October 07 / 15.50 York

15.50

Good

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 5f 188y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 120433

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
His first three handicap runs were rather underwhelming but his fourth looked decidedly unlucky, as he was rallying under Adam Farragher when badly hampered inside the final 1f at Haydock (upped to 1m6f, good to soft) in a very tight finish which also involved Double Cherry, Zain Nights and Flamborough; that was in cheekpieces first time; back up just 1lb today and it's not hard to think he would have won but for the interference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(11)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Post Impressionist

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Underwhelming on first three runs this year but not beaten far in ninth in the Ebor (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and he may be able to build on that, having come good around this time of year last season.

13/2

9th

23

(1)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Post Impressionist

8st 12lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f (with Adam Farragher) when cheekpieces were initially enlisted for his last two starts last season, notably for a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft); 8lb higher today and has not fired in the same way in his three starts this term; headgear now removed.

25/1

7th

6

(8)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Post Impressionist

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f when cheekpieces were initially enlisted (they've been kept since) for his last two starts last season; underwhelming in the Northumberland Plate (raced a bit freely) on reappearance and tailed off on heavy going at Goodwood one week ago, but he should stay 2m.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 631641 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won at Goodwood (1m4f, soft) in June on handicap debut; hampered but recovered to lead on post in a very close but messy finish at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) two weeks ago, just ahead of Zain Nights, Post Impressionist and Flamborough; did well to snatch that win and 2lb rise is not harsh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(2)

7th Oct 2022

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:50 York

Double Cherry

9st 1lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Tom Ward

slowly away, took keen hold, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left and went second inside final furlong, kept on, no match for winner

6/1

1st

7

(9)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Double Cherry

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Tom Ward

held up in rear, some headway but waiting for room over 2f out, soon switched right and badly hampered, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, switched right and rapid headway inside final furlong, made strong challenge final 110yds, led post

13/2

4th

10

(11)

3rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:45 Ascot

Double Cherry

8st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Ward

held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on and went fourth inside final furlong, not reach leaders

11/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: -59311 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Placed on soft as 2yo; fortunes this season turned markedly at Chester (2m) in August when he led final 1f for a 4l win; always up there when he battled his way to a short-head win at Yarmouth (1m6f, again on good) three weeks ago but the manner of that win suggested that further improvement is more likely back at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(11)

7th Oct 2022

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:50 York

The Gadget Man

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

led narrowly, headed halfway, led again over 3f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lost second inside final furlong, no extra inside final 110yds

10/1

1st

7

(4)

15th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 2

15:55 Yarmouth

The Gadget Man

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

led, headed after 4f, led again over 3f out, soon pushed along, ridden and hard pressed from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, battled back and led inside final 110yds, kept on strongly, just prevailed, gamely

11/4

Form: 3-1421 D

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Upped to 1m6f and first run on softer than good, in first-time headgear too, when he got up late on in a valuable, 14-runner handicap at Haydock (soft) in July; absent since and raised 8lb but he's lightly raced and progressive, needing plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

Form: 65-725

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Reappeared only at the start of September; beaten just under 1l at Kempton (1m4f, AW) and Haydock (1m6f, good to soft; came from last in the race won by Double Cherry) on last two outings, which puts him in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:47 Cork

Flamborough

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner in Britain; opened hurdles account at the sixth attempt, landing a C&D maiden in November; down the field in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse last month; more relevant form in this context is his fourth placing in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; also managed a fine third on the Flat in the Naas November Handicap; makes plenty of appeal in this grade.

9/4

14th

10

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Fairyhouse

Flamborough

10st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

1st

2

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:20 Cork

Flamborough

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Flat winner when trained by the Johnstons in UK; has run well in defeat over hurdles for this yard, notably in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel; fine 3rd in the Naas November Handicap since; should go close back to hurdles.

