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

6th

6

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Star Chorus

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Mike Murphy

In good form on AW earlier in the year, winning twice at Southwell (5f/6f); best effort since returned to turf came at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 13 days ago when a close fifth of ten; more required back up in class.

66/1

5th

3

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

18:15 Windsor

Star Chorus

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Mike Murphy

A two-time 5f/6f scorer at Southwell this winter; yet to hit top form after a three-month absence, though he was poorly drawn when 15th in 5f Epsom handicap last time; no forlorn hope in a refitted hood.

50/1

15th

11

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Star Chorus

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

In good form on AW for Mike Murphy this winter, winning twice at Southwell (5f/6f); slowly away (blindfold removed late) at Goodwood two weeks ago; looks vulnerable at this level and goes without accessories this time.

50/1

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

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

4th

1

(12)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

Station X

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Bryan Smart

All his wins have been at 6f, the latest at Southwell in April, but effective at 5f; goes particularly well on soft/heavy ground so today's conditions should be ideal; fair run last time at Hamilton (1.25l sixth of 13); could go well from his high draw.

6/1

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

8th

13

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Betsen

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Tony Carroll

6f AW win on his stable debut in November; added to his tally when seeing off five rivals at Chepstow 16 days ago (Class 4; 5f, good to soft); in deeper today.

25/1

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

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

10th

6

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Roberto Caro

9st 5lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Has started 2026 in very good nick, third of six in 6f Southwell handicap last month; not out of things eased 1lb.

6/1

3rd

4

(2)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Roberto Caro

9st 8lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Won a Racing League handicap off this mark last summer; three solid efforts this year, including a third at Newcastle (6f, Tapeta) last month and a close fourth in big field at Ripon two weeks ago; remains lightly raced on AW and he's a key player back in this sphere.

11/4

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

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

9th

8

(5)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Kempton (AW)

Stanley Spencer

8st 10lb

J: Jason Watson

T: James Tate

Two-time C&D winner; has been competitive off this sort of mark in recent months, beaten two noses into third over C&D 24 days ago (blinkered first time); up in class but likely to give it another good go.

10/1

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

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

7th

7

(5)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:40 Doncaster

Intervention

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

12lb lower than for his win in the Great St Wilfrid last August (6f, good to firm); mixed bag in 2026 but he is the type to pop up soon, albeit probably over a shorter trip.

16/1

8th

11

(10)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

14:30 Doncaster

Intervention

8st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Michael Appleby

Won last season's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon (6f, good to firm) off a 9lb higher mark; some creditable efforts since but he's hard to predict and has struggled at Chester and York in his last two starts; comes with risks attached and he needs to bounce back on this drop back in trip.

18/1

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

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

4th

12

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Vantheman

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; two wins this season, one of them C&D (2-2 here); back near his best when a close third of 17 at Thirsk last month but this is a stronger race.

10/1

3rd

1

(13)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Vantheman

9st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent but he surged back to form with a win at Hamilton (5f, good; made all) two weeks ago; that was only his second go in blinkers and he's again of interest off 4lb higher.

8/1

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

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

2nd

1

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

19:50 Epsom

Aberama Gold

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Not the force of old but won off 2lb higher at Catterick (6f, good) in April and beat his group when fifth overall in 14-runner Ayr handicap (6f, soft) last month; also suited by fast ground; can make his presence felt.

7/2

5th

7

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Aberama Gold

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Three-time C&D winner; successful at Catterick (6f, good) in April but held in more competitive races since; not handicapped out of things but might prove vulnerable for win purposes.

10/1

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

8th

2

(8)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:05 Doncaster

Jenever

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Multiple sprint winner, the latest off a 3lb higher mark last October (6f, good to soft); not at his best so far this year and 7f is a query.

20/1

7th

17

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Jenever

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Still to find top form this term but he is well handicapped if a change of headgear (first-time visor for cheekpieces) gives him a lift.

20/1

5th

3

(11)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

16:08 Windsor

Jenever

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jessica Macey

Still to find top form this term but he's attractively handicapped and may prove resurgent with Tom Marquand up for first time; gained last three wins off current mark or thereabouts.

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