May 10 / 19.00 Leicester

19.00

Good To Firm

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Plays @leicesterraces 5th July Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor Plays @leicesterraces 5th July Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

1st
2 (10)
Delicacy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1-5680

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Well held in four starts on the AW for Roger Fell, but just 1lb higher than when winning on her final start for Richard Hannon at Chepstow (1m, good) last September; worth a market check on debut for new yard (same owners).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

7

(5)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Delicacy

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: James Owen

Two out of two since joining James Owen, last time coming from off the pace to win by 0.5l over C&D (good to firm; several of today's rivals behind her); has gone up 4lb but should give another good account.

7/2

16th

7

(5)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Delicacy

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: James Owen

Two out of two since joining James Owen, last time coming from off the pace to win by 0.5l over C&D (good to firm; several of today's rivals behind her); has gone up 4lb but should give another good account.

7/2

1st

19

(12)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Delicacy

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: James Owen

Returned to form on last Saturday's stable debut with 1l win at Leicester (7f, good to firm); trainer does very well with recruits from other yards and she could have plenty more to offer; on the shortlist under 5lb penalty.

8/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 5008-2

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
1-18 but placed seven times, as when second of nine at Catterick (7f, good to firm) last month on his return from 294 days off (Outrun The Storm fourth, third has won since); a player from the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Redcar

Leap Day

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Has lost his form since a consistent spell and still has a poor strike-rate, with sole success in 2023; no certainty to take advantage of his reduced mark.

12/1

7th

9

(9)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Leap Day

9st 4lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Just one win from 26 starts and he hasn't been firing on all cylinders of late, including when fitted with blinkers at Redcar on Wednesday; full revival required.

14/1

2

(6)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Redcar

Leap Day

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sole win from 25 starts came in a novice at Southwell in December 2023; ran well when fourth there last month but he needs to bounce back from two disappointing runs since; blinkers now replace cheekpieces.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 07-307 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
4lb lower then when winning at Chester (7.7f, good) last summer but in and out since, not building on an encouraging reappearance at Southwell (7f, AW) in March; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(8)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Chester

Touchwood

10st 5lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Ended a losing run in 7f AW Lingfield handicap eight days ago; had a bit up his sleeve there so is very much one to consider under a 4lb penalty.

8/1

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

5

(9)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Touchwood

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ruth Carr

Acts well over C&D but hasn't been back here since impressive win in 2023; on a handy mark and of interest after a good Leicester run in May, with Oisin Murphy a rare booking for the yard (0-1 in last five years).

7/2

Form: 4177-6 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Seen more often on the AW but acts on turf (1-4); back today off her last winning mark but well held in her last three starts, including on stable debut at Lingfield (1m, AW; 66-1) last month after 193 days off; best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(6)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Thoughtful Gift

9st 1lb

J: Katrine Holm

T: Martin Dunne

Weights pull with My Mate Mike on C&D form last May; both with different stables now and she ran quite encouragingly on second start for this one at Leicester recently, when again without regular cheekpieces (all four wins in them) but perhaps she doesn't need them now; competitive back here.

9/1

9

(6)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

16:25 Lingfield (AW)

Thoughtful Gift

9st 1lb

J: Katrine Holm

T: Martin Dunne

Weights pull with My Mate Mike on C&D form last May; both with different stables now and she ran quite encouragingly on second start for this one at Leicester recently, when again without regular cheekpieces (all four wins in them) but perhaps she doesn't need them now; competitive back here.

9/1

4th

8

(1)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Leicester

Thoughtful Gift

9st 0lb

J: Katrine Holm

T: Martin Dunne

midfield

33/1

Form: 0798-6 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
8lb lower than when winning at Haydock (7f, good) last summer and was returning from six months off when a creditable fifth of ten at Thirsk (6f, good) four weeks ago; claims if stepping forward from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(5)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Thirsk

Naval Academy

8st 13lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Mark Walford

Seen only four times this year, with best run his close second of six in modest race at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) two starts ago; sports refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces; others have more pressing claims.

14/1

6

(9)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

16:05 Nottingham

Naval Academy

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Ran best race this year when second at Carlisle last time (7f, good to soft); could go well, but ideally suited by some give in the ground and perhaps better at 7f.

15/2

2nd

7

(7)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:50 Carlisle

Naval Academy

9st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Mark Walford

Now 10lb lower than when winning over Haydock's 7f last July and took a step back in the right direction when fifth at Leicester (7f, good to firm) latest; he has soft-ground form if going back far enough.

6/1

14/1

Form: 11806- D

Last run: 214 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
All three wins at Chepstow (7f) including two last summer (good to firm/good to soft); still 5lb higher than for the latest of those and her record suggests this first start in seven months may be needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(10)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Newmarket

Believe You Me

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Heather Main

Consistent spell over 7f featured an Epsom win in July; well held on penultimate start, though, and never got into it over 1m at Brighton on latest (patchy record over 1m); good chance if back to her peak.

