September 28 / 15.20 Nottingham

15.20

Good

Fairfax Saddles Grassroots Series Middle Distance Final Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 2f 50y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Fairfax Saddles Grassroots Series Middle Distance Final Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.30
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 410430 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Successful off a 4lb higher mark at Haydock in July; ran well over 1m at Doncaster this month (first-time cheekpices, back on today) but well beaten at Newmarket 11 days ago (no headgear); going back up in trip won't hurt but others have greater potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

21st Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

14:56 Brighton

Night Bear

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Yet to add to his C&D win just over two years ago but lost out only by a neck when clear second back here (1m2f, good) 12 days ago and is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip; high on the list.

100/30

2nd

3

(8)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

19:51 Brighton

Night Bear

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tony Carroll

Record here reads 3133, the win coming over 1m4f in June 2024; 0-21 since, though, and others are preferred for the win; stable triple-handed.

11/2

5th

1

(3)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Night Bear

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Four-time turf winner who last scored at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm; has won at this trip) two years ago; went close on two occasions at 1m3f (visored) during latest AW campaign but his latest effort when last of ten at Southwell (1m4f; raced freely) wasn't an ideal springboard for this switch back to grass; blinkers (has won in them before) go back on.

8/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 314422 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 1m2f maiden handicap at Pontefract in May; ran at least as well in defeat on her last two starts and still on the up; she will need further progress after her latest 2lb rise though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

15

(7)

5th Nov 2022

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 1

14:30 Doncaster

Smiling Jayne

9st 1lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David O’Meara

in rear

66/1

5th

6

(8)

21st Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Newbury

Smiling Jayne

9st 5lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway and went third over 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong, lost two places final 110yds

6/1

2nd

3

(10)

28th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

15:20 Nottingham

Smiling Jayne

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

held up in rear, going okay but still plenty to do 2f out, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on but no chance with winner final 110yds

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 371821

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two wins over middle distances on AW in recent months, latterly over 1m3f at Kempton last week (made all); 5lb penalty demands more but clearly in rude health.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

6th

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Natchez Trace

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

in rear

16/1

Form: 556661 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Two wins on Newcastle AW this year, having a bit in hand last week (fourth run for this stable); that was a Class 6 though and this looks a much tougher assignment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

18:00 Pontefract

Balqaa

9st 9lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Resumed winning ways in classified event at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in March; winless on turf though and only eighth of 13 in 1m Ripon handicap last time; others appeal more.

12/1

8th

7

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Balqaa

9st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

All five wins have came on AW; usually ridden with hold-up tactics and will need plenty of luck in running to get her head in front here.

10/1

5th

5

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Balqaa

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

It was a classified race she won over C&D last month but this mark isn't beyond her and a slow start was no help at Southwell.

10/1

7/2

Form: 696122

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Record of 122 since handicapping, the win gained over 1m at Haydock; ran creditably at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) last time behind a highly progressive sort; could still have more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

12

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Savrola

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dianne Sayer

Front-runner who did well throughout five-race campaign last season, most notably when gamely winning this race; 5lb higher today but much more of a worry is that he needs to bounce back from this season's two poor runs on turf.

16/1

7th

2

(11)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Savrola

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Dianne Sayer

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.

14/1

Form: 243315 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
3-6 on AW as opposed to 0-12 on turf; needs to step up on his recent turf form to come out on top in a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(10)

10th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gangway

9st 7lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

prominent, pushed along and weakened from over 1f out

11/2

6th

4

(7)

28th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

15:20 Nottingham

Gangway

9st 3lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

prominent, going okay 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out

10/1

5th

8

(2)

1st Sep 2022

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 4

16:56 Salisbury

Gangway

9st 1lb

J: Neeraj Rawal

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

raced freely, in touch with leaders, ridden under 4f out, edged left over 3f out, wandered around from 2f out, weakened and lost fourth final strides

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4135 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Confirmed the promise of his 1m debut when successful in a 1m2f novice at Windsor one month later; not disgraced in either run since and he returns to turf with some potential; gelded since last start; cheekpieces now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

21st Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 3

15:10 Newbury

Tathbeet

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

slowly away, took keen hold, raced in last, shaken up 4f out, outpaced under 3f out, well held under 2f out

8/1

7th

1

(2)

28th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

15:20 Nottingham

Tathbeet

9st 12lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out

4/1

5th

4

(1)

24th Aug 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Tathbeet

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

took keen hold, towards rear, ridden and outpaced from over 2f out, not pace to challenge

5/1

Form: 56-145

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a 1m3f handicap at Carlisle in May (soft); beaten twice on the Flat since but he has been in good form over hurdles more recently, latterly winning at Kelso a fortnight ago; could prove vulnerable at this level back on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

The Navigator

10st 10lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Dianne Sayer

11yo who was tailed off over C&D (good to soft) in November and pulled up at 100-1 at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month on his sole start since; however, the drying conditions are a positive, with his last five wins coming on good ground, and he won two in a row over C&D last autumn to take his winning tally at Kelso to four; no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

50/1

5

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

The Navigator

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Dianne Sayer

11yo who won three times last August-October (2m1f/2m5f, good); however, tailed off at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November when last seen and there's a suspicion he may not want testing ground nowadays.

16/1

8

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

16:25 Kelso

The Navigator

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

Back to winning ways at Cartmel (2m1f) in August and followed it up with a good third of nine in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield 13 days ago; this C&D scorer can't be discounted.

10/1

16/1

Form: 686733

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; didn't run badly at Carlisle three weeks ago but he is effectively 3lb higher today in a stronger race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Wakey Wakey

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

midfield

14/1

10th

12

27th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Wetherby

Wakey Wakey

11st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Tim Easterby

prominent

10/1

10th
7 (9)
Kemerton

14/1

Form: 0947

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Improved effort at the third time of asking when finishing fourth in a Kempton novice (1m) last month; no impact on his handicap debut (1m2f, soft) two weeks ago but getting back on a sounder surface may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(6)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kemerton

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

held up in rear

12/1

3rd

4

(1)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kemerton

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Ian Williams

Unplaced in 13 attempts over a variety of trips; slipping to a workable mark but others push stronger claims, particularly after he was last of eight over C&D in the 8.30 yesterday.

8/1

9

(7)

15th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kemerton

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ian Williams

First-time cheekpieces seemed to help when fourth of 11 over 1m4f here last month but upping him to 2m wasn't the answer next time and he didn't do enough over C&D since to think this is his trip either; work to do.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.60
Straight Forecast £46.92
Tricast £142.56
Trifecta £268.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Savrola

SPOTLIGHT:

Tathbeet

The Guardian:

Natchez Trace

Daily Record:

Smiling Jayne

POSTDATA:

Gangway

RP Ratings:

Tathbeet

NEWMARKET:

Tathbeet

The Times:

Savrola

Telegraph:

Savrola

Daily Express:

Savrola

Daily Mirror:

Savrola

The Star:

Savrola

Daily Mail:

Natchez Trace

The Sun:

Natchez Trace