July 29 / 13.20 Goodwood

13.20

Good

Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 1f 197y
  • Class 2
  • 18 runners
ITV
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Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 211-44 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runner these days; three handicap wins last year before he narrowly took a Listed race at Newmarket in November, all about 1m2f on soft or good to soft; fair fourth at Chester on return, before 1m4f on soft was seemingly too much for him here; not dismissed if it's rained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

25/1

Form: 0-6538

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Peak display last year for William Haggas was over 2m; close to it when third of 18 at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last month; the John Smith's Cup at York 17 days ago did not pan out ideally for him and he was not at all disgraced in eighth, but there's a lingering doubt whether 1m2f is ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Performed well twice over C&D last term but had the run of the race when belying his 33-1 odds for neck success at Listed level in September (good to soft) and looks no certainty to defy a 3lb penalty back here, unless things again fall his way.

12/1

5th

3

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Naqeeb

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Has raced as far as 2m1f in 2024 and never shorter than 1m2f; third at last year's Royal Ascot came over 1m4f but he broke a losing sequence when diverted from top handicaps to a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood last September; the prospect of 1m now doesn't seem so ridiculous but a career best is needed.

16/1

1st

4

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

On a two-year losing spell and is 0-6 for current yard; still capable of very useful form, having been placed in handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer; however, this seems a harder task.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-7921 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Four wins last year; another at Chester (1m2f, good) 18 days ago and he did it in good style from the front, but he's been handed an 8lb rise and front-running should be more difficult with this draw and opposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Grey Cuban

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.

5/1

1

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Grey Cuban

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who won at Chester (1m2f, good) in July and returned to form when third of five in Listed race there (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he's saved his best for Chester this season but has shown promise at York in the past and the drop back in trip is a likely plus; can make a bold bid.

20/1

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Grey Cuban

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.

14/1

50/1

Form: 1-4095 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won a five-runner handicap here in 2022 but well held in three Listed races since on his only other attempts at this track; had a mixed record last season and below form this term, with these blinkers replacing cheekpieces last time, but he won an AW race last December off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

4th

5

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Victory

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Woods

Useful handicapper on his day including on AW, but unplaced in all nine starts since reappearing a year ago and would be receiving weight from all his rivals in a handicap.

20/1

Form: -26307

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Triple Group 3 winner at 1m (good and soft) on the continent in 2022 and 2023; mixed over the last 12 months, with a much closer finish again last time but that was when finishing just seventh of eight; well handicapped judged on Meydan placed efforts at 1m1f and 1m4f early this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

See Hector

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Triple Group 3 winner at 1m (good and soft) on the continent in 2022 and 2023; mixed over the last 12 months, with a much closer finish again last time but that was when finishing just seventh of eight; well handicapped judged on Meydan placed efforts at 1m1f and 1m4f early this year.

50/1

7th

2

(1)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

See Hector

10st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Triple Group 3 winner at 1m (good and soft) on the continent in 2022 and 2023; mixed over the last 12 months, though, and after struggling a long way out in a 1m4f York handicap in May, on good to firm, he was taken out of a race on that surface since; the warm weather spells danger.

12/1

Form: 8-9802 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Has a mixed 1-6 record at Goodwood, with the win in 2019, but he won a 17-runner race at the York Ebor meeting last August and went down by a neck at Sandown this month, both over 1m2f on good to firm but the ground was not an issue previously; now a 9yo but 4lb lower than for that York win; drawn wide but likely to be delivered late anyway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Sir Busker

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Good C&D record includes a win in this last year off 5lb higher; back on form when narrowly denied at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) and things went wrong from the start (stumbled) when well behind Westridge at Goodwood since; could bounce back.

18/1

6

(16)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Sir Busker

9st 3lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Has a mixed 1-6 record at Goodwood, with the win in 2019, but he won a 17-runner race at the York Ebor meeting last August and went down by a neck at Sandown this month, both over 1m2f on good to firm but the ground was not an issue previously; now a 9yo but 4lb lower than for that York win; drawn wide but likely to be delivered late anyway.

20/1

2nd

4

(3)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Sir Busker

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Resilient 9yo who can still give it plenty in competitive handicaps, as when beating 16 rivals at York (about 1m2f, good to firm; off 5lb higher) last August; however, he has less obvious claims on subsequent handicap runs, including back at York in June.

