February 12 / 16.55 Chelmsford (AW)

16.55

Standard

Valentines “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part of the Racing Excellence Initiative)

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 8 runners
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Valentines “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap (Part of the Racing Excellence Initiative)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £34.00
  • Place: £5.10

Form: 9959-8

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Made some late gains into fifth here over 7f in August; well beaten at Lingfield (1m, AW) on his return but his latest effort, which came here over 1m2f, is worth forgiving given that he clipped heels on the home turn; isn't without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(10)

7th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Shades Of May

9st 8lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Mark Usher

Sprung a surprise at Chelmsford (1m, AW) in February and made it three wins from his last four starts when winning over this C&D 26 days ago; runner-up has won since and this 6yo is a contender off this 3lb higher mark.

5/2

1st

7

(7)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Shades Of May

9st 6lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Mark Usher

Made it two wins in his last three starts in 7f handicap at Chelmsford 16 days ago; up 4lb but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.

6/1

1st

11

(7)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Shades Of May

8st 5lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Mark Usher

Looks one for in-play punters as the only time he has dominated from the outset resulted in sole success, which was gained at Chelmsford (1m; set fast pace) on penultimate start; unexposed under such tactics.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 66-226

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
6f turf winner but she was runner-up at Southwell (1m, AW) on two occasions last month; however, she was disappointing there a week ago (reported to have ran flat) and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(1)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:13 Wolverhampton (AW)

Amarachi

9st 4lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Joseph Parr

Creditable second in three of her four runs since upped to 1m; beaten only a neck at Chelmsford latest; threatening to record a second win.

7/2

2nd

3

(2)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Amarachi

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Joseph Parr

6f turf winner but she was runner-up at Southwell (1m, AW) on two occasions last month; however, she was disappointing there a week ago (reported to have ran flat) and needs to bounce back.

9/2

6th

5

(6)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Amarachi

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Joseph Parr

6f turf winner; runner-up over C&D on her last two starts; no change to her mark and should be thereabouts again.

7/2

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 86-582 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Five-time AW winner who finished second of seven at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) under Myla Coppins 16 days ago, shaping as if he would appreciate the return to this trip; cheekpieces now return and he's a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

River Wharfe

9st 6lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

11-time winner, most recently from off the pace over C&D last month; not in same form on either 8.6f start at Wolverhampton since, though, and might still be a shade too high in the weights.

12/1

6th

5

(2)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

13:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

River Wharfe

9st 7lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Came from off the pace (in refitted blinkers) to run down Von Krolock in a 7f apprentices' handicap at Southwell (10-1) on penultimate start; only eighth (King Of Speed fourth) over C&D subsequently; 4lb higher now, with a different claiming rider booked.

11/2

8th

12

(12)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

River Wharfe

9st 3lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Successful in 0-55 apprentice event under Myla Coppins at Southwell (7f) last week, taking AW record to 6-45; this is a slightly better race but he escapes a penalty; dual C&D scorer; respected.

9/2

33/1

Form: 060-00

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Won twice at Wolverhampton over 8.5f last year but she's been below her best in five starts since the latest of those wins; cheekpieces which were worn last time are now removed, and the tongue-tie returns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(1)

3rd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Quick Away

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Kevin Frost

Won two 0-50 classified events here (8.6f) early last year and finished third of nine over this trip in between, but it did appear to expose her stamina; others preferred.

12/1

4th

5

(6)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Quick Away

9st 1lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Kevin Frost

Won twice at Wolverhampton over 8.5f last year but she's been below her best in five starts since the latest of those wins; cheekpieces which were worn last time are now removed, and the tongue-tie returns.