5/2

25/1

Form: 3-1318 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Close up in June on good to soft in her only race on turf; scored by 6l at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in July on her handicap debut but below-form favourite in a warmer race there 19 days later; form case relies on that win but she is likely to be suited by this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 221932

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy as 2yo and made all on good to firm when first equipped with cheekpieces this July; good placed efforts at Lingfield (up to 2m on, AW) and Haydock (1m6f) on last two outings; that puts him into each-way calculations and connections now switch to blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

10th

5

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Zain Nights

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lucy Wadham

Just did enough to pip My Bobby Dazzler in this race last year (good ground; wore cheekpieces) and returned to form with front-running success in first-time visor at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; safely held, though, in Cheltenham race won by Long Draw in April and remains on career-high mark.

10/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Zain Nights

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Lucy Wadham

It was the middle leg of a hat-trick when beating Harbour Lake in this 12 months ago and the first-time visor triggered a return to form at Newbury last time (3m, good to soft; made all); has to be considered off 4lb higher.

5/1

8/1

Form: 341835

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good since his 2yo win; upped to 1m4f when winning at Newmarket in July and resumed progress when plugging on from the rear to take third of 13 in the C&D Melrose (again good to firm) when upped to 1m6f in August; bang there at Haydock in another hot race five weeks ago; one of many who could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Adjuvant

9st 8lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Michael Bell

Winless since May 2023 but he reappeared from five months off the track with a good third of five in 2m Southwell handicap 18 days ago; not out of things on his Polytrack debut eased 1lb.

5/1

3rd

2

(6)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Adjuvant

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Bell

Winless since 2023 and he signed off for last term with a below-par 14th in November Handicap at Doncaster in November; yard is going well though so no forlorn hope off a reduced mark.

8/1

1

(6)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 4

16:32 Yarmouth

Adjuvant

10st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Bell

Four-time winner; close fifth of seven on belated reappearance at Goodwood (1m4f) and contested another better-grade handicap at Haydock 12 days ago (1m6f, good); respected class-dropper who won't mind getting back on slower ground.

7/2

16/1

Form: 846431

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
11th attempt when off the mark at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last time, coming from the rear as 5-4 favourite; new trip holds possibilities but she has a stiff task off 10lb higher mark today (4lb out of the handicap); 5lb claimer is recruited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

21st Aug 2023

Soft

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:25 Catterick

A La Francaise

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last September and she returned to form with a very close third at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) ten days ago; she's one to consider under the promising Jack Nicholls.

7/2

3rd

6

(1)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

14:20 Musselburgh

A La Francaise

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Off the mark at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last September, and she's been operating near that level in her last three starts; these improved terms offer a chance to take revenge over Simple Star (Hamilton) and Gibside (York), and she has a good record under the returning Paul Mulrennan.

6/1

5th

11

(5)

14th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

A La Francaise

9st 3lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Jim Goldie

held up in rear, steady headway on near side of group from over 2f out, outpaced and edged left over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

6/1

14/1

Form: 884711 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Always close up to win at Catterick and had to be delivered late to follow up at Redcar last Saturday, both over 1m6f on good to soft; needs more under his 6lb penalty and should be a lot more exposed than most of these, given his 15 starts, but the manner of that latest win gives a bit of hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Zimmerman

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Solid effort when second of eight at Catterick ten days ago (2m, good; first run in this combination of accessories); should remain competitive.

11/2

2nd

2

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Zimmerman

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

The odd sign of spark last season and he may have needed his recent comeback run; down to a dangerous mark but this 7yo has been regressive and is winless since July 2024; cheekpieces return for first time since last May.

6/1

6th

4

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Zimmerman

9st 10lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Drew a blank in 2025 but he did reach the frame on both C&D visits, including C&D reappearance; off for 196 days; David Allan partners the other Tim Easterby runner.

10/1

Form: 212232 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Consistent; can make the running, as when he won at Newmarket (1m4f) in July; has also been running well over 1m6f and on his two attempts at 2m, with career-best form on AW last time; not proven on softer than good; otherwise looks set for another solid effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(13)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Pons Aelius

9st 9lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner at up to 2m in Britain but yet to hit any sort of form for current yard; career-low mark and tongue-tie tried so don't rule out.