12/1

Form: /0213-

Last run: 319 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Flopped at Royal Ascot on 2024 reappearance (his only run on good to firm ground) but has a cracking record in his other five handicaps, including a win at the big York meeting (1m4f, good) last August; last seen with a close third at 14.5f last September and the Ebor was the plan this term, so it's doubtful whether this trip will see him at his best on 2025 return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Shadow Dance

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Career highlights (1m4f/1m6f) for Roger Varian were in 2024 and he managed only mid-division in his three handicaps (at top meetings) last July-September; rather worse in both runs (his first races on AW) for new connections early this year but he returns to turf 8lb below his career-high mark.

28/1

7th

2

(4)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

On same mark as for his win at York (1m4f, good) in August 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has been well held in last four starts; may have needed the run on his stable/AW debut at Kempton (28-1) last month but others are more persuasive.

14/1

6th

4

(3)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Campaigned on turf for Roger Varian, often in notable handicaps (won one at York in 2024); failed to reproduce his peak figures in a light 2025 campaign and sold for 60,000gns since last run; the betting may prove best guide on AW/stable debut.

20/1

Form: 709030 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2023 off 5lb higher; back to handicaps this season, easily best of those runs when close third at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) on penultimate start; rather a muddling race may excuse his run in the John Smith's Cup on latest and he's thrown in judged on best efforts of previous campaigns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -04511 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Progressive last summer and again for this season's new yard when he won handicaps last month at Leopardstown (1m1f, soft) and the Curragh (1m2f Ladies Derby, good); tongue tied last three starts; needs the breaks from stall 1 but fine in big fields and another healthy step forward can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(16)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:35 Curragh

Masoun

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Progressive last summer and again for this season's new yard, winning at Leopardstown and following up off 7lb higher over C&D in lady riders handicap; didn't run badly at Goodwood latest so not one to rule out.

14/1

9

(1)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Masoun

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Progressive last summer and again for this season's new yard when he won handicaps last month at Leopardstown (1m1f, soft) and the Curragh (1m2f Ladies Derby, good); tongue tied last three starts; needs the breaks from stall 1 but fine in big fields and another healthy step forward can't be ruled out.

9/1

2

(1)

28th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:05 Curragh

Masoun

10st 13lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

C&D winner; pulled out a career best to win at Leopardstown 16 days ago; lightly-raced for this yard but a 7lb rise may find him out back on quicker ground.

5/1

Form: /270-4

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who was not seen last year after a Group 2 at Royal Ascot; 11-2 for handicap debut on Oaks day at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on reappearance, hanging left on the camber but making late headway into fourth of 13, up with his best form; has the same mark today and clear chance he can build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Roger Varian

Unraced on soft; record of 0-7 since debut success but is heading back in the right direction, having posted form figures of 432 this term, latest effort in notable handicap at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm); turn looks near.

11/4

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who has returned this season having been gelded, keeping on well for fourth at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) and doing likewise when third of 18 at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good); this step back up in trip looks the right move and he's high on the list.

9/4

10

(17)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Defiance

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who was not seen last year after a Group 2 at Royal Ascot; 11-2 for handicap debut on Oaks day at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on reappearance, hanging left on the camber but making late headway into fourth of 13, up with his best form; has the same mark today and clear chance he can build on that performance.

4/1

Form: 48-010 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Formerly trained in France/Qatar; won comfortably from the front in six-runner race at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm; 7lb higher today) in May on British debut; failed to cope with 1m in the Royal Hunt Cup next time but presumably of much more interest back at 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

18:45 Windsor

Silawi

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Formerly trained in France/Qatar; mixed results in three runs in Britain this season but he dominated a C&D handicap (good to firm) in May and was a respectable fifth of 18 at Glorious Goodwood last time; hasn't been far off his best in those two runs but this is much tougher in this Group 3 and he's bottom of the pack on the figures.

12/1

11

(4)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Silawi

9st 1lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Formerly trained in France/Qatar; won comfortably from the front in six-runner race at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm; 7lb higher today) in May on British debut; failed to cope with 1m in the Royal Hunt Cup next time but presumably of much more interest back at 1m2f.

16/1

20

(14)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Silawi

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Formerly trained in France/Qatar; won comfortably from the front at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) on British debut; 2lb well in under a penalty but this is a much deeper contest and the drop to 1m is an unknown.

