July 11 / 20.25 Chester

20.25

Good

John Smith’s Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 5f 110y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 212443

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three-time Wolverhampton winner who's proved consistent off his revised mark and twice made the running from similar draws over 5f here this season; 4lb better off with Nazron compared to last time, which entitles him to close the gap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Rosenpur

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Well suited by a left-hand turn, winning twice here over 5f last summer; promising seasonal return at Catterick (6f, good) but he wasn't in the same form at Musselburgh (5f, good) nine days ago; handy draw and he can't be discounted.

11/2

6th

1

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:15 Musselburgh

Rosenpur

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Five wins, all around a left-hand bend (5f-5.5f), in a productive 2025 campaign; his near miss on 6f Catterick reappearance (good) last Wednesday suggests he's unlikely to be long in opening his account for 2026; same mark today.

2/1

2nd

1

(2)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

16:25 Catterick

Rosenpur

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Five wins, all around a left-hand bend (5f-5.5f; has form over much further), in a productive 2025 campaign; effective at this track and not impossibly treated returning from 170 days off; one to consider.

6/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 842-75

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three wins for Karl Burke came in high summer (5f) and she left an ordinary comeback effort behind at York four weeks ago, when inclined to pull hard in front in that 6f race; this race is less competitive and she's well drawn, off a mark 2lb lower than when last successful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

25th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket

Harvanna

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Prominent racer; three 5f wins when trained by Karl Burke, the latest a handicap off 1lb lower last July; runner-up in two of her five runs for Mick Appleby but she dropped away having forced the pace at Goodwood eight weeks ago; should be able to grab the stands' rail which could be advantageous but there are other pace influences to contend with.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 224922 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter who's barely put a foot wrong all season and ought to get this run to suit; this mark should be within reach if getting the breaks, with the slightly longer trip likely to work in his favour if anything.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:40 Windsor

Maharajas Express

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Runner-up in this race last year and he scored off 1lb lower at Chester (5f, good) last July; never a threat on his reappearance at Lingfield (6f) last month but he pulled hard and this drop back in trip is a positive; usually comes from off the pace and has claims if he gets the breaks.

11/2

4th

1

(3)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

14:45 Lingfield (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Won three times over 5f on AW/turf last year; stays 6f perfectly well and can easily be excused his defeat on heavy ground in September but has fitness to prove after a seven-month break.

5/1

4th
3 (4)
Nazron

7/2

Form: -63072

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Ran well from a wide stall here last summer and confirmed his liking for the course when turning in his best effort since a wind operation four weeks ago (upped 2lb); adaptable regarding ground and tactics and is shortlisted from a handy draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Nazron

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Ivan Furtado

Was having his first start after a second wind operation when down the field at Wolverhampton (6f, Tapeta) 15 days ago; 2lb lower then when just missing out at Chester (5f, soft) in June and each-way claims if reproducing that sort of form.

16/1

14th

1

(4)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:20 York

Nazron

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ivan Furtado

Short-headed by Copper Knight at Chester (5f, soft) last month and close fourth of eight there (5.5f, good) since but well beaten in May on sole previous visit here and down the field at Yarmouth on Thursday.

14/1

10th

8

(11)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

19:40 Yarmouth

Nazron

9st 3lb

J: William Carver

T: Ivan Furtado

Only handicap win was off this mark last season (5f, good to firm); close up in Chester sprints the last twice, the penultimate one on soft ground; has each-way claims.

8/1

Form: 53-907

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Keen-going front-runner who's 2lb lower than when last successful and has landed a handy stall; in no form this season, though, and has undergone wind surgery since last seen a few weeks ago; 5f and softer ground always been optimal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(10)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Never Dark

8st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Iain Jardine

C&D winner in 2023; landed a ninth win when scoring at Hamilton last September and finished third to Impressor there (also 5f, soft) last month; reared in stalls and weakened quickly at that venue one week later, though; career-low mark can only help.

16/1

6

(9)

29th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:45 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 9lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Won this race off a 12lb higher mark last season (soft); mixed form this season, but creditable third over C&D last time (soft) and having dropped a further 2lb, is a contender.

9/1

4

(2)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

16:08 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 8lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

8yo who has had a regressive campaign but he showed some spark at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) two starts ago; two-time C&D winner on soft/good to soft so today's conditions will be right up his street; chance.

6/1

Form: 1-0576 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won this two years ago (yard also successful last season and in 2018) and made it 2-3 over C&D last autumn; not at his best this time round, could have done without the good weather and may need more help from the handicapper at his age.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(11)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:30 Nottingham

Count Dorsay

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2024 with a pair of soft-ground 6f wins at Catterick, the second of them off 13lb higher; handicapper has held the upper hand this year but conditions will suit and he helps form a strong hand for Tim Easterby.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-3101

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-8 on the AW when making most at Wolverhampton early last week; stall 7 isn't ideal for a front-runner under the penalty, especially one who's having a first run at shy of 6f and boasts a patchy record on turf; bit to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Abbey Heights

10st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Prominent racer with a 4-9 strike-rate on AW; lacklustre run at Kempton six weeks ago but in a strong race; down in class but the widest stall isn't ideal.

6/1

12th

4

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Kempton (AW)

Abbey Heights

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Prominent racer; 4-8 on AW with a record of 231 at Kempton (the win over this trip); drawn wide when below his best at Chester last time; likely to face competition for the lead in this field.

10/1

7th

1

(7)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

20:25 Chester

Abbey Heights

9st 13lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Made it 4-8 on the AW when making most at Wolverhampton early last week; stall 7 isn't ideal for a front-runner under the penalty, especially one who's having a first run at shy of 6f and boasts a patchy record on turf; bit to overcome.

4/1

Form: 09-899 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Five-time course winner (5f-7f), latterly off a 5lb higher mark, who hasn't been in any form in three starts here this season; not had many runs at shy of 6f and could have done without the drying weather.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.80
Straight Forecast £17.92
Tricast £149.95
Trifecta £147.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Nazron

TOPSPEED:

Maharajas Express

Daily Mail:

Abbey Heights

SPOTLIGHT:

Harvanna

The Sun:

Count d'Orsay

The Times:

Nazron

Telegraph:

Nazron

Daily Mirror:

Nazron

The Star:

Nazron

Daily Record:

Nazron

POSTDATA:

Maharajas Express

The Guardian:

Maharajas Express

D Express:

Abbey Heights