Tomorrow / 16.48 Doncaster

16.48

Good To Soft

PJ Towey Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £36078
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
SKY
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PJ Towey Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: -72072 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Twice runner-up in large fields over York's 1m2f this season, including at the Ebor festival (good to soft) on latest start; respected despite a return to his career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(13)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Thunder Run

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

His two wins here came on good to firm but he also acts on soft; respectable seventh of 22 to Raammee in the John Smith's Cup over C&D (good to firm) latest; being eased 2lb is a help but it may not be quite enough.

22/1

7th

4

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Thunder Run

9st 10lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Dual winner here (both on good to firm) who was sixth in this last year and was runner-up to Warrant Holder over C&D (good) this May; soundly beaten at Royal Ascot since but he's an each-way possible back at York.

18/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-1100

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated for first in 1m Group 3 on dirt at Jebel Ali in February; ran poorly in Group 2 at Meydan in March (subsequently gelded) and again when back for 1m handicap at York (turf debut; just 8-1) in July; unproven beyond 1m (tailed off in US Grade 1 over 1m1f) and this looks a lofty mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 3/212- D BF

Last run: 512 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Highly impressive at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in January 2025 and backed that up with a close second over that same C&D that April; absent since; he'd be well handicapped if showing that form and has a largely encouraging record after layoffs, but his turf record is a lot more shaky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Cruised into contention and breezed clear for an easy win over C&D in January when last seen, taking AW record to 3-6 and looking a suitable type for this prize; could well defy a 9lb rise.

7/2

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear, good headway over 1f out, pressed winner final strides, did well in the circumstances

7/2

Form: 394101 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; up in trip when tidy 2l winner at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) one month ago, which was his second turf win this summer and his best performance; up 5lb but not fully exposed at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

City Of Poets

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Both handicap wins have come by narrow margins at Class 3 level and it was a deep Class 2 in which he made no impact last time at Sandown; he's not handicapped out of it if he stays this longer distance (unraced beyond 8.6f).

5/1

10th

17

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

City Of Poets

8st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Has gained both handicap wins in tight finishes at Class 3 level, including at Redcar latest start; may well come up short in this better grade, for all that he receives weight all round.

16/1

Form: 15-330 C

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Close up in a Group 3 last season (1m, good to firm) and ran well under top weight when never-nearer third of 17 on handicap debut at Goodwood (7f, good) this May after hitting traffic; no show at Royal Ascot (1m; 28-1), absent since and not nailed on to be suited by this trip, but this 3yo could also easily have untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

1

(26)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Pathein

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

He did have an entry in the St James's Palace and retains one in the Irish Derby; close up in a Group 3 last season (1m, good to firm) and ran well under top weight to be third of 17 on handicap debut at Goodwood (7f, good) where he was nearest at the finish after hitting traffic; by no means exposed and he is very much respected.

20/1

3rd

1

(3)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:25 Goodwood

Pathein

9st 9lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Ed Dunlop

Thrice-raced colt who has useful 1m figures, most recently 2l third of four in conditions race at Goodwood (good); visual impression and pedigree both suggest this drop to 7f is worth exploring; still open to further progress and looks interesting despite conceding weight all round.

10/1

Form: 412335 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Highly reliable in the last two seasons and he's never been better than in recent outings, mostly at 1m4f but also over 1m2f at Glorious Goodwood on penultimate start; should be bang there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Night Breeze

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ian Williams

Had three of these behind when winning this last year off 11lb lower (good to firm); looks even better now, probably not seen to best effect behind Sportingsilvermine at Newmarket before a sterling effort at Glorious Goodwood over an inadequate 1m2f; likes it here and he's hard to knock.

100/30

3rd

10

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Night Breeze

8st 12lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Runner-up in 2024 on his only appearance at this track; reliable sort who hit new heights over 1m4f on last three outings, so this drop back in trip asks a question but he needs respect.

16/1

Form: 3-1180 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Started this 3yo season with front-running wins in a novice at this track (7f, good to firm) and a valuable conditions event at Gowran Park (9.5f, yielding); tailed off at 50-1 in the Irish Derby but it's finishing last again in an 18-runner handicap at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to firm; 12-1) which is much more of a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

15

(11)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Bunyola Bay

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hannon

Record of 2-4 features a clearcut win from the front in valuable prize at Gowran Park, showing marked improvement; returns to a more suitable trip/grade after trailing home last in the Irish Derby, and interestingly his yard landed this race with 3yos in 2013 and 2019; one to bear in mind.

9/1

8th

3

(5)

28th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Bunyola Bay

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Finished third of eight, beaten 3l, when the well-backed favourite for a soft-ground maiden at Newbury last October (winner finished fourth in the Greenham); made all for 7f Doncaster win on seasonal debut; confirmed reputation as a progressive colt when landing a valuable conditions event over an extended 1m1f at Gowran Park early this month; dam has a decent record at stud, but has tended to produce milers rather than middle-distances types; lacks Pattern race experience.

40/1

Form: 0-6849 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Last won in May 2024; ran mostly with credit in the meantime, including when fourth of 17 at Glorious Goodwood on penultimate start (his only race under Toby Moore); 1m4f on probably soft ground was seemingly much too much for him there on latest and he could return to form with place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(1)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Tony Montana

10st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Losing run is mounting up but he remains useful and shaped well over 1m2f at Glorious Goodwood most recently, leaving the impression this return to 1m4f is worth exploring; possibilities off the same mark.

