Royal Bath & West Society Apprentice Handicap Stakes

14:05 Bath Sun 13 Sep 2026 1m2f37y Class 6 Good 14 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Gert Lush

SPECULATIVE Advised 10/3 Est. 28%

5TH

Mr Fox says

Gert Lush (SR 62, 10/3) carries the joint-highest SR in the field alongside Shifra but does so off just 9-9, giving it a weight advantage over both Shifra (9-11) and the top-weights (9-12). Crucially, MarkMv:-13 means the horse is running off a mark 13lb below its last winning mark — by far the most favourable handicap position in the race — and the market has acknowledged this with a 8% shortening. Roger Teal's 13% yard strike rate and a recent form line of 728322 shows consistent competitiveness at this level without a shocking blowout. GoingFit:~ on good ground and DistFit:~ at the trip are moderate rather than negative, and at 10/3 the price reflects genuine chance rather than hype. Each-way alternative: Shifra. Main danger: Shifra — Shifra (SR 63, 7/2) is the joint-SR leader, holds confirmed DistFit:+ and GoingFit:+ — the only runner with both flags positive — and a recent form line of 9-8212 shows a horse coming back into form, making it the most obvious alternative if the handicap mark edge of Gert Lush proves insufficient.

Verify· #17550

Full result

Winner: Shifra (IRE) at SP 100/30F. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.