September 24 / 14.15 Chester

14.15

Good

Boulton Group Handicap

  • Prize money: £5400
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
Boulton Group Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -10759 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Close second in this 12 months ago and edged out the reopposing Paws For Thought to make a successful reappearance over C&D (soft) in May; hasn't reproduced that since but her record here brings her firmly into the reckoning, particularly from a handy draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

6th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 3

16:08 Chester

Ffion

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: David Loughnane

Well beaten on both Chester runs this season but one was her reappearance and the other was a tough Listed assignment; in between she went close at Haydock and she was a two-time course winner last year (7f, soft/good to soft); could go well now back in a handicap in first-time cheekpieces.

11/2

9th

7

(9)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

16:27 Chester

Ffion

9st 2lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

taken down early, towards rear

20/1

2nd

3

(1)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:45 Haydock

Ffion

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: David Loughnane

Disappointing on reappearance at Chester a fortnight ago, especially as she has a good record fresh and likes that track and soft ground; however, perhaps she needed the run this time around and she's run really well on all three previous visits to Haydock; not ruled out.

8/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 283118 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won a pair of Class 5s in the summer, the latter over C&D (good); found out by the step up to Class 3 level over the extended 7f here last time, though, and he'll need a bit more off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Yanifer

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Enhanced his fine Chester record when a length winner there in late August (extended 7f; good to firm; acts on soft); the 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark which could be troublesome in this deep a handicap.

40/1

1st

9

(8)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:15 Chester

Yanifer

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Won over 7f here (good to soft) last August and runner-up in good 7f handicaps elsewhere on his last two starts (good to firm/good to soft); should be fine at today's distance and every chance he'll be thereabouts.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 133673 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Back on the scoreboard at Leicester (1m, good to soft) in June; creditable third of 13 in a competitive race at Newcastle nine days ago, with the reopposing Ffion behind in ninth; course winner who enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(1)

21st Oct 2022

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newbury

Melody Of Life

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

midfield towards far side, ridden 3f out, soon edged left and outpaced, kept on and went remote fourth towards finish

8/1

3rd

2

(9)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Chester

Melody Of Life

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear of midfield, pushed along and headway 3f out, raced wide home turn, ridden 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went third final strides

8/1

3rd

6

(1)

15th Sep 2022

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Melody Of Life

9st 8lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Andrew Balding

prominent, switched right and led after 1f, shaken up from over 2f out, ridden from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed by winner final 110yds, lost second towards finish

20/1

4th
11 (3)
Cliffcake

5/1

Form: 1-1214 D BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Enhanced his good strike-rate since joining this yard when a cosy winner at Thirsk (7f, good) in June; found three 3yos too strong at Doncaster the following month but that race has worked out; remains of interest from his mark and this place could lend itself to his strong-travelling style; handily drawn, too, so there are a few things in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Cliffcake

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Five wins at Southwell but didn't run much of a race there last time and it's a long time since he was successful on turf; others appeal more.

20/1

2

(11)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Cliffcake

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Roy Bowring

Five-time course winner at 7f and 6f who has run well at Doncaster on his last two starts, most recently when fourth (beaten a length) 19 days ago; just 1lb higher than his win here in February and has claims.

11/2

4th

8

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Cliffcake

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Roy Bowring

Has a patchy profile but he's a prolific winner who bounced back with a fair fifth over C&D (good) three weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and last success was off a similar mark.

10/1

11/2

Form: 701622 CD BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (good to firm) in June and arrives on the back of good runner-up efforts at Haydock and Ayr; likely to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(7)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Thirsk

Poets Magic

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: John Quinn

led narrowly

10/1

3rd

6

(4)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

16:20 Carlisle

Poets Magic

9st 4lb

J: Harry Russell

T: John Quinn

swerved right start, in touch with leaders, edged left over 1f out, kept on well final 110yds

7/1

2nd

4

(8)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Poets Magic

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

Four-time 7f winner who is suited by good/good to firm ground; on a workable mark but was always behind on seasonal debut 11 weeks ago and hasn't raced again since.

12/1

Form: -51935 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Improved when winning 7f Newmarket handicap (good) in May on second start for current yard; not so good in three outings in June/July and will need to resume his progression back from a ten-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(8)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Royal Musketeer

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Steph Hollinshead

No turf win since May 2022; has posted some decent efforts at Newmarket (6f, both tracks) this season, none better than when runner-up in June; cheekpieces are yet to elicit improvement but this appears a better option than Southwell (tenth of 14) last time; easing mark.

16/1

10th

7

(13)

25th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:08 Southwell (AW)

Royal Musketeer

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

He is on a competitive mark and has a course win on his record (7f); not beaten far at Newmarket this month when tried in cheekpieces for the first time; wide draw but he's not ruled out.

5/1

2

(9)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Newmarket (July)

Royal Musketeer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Steph Hollinshead

Twice placed on the two courses here before his effort petered out tamely at Haydock two weeks ago; returning here has to rate a positive, as might the addition of cheekpieces.

