October 03 / 16.40 Ascot

16.40

Good

BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 338006

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
On the premises in a Group 3 over C&D last October but he hasn't won a handicap for two years and it's hard to call him well treated on this year's form, even allowing for some thankless tasks; due further 2lb drop.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

25

(9)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Korker

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: K R Burke

On a losing run but smart at this level on his day, as when coming home like a lion to take a late third in the Gold Cup in 2024; he retained plenty of ability in 2025 and although some way off his usual level this year he might well revive off a handy mark now visored with soft ground helpful.

25/1

8th

3

(6)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Korker

9st 11lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hasn't won for a good while now but subsequent Newcastle run confirmed he retains a good chunk of ability and he was drawn wide last time at Chester; appealingly handicapped and enjoys slow ground, so unwise to ignore.

11/1

8th

8

(9)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Korker

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

On a long losing run but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and his latest Newcastle run confirmed he retains a good chunk of ability, surging to the front 1f out but failing to see out the stiff 7f; this easier test should suit and he can't be discounted.

10/1

Form: 164937 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Sterling sprinter in 2025 who was a rock-solid marker over 6f on the AW and turf before the handicapper caught up; has a less demanding task than in his last two 6f runs on turf, when beaten around 3l in the Wokingham at the Royal meeting (good to firm) and in the Ayr Gold Cup (soft; first home in his group), so he probably still has cards to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(10)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Aramram

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Escapes a penalty for his Listed win at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March; his last two runs haven't been his best but there have been mitigating factors; has a course win on his record and he should go well.

16/1

18th

3

(18)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Aramram

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Only seventh in this race 12 months ago when 10lb lower; his improved form this spring has warranted this lofty mark and he ran well in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month (off 1lb higher), doing best of the far-side group; still looks up against it here.

40/1

6th

3

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Aramram

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Listed winner at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March before close second in Group 3 Abernant at Newmarket (6f, good); returned to form when first of four in the far-side group in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon (6f, good) three weeks ago; has something to find in today's company but he's 2-3 on soft ground and is not ruled out each-way.

20/1

Form: 206611 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
First two wins over 5f but he's flourished back at 6f of late, winning in good style at Windsor (good to firm) and having no problem with the stiffer test and better company when following up over C&D last month (good to soft; formed worked out); up 6lb but has scope to move on up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

1st Oct 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:49 Salisbury

Brosay

9st 9lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Charlie Pike

Well treated on the pick of his 6f form on various ground for previous yard in 2025; mostly had a slow time of it this year but there were much better signs at Goodwood on last two starts and he only just failed to get up there last week; should go well.

4/1

2nd

2

(16)

23rd Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Brosay

10st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Charlie Pike

He's had a regressive campaign but returned to form off a reduced mark with clear second over C&D (soft) recently, behind one who easily followed up; versatile ground-wise; can have a big say if backing up that latest run.

6/1

2nd

6

(9)

8th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Brosay

9st 9lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Charlie Pike

Thrown in on his 3yo best, notably a 6f win at Ascot (good to soft) 12 months ago when 11lb higher; 2026 campaign has been underwhelming though and others look stronger for the win.

20/1

20/1

Form: 35-409 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Two 6f wins as 2yo (good to soft and soft); useful comeback when fourth of ten in a Group 3 over C&D (good to firm) in April but even allowing for the trip query over 7f on last two starts, he cried enough a long way out on handicap debut at Chepstow in August; gelded since; up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

19

(20)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Brian

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: J S Moore

Good fourth in the Group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial here (6f, good to firm) in April 2025 but his subsequent stand-out performances, including a commanding win at Haydock (7f) two starts ago, have come on soft ground; given today's forecast conditions it may prove best to look elsewhere.

40/1

1st

1

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Brian

10st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: J S Moore

Only 2-19 but well handicapped on his soft-ground form and back on a slower surface (good to soft) at Newbury three months ago (7f) he beat all bar last week's impressive Goodwood winner Forty Years On; should have every chance if fit enough to do himself justice.

11/2

2nd

3

(11)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Brian

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: J S Moore

Soundly beaten on final two runs last year (1m, AW) and same story on his three outings this spring (6f, AW/good/good to firm); arrives with something to prove but he's 5lb lower than when runner-up over C&D (soft) last October and the return to slow ground could facilitate a major revival.

10/1

Form: 211272 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Not yet truly exposed over 6f since visored, winning on two occasions (on good to firm and soft) and first home on his side for the two defeats, over C&D and in the Ayr Silver Cup; the handicapper may not have weighed him up yet and he can be a big threat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(1)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Sondad

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Third good handicap win of an excellent summer when shading a tight finish in 20-runner event at the York Ebor meeting (6f, good to soft; acts on good to firm); creditable fourth of 24 at the Curragh (6f, yielding) since; below par in two previous attempts over 7f but the way he saw it out when successful over an extended 6f at the Curragh earlier in the year provides hope that this flat 7f should be within range; his form is more than good enough to be highly competitive at Listed level.

7/2

4th

1

(7)

13th Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

13:45 Curragh

Sondad

10st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scurry win (beating Dark Thirty) in July came over slightly further off 98, and most recently recorded seventh career win when landing a big pot at York last month (Coul Angel third) on good-to-soft; still improving 5yo up 16lb this season but has to be respected.

7/1

1st

2

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sondad

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

His career has been one of steady but consistent progress; won at Epsom (6f, soft) and the Currragh (6.2f, good to firm) this season and ran a sound race in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, perhaps finding that sharp test on fast ground inadequate; can't call upon course form but the weather has turned in his favour and he has another major handicap in him.

