July 25 / 13.53 Chester

13.53

Good

Midsummer Meeting Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Midsummer Meeting Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 334533

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a maiden here last year; respectable efforts over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last month but looks better on the AW and he does have his quirks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

19:55 Windsor

Risk Averse Rebel

8st 11lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Gary Hanmer

Modest form on turf and AW, still a maiden after 11 races but his latest defeat was by a nose in a ten-runner handicap at Chester (1m4f, good); placed in five of his eight handicaps and, although he has his quirks with high head carriage, no surprise if he is in serious contention.

3/1

2nd

10

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Risk Averse Rebel

8st 2lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Gary Hanmer

Tailed off in a maiden here last year; respectable efforts over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last month but looks better on the AW and he does have his quirks.

14/1

3rd

8

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Risk Averse Rebel

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gary Hanmer

Far from straightforward, often pulling hard and again edging left under pressure over C&D last time; that effort proved this trip within range, though, and he's clearly happier on Tapeta than turf.

6/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 524-52

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Only had seven races and two since gelded; first try over as far as 1m3f when nosed out at Hamilton (good) two weeks ago; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(5)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell (AW)

Mr Moonshine

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Nine-race maiden who had a couple of near misses in July, including behind Al Maslool at Chester (12.3f); looks interesting on that form, but he hung badly right at Beverley last time and needs to step up again after that well-held third of five.

9/1

3rd

6

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Mr Moonshine

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has belied a pedigree not obviously conducive to middle distances in recording two recent near misses, including a neck third at Chester latest (1m4f, good) with three reopposing rivals held; chance off an unchanged mark, assuming no adverse reaction to the debuted cheekpieces.

2/1

3rd

8

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Mr Moonshine

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Only had seven races and two since gelded; first try over as far as 1m3f when nosed out at Hamilton (good) two weeks ago; considered.

13/2

8/1

Form: 640195 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Victory in this two years ago is one of two course wins; dangerously treated if revived by a return to this venue and he did win on the AW in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Grey Fable

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Karl Thornton

Passed by Mr Moonshine close home when fourth at Chester latest, beaten under 1l and clear of Sisterandbrother and Return With Gold; well treated on 2024's peak form, but winless around any course this galloping.

4/1

4th

6

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Grey Fable

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Karl Thornton

Victory in this two years ago is one of two course wins; dangerously treated if revived by a return to this venue and he did win on the AW in May.

8/1

Form: -83251 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Front-running tactics in the new blinkers didn't work two runs ago but he had cover before coming home 7l clear at Leicester 11 days ago (1m4f, good to firm); up 7lb but clear claims should he deliver something similar.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ottoman

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Both wins have been at Leicester, latest in July off 7lb lower; has been beaten twice off a higher mark and may need to come down a few pounds.

11/2

5th

2

(6)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:34 Leicester

Ottoman

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Inconsistent this season but caught wide when fifth at Chester last time and prior to that he was an easy winner over this C&D (good to firm); both wins have come at this venue and he's not ruled out.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Ottoman

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Front-running tactics in the new blinkers didn't work two runs ago but he had cover before coming home 7l clear at Leicester 11 days ago (1m4f, good to firm); up 7lb but clear claims should he deliver something similar.

8/1

Form: -63541 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner who took advantage of her much reduced mark when justifying favouritism at Bath (extended 1m3f, firm); entitled to go well again off 4lb higher; ran okay in one or her two previous visits here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Yokkell

9st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Adrian Wintle

Multiple winner who took advantage of her much reduced mark when justifying favouritism at Bath (extended 1m3f, firm); entitled to go well again off 4lb higher; ran okay in one or her two previous visits here.

7/2

1st

1

(4)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:31 Bath

Yokkell

10st 2lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

Multiple winner in this code at up to 1m4f, including on fast ground; usually held up; has had four starts from 1m-1m2f since a break, running reasonably consistently in defeat; drops 2lb and back again in grade; player.

15/8

4th

7

(5)

23rd Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ffos Las

Yokkell

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Adrian Wintle

On a losing run but finished well to be close up in 1m2f/1m handicaps at Leicester (good to firm); she can cope with good to soft and should run well.

4/1

Form: 121571 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
This year's four wins have been in Class 6s but it was very clearcut at Beverley (1m4f, good to form) three weeks ago when the cheekpieces were back on; he's still fairly treated off 4lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(10)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Sisterandbrother

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Joey Ramsden

Dual AW winner whose most recent success came at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) last month; below his best at Chester last time but drops back into class 6 company with claims.

10/1

7th

3

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Sisterandbrother

10st 0lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Joey Ramsden

This year's four wins have been in Class 6s but it was very clearcut at Beverley (1m4f, good to form) three weeks ago when the cheekpieces were back on; he's still fairly treated off 4lb higher.

12/1

Form: 263306

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Novice win in 2024 remains his sole win in 18 Flat races and he has performed poorly in his two previous visits here; well-held third over hurdles last week; not overly appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Imperial Trooper

10st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Novice win in 2024 remains his sole win in 18 Flat races and he has performed poorly in his two previous visits here; well-held third over hurdles last week; not overly appealing.

10/1

3rd

6

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Worcester

Imperial Trooper

10st 12lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Just 1-18 on the Flat but showed fair form when placed twice over 1m2f this spring; should have a future over hurdles but he made a low-key start in this sphere over C&D (good; 20-1) last month; stablemate of Chemistry.

16/1

5th

5

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Worcester

Imperial Trooper

10st 13lb

J: Ian Power

T: Jennie Candlish

Just 1-18 on the Flat but showed fair form when placed twice over 1m2f this spring; can be competitive at this level if he takes well to hurdling at the first attempt.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: /131-4

Last run: 203 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
1m2f/1m3f wins on the AW; showed little in two runs over hurdles before returning from a break and wind surgery with a fourth of ten at Southwell in January; now back from another break, others are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

17:00 Sedgefield

Return With Gold

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ollie Pears

Didn't live up to market expectations in two attempts in juvenile hurdles (beaten 44l and 17l); recent Flat efforts, failing to beat a rival the last twice, are hardly encouraging either; potentially capable from this mark (handicap debut) but risky nevertheless.

15/2

5th

1

(4)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Return With Gold

10st 0lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

18l behind Mr Moonshine when tenth of ten at Chester latest (1m4f); slight ease still leaves him 4lb above his highest winning mark, and cheekpieces will likely need to inspire a career best.

25/1

10th

2

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Return With Gold

10st 2lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

1m2f/1m3f wins on the AW; showed little in two runs over hurdles before returning from a break and wind surgery with a fourth of ten at Southwell in January; now back from another break, others are safer.

14/1

Form: 375023 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 334253

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.90
Straight Forecast £34.87
Tricast £131.41
Trifecta £246.90

Selections

The Times:

Al Maslool

POSTDATA:

Yokkell

Telegraph:

Ottoman

SPOTLIGHT:

Grey Fable

The Guardian:

Al Maslool

Daily Mail:

Al Maslool

The Star:

Al Maslool

Daily Record:

Ottoman

RP RATINGS:

Grey Fable

WEST COUNTRY:

Yokkell

D Express:

Yokkell

Daily Mirror:

Yokkell