7/2

4th

15

(18)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Tony Montana

8st 11lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Beaten on his last 13 starts going back to May 2024 but he's run some big races and wasn't discredited in his two starts this term; third and tenth in the last two runnings of this race; claimer ridden for the first time as a handicapper and worth a second look despite wide draw.

16/1

Form: 131026 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third in this race last year; mostly in fine form this summer, which demands plenty of respect even though the very best of that form came in two performances on good to firm at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Placed twice on soft last year; beat only one home in a top 1m2f handicap here in July but in career-best form over 1m4f (good to firm) either side of that when winning at Newmarket and second in Shergar Cup race at Ascot; needs some respect.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Sportingsilvermine

9st 8lb

J: Yutaka Take

T: James Owen

His 1m4f win on good to firm at Newmarket in July reads well but has finished behind Castle Stuart in their recent clashes and beat only one home in the John Smith's Cup four weeks ago; probably vulnerable off this mark.

14/1

Form: 8-2481 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
With Irish stable since last summer and best Flat effort for them came on latest start when winning a 14-runner handicap at Dundalk (10.5f, AW); 2026 turf form is not far behind it but he needs a bit extra to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:35 Dundalk (AW)

Touch The Moon

9st 8lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Running okay without really threatening to win this season; not terrible efforts the last twice at the Curragh (1m2f, gd-fm) and on latest at Galway (1m4f, yld-sft) but probably needs a bit more help from the handicapper to get his head back in front.

12/1

8th

8

(15)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Galway

Touch The Moon

9st 4lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Ran poorly over hurdles at Listowel in May but last two runs on the Flat have been decent; 4l second of 10 at Leopardstown in early May (1m4f, good); 4.75l fourth of 12 at the Curragh 34 days ago; place claims off 1lb lower but needs to find a bit more to win.

16/1

Form: -84487 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Held up; picked up one 1m2f Sandown handicap in summer 2024 and 2025; hasn't quite had the same impact this season, including twice at that track and when tried in cheekpieces on latest start, but he is now 6lb below his peak mark and a case can be made.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(12)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

14:15 Sandown

Flying Frontier

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Tate

Likes this C&D and won this race in 2024; creditable fourth to Stem here in July but then ran poorly at Ascot; now has cheekpieces fitted.

25/1

8th

4

(2)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

Flying Frontier

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Tate

He was attempting to win a 1m2f Sandown handicap for the second successive year when fourth (Theory Of Tides second) three weeks ago; will need more on this second attempt at 1m4f (finished fifth on AW three years ago).

10/1

Form: 2171-9 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Cheekpieces last three starts and gelded before scoring at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) last December, which was his second front-running win last term and much improved form; not seen again until five weeks ago when he was favourite in a warm race at Southwell (1m3f, AW) and bang there 2f out but finished 9th of 12; it's possible he needed that run but this is just his second race on turf, having tailed off on soft on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(13)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

20:26 Southwell (AW)

Port Of London

8st 10lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

2-5 last year, his latest success coming on his first start since being gelded, at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) in December (form has worked out well); 6lb higher on this return, but still respected especially if market positive.

9/2

7

(2)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 3

16:05 Doncaster

Port Of London

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

His only turf race was debut last July when tailed off on soft ground; handicap debut last October was a blip but he did well in his other three AW races, gelded before comfortably making all with second-time cheekpieces in a ten-runner handicap at Lingfield (1m2f) in December when last seen; up 6lb but could easily have more to give.

3/1

Form: 221/21 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; absent 612 days after his novice races (including 9.4f win) in 2024 for Roger Varian; running-on second on reappearance at Newmarket (1m) and gradually asserted when favourite for six-runner race at Sandown (1m2f, again good to firm) two weeks later; up 3lb but should have more to offer at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

15:30 Sandown

Tawajjah

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Lightly raced and well-bred 5yo by Frankel; won a novice at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in November 2024 for Roger Varian and then absent until Newmarket (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago, when runner-up on his handicap and stable debut; could have a big say up in trip if avoiding the dreaded bounce.

13/8

2nd

12

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Tawajjah

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Well-bred 5yo by Frankel; won a novice for Roger Varian at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in November 2024 and absent since (gelded in interim); changed hands for 40,000gns in February and has joined an up-and-coming stable, but he may need this comeback outing.

33/1

Betting Forcast

11/2 Thunder Run, 25/1 David Of Athens, 10/1 Old Harrovian, 7/1 City Of Poets, 10/1 Pathein, 8/1 Night Breeze, 14/1 Bunyola Bay, 9/1 Tony Montana, 10/1 Sportingsilvermine, 15/2 Touch The Moon, 14/1 Flying Frontier, 10/1 Port Of London, 6/1 Tawajjah

Verdict

Thunder Run and Night Breeze should be bang there, while Pathein is an unexposed 3yo to note, but topping the list are City Of Poets and TAWAJJAH. Both won last time out when stepping up to 1m2f for the first time and there's a good chance that they have more to give.[Richard Austen]

Selections

POSTDATA:

Thunder Run

SPOTLIGHT:

Tawajjah

TOPSPEED:

Flying Frontier