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
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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

7th

6

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dark Kestrel

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

C&D winner whose five AW wins include two this year; often slowly away; has been running respectably off his lower turf mark of late but probably needs a bit more for the adding of a visor.

16/1

6th

11

(9)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Dark Kestrel

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Five-time AW winner who was unable to take advantage of his lower turf mark last time and it remains three years since his only success in this sphere; others preferred.

16/1

4th

10

(2)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Dark Kestrel

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Kept busy on the AW this winter and already a dual 5f winner at Newcastle; not out of things if translating that form but he's yet to show his best form on turf.

8/1

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

5th

8

(7)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Carlisle

Albegone

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Close second at Newcastle (5f, AW) in February and likewise at Nottingham (5f, good) last month; however, soundly beaten on his three starts since and he needs to raise his game.

12/1

13th

18

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Albegone

8st 7lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Close fourth in a division of this contest last year but up and down since and his last two runs have been poor; dangerously well handicapped but opposable on balance.

33/1

8th

4

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Albegone

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Nine-time winner who scored off 6lb higher at Catterick last May; has been up and down since then but he finished well to go close over C&D (good) on his penultimate run; has possibilities if he can recapture that form and it would be positive if rain arrives.

12/1

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

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

1st

2

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:57 Nottingham

Glory Fighter

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Ten-time turf winner, including C&D; close third at Newcastle when last seen in February; one to consider.

9/2

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

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

1st

1

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Farandaway

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Largely consistent sort; placed in 6f handicaps at Southwell on last two starts, close second latest; easily the most exposed contender, being 0-16, but is one of the main players on form.

7/2

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

1st

10

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Harb

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Hindered by traffic issues on his return to turf from AW but latest effort is harder to forgive; otherwise remains well treated on best form, albeit now goes back up in grade.

8/1

8th

2

(9)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Ayr

Harb

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tristan Davidson

C&D winner off this mark last August (good); also won at Newcastle in February; needs to bounce back after two below-par runs.

10/1

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

5th

1

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Good Earth

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Herrington

Has been a superb servant, winning 16 of his 99 starts, including three this year; comfortable scorer at Haydock (6f, good to firm) latest, for which he has gone up 6lb; has won over C&D and looks a player again.

2/1

1st

5

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Haydock

Good Earth

9st 7lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Herrington

The winner of two of his six starts this year, both over 6f at Southwell; he could only manage fourth of the nine runners back at Southwell 20 days ago and he will need to raise his game to defy this mark.

6/1

4th

1

(3)

5th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

13:55 Southwell (AW)

Good Earth

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Made it 4-15 under Connor Planas when gaining his second C&D success ten days ago; did it comfortably enough and despite a 5lb higher mark, is a major player if in the same form; stable also runs Melissa Honey.

13/2

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

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

16th

4

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Pal Joey

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

Ran on well to win a 5f handicap at Newcastle in January; not quite so good back there six days later but he is feasibly weighted and 6f on good ground no problem; stable operating at a fine strike-rate in 2026.

12/1

7th

1

(3)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pal Joey

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ben Haslam

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.

9/4

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

9th

10

(5)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bonito Cavalo

8st 5lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

His penultimate start (C&D), his first after a wind op, offered hope he might be ready to exploit his much-reduced mark; less good over 6f last month and now steps back up in class.

14/1

7th

4

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bonito Cavalo

9st 4lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

In blistering form two winters back, climbing from a BHA mark of 45 to 77; absent for 471 days prior to a 2025 campaign where he struggled; had a wind op in January and he hinted at a revival when beaten under 4l in a Class 5 here four weeks ago (5f); this looks more realistic and market confidence would look significant.

8/1

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

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

5th

7

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Phoenix Beach

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Scott Dixon

Not straightforward (hangs right) but these conditions suit him well and he wasn't beaten far into third here two weeks ago; one of two contenders for Scott Dixon.

9/2

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