Today / 17.00 Bath

17.00

Good

Larkhall Construction Handicap (Bath Summer Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Larkhall Construction Handicap (Bath Summer Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 00-126 C BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles last November and recorded his first win on the Flat in Britain, at this track (2m1f, good to firm) in April off 4lb lower; good second at Ripon subsequently but finished last of six back there (2m, good) after slipping on the bend on the first circuit last month; swaps a visor for blinkers and may be worth forgiving latest run.
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

Form: 54-534

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ex-German, beaten less than 10l in the German Derby last year; nowhere near that form in two starts for Marco Botti and similar story on his three outings for this yard; gelded before his front-running fourth of ten at Nottingham (1m2f) on Wednesday on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:18 Nottingham

Abando

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Ex-German; well held in two maidens for Marco Botti last year and a similar story in two novice events for this stable; gelded since last seen in February and has cheekpieces back on for his handicap debut, so he's worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7558-8 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
All four wins on AW at Wolverhampton; 0-22 on turf and beaten 24l on reappearance at Newbury (1m4f, good) three weeks ago; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Percy Jones

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

All four wins have come on Wolverhampton AW, the latest off this mark last August (1m4f); absent since November and 0-21 on turf but that includes six seconds, one of those behind Amancio in this race last year after a break (3lb higher today); has to be in each-way calculations.

14/1

Form: 5245-0 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
All four wins when trained by Charlie Johnston; sold to join current yard for 6,000gns last October; had wind surgery prior to his stable debut when he was tailed off at Newbury (1m4f, good) three weeks ago; stepping back up in trip will be more suitable but difficult to fancy at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Curran

11st 1lb

T: Rod Millman

14th

12

(11)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Newbury

Curran

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Won two 1m6f turf handicaps last June but inconsistent afterwards and unraced since a flop in October; left Charlie Johnston for 6,000gns 16 days later and had wind surgery in March; well handicapped (2lb above last winning mark) if he returns revived for new stable.

16/1

Form: 6-5824 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
His six wins include two over C&D; no match for No More Bolero when second here (2m1f, good to firm) in April, although he is 5lb better off with that rival; fourth of 12 at Ascot (2m, good) four weeks ago and holds place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Lusaka

9st 2lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: John & Rhys Flint

Scored for the sixth time when making all at Newbury (13.5f, good to firm) off 1lb lower in July and gave it a fair go from the front when second at Bath (2m1f, good to firm; Educator third) three weeks ago; same mark and should make his presence felt.

16/1

2nd

5

(1)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Lusaka

9st 2lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: John & Rhys Flint

Often a front-runner but he's a tactically versatile; six wins on turf (1m4f-1m6f) but he's not easy to predict and has been quiet on AW this winter; now only 1lb higher than for his last success but he still has stamina to prove at this trip and others are preferred.

12/1

Form: 52448- CD

Last run: 236 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Has won twice over hurdles since his last run on the Flat last October; won this equivalent race two years ago when making all; must come into consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Taritino

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Looked as good as ever when winning readily by 7l at favourite track Taunton (2m3f, good) three weeks ago and is now 3-19 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but still respected in current mood.

5/1

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:00 Taunton

Taritino

10st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Landed a 'hands and heels' event over C&D in March and respectable efforts in two subsequent starts, latterly when second off this mark at Exeter (about 2m2f, also good; Green Sky tailed off) on Friday; on the premises again if this doesn't come too soon.

5/1

Form: 314-46 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Sole success came on AW at Wolverhampton last September when trained by Jamie Osborne; flattered by his finishing position when fourth of ten at Goodwood (1m6f, good) last month and finished last of six subsequently at Yarmouth (1m6f, good); cheekpieces are introduced for the first time and needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Golden Garden

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Made all to win a 1m6f handicap at Wolverhampton for Jamie Osborne last September; unplaced in two hurdle runs for this yard but he didn't run badly returned to the Flat at Goodwood 19 days ago (1m6f, good); down in class today and should have a big run in him.

9/2

4th

8

(10)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Golden Garden

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

1m6f AW winner for Jamie Osborne but returns to this scene after two heavy defeats over hurdles, the latest after a wind operation; has a bit to prove off this mark even if he's back on song.

16/1

Form: 3554-6 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won since recording a three-timer in 2024; last of six on return to action at Salisbury (1m4f, good) last month when favourite; has dropped to a career-low mark and first-time visor goes on; may be worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Kotari

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His three wins were all on the Flat in 2024, including here on heavy ground over 1m2f; failed to build on his comeback run when well beaten over hurdles at Kempton 52 days ago and the hood returns on this switch back to the Flat; makes some appeal from a good mark.

3/1

Betting Forcast

4/1 No More Bolero, 9/1 Abando, 5/1 Percy Jones, 16/1 Curran, 9/4 Lusaka, 9/2 Taritino, 12/1 Golden Garden, 13/2 Kotari

Verdict

Preference is for NO MORE BOLERO who won convincingly here in April and holds Lusaka on that form. He is certainly worth another chance after slipping on the bend at Ripon last time. The main danger could be Taritino who won this race two years ago and has been in winning form over hurdles recently. Another to consider is Kotari who was a beaten favourite last month but has dropped further in the weights and wears a visor for the first time. [Andrew Bladen]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Lusaka

SPOTLIGHT:

No More Bolero

D Express:

Abando

TOPSPEED:

Kotari

WEST COUNTRY:

Curran

The Star:

Abando

POSTDATA:

No More Bolero

NEWMARKET:

No More Bolero

Daily Mirror:

No More Bolero

Telegraph:

Kotari

The Times:

Lusaka

The Guardian:

Lusaka

Daily Mail:

Lusaka

The Sun:

Lusaka

Daily Record:

Lusaka