8/1

14/1

Form: 043176

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Leicester winner in July (1m, good to firm) but not in the same form twice since and he remains 6lb above that successful mark; draw not ideal and others are more obvious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

24th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:30 Leicester

Hathlool

9st 10lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Michael Appleby

midfield, ridden and dropped to rear over 3f out, soon struggling, lost touch from 2f out (jockey said gelding was never travelling)

6/1

6th

2

(11)

14th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Hathlool

10st 0lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

took keen hold, held up in midfield, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, not reach leaders

8/1

7th

10

(12)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Chester

Hathlool

9st 5lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and minor headway on inner 2f out, bit short of room and no impression inside final furlong

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 872325 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Useful 6f performer on his day but no win since early 2021; found some consistency with three placed efforts after a gelding operation but his run of good form came to a halt when fading into a well-held fifth at Chepstow on first attempt at 7f; stamina clearly a concern but if he's going to stay 7f anywhere it'll be here and he's well drawn for a prominent racer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mighty Gurkha

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Thomas Faulkner

Nowhere near as good as he was and last win was in June 2023; on much reduced mark and has run some decent races this year but he didn't get very far here (unseated at start) last time and all of his wins have been at 6f; down the list.

15/2

1

(6)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mighty Gurkha

9st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Thomas Faulkner

Nowhere near as good as he was and although not disgraced on a few occasions on turf/Polytrack this year, more is needed in order to win despite dropping into a 0-55 for the first time; visor returns.

8/1

4

(5)

2nd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mighty Gurkha

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Thomas Faulkner

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since winning a Group 3 on the AW as a 2yo; not disgraced on a few occasions on turf/Polytrack (with and without headgear) this year, but a bit more is needed in order to win.

7/1

Form: 280434 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Winner twice at this venue and more good efforts this year, including when narrowly denied by Ffion on reappearance in May; respectable fourth over extended 7f last time; likely to be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

Form: 380953 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Multiple sprint winner here but does have 7f form, including a creditable third of 13 at Ayr (good) last weekend; awkward draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(10)

10th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Gabrial The Devil

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong

9/1

1st

3

(10)

10th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Gabrial The Devil

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong

9/1

10th

13

(13)

24th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Chester

Gabrial The Devil

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

always towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced and no impression

12/1

Form: 404153 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had Mighty Gurkha behind him when a respectable third at Chepstow (7f, good) last month; can be competitive from his mark but his tendency to hang right off a left-handed bend in a couple of his recent starts (markedly so at Lingfield on penultimate) is a negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(1)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Little Boy Blue

8st 12lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner down the years but this veteran has something to find on 2025 form; comfortably held last time, failing to back up his reappearance effort.

25/1

7th

5

(9)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Little Boy Blue

9st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner who goes particularly well at Brighton where he was only 2l away last month (7f, good to soft) on his return from a lengthy break; might be vulnerable to younger limbs but should give his running.

10/1

2

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:10 Brighton

Little Boy Blue

9st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Off since September but he's proven when fresh having won at Epsom (7f, good) off 1lb higher on his reappearance last July; has won here four times from nine starts, including this race in 2022 off 3lb higher and he holds sound claims on his return.

11/2

Form: 17-304 D

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Best at 7f and likes a strong pace to aim at as he can race freely; shaped well when half-length third on his Redcar reappearance (7f, good to soft) in April; not seen to best effect (met trouble) when fourth at Haydock in May; off since but his good reappearance run shows he's capable when fresh; the stumbling block is stall 14.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(12)

8th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Mossbawn

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Neil Mechie

towards rear

66/1

7th

1

(5)

11th Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Mossbawn

10st 1lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Neil Mechie

in touch with leaders on outer, weakened over 1f out

50/1

2

(7)

30th Jun 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

Mossbawn

10st 1lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Neil Mechie

Well handicapped on form for the Barron yard but was tailed off on his final start for those connections and has suffered the same fate in two runs for this stable, latterly at Carlisle on Wednesday.

50/1

Form: 114134

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

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

10th

9

(6)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Prince Of Bel Lir

10st 4lb

J: Miss Sophie Dobson

T: K R Burke

Holds weak claims on his form this winter for new yard; possibly found 5f too sharp last time but returning to 7f may not be the answer; 6f has looked his optimum trip.

20/1

Form: 657945 CD

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Former C&D winner who was beaten just over 6l when fourth to Ffion and Paws For Thought over C&D in May; not seen again until a respectable 2l fifth of ten at Thirsk (7f) in July; off another eight weeks since; no shock if he goes well but others boast stronger credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Broken Spear

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

His mark continues to fall and he has lots of good form on soft and heavy ground; won at Newcastle (7f, AW) in March but this 9yo has struggled more recently and he needs to turn things around.

25/1

5

(9)

15th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Thirsk

Broken Spear

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Won narrowly off his lower AW mark in March; returned from layoff with down-the-field AW run this month but combination of refitted cheekpieces and heavy rain could prompt a more dynanic performance.

14/1

13

(2)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Broken Spear

9st 2lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood

Won by a head at Newcastle (7f, AW) in March but he's been off since finishing down the field over C&D behind Saisons d'Or in May; best watched.

25/1

Non-runners

Prince Of Bel Lir, Broken Spear

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.70
Straight Forecast £34.96
Tricast £212.58
Trifecta £347.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cliffcake

The Guardian:

Poet's Magic

TOPSPEED:

Melody Of Life

The Times:

Ffion

RP Ratings:

Paws For Thought

LAMBOURN:

Mighty Gurkha

POSTDATA:

Melody Of Life

The Star:

Ffion

Daily Mirror:

Paws For Thought

Telegraph:

Cliffcake

Daily Mail:

Cliffcake

Daily Express:

Mighty Gurkha

The Sun:

Poet's Magic

Daily Record:

Poet's Magic