newcastle in March; solid second in a 6f Southwell handicap one month later; absent for 81 days and although he isn't on a bad mark, he does have to prove his stamina for 7f.

6/1

2nd

3

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Farandaway

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Plenty of short-priced defeats before finally off the mark on his seventeenth start in a Newcastle maiden a few weeks ago; hard to know the merits of that but he returns to handicap company on a workable mark and confidence will have been boosted.

3/1

11/2

Form: 5604-3 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Scored at Ayr (5f) on his yard debut in August and largely in good form since, third of 11 over C&D 17 days ago; can make his presence felt, eased 1lb with a visor (tried three times in 2022) refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:40 Hamilton

Harb

10st 2lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Tristan Davidson

Gained a second win of 2026 at Carlisle (5f) in May but he's been well below par over C&D and at Newcastle since; needs to take a big step forward.

10/1

8th

9

(14)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:03 Newcastle (AW)

Harb

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Two wins in 5f Class 5 handicaps in 2026, at this track in February and then when beating Fierce at Carlisle three weeks ago; stable form is a plus but he needs to bounce back from a quiet run at Hamilton.

10/1

6th

6

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:21 Hamilton

Harb

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Hit and miss but it was career win number nine when narrowly scoring at Carlisle 17 days ago (5f, good), coming from off the pace; 4lb higher here.

3/1

Form: 38-418 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run from a reduced mark at Southwell (6f) in January and result best ignored (he suffered a poor run in the last 1f) when eighth of 11 there a week ago; he remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

19

(18)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Good Earth

9st 2lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Won this race in 2022 as a 5yo; no sign of his enthusiasm waning this year, winning three 6f handicaps, and stepping back up in trip will suit after two good 5f efforts last month; chance.

11/1

2nd

2

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Newmarket (July)

Good Earth

9st 13lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Ideally suited by an easy 6f or stiff 5f and knows how to win; turned in a solid effort at his beloved Sandown last weekend and remains reliable despite his age, but there's not much room for manoeuvre off this mark.

5/1

4th

7

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

13:38 Sandown

Good Earth

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Multiple winner but went up 6lb for his 2l win at Haydock and that counted when fifth at Catterick; however, he does have a very solid record here.

8/1

9/4

Form: 8857-1 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Refitted with a tongue-strap when back to form to land C&D handicap six days ago; needs to back it up under a 5lb penalty with headgear retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Pal Joey

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Ben Haslam

Kickstarted 2026 with 5f success at Newcastle in January but he's failed to reproduce it, again slowly away when fifth of seven at Hamilton (5f) six days ago; others are preferred.

12/1

5th

1

(4)

10th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Pal Joey

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Won at Newcastle (AW; from a similar mark) in January on his first attempt over 5f; less effective since, dwelling and failing to make his presence felt over C&D (tenth of 13; Class 3) latest; this race is easier and Paul Mulrennan is back aboard.

5/1

10th

13

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Pal Joey

8st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ben Haslam

Found a Newcastle handicap run to suit when winning over this trip in January but has otherwise done most racing over further; the early impact of the visor may have worn off now and he was inclined to pull hard when well held back on turf a month ago.

33/1

16/1

Form: 0900-0 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
A six-time course scorer but he's failed to beat a rival on his last two runs, trailing in last of 11 over 7f here 27 days ago; subsequent wind operation needs to spark major improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(12)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Ayr

Bonito Cavalo

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Six-time AW winner but not since March 2024, and his turf strike-rate is 0-28; probably worth another crack at 7f but has been out of form over sprint trips for a good while now; considered only if lively in betting.

25/1

10th

8

(3)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Musselburgh

Bonito Cavalo

9st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won six times on AW in the first part of 2024 but there hasn't been much to cheer about since; 0-27 on turf but has run well over C&D and the forecast rain won't bother him; still too much to prove for comfort.

14/1

Form: 05747- C

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Course winner but he's not proving the easiest to catch right of late, seventh of nine at Wolverhampton (5f) 38 days ago; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(14)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

14:30 Bath

Phoenix Beach

9st 7lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

On a long losing sequence and he came in a below-par seventh of 12 in 5.7f handicap here 22 days ago; yet to score on turf too.

12/1

7th

2

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:40 Bath

Phoenix Beach

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Tapeta specialist but he's hung right before finishing a well-held fifth at Wolverhampton (5f) in his last two starts; continues to edge down the weights but he's 0-13 on turf and has not run in this sphere since last May; others preferred.

11/2

5th

7

(7)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Phoenix Beach

8st 6lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Four C&D wins (from marks in the 60s); excuses when a closing third over C&D on penultimate start; hung right when three places (over 4l) behind Shalaa Asker subsequently; has won for Kieran O'Neill but needs everything to drop his way.

12/1

13/2

Form: 422-79 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
A dual C&D winner but it's now 13 outings since the last of those successes and he beat just one over C&D six days ago; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:35 Musselburgh

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Latest 6f run not the one to judge him on and his earlier 5f runs this year were both encouraging enough; on a dangerous mark if the new headgear has the desired effect.

5/1

13th

3

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Ganesha

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Just one win since October 2023 and that came on AW; operating off a reduced mark now though and he has been keeping on late in 5f handicaps this spring; has his first 6f start in nearly two years but a tongue-tie is now added and he's not discounted.

8/1

6th

5

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

Ganesha

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Four wins divided between turf and the AW; some sign of returning to form from off the pace at Newcastle 20 days ago (5f); possible.

6/1

Non-runners

La Rochette

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £153.60
Straight Forecast £149.10
Tricast £4504.79
Trifecta £2196.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Pal Joey

RP RATINGS:

Harb

SPOTLIGHT:

Good Earth

The Times:

Farandaway

D Express:

Pal Joey

The Sun:

Pal Joey

Daily Record:

Pal Joey

The Guardian:

Farandaway

Daily Mail:

Harb

Daily Mirror:

Harb

POSTDATA:

Good Earth

The Star:

Good Earth