December 07 / 20.00 Kempton (AW)

20.00

Standard To Slow

Unibet London Stayers’ Series (Final) Handicap (Series Final – Qualified horses Only)

  • Prize money: £41232
  • 1m 7f 218y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
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Unibet London Stayers’ Series (Final) Handicap (Series Final – Qualified horses Only)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.10
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 232034 BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Sole blip of late came on slow turf; 11-10 over C&D last week but proved vulnerable to three of these in the closing stages; Johnston fans may consider Temporize a better bet.
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

11/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 175951 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Last-time-out success came at the expense of four of these over C&D; Rossa Ryan, on board for the first time, had him well positioned and this bigger field may find him out (all 12 wins in single-figure fields); 3lb rise of no great concern given past exploits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(8)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

13:53 Newcastle (AW)

Rainbow Dreamer

8st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Alan King

Nine AW wins, the most recent in this event 12 months ago when it was still a conditions race; has slipped to an attractive mark but the veteran has a doubt over current form, having posted two duck eggs this year; perhaps on the wane.

33/1

10th

5

(11)

3rd Feb 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Rainbow Dreamer

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Really smart on AW earlier in his career; wasn't beaten that far when sixth of 19 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last summer but he's been below that level in three AW starts this winter.

14/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -10066 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Rose through handicap ranks last year and recorded career best with reappearance win over C&D in March; may have needed the run when behind some of these last time and he's worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

1st Apr 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Bandinelli

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

prominent, pushed along when led under 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably

4/1

3rd

3

(3)

7th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Bandinelli

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

prominent, shaken up 3f out, pushed along and pressed leader 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra

5/1

6th

2

(1)

16th Nov 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Bandinelli

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

5/2

9/1

Form: -74502 C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won final four starts on AW last year and, back on an artificial surface four weeks ago, he found Juan Bermudez only just too good (C&D); hard to rule out in more severe headgear (blinkers replace cheekpieces).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Bascule

9st 10lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-14 since, but he's finished a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m) in his last two runs and is now 1lb lower than for last win; shouldn't far away.

8/1

4th

1

(3)

13th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-13 since, but was back off his last winning mark when a close fourth of 12 over C&D in January (runner-up has won since); possibilities in the returning blinkers.

3/1

4th

2

(4)

6th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: George Rooke

T: Richard Hughes

Winless since 2021 but his AW record is a solid one and he shaped nicely after a break when fourth of seven over an inadequate 1m4f at Wolverhampton four weeks ago; returns to a more suitable trip and high on the list.

7/2

Form: 084152 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Horse

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Landed the Old Borough Cup for the second year in a row this September and recorded joint-best RPR when finding just Rainbow Dreamer too strong over C&D three weeks ago; had the run of the race out in front last time and this field will be harder to dominate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

13

(5)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:10 Newcastle (AW)

Island Brave

8st 6lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Heather Main

10yo; latest of 12 wins was in September 2022; fourth in this in 2021 and eighth in 2022; missed nearly all of last season and has not provided a persuasive case this term, but he is now 5lb below his last winning mark.

66/1

8th

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

17:55 Ayr

Island Brave

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Heather Main

Exposed 12-time winner; second run back was a lot better than the first when a front-running fourth at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm); down another 3lb and hard to rule out.

8/1

4th

3

(8)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Island Brave

9st 7lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Heather Main

Absent 295 days before his only race last season, when seemingly not discredited behind a 1-5 favourite in a two-finisher Listed race in September; normally reliable and fully effective on AW but no show when 40-1 in useful AW race six weeks ago and this 10yo has questions to answer despite subsequent 4lb drop; rarely seen on softer than good.

