September 12 / 15.50 Chester

15.50

Good

Matthew Clark Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Matthew Clark Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 122275 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Below form when last in action but has generally performed well this season, including when second over C&D in May; well drawn today and current mark is workable; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Marbuzet

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Had a good 2025, winning over 1m7f at Ayr (good to firm) and 2m at Chester (good); also runner-up on five other occasions, including his reappearance.

4/1

10

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Marbuzet

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won at Chester (2m, good) last month and nearly caught The Crafty Mole (who was perhaps idling) at Ripon (2m, good) a fortnight ago; also effective over this C&D and he's in the mix.

12/1

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £7.50

Form: 4/9760

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly in a low-grade handicap hurdle a fortnight ago but this summer's Flat form for his new stable has been very disappointing, and he still has quite a bit to prove under this code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

No More Bolero

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Ready winner at Bath (2m1f, good to firm) on reappearance and good second under Mason Paetel over C&D (good) eight days later; another bold bid looks on its way.

3/1

2nd

1

(2)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

No More Bolero

10st 3lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Ready winner back from a break at Bath (2m1f, good to firm) eight days ago; his 4lb rise is offset by Mason Paetel's claim; likely to follow up.

6/5

12/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 27872

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo who bumped into a big improver when remote second at Southwell (1m6f, AW) last month; drawn on the outside for this first attempt at 2m but probably still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Action Pact

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.

4/1

6th

5

(7)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:00 Nottingham

Action Pact

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Close third at Chester (2m, good) last month then got off the mark at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) last time; travelled well on that most recent start and this lightly raced 4yo may well have more left in the tank.

5/1

25/1

Form: -07653 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season (1m6f-2m1f) but has been out of form this year; well held when third of four on latest outing and needs a good boost from the first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Merrijig

9st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Won first time out on Polytrack two years ago and made it 2-3 on the AW when closing out last season with a Newcastle victory off 4lb lower; perhaps a bit surprising to see no blinkers tonight but he's one to consider.

5/1

1st

4

(12)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Merrijig

9st 13lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Record of 0-8 this term; however, drops back two grades and is far less exposed on AW than on turf, having raced only twice in this sphere (won the first attempt); interesting off current mark.

9/1

7

(11)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:52 Goodwood

Merrijig

10st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: John Berry

Three wins last season (1m6f-2m1f) and he's now 5lb below his last winning mark; blinkers were enlisted for last two outings, when beaten only about 3l, so he has each-way claims.

8/1

Form: 553735

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Consistent this season (six runs), with best effort arguably his close third in first-time visor at Newbury (1m4f, good to firm) two starts ago; not yet proven over 2m but still considered each-way; blinkers refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Saratoga Gold

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

Losing run stretches back to July 2023 but he ended 2025 in good form and his reappearance at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) 18 days ago was a positive one; stepping back up in distance is a positive but he could do with the ground drying out.

5/1

3rd

4

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:02 Doncaster

Saratoga Gold

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Serial winner in his younger days but been dry in almost three years; does have a comeback spring victory to his name but all other wins came in the second half of the year and he may need this at his age back from five months off.

7/1

6th
11 (9)
Chillhi

5/1

Form: 552310 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Three wins for new stable since the spring, the latest by 17l in selling handicap hurdle on Saturday; faces tougher task on this Flat return but Ashley Lewis claims a useful 7lb; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Chillhi

10st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Barry John Murphy

Flat and dual hurdle winner for James Owen last summer but well beaten in three runs for new stable (Flat/hurdles) this spring; now 4lb lower than for his last success but he needs a major revival; blinkers return and visor is removed.

25/1

11th

10

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Chillhi

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Barry John Murphy

Flat and dual hurdle winner for James Owen last summer but well beaten on both starts for new stable last month (hurdle/Flat); might be aided by refitted visor and/or first-time tongue-tie here but has lots to prove.

33/1

8th

1

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Chillhi

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Barry John Murphy

Flat and dual hurdle winner during busy summer for James Owen last year but well beaten (over hurdles) on stable debut on Tuesday and returns to the Flat with quite a bit to prove.

33/1

6/1

Form: 184441 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Two wins this season, latterly when too strong for odds-on favourite in small field at Ffos Las (2m, good) last month; not ideally drawn here but recent 2lb nudge ought to be manageable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

15

(16)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Simiyann

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Dual 2m winner last year; two heavy defeats over hurdles before perking up somewhat on return to Flat in January, but absent since; well handicapped on plenty of turf and AW form, so needs a close look, but the last time he raced over a trip this short was February 2024.

16/1

6th

3

(8)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

16:00 Southwell (AW)

Simiyann

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Returns to the Flat after two heavy defeats over hurdles; ran below market expectations on last attempt under this code but is competitively treated on best AW/turf form.

