February 20 / 19.00 Southwell (AW)

19.00

Standard

SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap

  • Prize money: £28787
  • 1m 0f 13y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Light rain

1st
11 (5)
Dosman

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 038-32

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Only 1-13 and the win was in 2024; however, would probably have opened his account in handicaps but for some late interference at Newcastle two weeks ago (1m); every chance off 1lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Dosman

8st 11lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Both wins have been on AW and he went close in his bid for a double at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in March; never involved back on turf at Ascot in May but he started slowly and was hampered at a crucial stage; now goes back up in grade but he has possibilities back on Tapeta.

15/2

5th

4

(8)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Dosman

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Oli Rix

Only 2-16 but his third trainer has him in career-best form and didn't get the breaks when a closing fourth at Newcastle last time (1m); hold-up performer who needs a good pace to chase and if getting one he'll be dangerous.

4/1

4th

12

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Dosman

8st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Coaxed back to form by his new trainer, twice placed over C&D before winning at Southwell in February; good second behind First Principle two weeks ago; another 2lb rise tempers enthusiasm slightly.

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 512-01 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Fairly consistent since arriving from France and quickened up best off slow fractions to win over 1m2f at Newcastle 20 days ago; effective at this shorter trip and has only gone up 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Zryan

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

Two AW wins in the winter (9.4f/1m2f); it's possible he's gone off the boil but when beaten 8l in ninth of 13 at Newmarket a fortnight ago he was denied a clear passage before keeping on nicely; not ruled out each-way back up in trip.

25/1

9th

5

(11)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Zryan

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Won twice on the AW over the winter but he seems to have gone off the boil, well beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday; not so effective yet on turf; others make more appeal.

16/1

11th

13

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Zryan

8st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: David O’Meara

Won at Wolverhampton (9.4f) in December and over this C&D in January; below best at Wolverhampton (8.6f) latest and he's running in a higher grade than he's used to, but he has an each-way shout on the pick of his winter form.

16/1

16/1

  • Place: £7.70

Form: 5781-5 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who prevailed narrowly over 1m at Lingfield (fourth career win) on New Year's Eve; 7f perhaps too sharp here last time but that was still disappointing given he was beaten 8l; all handicap wins at Class 4 level and this is a Class 3.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(3)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Invited

9st 6lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Record of 4-11 on the AW and better than ever when a 33-1 third over 1m at Southwell last time out; dual course winner who is well drawn to adopt his prominent style of racing; considered.

9/1

3rd

10

(6)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Invited

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

C&D winner who prevailed narrowly over 1m at Lingfield (fourth career win) on New Year's Eve; 7f perhaps too sharp here last time but that was still disappointing given he was beaten 8l; all handicap wins at Class 4 level and this is a Class 3.

16/1

10/1

Form: 7414-4 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
All five AW wins have all come at Newcastle where he was below his best two runs back and again here three weeks ago; fairly treated if he could produce something better under Oisin Murphy and has form here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Eldrickjones

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and largely in good form after on AW; only 13th on rare turf start in 1m York handicap last time though so needs to take a step forward.

20/1

13th

19

(12)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Eldrickjones

8st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Roger Fell

Well handicapped on last year's best form (including on turf) and ran okay when third of six at Southwell (1m, AW) last month; however, he's been hard to win with on grass and looks vulnerable back up in grade.

33/1

3rd

1

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Eldrickjones

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Scored at Newcastle (7f) in December and in good nick until only sixth back there (7f) 35 days ago; the sort to bounce back though.

5/1

13/2

Form: 1561-1 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Enhanced his outstanding Newcastle record (all nine AW wins there) on New Year's Day when fending off five rivals; only 2lb higher and he'll probably be ridden positively as usual; has only raced twice here (unplaced).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(16)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Midnight Lion

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

24 visits to Newcastle have yielded nine wins, seven over C&D; the latest came on New Year's Day when beating five rivals; fifth of 12 at Southwell since and could better that performance now back here, but there's a suspicion today's contest will prove too competitive.

25/1

5th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Midnight Lion

9st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Enhanced his outstanding Newcastle record (all nine AW wins there) on New Year's Day when fending off five rivals; only 2lb higher and he'll probably be ridden positively as usual; has only raced twice here (unplaced).

13/2

8/1

Form: 11276- CD BF

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 in a C&D novice in August and wasn't disgraced in two Class 2 handicaps before producing his worst performance yet last time at Newcastle; if forgiven that, and it was three months ago, then he's not without hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

First Ambition

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Michael Keady

Won his first two starts for Karl Burke last year but he hasn't kicked on from his handicap debut second (1m, good to soft) last September (RPR 95); sold for 22,000gns in April; drops in class but not a solid option.

14/1

19th

3

(17)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

First Ambition

9st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Has been unable to sustain his early progress, most recently out of the money when a 20-1 shot in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton; needs to raise his game.

25/1

7th

10

(3)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Ambition

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Free-going sort who has won two of his six starts; should be sharper with last month's Southwell reappearance behind him and still has some potential.

