October 22 / 16.10 Doncaster

16.10

Soft

vertem.co.uk Handicap

  • Prize money: £24300
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
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vertem.co.uk Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.70
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 304331 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
After finishing third in two competitive handicaps (5f, good/good to soft) she returned to winning ways at Nottingham (5f, soft) ten days ago; a 3lb rise isn't harsh and this in-form 3yo is respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

17:00 Newmarket

Fast Response

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Ended 2022 on a high and she's continued the good work, albeit without winning, this season; runner-up three times in Listed events and also ran well in the Ayr Gold Cup when racing nearest the far rail; handles all ground but the recent rain is an obvious positive.

5/2

8/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 180615 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
3yo who returned from a two-month break with a convincing win in a big-field handicap at York (5f, good) in August, before a close fifth in a Listed race at Ascot (5f, good to soft) three weeks ago; could play a leading role now back in a handicap, especially with Ryan Sexton removing 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Designer

8st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: John Butler

Made low-key return to action at York's Ebor meeting but showed much more when fifth of ten to Blue Storm at Haydock (5f, soft) four weeks ago; down another 2lb and now turns up in the race in which she was runner-up (off 6lb higher) in 2022; she'll be fresher than most of these and should go well.

12/1

5th

4

(7)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Designer

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: John Butler

Positives include a competitive mark and a proven ability on bad ground; on the downside, her reappearance at York's Ebor meeting (in a race she'd won twice before) was a low-key one; tongue-tie tried there is now dispensed with; enough to prove.

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 702104 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Impressed when winning at Ascot (5f, good to soft) last month and bounced back from his poor run here in the Portland when fourth of nine at Ascot (5f, good to soft); needs to better that latest form if he's to win this but his September win indicates he's capable of a bigger effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:22 Lingfield

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Landed a hat-trick on the AW early last year, the final leg off 2lb lower; back in form lately, most recently in a race that didn't pan out his way, but needs a bit more back on turf from the lowest stall (likely to be dropped in again).

10/1

4th

7

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Awarded Lingfield handicap in early 2025 before going 2-2 over this C&D; just four starts since the latest of those wins last March and firmly back on track when edged out at Chelmsford one month ago; 2lb nudge can't be quibbled with and he needs considering.

7/2

2nd

4

(1)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Notched a hat-trick in the first three months of last year, latterly off a 1lb lower mark; not as good now but remains consistent enough and unlikely to be far away.

6/1

6/1

Form: 196052 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Faced a tough task at the weights when a nose second of five in Musselburgh conditions race (5f, good to soft) 12 days ago; it's possible she's flattered by the form but she returns to a handicap on an unchanged mark and she didn't enjoy much luck when fifth of 14 in her latest handicap, at Redcar (5f, good to soft) two starts ago; this 3yo is a very interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

18

(14)

14th Jul 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:55 York

Lullaby Bay

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Made good progress last year for Karl Burke; low-key start for this yard but she was beaten under 4l at Thirsk when last seen eight weeks ago; type to exploit her reduced mark sooner rather than later and she won't mind if the rain arrives.

16/1

9th

6

(9)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:32 Thirsk

Lullaby Bay

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

in rear

12/1

11th

8

(11)

30th Apr 2023

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 3

18:45 Musselburgh

Lullaby Bay

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Won over 5f last May in her first three handicaps and was still running well in the autumn, including when beaten a nose in a classified over C&D; left Karl Burke and soundly beaten in a French Listed race on reappearance, which sees cheekpieces (tried twice, not at her best) return today.

10/1

Form: 21-008 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Not at his best on his three runs this year but didn't run badly when a Listed eighth at Ayr (5f, good to soft) three weeks ago on his first run since a second wind operation, and he's on a handy mark if building on that; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(2)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:20 York

Came From The Dark

8st 11lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Formerly smart including winning a Group 3 at Sandown in July 2021, but 0-11 since and tailed off in the Stewards' Cup when last seen; not hard to look elsewhere.

25/1

5/1

Form: 252261 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Consistent this year and was wearing cheekpieces for the second time when winning a 15-runner handicap by 3l at York (5f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; she's unexposed in the headgear, and on slow ground, and an 8lb rise may not beat her if she can reproduce that latest form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

21

(17)

16th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Kimngrace

8st 7lb

J: George Rooke

T: Richard Hughes

First two wins over 6f but seen more regularly at 5f now; nearly a year since she won on turf, when impressing at York (good to soft) but her recent run in a fillies' handicap at York was better than it looks at first glance; running into form and can give a good account.

12/1

8th

6

(11)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Kimngrace

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

Respectable fifth in both runs since returning from a break; may well raise her game back at York, where she's 1-1 over C&D after a win last October; Listed scorer on AW two starts later; possibilities off a workable mark.

9/1

5th

2

(1)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 5f 16y

Class 3

20:00 Chepstow

Kimngrace

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Richard Hughes

Won handicaps in 2022, over 6f (good) and 5f (good to soft) but her mark took a battering following a Listed AW win on reappearance and she faded back in a handicap at Ascot 12 days ago; might come on for that run after a break but others higher up the list.

4/1

Form: 045430 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
He was running consistently well in defeat after the visor went on in August and he shouldn't be written off on the back of just one poor performance, but it's hard to be confident following his disappointing showing when favourite at York a fortnight ago; cheekpieces return, visor is left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

18th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:50 Nottingham

Nomadic Empire

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Defied higher marks twice on home soil in 2021 and won in Bahrain last December; 0-12 this year but posted encouraging efforts the last twice, latest when 1l second at York (soft) last Friday; could well go one better.

