Today / 16.37 Chester

16.37

Good To Soft

Roodee Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Roodee Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

Form: 056-23

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two good runs for new stable this season, the latter a third of 17 at York (1m4f, good) last month; should be fine back at 2m and can cope with ground slower than good; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(8)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Fox Journey

9st 3lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute (below form last year for Kevin Ryan) but second of 14 off almost a career-low mark at Musselburgh (1m4f, good; under Zak Wheatley) one month ago was easily his most competitive show since; back up 2lb and needs to build on that revival.

13/2

2nd

5

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Fox Journey

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute; below form last year for Kevin Ryan, followed by a 22,000gns sale in October; he's 23lb below his peak mark but the tide needs to turn.

25/1

Form: 2212-0 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who did well during five-race campaign last season, most notably when gamely winning Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW); also suited by good to soft turf but needs to bounce back from last month's disappointing reappearance run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Savrola

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Dianne Sayer

Front-runner who was progressive last year (over 1m6f, 1m5f here and 2m) and finished either first or second in all five of those races, but he wasn't seen after July; a shorter break (178 days) didn't prevent a win first time out last term and he should be retained in serious calculations.

9/1

Form: /018-0 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in last month's Chester Plate (2m2f) but this race is easier and he's now only 1lb higher than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last summer; versatile regarding ground; contender if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Its All About You

9st 4lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

His only appearance at Chester was a successful one in eight-runner handicap last August (2m, good to firm) off 3lb lower than today, in a manner that was encouraging for this test; absent since a lesser show in September but scored in 2024 after a 113-day layoff and needs a close look.

16/1

8th

1

(5)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Ripon

Its All About You

10st 2lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

Game winner of a 2m fast-ground Chester handicap before finishing fourth of five runners back over hurdles; only 3lb higher than for that recent win and goes on any ground.

6/1

Form: -12698 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Six-time AW winner, most recently off today's mark in January; struggled when back on turf this month, though, and ground slower than good will be a serious worry here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Barenboim

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Tom Dascombe

Just 1lb above his last winning mark, but is 6-31 on the AW and 0-18 on turf, including six starts over hurdles; others more solid.

20/1

9th

12

(2)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Barenboim

8st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Tom Dascombe

Made all at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) in January and head second to Berkshire Sundance at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) later that month; not quite at the same level at Southwell (2m2f, Tapeta) last month but he failed to settle; Newcastle form figures read 12139 and he has an each-way shout.

16/1

Form: 7-1522

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner (1m/1m4f); runner-up twice since upped to 2m, returned to turf and fitted with cheekpieces last month, more recently behind a progressive rival here (good; also suited by good to soft); good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Solar Pass

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Both wins have been on AW (latest in March) and her only run at this track did not go well, when favourite over 1m6f on heavy on final start last term; close second with first-time cheekpieces at Goodwood (2m, good) on latest outing, however, is a notable positive.

4/1

2nd

6

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Solar Pass

8st 13lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Both wins have been on AW and latest was on her Southwell reappearance (1m4f) in March; only 3lb higher than for that win but she faded at Wolverhampton (1m6f) last time and is untried at this trip; comes with risks attached and she's not been easy to predict in handicaps; first-time cheekpieces.

5/1

Form: 4318-3 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made all to win by 5l on heavy ground here (1m6f) in September and will warrant consideration if conditions become similarly testing today but his seasonal debut was disappointing and he's not one to rely upon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Nottingham

Dino Bellagio

9st 10lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Donald McCain

Two-time bumper winner (soft/good) who made all in Flat handicaps on Tapeta (1m6f) and turf (2m, heavy) in the second half of last year; ended last season on a low note but he still has scope for further progress and needs watching in market on his return.

4/1

8th

8

(5)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:55 Haydock

Dino Bellagio

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Donald McCain

Two-time bumper winner (soft/good) who has made all in Flat handicaps this year at Southwell (2m, AW) and Chester (1m6f, heavy); he did it easily last time and, while the form perhaps shouldn't be taken at face value, a 6lb rise isn't overly harsh; could make another bold bid.