25/1

Form: 35-220 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Close third in this race last year; good second at Goodwood and York to start this term, before his attempt with cheekpieces at 1m in the Royal Hunt Cup did not work out but he's back in more familiar territory again today; major each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Tony Montana

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Beaten on his last 12 starts going back to May 2024 but he's run some big races in the meantime, including when beaten a head in this last year (good to firm) off the same mark as today; reappeared with solid sixth of 24 on stable debut in the Spring Cup at Newbury (1m, good); can be in the mix.

5/1

6th

14

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Tony Montana

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

In and out last season for Michael Bell, the high points coming when second in big fields at York (good to firm) in May and the Curragh (good to yielding) in September; all his best efforts have come over 1m2f so today's shorter distance is a concern but it's possible he'll be freshened up by a change of stable (same owner).

22/1

6

(15)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Tony Montana

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Bell

His form has been mixed this season but he went close over C&D (good to firm) in May and filled the same position in a big field at the Curragh (1m2f, good to yielding) last month; in the shake-up if he's again on song.

7/1

Form: -90602

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Highly tried after his impressive win at 2024 Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) but has mainly been disappointing; second of six at Hamilton (1m) 12 days ago was clearly his best show this season but he needs to build on that today over a new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(18)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

English Oak

8st 13lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Walker

Highly tried after his impressive win at 2024 Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) but has mainly been disappointing; second of six at Hamilton (1m) 12 days ago was clearly his best show this season but he needs to build on that today over a new trip.

18/1

2

(4)

17th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:22 Hamilton

English Oak

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ed Walker

Highly tried after his impressive win in last year's Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm), but has mainly been disappointing and only beat two home in the same race four weeks ago; rain not a problem but still has enough to prove; cheekpieces removed after one use.

7/1

25th

12

(27)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

English Oak

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ed Walker

Well ahead of his mark last June when taking this race to pieces but he never went on from that and has been slow to come to hand this year; first-time cheekpieces could hurry him up and he's only 1lb higher than last year so has a big weights chance.

5/1

Form: 06-966 CD

Last run: 81 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Drawn widest in 17-runner race for this prize (good ground) last year but soon close up, led well over 1f out and held on by a neck; has not repeated the form in his five races since and has left Johnny Murtagh but this season has not been without hope and he's back to the same mark he had here last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:12 Dundalk (AW)

Take Heart

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

2024 Chesterfield Cup winner for Johnny Murtagh; failed to find his best form last season, including a spell in Britain; beaten favourite here behind the useful Genoah in two starts for this stable (handicap and a rated race); has run well enough in defeat both times, and is attractively treated on his old form.

3/1

3rd

2

(3)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Take Heart

9st 13lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Made late gains after an awkward start when 2l behind Genoah on stable debut over 10.5f here latest; ran well sole try over this trip in the 2024 Cork Derby so could turn that form around; big chance.

100/30

11

(2)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Take Heart

8st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: David Menuisier

Won off 5lb higher at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good) last July for Johnny Murtagh but failed to hit the same heights subsequently for that yard and he's struggled to get competitive on his two runs for this stable.

33/1

Form: 313-1 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
The least exposed in this field, given his four races were all on AW; two were wins and the way he imposed his superiority at Chelmsford (1m2f; 9lb higher today) in June on handicap/seasonal debut suggests he is all set for better still if he proves effective on this surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

(3)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Jolly Jack Tar

8st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

The least exposed in this field, given his four races were all on AW; two were wins and the way he imposed his superiority at Chelmsford (1m2f; 9lb higher today) in June on handicap/seasonal debut suggests he is all set for better still if he proves effective on this surface.

6/1

1st

2

(8)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Jolly Jack Tar

9st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

Last December's C&D novice third, under a penalty, reads well enough; that came after a break of nine months and he's been absent for six months since, so it clearly hasn't been plain sailing; interesting to see how he goes in the market.

