February 22 / 19.30 Kempton (AW)

19.30

Standard To Slow

Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap (London Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 7f 218y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap (London Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 4/2-14 C BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who bolted up by 7l when sent off 1-2 for a 1m4f novice here last month, but proved a disappointing favourite when fourth of nine (over 3l behind First Officer) on handicap debut at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) last time; steps up half a mile in trip, but every chance he will stay and the return to this track is in his favour; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(4)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:40 Chester

Aztec Empire

8st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Dual Polytrack winner; won just the second of his eight handicaps but clocked up two placings in hot 2m races on good or good to firm last summer (neck second to Forza Orta at York) before a disappointing show in September when last seen; gelded since; seriously involved if back to form and it looks like he'll have his ground; in the mix.

11/2

4th

9

(4)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:40 Chester

Aztec Empire

8st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Dual Polytrack winner; won just the second of his eight handicaps but clocked up two placings in hot 2m races on good or good to firm last summer (neck second to Forza Orta at York) before a disappointing show in September when last seen; gelded since; seriously involved if back to form and it looks like he'll have his ground; in the mix.

11/2

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 6940-3 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Formerly a smart stayer, including two wins in Listed company and a success in the 2018 Northumberland Plate, but not in the same form these days; last month's third of five behind Solent Gateway at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) took his losing run to 16 and others are preferred.
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

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 72-514 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Goes well here (record 41227214) and he ran very well to finish fourth of eight in a conditions event over C&D a fortnight ago, especially as he met trouble; finished a neck behind Solent Gateway there and now 7lb better off, but although form shown in those types of races can't always be relied upon his liking for this track makes him a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(6)

2nd Feb 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:32 Lingfield (AW)

Aced It

9st 13lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Camilla Poulton

Defied a 5lb higher mark at Kempton two years ago but is now returning from a long absence; market helpful.

25/1

8th

3

(6)

2nd Feb 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:32 Lingfield (AW)

Aced It

9st 13lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Camilla Poulton

Defied a 5lb higher mark at Kempton two years ago but is now returning from a long absence; market helpful.

25/1

2

(6)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Goodwood

Aced It

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Camilla Poulton

Seen more often on the AW these days and 1lb lower than when winning at Kempton (2m) in January, but showed little on his return to turf at Newmarket (1m6f, good) four weeks ago; enough to prove for now.

20/1

Form: 30-513 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ran well in some top handicaps last year and returned to winning form with a tough staying performance at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) last month; performed just as well when third of eight behind two much higher-rated rivals in a conditions event over C&D (Polytrack debut) a fortnight ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

17:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Solent Gateway

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Four-time Flat winner; got off the mark over hurdles on his sixth attempt when making all over C&D (good) 15 days ago with first-time blinkers (retained) replacing cheekpieces; has solid claims to defy penalty.

8/13

1st

4

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Solent Gateway

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Four-time Flat winner who was placed on the last four of his five hurdling starts, most recently when close second in Sedgefield maiden (2m4f, good) last month; should be fine over today's shorter trip and has another big role to play; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

7/4

2nd

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

18:10 Sedgefield

Solent Gateway

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, joined when not fluent last, soon headed, kept on

5/4

5th
10 (6)
Pianissimo

50/1

Form: /0753/ CD BF

Last run: 436 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Polytrack hat-trick at the end of 2019 included a success over C&D, but beaten 15 times on the Flat and over hurdles since and faces a stiff task from 4lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

5th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Pianissimo

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Anthony Carson

No win since completing a hat-trick on Polytrack at the end of 2019; back with his former trainer after a year off and 5lb lower than when last seen; market may be informative.

20/1

5th

10

(6)

22nd Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Pianissimo

8st 9lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Jo Davis

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 4f

50/1

9

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Pianissimo

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Jo Davis

Useful on the Flat in his prime and showed some aptitude for hurdling when placed in Uttoxeter maiden (2m, good to soft) for Anthony Carson in October 2020; regressed on the Flat in 2021, though, and today's stable debut comes after a long absence.

