November 05 / 18.00 Chelmsford (AW)

18.00

Standard

Betfred Handicap

  • Prize money: £6696
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

1st
1 (5)
GDaay

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 291731 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Successful in Class 5 contest here last week, taking C&D form figures to 41231; solid contender kept to this scenario, for all that he's on a career-high mark and back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

10th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

19:00 Epsom

GDaay

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Joseph Parr

His last win was 11 months ago but he's a reliable type who has been placed at Chester (7.6f, good) and Chelmsford (7f, AW) in last two runs; finished behind Finbar's Lad last time but he's 5lb better off with that rival and should go well again back on turf.

11/2

3rd

1

(9)

1st Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

GDaay

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Joseph Parr

Ran respectably at Chester returned to turf last time; he's 0-8 this year but remains favourably treated, being 6lb below last winning mark; three-time C&D scorer.

15/2

1

(5)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:00 Chester

GDaay

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Joseph Parr

On a losing run but he arrives in decent nick, sixth of nine in 7f Chelmsford handicap 50 days ago; one to consider after a break.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 232181 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Successful over 7f in her last two attempts on AW, dead-heating at Wolverhampton on latest; now on career-high mark but is open to further improvement in this sphere; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

14:02 Lingfield (AW)

Jilly Cooper

8st 11lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: James Owen

Four wins for the Johnstons, including C&D, and she ran well over 1m here on her final start for that yard in November; down the field in two runs for Philip Makin this winter; sold for 12,000gns last month; latest new yard quick to try headgear.

12/1

6th

5

(3)

1st Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Jilly Cooper

8st 6lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Phillip Makin

Triple 7f AW winner for previous yard; outstayed over 8.5f at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day when making debut for new stable; on a handy mark and has possibilities returned to her optimum distance.

14/1

5th

7

(6)

26th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

16:35 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jilly Cooper

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Phillip Makin

The winner of four races when trained by the Johnstons, two here over 7f; close second at Lingfield last month (1m) after which she changed hands for 16,000gns; stamina for this trip has to be taken on trust but it's a move that looks well worth exploring.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 232580

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly at 6f; form has dipped in last three runs, including twice over 7f; well treated on best form but losing run is mounting up and this isn't his optimum trip.
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: -10069 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Both AW starts have come at Newcastle, winning in March and having no luck (repeatedly denied a clear run) last month; still unexposed in this sphere; not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(3)

26th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fiftyshadesofred

9st 4lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Kevin Frost

Made a successful stable debut at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) in March 2022, but 0-16 since and recent efforts don't suggest a return to winning form is imminent.

16/1

7th

6

(8)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Fiftyshadesofred

9st 7lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Kevin Frost

took keen hold, disputed lead, prominent after 1f

14/1

5th

4

(2)

22nd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fiftyshadesofred

9st 10lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Kevin Frost

Sole win came on Tapeta last year; two good thirds this term (Polytrack/turf); weak in the betting and failed to land a blow two runs back from a break recently, with 1m2f against him latest; may do better in reapplied headgear.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-0000 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Listed winner in Ireland; four duck eggs (in handicaps) for new yard this term and still has a huge question mark over current form; drops in class but others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

(8)

19th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Lunar Space

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

in touch with leaders, pulled up early, race voided

9/4

1st

1

(8)

14th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Lunar Space

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jamie Osborne

pushed along early, made virtually all, clear over 1f out, eased towards finish

2/1

1st

2

(8)

7th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lunar Space

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jamie Osborne

Just one win from 29 starts but he was useful in his younger days and he made a bold bid when a close third off a tumbling mark at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) last Saturday; now makes his Tapeta debut but he's a big player if he can repeat that latest form.

9/2

Form: -12525

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Faded late at Kempton (7f, AW) last month when back from a break; may be sharper for that run but has something to prove in a similar scenario, having gained all wins at 6f on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

5th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Castana Dia

9st 13lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Chris Wall

Faded late at Kempton (7f, AW) last month when back from a break; may be sharper for that run but has something to prove in a similar scenario, having gained all wins at 6f on turf.

10/1

5th

2

(5)

19th Oct 2022

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Castana Dia

9st 11lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Chris Wall

prominent, pushed along and outpaced from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

8/1

Form: 462002 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Turf winner as a 2yo; made an encouraging AW debut at Wolverhampton (7f) last month, keeping on for close second; may be open to progress in this sphere; respected off just 2lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(1)

4th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Spacer

9st 4lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

1-17 and not at his best lately, including when tailed off in first-time blinkers (now removed) at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) last month; needs a turnaround and does seem better over shorter.