4/1

3rd

2

(2)

5th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Chelmsford (AW)

Jolly Jack Tar

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

prominent, pressed leader 2f out, lost second inside final furlong, carried left inside final 110yds

7/4

Form: 144-1 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Failed to build last summer upon his winning debut, in novice events, but he returned to the fray with a taking success from Grey Cuban when coming from the back in 12-runner handicap at Chester (1m2f, soft) last month; up 8lb but promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(11)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Castle Cove

9st 1lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Resumed his progression when coming with a strong run from off the pace to win 12-runner race at Chester (1m2f, soft) on handicap debut and reappearance; unable to land a serious blow when performing respectably in good races over 1m2f at Goodwood (good) and Sandown (soft) since but remains unexposed and it's possible this longer trip will suit him; Tom Marquand sides with Dramatic Star but there's still plenty to like.

6/1

4th

8

(13)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

15:00 Sandown

Castle Cove

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Failed to build last summer upon his winning debut but he came from the back to win 12-runner race at Chester (1m2f, soft; from Grey Cuban) this June on handicap/seasonal debut; never able to challenge when favourite at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good) on latest outing but not discredited and worth another chance to confirm the good impression made at Chester.

9/2

16

(13)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Castle Cove

8st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Failed to build last summer upon his winning debut, in novice events, but he returned to the fray with a taking success from Grey Cuban when coming from the back in 12-runner handicap at Chester (1m2f, soft) last month; up 8lb but promising.

7/2

Form: 7-5212 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Both wins on good to firm at Windsor; carries his head high but recorded two seconds and a win over 1m3f, 1m2f and an extended 1m3f from his three starts since the cheekpieces went on this term, putting him on an upward curve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

3

(12)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Westridge

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John & Thady Gosden

Progressive 4yo who impressed in big-field handicap at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good) and was a close third of 15 at York (1m2f, good to firm) subsequently; his surplus stamina may be no bad thing in what is likely to be a strongly run race and he's respected for his top stable.

9/1

3rd

1

(7)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Westridge

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: John & Thady Gosden

Carries his head high but his profile has been progressive since cheekpieces have gone on and he produced a smart handicap performance when comfortably accounting for his 17 rivals over this trip at Glorious Goodwood (good) 25 days ago; his two other wins came on good to firm; an 8lb rise demands further improvement but no surprise were he to find it.

100/30

17

(8)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Westridge

8st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: John & Thady Gosden

Both wins on good to firm at Windsor; carries his head high but recorded two seconds and a win over 1m3f, 1m2f and an extended 1m3f from his three starts since the cheekpieces went on this term, putting him on an upward curve.

16/1

Form: 851P-0 CD

Last run: 53 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in 2022; an underwhelming 2024 campaign for new yard was swept aside when he came from last to first in a nine-runner race at Epsom (1m2f, heavy) last September, scoring in tidy fashion with first-time cheekpieces (kept since); however, pulled up lame in the November Handicap next time and tailed off at Epsom sole run this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

(10)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Simply Sondheim

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: George Baker

C&D winner in 2022; an underwhelming 2024 campaign for new yard was swept aside when he came from last to first in a nine-runner race at Epsom (1m2f, heavy) last September, scoring in tidy fashion with first-time cheekpieces (kept since); however, pulled up lame in the November Handicap next time and tailed off at Epsom sole run this year.

50/1

13th

6

(10)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Simply Sondheim

8st 11lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

An underwhelming campaign for new yard was swept aside when he came from last to first in a nine-runner race over C&D (heavy; his only visit here) last September, scoring in tidy fashion with first-time cheekpieces and never better; pulled up lame off this 5lb higher mark in the November Handicap on sole run since; good soft-ground record before that and won sole run on good to soft; considered if he gets that ground.

22/1

10

(19)

9th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 2

15:45 Doncaster

Simply Sondheim

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

His underwhelming campaign for new yard was swept aside when he came from last to first in a nine-runner race at Epsom (1m2f, heavy) six weeks ago, scoring in tidy fashion with first-time cheekpieces and never better; 5lb higher today and not proven over this far, but that win built on a good soft-ground record and he has won at 1m3f, so he enters calculations.

28/1

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Ancient Rome

SPOTLIGHT:

Castle Cove

The Star:

Masoun

Telegraph:

Grey Cuban

Daily Mail:

Defiance

TOPSPEED:

English Oak

The Guardian:

Tony Montana

The Times:

Castle Cove

D Express:

Castle Cove

Daily Record:

Masoun

The Sun:

Grey Cuban

POSTDATA:

Ancient Rome

LAMBOURN:

Ancient Rome

Daily Mirror:

Ancient Rome