13/2

Form: 13032- D

Last run: 253 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Looked out of sorts when pulled up in two hurdle races this spring (wore cheekpieces last time) and his best Flat form has been shown on Polytrack; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:55 Uttoxeter

Kingdom Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

2m AW Flat winner for Tom Ward; unexposed as a hurdler, best run when 13l third in a Hereford novice in March (2m3f, good; wore a hood); wasn't suited by the drop back to 2m when pulled up on handicap debut last time; cheekpieces now tried again (no improvement with them on the Flat).

7/1

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Kingdom Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kerry Lee

Has taken time to come to hand over hurdles but his recent third over 2m4f here last month represented by far his best effort, appreciating the better ground; opening mark is no gift, but he remains capable of better in this sphere; interesting contender.

7/1

Form: 4244-3

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Gained all five wins on AW but has made the frame here on both starts for current stable, more recently when staying-on third (behind Solar Pass) over C&D (good) on seasonal debut a fortnight ago; might not be ideally suited by the forecast slower ground today but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Heathen

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Jennie Candlish

5-19 on AW and 0-9 on turf; twice close up over 1m4f on turf last year, including off this mark at Chester, but is also a dual 1m6f winner on AW and has at least one piece of 2m form in that sphere; a case can be made if he's tuned up sufficiently after 259 days off; the market may guide.

14/1

Form: /8837-

Last run: 281 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Not seen on the Flat since down-the-field finish in September but returned from break with two good-ground hurdle wins this spring; should cope if the ground remains slower than good here and reverts to this code on a good mark; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:02 Ludlow

Pergamon

11st 13lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Seems a spring type and he prevailed at Huntingdon (2m) last month on return from break, adding to his wins last May and taking hurdles record to 3-6 (3-3 on good ground in this sphere); respected with further improvement plausible.

11/10

1st

6

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

Pergamon

11st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Got his hurdling career off to a perfect start when winning two in a row at Plumpton and Kelso last May; hasn't really gone on from that promise in handicaps and resumes following a five-month break.

16/1

Form: 2316-4

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Stout stayer who was placed over C&D (good) in September and opened his account at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) the following month; made a low-key reappearance last month but has possibilities if that run brought him on.
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

Form: 07-121 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Back in good form this season, most recently when making all to win by over 6l at Musselburgh (2m, good) eight days ago; 6lb higher in much more competitive race here but won't mind if the ground is much slower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

13:50 Musselburgh

Cascade Hall

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Soon in a clear lead and perhaps stole a four-runner race at Ayr (1m7f, good to firm) on seasonal debut, belatedly opening his account; however, he backed up that performance with a clear second at Carlisle (1m6f, soft) a fortnight later and remains well handicapped on some of last year's form.

5/4

2nd

9

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Cascade Hall

8st 4lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Soon in a clear lead and perhaps stole a four-runner race at Ayr (1m7f, good to firm) on seasonal debut, belatedly opening his account; however, the 10l runner-up has franked the form by scoring since; double looks possible, provided everything again goes his way.

5/1

Betting Forcast

6/1 Fox Journey, 14/1 Savrola, 12/1 Its All About You, 33/1 Barenboim, 7/2 Solar Pass, 20/1 Dino Bellagio, 25/1 Kingdom Of Stars, 8/1 Heathen, 4/1 Pergamon, 10/1 Action Pact, 7/2 Cascade Hall

Verdict

Solar Pass chased home a well-handicapped rival over C&D a fortnight ago and is not opposed lightly but PERGAMON has been in good form over hurdles this spring and is taken to exploit a favourable Flat mark. Heathen and It’s All About You help to give Jennie Candlish a strong hand in this race, while Fox Journey moves back up in trip after two good 1m4f runs for his new stable this year and is also considered.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

The Times:

Solar Pass

The Guardian:

Fox Journey

Telegraph:

Cascade Hall

POSTDATA:

Heathen

SPOTLIGHT:

Pergamon

RP RATINGS:

It's All About You

TOPSPEED:

Savrola

Daily Mail:

Solar Pass

D Express:

Solar Pass

Daily Record:

Cascade Hall

Daily Mirror:

Fox Journey

The Sun:

Fox Journey

The Star:

Heathen