20/1

Form: 313575 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Wind surgery seems to have done the trick as his first run since saw him record a narrow personal-best RPR over C&D three weeks ago despite looking in need of a stronger gallop; should get that today, 5-8 at Kempton and a major player dropped 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

22nd Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Imperium

9st 11lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

took keen hold, prominent

5/1

4th

1

(3)

16th Jan 2023

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 2

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Imperium

10st 0lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

Six wins have all come on Polytrack (ran fairly well in one previous start on Tapeta), latterly off this mark one year ago; has run well in two starts back from a break/wind surgery and goes on the shortlist.

100/30

6th

5

(1)

7th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Imperium

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

towards rear of midfield

7/1

Form: 2/22-3 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Two good runs from two for Dominic Ffrench Davis off 246-day break, over hurdles at Hereford and when third to Duty Of Care over C&D last week; hard to see her turning the tables on that rival, though; wears headgear (cheekpieces) for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Nov 2023

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

13:03 Huntingdon

Sashenka

11st 2lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

held up in rear, headway 5th, clear with one other from 3 out, challenging when pecked on landing 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden and led run-in, kept on well

11/10

7th

4

(4)

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Sashenka

9st 5lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

dwelt start, towards rear, short of room over 4f out, ridden over 3f out

5/1

4th

3

20th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

13:30 Cheltenham

Sashenka

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

No match for Progressive when second at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in February but drew nicely clear of the others with a next-time-out winner when scoring at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month and a recent 4lb rise does not look excessive; might be the answer.

7/1

25/1

Form: 270177 CD

Last run: 94 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
All wins in Class 4 or 5 company and needs to bounce back from lesser efforts here and at York; has gone very well fresh, so 94-day break is of no concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(1)

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Dance To Paris

8st 11lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Lucy Wadham

midfield

20/1

9th

1

(7)

1st Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Dance To Paris

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Lucy Wadham

in touch with leaders

8/1

5th

2

(3)

21st Jan 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

11:55 Lingfield (AW)

Dance To Paris

10st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Lucy Wadham

Below par since her C&D win in July but the fact she's dropped to 2lb below that successful mark provides hope, as does her stable being back among the winners in recent days.

14/1

Form: 81-431 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
It's true he had the run of the race out in front when gamely holding off Bascule over C&D four weeks ago but it's highly likely he has more to offer after just five starts; respected up 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Juan Bermudez

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

All three wins over hurdles have been over C&D; returned to form when beaten a neck over C&D (good) last month and filled the same position at Aintree (2m1f, good) 15 days ago; is a major force around here and must come into the reckoning.

2/1

2nd

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Juan Bermudez

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

Gained all three hurdle wins at Stratford; returned to form with close second there (2m2f, good) last month and can probably cope with subsequent 2lb nudge but he's away from his favourite track today.

6/1

2nd

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Juan Bermudez

11st 13lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

Gained all three hurdle wins over C&D on good ground, the latest by 7l from the front last June; ran well to a point here last month, after a layoff, and will be dangerous off this mark if that outing brought him on.

10/1

Form: 146355 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won by 5l when tackling 1m6f for the first time in June and beat 12 rivals at York when stepped up to 2m+ the following month; finished behind three of these last time but can do better off stronger pace.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

7th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Danni California

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Spencer

dwelt start, held up in last, headway from 7f out

14/1

1st

3

(4)

23rd Jan 2023

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

15:10 Southwell (AW)

Danni California

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Spencer

slowly away, in rear, headway on outer 4f out, switched right and towards near side when prominent over 2f out, ridden when led over 1f out, kept on well

11/2

10th

11

(10)

7th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Danni California

8st 8lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Richard Spencer

dwelt start, held up in last

20/1

Form: 650694 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fair ninth in the Cesarewitch, a race he landed in 2017, before finishing with running left in him over C&D (behind two of these); stable seem to have brighter prospects with Imperium.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(7)

7th Apr 2023

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:25 Newcastle (AW)

Withhold

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

Often front-runner; one of his big days came over C&D in 2018 when winning the Northumberland Plate; not in the same form these days as a 10yo and although he's still been competitive on three of his last four starts this winter, those were with falling marks in handicaps; more to do today.