33/1

Form: 44759- D

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won seven races at up to 2m on turf in Germany, the last two at Group 2/3 level in the autumn of 2020; unplaced in his last 11 outings, though, and makes his stable/AW debut after 237 days off having been gelded in the meantime; best watched unless the market suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Quian

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Has been resurgent after wind surgery and he's won at Catterick (2m3f, soft/good to soft) in the last two of his three runs for current yard; up another 5lb but he scored with some authority last time and remains well treated on old form; key player.

2/1

1st

8

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Quian

11st 3lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Lizzie Quinlan

pressed leader, led 4th

5/2

1st

8

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

13:05 Catterick

Quian

10st 12lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

raced in second, not fluent 2 out, ridden and led after 2 out, edged left run-in, kept on well

11/2

Form: /S42-8 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-2 on Polytrack (over 1m4f) and back off the same mark as for his latest win at York (2m, good to soft) in October 2021; underwent wind surgery before his penultimate start (over fences) and finished a well beaten eighth of nine on his return to the AW at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta; 33-1) last month; has something to prove for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

16th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 103y

Class 3

19:35 Aintree

Gumball

11st 6lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Wasn't in the best of form in second half of last season; on a fair mark now, but others stronger.

9/1

8th

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Gumball

11st 13lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW and again back over hurdles a month ago.

25/1

6th

1

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:15 Stratford

Gumball

12st 2lb

J: Miss Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

A case can be made on plenty of his form, but he didn't impress with his finishing effort in handicap chases at Ascot or Ludlow before finishing well held on the AW; reservations.

5/1

8th
8 (8)
Vazir

25/1

Form: 3241/6

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on Polytrack at Deauville (12.5f) in August 2021; has made the frame in three of his seven starts over hurdles since joining this yard, but he never figured when sixth of eight here (1m3f) last month; has something to prove, not least stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(1)

29th Mar 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Vazir

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Sole win came on Polytrack at Deauville (12.5f) in August 2021; made the frame in three of his seven starts over hurdles after joining this yard, but he never figured here on Flat (1m3f/2m) on last two outings; wore cheekpieces on last four starts, now it's a visor.

25/1

8th

8

(8)

22nd Feb 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Vazir

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

hampered start, towards rear

25/1

6th

5

(7)

28th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Vazir

8st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alan King

Fairly useful form on the Flat in France in 2021, including a 1m4f Polytrack maiden; however, he disappointingly hasn't bettered modest form over hurdles in Britain since and can only be watched back on the Flat in a good race.

25/1

Form: 3124-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Shot up the weights as a result of his easy win at Nottingham (1m2f, soft) in October, but has run three solid races off his revised mark since then, including when third of nine on his return from 89 days off at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) last month; unexposed on the AW and has run creditably over this far, but he may be better over shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

20:45 Salisbury

First Officer

9st 6lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Six-time winner but only one of those came in a double-figure field (October 2022); ran well at Newmarket when last seen eight months ago; has gone well fresh in the past; others appeal more all the same.

10/1

5

(6)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

First Officer

9st 8lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Beat three rivals over 1m4f on the July Course here (good to firm) under Alexandra Egan in midsummer; comfortably held in three outings since but has dipped back to that successful mark.

6/1

4th

4

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

First Officer

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Beat three rivals over 1m4f here in July since when he's been comfortably held; on the plus side, he might appreciate this belated return to 1m6f as he does have form over this far.

5/1

Form: 5756-4 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Finished behind a couple of today's rivals when fourth of five at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) last month, but the return to this venue is in his favour with five of his six wins having come here (four over this trip); now 2lb below his last winning mark and a major player with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces; stable also runs Withhold.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.80
Straight Forecast £42.83
Tricast £110.28
Trifecta £122.30

Selections

The Times:

Aztec Empire

RP Ratings:

Aced It

SPOTLIGHT:

Imperium

POSTDATA:

Solent Gateway

NEWMARKET:

First Officer

Telegraph:

Aztec Empire

Daily Mail:

Aztec Empire

D Express:

Aztec Empire

Daily Record:

Solent Gateway

The Guardian:

Aced It

Daily Mirror:

Aced It

The Sun:

Aced It

TOPSPEED:

Imperium

The Star:

Imperium