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

6th

8

(7)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Dark Kestrel

8st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Better on AW than turf but handicapped accordingly; not beaten far at Wetherby on his penultimate start but this is a better race and he has since finished down the field at Wolverhampton.

16/1

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

1st

5

(2)

25th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:45 Musselburgh

Albegone

9st 1lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

8yo who is 0-14 this season, with mixed form, but there have been bright points and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; this two-time C&D winner is not discounted.

5/1

5th

3

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:27 Thirsk

Albegone

9st 10lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Nine-time turf winner who is well treated on his win at Catterick last spring; has been up and down since but he's finished runner-up four times this year including at Catterick (5f, good to firm) on his penultimate run; could be dangerous in another switch of headgear.

10/1

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

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

9th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Glory Fighter

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times; his last success was off 4lb higher at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but he's been disappointing since and needs to get back on track.

20/1

6th

6

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Glory Fighter

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Front-running veteran who has won 11 times including over C&D; got pestered for the lead at Catterick last time but he's been disappointing since his win at Nottingham (5f, good) in April and others are preferred.

8/1

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

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

5

(9)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:13 Ripon

Farandaway

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Doubled his tally at Thirsk (7f) in July and twice a runner-up since, latest in eight-runner handicap at Redcar (6f) ten days ago; this consistent type is a likely player once more off the same mark.

9/2

2nd

1

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

19:30 Redcar

Farandaway

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

A two-time 6f/7f scorer this season; posted another solid effort with sixth of 11 in 7f Haydock handicap 15 days ago; this consistent sort must enter calculations.

5/1

6th

2

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

20:38 Haydock

Farandaway

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

It took him a long time to win but he landed a maiden at Newcastle (6f, AW) in March and was back on the scoresheet at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) last month; good second at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) since; solid claims.

13/2

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

2

(6)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Harb

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Three wins in 2026, including C&D, with the latest an emphatic win in the mud at Beverley on Sunday; a 4lb penalty shouldn't prevent another prominent showing.

11/10

1st

15

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Harb

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tristan Davidson

Successful off 1lb higher at Carlisle in May; went close at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) nine days ago; shouldn't be too far away with a repeat.

7/1

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

4th

2

(7)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Good Earth

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Recorded his 13th turf win when scoring in good style at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in April; only 2lb higher here, but has mixed record since that last success and he was down the field at Beverley last time; others are more persuasive.

11/2

6th

5

(9)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Good Earth

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Recorded his 13th turf win when scoring in good style at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in April; respectable fifth of ten at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) 13 days ago but he remains 4lb above the mark he defied at Haydock.

11/1

5th

1

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newmarket (July)

Good Earth

10st 0lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Recorded his 13th turf win when scoring in good style at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in April; struggled at York last time but that was a highly competitive Class 4 event and he was runner-up here (5f, good to firm) on his penultimate run; has claims if he can recapture that form and he's not ruled out on this drop back in grade.

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

8th

3

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Pal Joey

10st 0lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ben Haslam

Started this year with a 5f win at Newcastle (Tapeta) but he's been disappointing since and was beaten 7l at Newcastle (1m) last month; has plenty to prove and he needs a major revival back in trip; tongue-tie reapplied.

16/1

8th

13

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Pal Joey

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ben Haslam

Kickstarted 2026 with 5f win here but his form has nosedived since; it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

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

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