February 20 / 18.30 Southwell (AW)

18.30

Standard

SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap

  • Prize money: £18319
  • 0m 6f 16y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 5-3134 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Narrowly came out on top when winning here over 5f last month before finishing a close third at Lingfield (5f, AW) next time, and shaped as if still in form in a race not run to suit back there ten days ago; step back up to 6f looks worth a try; hood back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(12)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Star Chorus

9st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Mike Murphy

Four course wins, the latest off 2lb higher over this trip in February; found valuable series final at Windsor too competitive last month but he's of interest back here, despite his wide draw.

10/1

11th

15

(3)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Star Chorus

8st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

One turf win from 15 attempts, in a four-runner race at Chepstow (5f) last July; two fair C&D runs since returned to turf in May and was out on a limb when finishing sixth to Another Abbot and Sudden Flight 14 days ago; however, he'll do well to win at this level off his current mark.

33/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 57422- D BF

Last run: 115 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Both of his wins came in 2024 on soft/heavy ground; fourth of 11 at Ayr (6f, heavy) in October before finishing runner-up on soft ground on his next two outings; returns from 115 days off and now makes his AW debut having been gelded since last seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Station X

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Two wins this year, the latest a front-running C&D success in June; solid third off this mark at Hamilton 11 days ago; has other pace to contend with this time.

9/1

3rd

1

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Station X

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

Front-runner whose three turf wins have all been on ground slower than good, the most recent coming when holding on at Chester (6f, good to soft) two months ago; may not have things all his own way in front but commands respect off this 2lb higher mark.

4/1

1st

3

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

13:35 Chester

Station X

8st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Bryan Smart

His two turf wins (6f) came on soft and heavy; in good form this year and he made all at Southwell (6f, AW) in April; latest fourth at Carlisle was a fair effort on Tuesday and he's well drawn to attack.

7/2

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 071-44 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Sprung a 40-1 surprise over C&D on his stable debut in November before finishing fourth of seven behind Silky Wilkie at Newcastle (6f, AW; slowly away); respectable effort at Wolverhampton 17 days ago and holds obvious claims back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(9)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Betsen

9st 13lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

Two wins since joining Tony Carroll, the latter in a small-field Class 4 at Chepstow (5f, good to soft) in May; solid effort from a less-than-ideal draw in the Epsom Dash in June; off since but he has run well after short break before.

7/1

15/2

Form: 9-3141 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Ended a lengthy losing run when scoring a Newcastle (6f, AW) last month before finishing fourth at Lingfield; back to winning ways at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) four days ago and commands respect under a 4lb penalty for that success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(14)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Silky Wilkie

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Campaigned almost exclusively over sprint trips; consistent AW form this year includes two wins; effective on turf but hasn't scored in this sphere for three years and he's not the percentage call back at 7f.

25/1

3rd

5

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Silky Wilkie

9st 4lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Ended a long losing run at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) in January and he also won at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) in February; he's continued in good form on Tapeta on his last two starts and is also effective over this C&D; might have a part to play.

8/1

3rd

7

(5)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

14:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Silky Wilkie

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Ended a long losing run at Newcastle in January and successful again over C&D last month; poorly drawn when fourth at Southwell last time; one to consider.

7/1

Form: 51000- D

Last run: 88 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Back to close to his best when winning a Racing League handicap at Chepstow (6f, good) in August but he's struggled in three starts since, including on the AW at Wolverhampton when last seen 88 days ago; best watched on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(18)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Roberto Caro

9st 8lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Well handicapped on this year's best, including a close fourth over C&D in April; has had the odd excuse since and he ran perfectly well over an inadequate 5f at York three weeks ago (not well drawn); a big run could be on the cards.

12/1

10th

5

(13)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Roberto Caro

11st 10lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

4lb lower than for his last two 6f wins but recent efforts have been underwhelming and he's unproven over the minimum trip.

22/1

11th

4

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Roberto Caro

10st 2lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Drawn wide when down the field at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) last time; his earlier 6f form brings him right into the reckoning and rain would be a positive; solid chance.

10/1

Form: 042-78 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two-time C&D winner who was beaten a neck here in November off today's mark; shaped better than his finishing position suggests having been hampered when beating only one rival home at Chelmsford (6f, AW) 22 days ago; capable of bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Stanley Spencer

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Fionn McSharry

Won four times on AW for James Tate; good second at Southwell (6f) when last seen in April; sold for 13,000gns later that month; switching to turf is the obvious concern as he has been unplaceed in three previous runs on grass.

25/1

2nd

1

(4)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Stanley Spencer

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: James Tate

Went close off this mark over C&D in November; good run at Kempton on his penultimate start and he will find this more manageable than the hot Kempton handicap he contested on Friday; respected.

6/1

Form: 17-762 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Successful at Lingfield (6f, AW) in December but he was below his best on his next three outings; bounced back to form when beaten a head in a higher grade than this at Kempton (6f, AW) nine days ago and can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(8)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Intervention

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

Hurtling down the weights but for good reason as this multiple winner is looking very regressive.