33/1

10th

5

(8)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Quick Away

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Dual C&D winner in similar events to this and has saved her better efforts for this surface; well below par since winning here last March; plenty to prove in first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

5/2

Form: 45-311

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing run dating back to 2023 when winning a classified event at Wolverhampton over 9.5f last month and he followed up at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) 12 days ago; returns to handicap company and this drop back to 1m may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Al Baahy

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Prominent racer who won classified events at Wolverhampton (9.4f) and Lingfield (1m2f) in January but he's found things tough back in handicaps in his last three runs; has something to prove again and his sole turf win was in May 2023.

25/1

5th

2

(2)

5th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Baahy

9st 6lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Kevin Frost

Won twice in January, including over 9.4f here, and he is back to a winning mark after three disappointing runs this spring; not a solid option.

8/1

8th

9

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Al Baahy

8st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Kevin Frost

Turf winner back in May 2023 who found classified company his thing when going back-to-back on AW (9.5f/1m2f) in January; forced out of that grade subsequently and has found handicaps a stretch on last three starts.

14/1

5/2

Form: 400-51 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Built on her return from a short break when making virtually all in a classified event at Lingfield (1m, AW) on Tuesday; carries a 5lb penalty for that success but she's been competitive off higher marks in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(6)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

Angelica K

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Made all the running to win a 1m classified event here two weeks ago; not so good at Chelmsford two days later; drops back in trip with cheekpieces given a go; not ruled out.

6/1

6th

4

(3)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Angelica K

9st 9lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Simon Hodgson

Built on her return from a short break when making virtually all in a classified event at Lingfield (1m, AW) on Tuesday; carries a 5lb penalty for that success but she's been competitive off higher marks in the past.

5/2

1st

2

(8)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:48 Lingfield (AW)

Angelica K

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Won a 1m handicap at Kempton a year ago; beaten 5l in a handicap after three months off last time and now tackles first classified race; could feature.

9/4

Form: 7042-5

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
18-race maiden but he was second of 13 at Southwell (7f, AW) in December; below his best there last month but he holds each-way claims returned to 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(6)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:52 Brighton

Aim For The Bull

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

Dual AW scorer who picked up the second of those wins at Kempton (1m) in March; two solid AW runs followed and he should be fine back on turf, having placed in a course classified (1m, good to firm) in July; player.

5/2

4th

5

(4)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Aim For The Bull

9st 7lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Mike Murphy

Made the breakthrough at Southwell (7f classified) in February and he got back on the scoresheet in a C&D handicap in March; never dangerous when fourth at Southwell last time but this step back up in trip looks a positive and he's not ruled out.

8/1

4th

1

(2)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Aim For The Bull

9st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Mike Murphy

Back on song when landing 1m Kempton handicap 17 days ago; up 3lb but this C&D winner must enter calculations from a low draw.

8/1

Form: 50567-

Last run: 78 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Yet to make the frame in 12 starts and she's been off since finishing down the field here in November; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:58 Huntingdon

Darlo Lady

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Anthony Carson

Poor maiden on Flat; brings no potential to this change of code.

100/1

8th

7

(8)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chelmsford (AW)

Darlo Lady

9st 0lb

J: Isobelle Chalmers

T: Anthony Carson

Yet to make the frame in 12 starts and she's been off since finishing down the field here in November; others preferred.

33/1

8

(7)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

16:23 Wolverhampton (AW)

Darlo Lady

9st 0lb

J: Dominique Van Der Kraats

T: Anthony Carson

Ten-race maiden who has yet to be placed and she faded into a well-held fifth of eight at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last time; cheekpieces are now added and she needs to significantly raise her game.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £133.20
Straight Forecast £132.42
Tricast £454.60
Trifecta £648.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Al Baahy

The Times:

Angelica K

NEWMARKET:

Amarachi

RP RATINGS:

River Wharfe

SPOTLIGHT:

Shades Of May

POSTDATA:

Aim For The Bull

The Guardian:

Amarachi

Daily Mail:

Angelica K

D Express:

Angelica K

Daily Mirror:

Al Baahy

The Star:

Al Baahy

Daily Record:

Al Baahy

The Sun:

River Wharfe