5/2

2nd

9

(14)

13th Oct 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:00 York

Nomadic Empire

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Hasn't won in Britain since 2021 but some useful efforts in 2023, including here; needs things to go better at the start than they sometimes do if he's to play a part.

7/1

3rd

6

(4)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Nomadic Empire

9st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has drawn a blank this season but he retains a good chunk of ability, running well at Haydock in June off a 5lb higher mark and beaten under 4l in a hot York sprint latest; capable of a big run but slow starts have been a feature the last twice and that sounds a note of caution.

8/1

7/1

Form: 703035 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
His losing run goes back 31 races and over two years but he was a good third of 15 at York (5f, good to soft) two starts ago and came home clear in the far-side group when fifth of 15 overall at Catterick (5f, soft) last Saturday; also ran well here last month and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(11)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:30 Nottingham

Count Dorsay

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2024 with a pair of soft-ground 6f wins at Catterick, the second of them off 13lb higher; handicapper has held the upper hand this year but conditions will suit and he helps form a strong hand for Tim Easterby.

12/1

Form: 001022 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won at Windsor (5f, good) last month on first run since being gelded and has bounced back from his Ayr Silver Cup blip with good seconds the last twice, behind Kimngrace at York (5f, good to soft) then at Catterick (5f, soft) last Saturday; in fine form and can be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

7th

8

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Close third off 6lb higher (from stall 5) in this contest two years ago and 2-4 at Chester overall; however, has a big doubt over current form, reflected in two duck eggs this season; wide draw adds uncertainty.

25/1

12th

7

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Vintage Clarets

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ten-time winner whose mark is now 3lb lower than for his latest success; probably needed the run when well held at Southwell two weeks ago, but didn't show much and may require another before hitting his stride.

14/1

25/1

Form: 205000 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Went close at York (5f, good to soft) in May and is now 8lb lower; however, he's struggled to get competitive since and the first-time blinkers need to prompt a major turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Galway

Sunday Sovereign

9st 5lb

J: Zoe McMullan

T: G A Kingston

Mixed bag this season, best efforts at Roscommon, most recently just denied second by Nibras Rainbow earlier this month (soft) under today's rider; place claims.

8/1

11

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Galway

Sunday Sovereign

9st 5lb

J: Zoe McMullan

T: G A Kingston

Mixed bag this season, best efforts at Roscommon, most recently just denied second by Nibras Rainbow earlier this month (soft) under today's rider; place claims.

8/1

3rd

11

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 111y

15:05 Roscommon

Sunday Sovereign

9st 4lb

J: Zoe McMullan

T: G A Kingston

His mark has bottomed out and no closer than tenth in his last four races; now hooded.

20/1

16/1

Form: 000077 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated in this race last year and he showed spark as recently as June, when winning at Chester; now 5lb below that last winning mark but this 8yo has been no better than seventh across his six races since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

1st

4

(2)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Legendary 12yo who has won 18 of his 117 races; fine second at Ripon on reappearance (5f, good), rain will help and although yet to win in four runs here, wouldn't rule him out.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 505025 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent this year and disappointing at Musselburgh just 12 days ago; however, he's capable of bouncing back from a below-par effort and is on a competitive mark on this season's best form; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(1)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Justanotherbottle

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

switched left soon after start, made virtually all

12/1

7th

2

(1)

7th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Ripon

Justanotherbottle

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

pressed leader, pushed along over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened

12/1

10th

1

(5)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:42 Thirsk

Justanotherbottle

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

His last three wins have come over this trip at Ripon; well handicapped on last season's best but he underperformed at Ripon, albeit over 5f, when last seen three weeks ago; down in class today and one to consider; can blow it at the start.

14/1

25/1

Form: -92196

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won three of his eight starts for the Gosdens and he's one to watch in the betting now back on slow ground (has won on soft and good to soft); however, he's been soundly beaten on his first two runs for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(11)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Tolstoy

9st 4lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Brian Ellison

Too headstrong in a clear lead at Southwell (7f) last time, so did fairly well to be beaten only 2l in the end; gained last win off 10lb higher at Newcastle in August 2024; fighting chance provided he settles.

10/1

4th

6

(6)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Tolstoy

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Well treated on last year's high points and it wasn't a bad run from off the pace at Chelmsford 12 days ago, given how that race panned out (pulled hard/got behind/found trouble); the cheekpieces are worth persevering with.

4/1

7th

13

(5)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Tolstoy

8st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Well suited by York and went close there in June; inconsistent otherwise during a 2025 campaign that has been markedly less productive than 2024; cheekpieces refitted for the first time since 2022; opposed.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.10
Straight Forecast £45.34
Tricast £381.20
Trifecta £555.90

Selections

RP Ratings:

Count D'orsay

SPOTLIGHT:

Lullaby Bay

TOPSPEED:

Sunday Sovereign

Daily Mirror:

Fast Response

NEWMARKET:

Tolstoy

LAMBOURN:

Whenthedealinsdone

Daily Record:

Came From The Dark

The Guardian:

Copper Knight

D Express:

Lullaby Bay

The Sun:

Lullaby Bay

Telegraph:

Sunday Sovereign

POSTDATA:

Count D'orsay

The Times:

Count D'orsay

Daily Mail:

Count D'orsay

The Star:

Count D'orsay