33/1

11th

10

(9)

13th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Spacer

9st 3lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

dwelt start, raced wide, in rear

16/1

Form: 142860

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well held on debut for Mick Appleby seven weeks ago, taking turf record to 0-6; however, he's 2-3 on AW and may have more to offer back in this sphere; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(10)

21st Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

War In Heaven

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

pressed leader, hung right over 1f out, no extra final furlong

6/1

1st

3

(8)

9th Jul 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:20 Chelmsford (AW)

War In Heaven

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Improved for a step up in trip over the winter, reeling off a four-timer over the extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton in January/February; came up short off a BHA mark in the 90s on his next three starts but he was back on track with a game effort over 1m here 17 days ago (front two clear); the combination of a 4lb rise and a drop in trip could find him out today.

6/1

1st

3

(2)

22nd Jun 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Chelmsford (AW)

War In Heaven

9st 6lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

prominent

13/2

Form: 75-557 C

Last run: 247 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW scorer for Marco Botti, including twice off higher marks in 2020; not in the same form since but check for market confidence on debut for new yard and back from layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(8)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

18:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Aljari

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Tom Clover

Into the veteran stage of his career; not the force of old but he's falling in the weights and he wasn't disgraced when sixth of 11 at Southwell five weeks ago; impossible to discount.

16/1

5th

3

(8)

25th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

18:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Aljari

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Tom Clover

Into the veteran stage of his career; not the force of old but he's falling in the weights and he wasn't disgraced when sixth of 11 at Southwell five weeks ago; impossible to discount.

16/1

6th

1

(6)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell (AW)

Aljari

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Tom Clover

Ran well at Kempton on his return to action in January but he hasn't built on it since; this is a drop in grade but others look safer.

16/1

Form: 088368

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Six-time AW winner over sprint trips for previous stable; record for current yard isn't entirely compelling and, while current mark looks handy, he has enough to prove back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

7th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

16:35 Lingfield (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Darryll Holland

Rated 21lb higher when starting out for this yard in August; retains ability and interesting to see how he fares in the betting in relation to stablemate Lilkian now dropping into his first Class 6 handicap.

5/1

5th

4

(3)

16th Feb 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Darryll Holland

slowly into stride

10/1

8th

6

(1)

26th Jan 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

15:20 Southwell (AW)

Astro Jakk

9st 8lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Darryll Holland

He has dropped a long way in the weights since joining this yard and there have been signs he may be ready to capitalise; this race might prove a shade too competitive though; new headgear enlisted today.

10/1

Form: 021180

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Triple 1m scorer (AW/turf) for previous yard; nowhere near best returned to this sphere last week on debut for new stable; has questions to answer off same mark back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(1)

9th Apr 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:35 Southwell (AW)

Otto Oyl

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

All three wins at 1m, one here; 0-8 for his current yard and fortunes are not improving.

12/1

11th

8

(12)

27th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Otto Oyl

9st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

prominent, raced wide early, disputed lead 5f out

9/1

9th

10

(9)

20th Feb 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Otto Oyl

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Archie Watson

Three-time 1m winner in first half of 2022 but he arrives below par and also didn't look the easiest of rides when seventh of 12 in 8.5f Wolverhampton handicap nine days ago; he needs to get back on track.

13/2

Form: 083790

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at 6f; sole win for previous stable came on turf; out of sorts in three AW contests for new yard, latest here with hood added; enough to prove back over 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(2)

15th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Top Exhibit

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Stuart Williams

midfield

14/1

9th

7

(10)

11th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Top Exhibit

9st 4lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Stuart Williams

prominent

10/1

5th

4

(2)

4th Mar 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

16:16 Lingfield (AW)

Top Exhibit

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Stuart Williams

took keen hold, bumped rival on turn after 1f

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.60
Straight Forecast £19.56
Tricast £156.81
Trifecta £159.00

Selections

RP Ratings:

G'Daay

SPOTLIGHT:

Spacer

The Times:

War In Heaven

NEWMARKET:

Castana Dia

TOPSPEED:

Astro Jakk

D Express:

War In Heaven

The Sun:

Spacer

The Star:

Spacer

POSTDATA:

G'Daay

Telegraph:

G'Daay

The Guardian:

G'Daay

Daily Mail:

G'Daay

Daily Mirror:

G'Daay

Daily Record:

G'Daay