English/Ire
King’s best bets - 20th February 2026
Sam King is back with two selections on Friday.
All eyes will be at Southwell this evening as Constitution Hill makes his debut on the level under Oisin Murphy.
Whilst I'm all for the discussion that's it's caused, I've no real opinion on the contest from a betting point of view, although I'd probably be a layer at the current prices. Square Necker could easily be a 95 plus horse on the flat and should prove a decent level of opposition, whilst I also wouldn't be surprised if Constitution Hill were to have far too much class. We shall find out in due course.
There are a few bets to be had on the card, however, with Goldmoyne the first of them in the opener.
I was hoping you'd get a slightly bigger price about James Owen's horse in the Bet Responsibly With SBK Handicap (4.26) but nevertheless, he might just win.
A dual winner in Ireland, like plenty of James Owen's recruits, he's improved no end for whatever reason. However, after two successes in cheekpieces over six furlongs at Newcastle, I thought the handicapper might have caught up with him, but I was proved wrong when he ran well over seven furlongs back at Gosforth Park before finding only the ultra-progressive Aisling Oscar too strong next time.
That saw his mark rise to 70 and although he was again beaten last time out, he proved that rating to be well within range when third behind Flowstate at Newcastle sixteen days ago. The winner has since followed up in good style to give the form a boost.
The booking of Ashley Lewis looks like a positive as the talented claimer can now take off 5lb and with that weight back in the bag, this progressive and in-form six-year-old might return to winning ways.
Goldmoyne – 1pt Win
Odds – 15/8
Cargin Bhui looks like being sent off favourite in the Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap (6.00), but even the 3/1 on offer with a few firms seems more than reasonable.
The five-year-old son of Invincible Spirit was becoming frustrating having been returned the beaten favourite on three occasions this season, but he finally regained the winning thread with an authoritative success under Lewis Edmunds at Wolverhampton recently.
The assessor has requested a 6lb rise on the back of that dominant display which will demand more here, but there's no doubt that he remains well-treated. You only have to go back to last season to find him filling the runner-up spot in tougher company off a
mark of 80 and from a good draw in stall six, this consistent type might well prove capable of gaining a first course success.
Cargin Bhui – 1pt Win
Odds – 3/1
In the following SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap (6.30), Intervention is a must bet each-way at around 10/1, especially with some firms paying four places.
The likeable nine-year-old might not be the same force as he was a couple of years ago when operating off marks in the 90s but there's no doubt that he remains a talented sprinter, as proven by his excellent head defeat behind an improving type at Kempton last time out.
He's 2lb well-in for that effort and a quick turnaround will prove no problem for a horse who just knows how to get his head in-front. It's remarkable to think he hadn't won a race in 24 starts when picked up by current connections and he's now claimed fifteen in total, including two at this venue.
Furthermore, this represents a sizeable drop back in class and whilst it's clearly an open-looking heat, the double figure odds on offer are just a touch too juicy to ignore.
Intervention – 0.5pt Each-way
Odds – 10/1
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