July 28 / 15.00 Ascot

15.00

Good

Chapel Down Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Chapel Down Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £2.10

Form: -02692

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Some mixed form and no win since debut (2021) but he's had only nine races and was narrowly denied over C&D (good to soft) 13 days ago; off same mark today, he has to be considered seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(16)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

Pearle Dor

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Usually travels strongly; 0-6 this season, coming from the back again for creditable minor honours over 7f on heavy ground at Leicester and Newbury (yesterday) in his two starts this autumn; he's the sort who needs things to drop right but more than capable off this mark if they do.

10/1

3rd

4

(7)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Pearle Dor

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-5 this season and beaten favourite at Leicester most recently but ran encouragingly and ties in with Executive Decision on that effort; C&D winner (off 3lb lower) on heavy ground last autumn and enters calculations.

5/1

4th

3

(9)

15th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Leicester

Pearle Dor

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Last win came over 7f on heavy at Newbury 13 months ago when just 3lb lower; hasn't been running badly during a light season on ground too fast; off since June and record fresh isn't the best, but he's strongly considered.

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 877123 D BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Not proven on softer than good; has form front-running but has been held up in recent starts, including for a win at Doncaster (7f) early this month; unlucky next time and ran respectably on latest; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(6)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Mobashr

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Won three over this trip for Marco Botti but does most racing now over 7f and does need things to fall just so (landed only one of his last 21); 4lb above his last successful mark and needs to improve on this spring's two efforts.

8/1

12th

1

(6)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Mobashr

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Won three over this trip for Marco Botti but does most racing now over 7f and does need things to fall just so (landed only one of his last 21); 4lb above his last successful mark and needs to improve on this spring's two efforts.

8/1

6th

15

(1)

13th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

11:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Mobashr

8st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Hold-up performer who needs everything to fall right for him but he's capable off this sort of mark, as when motoring home for second at Newcastle last August; should be sharper for last month's reappearance sixth to Chola Empire at Southwell.

14/1

25/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 551-79

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made all in 6f novice on good to firm at Salisbury last July; not seen afterwards as 3yo and took backward steps this term in two handicaps (7f on soft and 6f on good); very lightly raced compared to most of these but being gelded since latest start needs to have turned things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Captain Cuddles

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Ex-Richard Hannon; not at his best this year and although well handicapped as a result, has plenty to find on recent efforts; tongue-tie now tried.

20/1

8th

8

(11)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Captain Cuddles

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Fionn McSharry

6f novice winner for Richard Hannon in July 2022 (good to firm); has not shown a great deal lately but is on a career-low mark as a result.

40/1

4th
11 (1)
Snuggle

6/1

Form: 332123 BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
String of solid efforts this year before heavy ground (acts on soft) may have been his undoing when favourite at Haydock six days ago; shaped on previous start as if he probably stayed 7f on good; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:40 Chepstow

Snuggle

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Thomas Faulkner

Dual 6f Windsor winner (soft and good to firm), latterly in April 2024 for Luke Dace; left Claire Hobson after three starts, including fair fourth of nine at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft; first-time visor) last July; market might help on this stable debut (same owner) and first start for ten months.

12/1

3

(4)

28th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

14:15 Yarmouth

Snuggle

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Clare Hobson

Second of two wins was in April 2024 when trained by Luke Dace; has shown little in two starts for current trainer this year; first-time visor goes on but hard to recommend.

25/1

6th

10

(1)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Snuggle

8st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

Dual 6f winner and went close here over 6f and 7f last year when higher in the weights; however, he ran a quiet first race for this yard at Windsor last month.

20/1

Form: 8-5113 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Second here on debut (2021); made the breakthrough in 7f handicaps at Yarmouth and Newbury (by a short head) last month and ran creditably back at Newbury on latest outing; ridden by 7lb claimer on last two starts but not today; below form on sole start on softer than good; major contender otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(10)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:45 Yarmouth

Flying Secret

10st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

in rear

5/1

1st

5

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Yarmouth

Flying Secret

9st 11lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Dual 7f winner (once over C&D) in spring 2023; not firing on all cylinders this year but was denied a clear run before keeping on for fourth at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) last month and now reverts to optimum trip after a failed 1m attempt on Tapeta; on a tempting mark.