12/1

Form: 678788

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Acts well over C&D and a close third in a Group 3 here (soft) last October was his best effort yet; has laid low for most of 2025, including when down the field behind Brosay here last month, but he did good late work at Doncaster recently and his current mark is begging to be exploited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes off higher marks in the spring; however, his form has gone the wrong way subsequently and he needs to turn things around.

9/1

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Russet Gold

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes at Leicester and York (also 6f) in the spring but his last two starts haven't been as promising; nicely treated and he does have form here so a revival isn't out of the question.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in Listed/Group races in 2024; on a three-year losing spell but his Class 2 form this term for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts; possibilities off current mark back down in grade.

5/1

Form: 238115 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Five wins this year, the latest two with authority in Racing League races over 6f at Yarmouth (soft) and on Newcastle AW; travelled strongly but the Red Sea failed to part in a big Curragh handicap (6f, yielding) last month; still improving and one of the more interesting ones.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(3)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Tuco Salamanca

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ollie Sangster

Progressing at a rate of knots; impressive over C&D in August on his only 5f run; has since run a fine race for second in the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, heavy); could have more to come back at 5f and he is a leading contender.

11/4

2nd

4

(12)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Tuco Salamanca

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ollie Sangster

Began 3yo campaign with a BHA mark of just 61 and went on to win five times (6f-8.6f); returned to action with a huge performance at Kempton (6f, AW) in March, slicing through the field from 2f out, and that positive impression has been confirmed with further wins at Newcastle (6f, AW) and Ascot (5f, good to firm); looked a natural at 5f when winning at the Shergar Cup meeting and the demands of this race will ask different questions; whatever the outcome today he remains a sprinter to keep on the right side.

12/1

1st

2

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Tuco Salamanca

10st 0lb

J: Jerry Chau

T: Ollie Sangster

Progressive last year and he has continued the good work in 2026, winning 6f handicaps at Kempton and Newcastle either side of lesser turf efforts, albeit in hot handicaps; has run well at Ascot in the past and although he has yet to race over 5f, he is a strong traveller who could prove suited to it; interesting.

6/1

Form: -52634

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has led; won sole 2yo start (7f, AW); well held when attempting 6f at Leicester in May and he didn't look to be crying out for a return to this trip when plugging on into fourth of eight at Newmarket (7f) in August; could be tough against the specialists; blinkers fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Sea Baaeed

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

Has led; won sole 2yo start (7f, AW); well held when attempting 6f at Leicester in May and he didn't look to be crying out for a return to this trip when plugging on into fourth of eight at Newmarket (7f) in August; could be tough against the specialists; blinkers fitted.

14/1

4th

6

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:07 Newmarket (July)

Sea Baaeed

8st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

Showed the immediate benefit of surgery with a career-best third at Haydock (7f, good; same mark), where he was keen under restraint but kept on; enters the reckoning.

4/1

3rd

3

(7)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:55 Haydock

Sea Baaeed

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Richard Hughes

Won sole 2yo start (7f, AW); three runs this year, with a fair sixth at Leicester (6f, good to firm) last time on handicap debut; improvement needed but he's been gelded since and his trainer has won the last two runnings; interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

7/1

Form: 240052 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
All three wins on ground slower than good, the latest two on heavy, and he's been taken out of races on good and quicker ground; rarely seen the best of him in 2025 but a latest close second of 15 at Doncaster (6f, good) offered hope; rain welcome; yard runs two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Bob Mali

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Charles Hills

All three wins on ground slower than good, the latest two on heavy, and he's been taken out of races on good and quicker ground; rarely seen the best of him in 2025 but a latest close second of 15 at Doncaster (6f, good) offered hope; rain welcome; yard runs two.

7/1

3

(14)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

Bob Mali

9st 13lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Charles Hills

Not in top form since reappearance but will be an interesting type when back on slower ground; has a record of 1112 in 6f contests on softer than good; mark is workable.

12/1

Form: 437396 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Regularly thereabouts in competitive 6f handicaps this year but his mark has hardly varied and a losing run goes back to June 2024; unlikely that he'll find the extra needed to win in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

(12)

2nd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Ascot

Rock Opera

10st 12lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has struggled since finishing first and second over 6f at Pontefract (both good) at the start of the summer but is well handicapped again; has yet to prove himself at 7f, though.

16/1

10th

10

(7)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Rock Opera

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won off reduced mark at Pontefract (6f, good) in June and also has a C&D success on his CV but needs to up his game after three down-the-field turf runs this summer (6f-7f).

16/1

11th

1

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Rock Opera

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Resumed winning ways at Pontefract (6f) in June but below par in big-field 6f handicaps at York on his last two runs; this course scorer needs to bounce back on a rare run over 7f.

9/1

Non-runners

Trefor, Righthere Rightnow, Zoulu Chief

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.40
Straight Forecast £68.84
Tricast £257.76
Trifecta £434.90

Selections

THE NORTH:

Sondad

NEWMARKET:

Righthere Rightnow

SPOTLIGHT:

Brosay

RP RATINGS:

Bob Mali

D Express:

Sea Baaeed

Telegraph:

Tuco Salamanca

Daily Mail:

Aramram

POSTDATA:

Russet Gold

The Times:

Righthere Rightnow

The Star:

Righthere Rightnow

TOPSPEED:

Bob Mali

LAMBOURN:

Brosay

The Guardian:

Brosay

Daily Mirror:

Sondad

The Sun:

Sondad

Daily Record:

Sondad