14/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 1102-1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Had the run of things when making all at Newcastle a month ago (1m) but only went up 3lb and he's pretty consistent on most of the AW tracks; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(11)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Dingle

8st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

All seven wins have been on AW and latest was over C&D in January; found more progress when a close third off this mark at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) in April but he's been tailed off back on turf in last two runs; now returns to scene of his last success but he needs to bounce back near best.

16/1

22th

7

(22)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Dingle

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Julie Camacho

Seven-time AW scorer, mainly over 1m, most recently in January; latest effort (failed to beat a rival) took turf record to 0-16; enough to prove back over 7f for first time in five years.

33/1

11th

10

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Dingle

9st 1lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Julie Camacho

Had the run of things when winning over Newcastle's 1m in January and has since finished behind both Dosman and Angel Hunter; goes to work today off his 8lb lower turf mark but that's because he's 0-15 on grass.

12/1

20/1

Form: 1710-0 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual turf winner who won his first race on the AW over 7f here in October but has since finished well behind in two Kempton handicaps (over 1m that he stays); competitively treated should the first-time headgear trigger a return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Angel Hunter

9st 3lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won a 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday off this mark; another solid effort when a close sixth at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; more needed to come out on top here.

20/1

6th

3

(16)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Angel Hunter

10st 2lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

Two-time turf winner who scored at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April and is just 1lb higher here; however, he's finished unplaced on turf on his last three starts and needs to raise his game.

16/1

7th

8

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Angel Hunter

9st 1lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Narrow winner of a competitive 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday; two midfield finishes this month and he will need a career best to come out on top in this field.

12/1

12/1

Form: 3156-8 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
A well-treated dual Tapeta winner at Newcastle who ran in a Class 2 there last time but that was his third below-par performance in succession; has to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Crack On Boys

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Tom Clover

A well-treated dual Tapeta winner at Newcastle who ran in a Class 2 there last time but that was his third below-par performance in succession; has to bounce back.

12/1

8th

5

(4)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Crack On Boys

9st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Tom Clover

Won a Racing League handicap over C&D last summer off 2lb lower; not so good twice since and a personal best is required to maintain his unbeaten record over C&D.

10/1

5th

6

(9)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Ascot

Crack On Boys

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Encouraging third at Sandown (1m, good) in July on second handicap start then beat 13 rivals to win in the Racing League at Newcastle (1m, AW), where he reverted to hold-up tactics; he's a leading candidate today.

9/2

Form: 3271-5 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Unraced here but goes particularly well at Newcastle (all three wins there at 1m) where he shaped nicely after a break in a Class 2 last month; this mark isn't beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(3)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Rogue Encore

8st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Won a Class 4 over C&D in September; unplaced in three runs this year, the latest here last week, and this looks a tough race in which to try to rebound.

40/1

Form: 253-45 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate of 5-20 and has continued to perform respectably in defeat, from 7f to 1m2f (cheekpieces added the last twice); looks handicapped about right now but unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

19

(7)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Unassuming

8st 7lb

J: Zac Lloyd

T: George Boughey

C&D winner (good to firm) off 6lb lower last July but fourth was the best placing she achieved in five AW handicaps earlier this year; off 11 weeks; others make more obvious appeal.

25/1

9th

5

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Unassuming

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

4lb higher than her last winning mark but Jack Callan's claim will help in that respect and it was a good run last time at Wolverhampton (finished upside Exquisitive Acclaim) given she was never ideally positioned out the back; could go well provided stall 11 isn't a killer.

10/1

5th

8

(13)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Unassuming

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Latest win was C&D in October and she twice went close in November; ran respectably on next four starts but no show when favourite in the Southwell race won by Dosman on latest; cheekpieces (worn last three outings) are removed.

16/1

Form: 320-23 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Poor strike-rate of 2-35 but often thereabouts, as the last twice over 1m3f and 1m2f; was ideally positioned last time in Zryan's race but still couldn't get the job done; dropping back to 1m shouldn't hurt his chances, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

20:00 Windsor

Londoner

10st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

3-40 overall; usually thereabouts on turf/AW, including this year, but latest start was an exception and he needs to bounce back from that Ripon run.

20/1

9th

3

(5)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Londoner

9st 8lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Usually thereabouts, including in AW campaign this year which culminated in a Lingfield 1m2f win in April; respectable fifth of nine off this mark at Chester (extended 1m2f, good) three weeks ago.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:10 Chester

Londoner

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Usually thereabouts, including in AW campaign this year which culminated in a Lingfield 1m2f win five weeks ago; one concern is that he was below form last September on his only run at this track.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.20
Straight Forecast £52.85
Tricast £1419.60
Trifecta £2502.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dosman

TOPSPEED:

Rogue Encore

The Star:

Midnight Lion

D Express:

Eldrickjones

POSTDATA:

Zryan

Telegraph:

Unassuming

LAMBOURN:

Londoner

Daily Mail:

Dingle

RP RATINGS:

Dosman

The Times:

Dosman

The Guardian:

Dosman

Daily Mirror:

Dosman

NEWMARKET:

Rogue Encore

Daily Record:

Midnight Lion

The Sun:

Eldrickjones