12/1

11th

7

(16)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Pons Aelius

9st 11lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: H D McGuigan

Donegal yard likes to pick up horses with back-form, often from Britain, and try to rejuvenate them; six-time winner at up to 2m but hasn't been finishing out his races in Ireland and been off a while.

18/1

8th

9

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pons Aelius

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner for Charlie Johnston and best form over this trip; poor on first two runs for this yard at big prices; better than bare result when beaten over 5l at Gowran last May; yard's first runner of the year won on Tuesday; no surprise were he to go well after a break with leading claimer aboard.

20/1

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 24181

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Needed all of the 1m4f to win his maiden at Chester; struggled in the ultra-competitive C&D Melrose on handicap debut but he put that behind him when coming from the back for a short-head win in 15-runner race at Ayr (1m5f, good); raised 2lb but could easily have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

18:00 Market Rasen

Aimeric

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Smart on the Flat at his best but signed off for Karl Burke with two disappointing runs in the autumn and was rather hesitant at some of the flights when disappointing favourite on last month's stable/hurdle debut; subsequently tailed off in major Flat handicap; may yet get his act together over hurdles but he is very tricky to weigh up at the moment.

15/8

15th

1

(13)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Aimeric

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won sole start here, a 2022 maiden; smart at 1m3f-1m6f for Roger Varian and Karl Burke but reappearance was easily the best of three runs last year and, after a 21,000gns sale in November, well beaten at 11-10 for hurdles/yard debut two weeks ago; that's not the most promising stepping stone to this.

50/1

4th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

18:05 Chepstow

Aimeric

11st 4lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Really smart Flat campaigner although he was susceptible to the odd aberration; in fine form as recently as last April, when just denied in valuable 1m6f Musselburgh handicap, but last two starts for Karl Burke showed the other side of his coin and left that yard for 21,000gns in November; still rates a fascinating hurdles debutant with the market potentially offering significant clues.

5/2

28/1

Form: 144558

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won a conditions race at Chelmsford (AW) in March; has found it tough in Listed and Group races since, running creditably on first two occasions but below form on last three, including when upped once to 1m4f; now tries 1m6f in first-time headgear for his first handicap run since a respectable third at this meeting last year; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Dark Moon Rising

8st 9lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner in 2023; no joy anywhere last season (mostly at this track) but the closest he came was a neck defeat here (1m2f; 4lb higher today) on final start; not far away on AW last three starts this year and the same may be possible on today's return to turf.

16/1

4th

6

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Losing run now up to 14, but his last couple of efforts have been encouraging as when second of six in a slightly stronger contest at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) last month; still on his last winning mark and holds each-way claims.

10/1

2nd

4

(5)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Dark Moon Rising

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Drew a blank in 2025 but he ended that campaign with a good second in a big-field 10.2f handicap at York; two respectable AW runs this year but he will need to raise his game to take this.

5/1

40/1

Form: 33107

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Saw off a persistent challenger by a head to win novice at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft) in June; behind in the valuable 1m6f handicap won by Nathanael Greene at Haydock (soft) and although running creditably at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) 75 days later, that was good enough for only seventh of 12.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Mostly Sunny

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent gelding who ran up to his best when third in a Class 2 handicap over this trip at Newton Abbot in August (2m5f); unlikely to be far away.

4/1

6

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Mostly Sunny

10st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Collected a good prize at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in April and has made the frame on all fourth subsequent appearances; can cope if the ground softens here and will probably be on the premises again.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £49.10
Straight Forecast £42.91
Tricast £336.03
Trifecta £465.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Aimeric

RP Ratings:

Adjuvant

The Times:

Post Impressionist

SPOTLIGHT:

Nathanael Greene

LAMBOURN:

Double Cherry

Daily Express:

Zain Nights

POSTDATA:

The Gadget Man

The Star:

Zimmerman

NEWMARKET:

Aimeric

Daily Mirror:

Aimeric

The Sun:

Aimeric

Telegraph:

Post Impressionist

Daily Record:

Nathanael Greene

The Guardian:

Adjuvant

Daily Mail:

Adjuvant