Bell Shot

Across a 46-race career, Bell Shot has won 9 times and placed on 21 other occasions — that means in more than two-thirds of all its races, it has come home in the first three. A win rate of roughly 1 in every 5 races (20%) is solid for a horse competing consistently at Class 4, which is the bread-and-butter level of British racing, one step below the elite. It is not a superstar, but it is a reliable, honest competitor that earns its keep. The yard it belongs to — trained by Michael Appleby in Oakham, Rutland — has sent out 79 winners already this season, which tells you this is a busy, competent operation that knows how to get horses running well.

One detail worth noting is how Bell Shot performs on slightly soft ground: two wins from three attempts, a 67% win rate. That is a remarkable return and suggests that when there is a bit of moisture in the ground, this horse genuinely thrives. Most horses are indifferent to conditions or actively dislike the wet — Bell Shot appears to welcome it.

The most recent win came at Southwell on New Year's Day 2026, which is now five months ago, and the recent form reads 3-6-9-7-1-4 — a bit up and down, with that Southwell win sandwiched between some quieter efforts. Regular jockey Alistair Rawlinson has ridden Bell Shot 12 times for just 1 win together, which is a modest 8% return and suggests the partnership, while established, has not quite clicked as consistently as the horse's overall record might suggest. Bell Shot raced just yesterday and is clearly in a busy spell. At seven years old, this is a horse in its prime, still active, still competitive, and still capable of that trademark Beverley magic if the opportunity arises.