10/1

4th

2

(4)

28th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Simiyann

10st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Twice won easily here (1m6f/16.5f) around this time last year and is back off the same mark as when successful at Ffos Las (2m, good) in August; makes plenty of appeal.

11/2

Form: 9-1362 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won by wide margin on Flat return at Pontefract (2m2f, good) in April but was no threat to winner when second of five over that C&D on latest outing 12 weeks ago and may remain a shade vulnerable off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Diamand De Vindecy

8st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Robert Bevis

Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.

14/1

5th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Diamand De Vindecy

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Bevis

Arrives fit from hurdling and some of his best Flat form last year came in April, winning at Pontefract before second over C&D (both good).

7/1

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamand De Vindecy

11st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robert Bevis

Nine-race maiden over hurdles but has placed form and he won six on the Flat; made a bright start over fences in January but didn't fancy it at Huntingdon and refused early; the cheekpieces are off but wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well.

8/1

33/1

Form: 288654 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on some of her winter AW form for Ed Walker but has not shown much in four turf handicaps (1m4f-2m) for new stable this summer; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 6

20:20 Ffos Las

Hedonista

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Dual winner but 0-11 for current yard and essentially regressive; off since January.

9/1

6th

3

(8)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Hedonista

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Bernard Llewellyn

She has dropped a long way in the weights since joining this yard and hasn't made a major impact; latest Chelmsford third (beaten over 7l) was a bit better but she will need to step forward again to take this.

11/2

3

(5)

15th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Hedonista

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Bernard Llewellyn

On a losing run of 13 but ran better when fourth of ten at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) last month, even though a slow pace probably didn't suit; last visit here resulted in a win over this trip just over two years ago and he's 12lb lower now; interesting.

7/1

Form: 421241 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
In-form mare who led close home at Ripon (2m, good to firm) last month and has now won two of her last four; moves up from Class 6 today but is well drawn to seize a good position and ought to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

19:45 Windsor

Regally Blonde

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ben Case

Drops in grade and now 2lb below her last winning mark, but well beaten in both starts since returning in April; probably needs further than this now.

10/1

5th

4

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 68y

Class 6

14:50 Lingfield

Regally Blonde

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ben Case

Had no peace in front on her AW comeback here three weeks ago, when well held at a big price; back to the mark off which she won at Ripon last summer but finished last season on a downswing and needs to bounce back.

16/1

7th

3

(2)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Regally Blonde

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Ben Case

Dual turf winner (1m6f/2m) last summer; off since two below-par runs in the autumn, though, and still on fairly tough mark for this rare AW run.

10/1

12/1

Form: 542215 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Sophar Sogood

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Convincing winner at Catterick (2m, good) in August and following effort was respectable; ran no race last time at Chester but wouldn't be without hope if back on song.

20/1

11th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Sophar Sogood

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Butler

Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.

12/1

1

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Sophar Sogood

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Butler

Five-time AW winner whose success at Catterick (2m, good) three weeks ago was a first win on turf for nearly four years; might need a fraction more up 4lb but that was a pretty convincing success; Colin Keane's first ride for the yard; respected.

7/2

12th
14 (5)
Our Lil

9/2

Form: 67228- BF

Last run: 375 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish filly who is 2-6 over hurdles since joining Dan Skelton last autumn, the latter win gained over 2m4f; completely unexposed beyond 1m4f on the Flat; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(5)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Our Lil

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Dan Skelton

Ex-Irish filly who is 2-6 over hurdles since joining Dan Skelton last autumn, the latter win gained over 2m4f; completely unexposed beyond 1m4f on the Flat; interesting.

9/2

3

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Worcester

Our Lil

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Thereabouts in middle-distance Flat handicaps in Ireland and has won two of three hurdles (out of depth in the other) since wind surgery, proving suited by the step up to 2m4f when winning over C&D (good) in May; raised 5lb but has major claims.

3/1

1st

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Our Lil

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won a novice hurdle at Doncaster (2m1f, good; first start since wind surgery) in March, but faced a stiff task from 9lb out of the weights on handicap debut at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) last month; wouldn't want the ground to ease too much, but respected otherwise.

7/2

Non-runners

Capone, Cosmic Soul

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £169.20
Straight Forecast £129.21
Tricast £1231.28
Trifecta £1564.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Lil

Daily Mirror:

Diamand De Vindecy

RP RATINGS:

Regally Blonde

The Times:

Action Pact

NEWMARKET:

No More Bolero

Telegraph:

Simiyann

Daily Mail:

Chillhi

POSTDATA:

Marbuzet

The Star:

Sophar Sogood

The Guardian:

Our Lil

D Express:

Our Lil

Daily Record:

Regally Blonde