25/1

2nd

3

(10)

22nd Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Withhold

9st 11lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

ducked right start, disputed lead, led after 1f, increased tempo from under 3f out, ridden when headed 2f out, kept on

10/1

3rd

2

(5)

16th Jan 2023

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 2

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Withhold

10st 0lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry & Roger Charlton

On the downgrade in recent times and lacks consistency now; has won on Tapeta but needs to bounce back from an ordinary Kempton effort, when some way behind stablemate Imperium.

8/1

Form: 370483

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won first two starts in the summer; quickly checked out on heavy two runs ago but close third to Juan Bermudez and Bascule over C&D four weeks ago (15-8) is a better gauge for this; one of two 3yos for the Johnstons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

25th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Temporize

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Anthony Charlton

led at steady pace, increased tempo 5f out, headed over 1f out, kept on but lost two places final 110yds

3/1

8th

4

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Temporize

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Syd Hosie

Won this race last year (soft) from Robert Johnson and dictated the pace under Connor Beasley when taking a useful Newbury race (2m, good to firm) 13 days ago, from closing rivals including Kyle Of Lochalsh; up 3lb but this highly reliable sort will surely be seriously involved again.

6/1

1st

7

(5)

20th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Temporize

8st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Syd Hosie

The Cesarewitch was his only disappointment for new yard last season and his win came at Glorious Goodwood (2m4f, soft); 7lb higher today, nudged up another 1lb following his second at Goodwood (2m, good) on reappearance; respectable fifth at Royal Ascot keeps him in each-way calculations.

7/1

13th
12 (7)
Motazzen

16/1

Form: -44802

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Bounced back on second start for new connections over C&D last week (upped to 2m; first-time cheekpieces, retained here) but Duty Of Care easily swept by him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

18:09 Plumpton

Motazzen

11st 1lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner and career-best form to win by 10l at Fontwell two runs ago (2m5f, good to soft); went up 8lb for that and was back down to earth on his return visit when beaten 20l; hard to know entirely what to expect from him.

100/30

8th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Motazzen

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four-time hurdle winner who rewarded good market support and showed career-best form when drawing clear to score by 10l here (2m5f, good to soft) in March; 8lb rise asks a fair bit of him but the forecast faster ground should not be a problem.

5/1

1st

3

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Motazzen

11st 12lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Four Flat wins and three over hurdles; has yet to win this season over jumps but two of his three placed efforts came here and he's likely to be a strong contender, for all that last two runs (hurdle/AW) weren't his best.

3/1

Form: 5-0561 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

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

1st

12

(14)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Duty Of Care

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Two C&D wins before his second in this race last year; has a 2lb lower mark this time round but was not disgraced in his three runs this year (C&D second in February was best of those) and is not dismissed.

7/1

1st

12

(14)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Duty Of Care

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Two C&D wins before his second in this race last year; has a 2lb lower mark this time round but was not disgraced in his three runs this year (C&D second in February was best of those) and is not dismissed.

7/1

6th

7

(13)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

13:53 Newcastle (AW)

Duty Of Care

8st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Jamie Osborne

Record of 3-11 on AW; creditable second to Citizen General at Kempton two starts ago, then kicked for home too early in the Marathon Trial where he understandably ran out of steam in the latter stages; 1-1 here and can't be dismissed.

16/1

Non-runners

Duty Of Care

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £119.10
Straight Forecast £90.47
Tricast £519.72
Trifecta £914.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Imperium

Telegraph:

Rainbow Dreamer

The Times:

Temporize

Daily Record:

Juan Bermudez

The Star:

Duty Of Care

D Express:

Bandinelli

TOPSPEED:

Danni California

LAMBOURN:

Sashenka

RP Ratings:

Imperium

POSTDATA:

Imperium

Daily Mirror:

Imperium

The Guardian:

Rainbow Dreamer

Daily Mail:

Rainbow Dreamer

The Sun:

Rainbow Dreamer