33/1

15th

17

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Intervention

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Fully 15lb lower than when winning at Lingfield (6f, AW) last December but this 9yo has regressed in recent months; has to turn things around.

40/1

7th

6

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Intervention

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

On a good mark, fully 14lb lower than when winning last season's Great St Wilfrid, but 0-14 at 5f and he is drawn out wide.

25/1

5/1

Form: 0675-1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 on the AW when landing a Newcastle handicap over 5f 29 days ago; that was his first outing for 104 days and he remains well treated following a 4lb rise, although this step back up to 6f isn't guaranteed to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Has done well since the blinkers went on but appears to have no margin for error off this mark, 2lb above his win in May; behind two of these here last time.

6/1

5th

7

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Back in form since fitted with blinkers, scoring over C&D (good) in May; has reached the frame on all three outings since, although latest fourth of seven at Pontefract was no more than respectable.

11/1

4th

5

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Vantheman

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Took this prize in 2024; back in fine form of late since fitted with blinkers, scoring at Hamilton (5f) in May and in the frame in big-field 5f handicaps at Thirsk and Newcastle since; ought to be thereabouts.

5/1

Form: 7-0333 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Isn't the force of old but his most recent success came over this C&D in August off today's mark; third on his last three outings, including behind Silky Wilkie at Newcastle last month, and holds good claims once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(8)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Pontefract

Aberama Gold

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Prolific winner, mainly over 6f, the latest when 2lb higher at Catterick (6f, good) in April; went close when on this mark in successive starts last month, before a below-par effort in a big-field York sprint latest; player if he can bounce back.

7/1

20th

6

(18)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Aberama Gold

9st 7lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

C&D winner; runner-up on his last two starts but this is more competitive and more minor money may be his best hope.

10/1

2nd

1

(6)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Aberama Gold

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Not the force of old but won over C&D (good) off 2lb higher in April and last week's second at Epsom (6f, good to firm) confirms he's back in form; bold show likely.

11/4

10th
9 (10)
Cajetan

8/1

Form: 6090-3 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner on the AW over 6f when trained by Jack Channon (all in cheekpieces) and he posted a fine effort when third of seven at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) on his stable debut 17 days ago; that was his first start since June and he's an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

5

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Cajetan

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ruth Carr

Far from straightforward and his best form has come on AW; two good runs and three poor runs since joining Ruth Carr, his latest Newcastle fourth (blinkered first time) falling into the former category; not the most solid option but he is better than this level on his day and it is always worth a second look when Billy Loughnane is booked for the stable (four wins and four seconds from 22 rides).

10/1

4th

10

(8)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cajetan

8st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

5lb lower than when third on his stable debut in February; struggled since and connections now reach for blinkers; not solid but he's more than capable on his day.

16/1

10th

2

(10)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Cajetan

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

Blew hot and cold for Jack Channon and signs that it may be the same for new connections, shaping well at Wolverhampton in February but turning in lesser efforts twice since; well handicapped if this is one of his good days and the return of cheekpieces (first time for Ruth Carr) looks a plus.

9/1

20/1

Form: 78919- CD

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Benefited from first-time blinkers when landing a handicap at Nottingham (6f, good to soft) in October before finishing midfield at York (5f, good) on his next start; cheekpieces now replace blinkers on his first start for 133 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to score this season but largely running well, posting a solid fourth of eight in 6f Carlisle handicap 16 days ago; this C&D winner can't be ruled out.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Jenever

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to win this season but has dropped to a good mark and was close third in refitted visor at Nottingham (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; blinkers are the headgear of choice today; might be the answer.

11/2

3rd

4

(1)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Like many from the yard he has had a quiet year but he has dropped down the weights and is now 6lb lower than for his C&D win last October; quite possible the winners will start flowing for Jessica Macey now and he's of some interest.

8/1

8/1

Form: 294-31 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has gained all four of his wins at Newcastle, with the most recent of those successes coming there over 5f 16 days ago; 3lb rise looks fair but he was well beaten when last seen over 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(3)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Has gained all four of his wins at Newcastle, with the most recent of those successes coming there over 5f 16 days ago; 3lb rise looks fair but he was well beaten when last seen over 6f.

8/1

1st

2

(4)

4th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Monks Dream

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

All three of his wins have come at Newcastle and he has run some good races this winter, including his latest third when keeping on after an awkward start (not his first); capable at this level; respected.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £128.40
Straight Forecast £107.46
Tricast £719.38
Trifecta £1149.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Star Chorus

The Guardian:

Intervention

SPOTLIGHT:

Cajetan

Daily Record:

Monks Dream

The Star:

Betsen

THE NORTH:

Vantheman

Telegraph:

Stanley Spencer

POSTDATA:

Silky Wilkie

RP RATINGS:

Aberama Gold

The Times:

Star Chorus

The Sun:

Star Chorus

D Express:

Cajetan

Daily Mail:

Intervention

Daily Mirror:

Intervention