8/1

8

(10)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Newmarket

Believe You Me

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Heather Main

Consistent spell over 7f featured an Epsom win in July; well held on penultimate start, though, and never got into it over 1m at Brighton on latest (patchy record over 1m); good chance if back to her peak.

8/1

3

(3)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Brighton

Believe You Me

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Heather Main

Consistent spell featured an Epsom win in July; well held in competitive Class 4 last time but this looks an easier task.

14/1

Form: -58304 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who has dropped 6lb lower than when successful at Chester (7f, good) last summer; not the most consistent since (behind Leap Day last time) but capable of going close on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

16:12 Newcastle (AW)

Outrun The Storm

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

No win since June 2024; now two grades and 14lb lower; placed at Redcar (7f, good) in October but disappointing since, including in cheekpieces at Southwell (7f) five weeks ago; headgear is tweaked again (visor) seeking the solution.

12/1

12th

3

(7)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Outrun The Storm

10st 13lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard Fahey

Record of 5-37 on turf and 2-15 on AW; folded tamely returned to this sphere last time but has a good chance off current mark provided he rebounds in first-time headgear.

11/1

1

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Redcar

Outrun The Storm

10st 0lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

It's now 12 runs since his last victory and he came in just ninth in 7f Leicester handicap ten days ago; others appeal more.

12/1

11/2

Form: 1738-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
All four wins on the AW, the latest when suddenly back to form at Chelmsford (7f; 22-1) last month on his third start for the yard; has run well on turf but others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Dean Ivory

Won a 7f handicap at Southwell on his second run back with Dean Ivory; unable to back it up in a Class 5 a fortnight later; fully effective over C&D but others appear to hold stronger claims.

12/1

6th

5

(8)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:58 Southwell (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Beat only one rival home at Chelmsford (1m, AW) on his first start since returning to this yard following a 161-day break, but he stepped forward from that when winning over this C&D 15 days ago; up in grade following a 3lb rise.

7/1

1st

3

(11)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

My Mate Mike

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Back with former yard after five months off but beat just one in 1m Chelmsford handicap three weeks ago; a fair 7f winner at his best, so he can't be totally dismissed with that run under his belt.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 024-85

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
1-10 for Clive Cox; well held in two starts on the AW since reappearing for this yard in March, but the return to turf looks a positive and he is well treated on a couple of pieces of form from last summer; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(1)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Hows The Guvnor

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on turf as a 2yo for Clive Cox; dual AW winner (1m/7f) for this yard in January but poor last time when the race reportedly came too soon; has been freshened up and might bounce back.

5/1

7th

1

(6)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

13:32 Southwell (AW)

Hows The Guvnor

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

C&D winner in January, when 12lb lower; followed up at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta); went close from this mark when fourth back there (8.5f) on his penultimate start; respectable second at Lingfield latest but if back in the form of that penultimate effort, he'd have strong claims.

6/1

2nd

1

(2)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Hows The Guvnor

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Two Tapeta wins in January, over 1m and 7f, and better form when a close fourth (off this mark) at Wolverhampton 11 days ago (8.6f); the second and third there have both won since and he is a solid contender back down into a Class 6.

7/2

20/1

Form: 5330-6

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in five starts in France last year but finished a well-beaten last of six on stable debut at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) nine days ago; this big drop in trip may help but she still has enough to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:43 Lingfield (AW)

Exquisement

9st 0lb

J: J F Egan

T: Stuart Edmunds

Minor form over a variety of trips, including this one, since leaving France and the slender evidence available suggests sprint trips might be more suitable than today's; has it to prove on yard debut.

33/1

8th

13

(14)

23rd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 6

17:17 Windsor

Exquisement

9st 1lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Michael Keady

Ex-French filly; has not finished closer than 4l to a winner in her nine starts, including four runs at a variety of trip for new yard this season; down the list.

33/1

6th

7

(3)

9th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:30 Windsor

Exquisement

8st 7lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Michael Keady

Ex-French maiden; three heavy defeats for her new stable this year (1m2f, 7f and 1m); dropped 14lb in that period and now tries a new trip; only of interest if backed.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.10
Straight Forecast £16.16
Tricast £100.20
Trifecta £155.60

Selections

The Times:

Leap Day

The Guardian:

My Mate Mike

NEWMARKET:

Delicacy

RP RATINGS:

Naval Academy

POSTDATA:

Outrun The Storm

SPOTLIGHT:

How's The Guvnor

D Express:

Touchwood

Telegraph:

Delicacy

Daily Mirror:

Leap Day

The Star:

Leap Day

The Sun:

My Mate Mike

Daily Record:

My Mate Mike

TOPSPEED:

Naval Academy

Daily Mail:

Outrun The Storm