10/1

7th

3

(11)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:58 Southwell (AW)

Flying Secret

9st 8lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Won two 7f handicaps last June; would have finished closer at Chepstow two weeks ago but for running into some trouble; stamina for a mile has to be taken on trust though.

7/1

Form: 411583

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won Kempton novice (6f, AW) in April and followed up on handicap debut at Salisbury (6f, good to soft) in May; not quite so good in his three handicaps since and return to 7f (tried it as 2yo) needs a positive response.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Grenham Bay

9st 13lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Most effective on AW (4-25) and was beaten 15l (tenth) in the Grey Horse handicap at Newmarket (6f, good to firm; 40-1) last month; needs this change of headgear - has won in first-time blinkers previously - to spark a revival; easing mark but poorly drawn.

25/1

10

(1)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Newmarket (July)

Grenham Bay

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Close third in this last year (good) and he won twice at Kempton (6f, AW) in the winter; below par on his last two starts but runs off his last winning mark and is not written off.

16/1

7th

4

(4)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Grenham Bay

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

In good form at Kempton over the winter, winning twice in blinkers; had a three-month break prior to his midfield finish at Salisbury last month; should be happier back on AW and with blinkers back on (wore cheekpieces latest); solid contender.

4/1

Form: 557363 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
No ground worries and has a solid record at Ascot, including a 1m win in 2021 and respectable third on latest outing; better this season over 1m than 7f; 4lb below his last winning mark and it's possible that the first-time visor will spark something, as first-time cheekpieces did in May 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:58 Ludlow

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Recorded his sixth Flat win when scoring at Sandown in August and he's won twice over hurdles since then, with his latest success in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) last month; open to more progress in this sphere and he's strongly respected on this switch to a claimer.

5/2

2nd

2

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:58 Ludlow

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Recorded his sixth Flat win when scoring at Sandown in August and he's won twice over hurdles since then, with his latest success in a Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) last month; open to more progress in this sphere and he's strongly respected on this switch to a claimer.

5/2

1st

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Global Esteem

11st 8lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, raced in second, jumped slightly right 2nd, led after 3rd, pestered home turn, good jump 2 out, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

11/8

8th
10 (9)
Laoisman

7/1

Form: 2833

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of four starts, none on softer than good; needs bit better on this handicap debut but it's possible that return to 7f from 1m will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

4th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Lingfield (AW)

Laoisman

9st 10lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: S Woods

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, good headway from over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well to lead towards finish

5/2

2nd

7

(8)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:35 Windsor

Laoisman

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: S Woods

Took a while to get off the mark but he's making up for lost time, ending his 3yo campaign with two 6f wins and completing his hat-trick at Wolverhampton on his reappearance last month; had subsequent winners back in third and fifth last time and a 3lb rise for that success looks fair; major player again back on turf.

11/4

2nd

7

(8)

13th May 2024

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:35 Windsor

Laoisman

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: S Woods

Took a while to get off the mark but he's making up for lost time, ending his 3yo campaign with two 6f wins and completing his hat-trick at Wolverhampton on his reappearance last month; had subsequent winners back in third and fifth last time and a 3lb rise for that success looks fair; major player again back on turf.

11/4

Form: 0-2185 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
2-27 on turf (has a much better strike-rate on AW) but one of those wins was over 7f at this meeting two years ago; ended a losing run on AW in April, followed by two lesser shows on turf; 7lb claimer recruited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:07 Yarmouth

Spirited Guest

9st 12lb

J: Harry Burns

T: George Margarson

in touch with leaders

25/1

9th

3

(3)

28th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Ascot

Spirited Guest

9st 13lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: George Margarson

midfield, weakened over 1f out

33/1

5th

3

(8)

26th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

18:35 Windsor

Spirited Guest

9st 11lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

dwelt start, raced in last, outpaced over 3f out, some headway on outer 2f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

12/1

Non-runners

Epsom Faithfull, Halla Dubai, Dashing Dick, Maharajas Express

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.60
Straight Forecast £22.14
Tricast £496.51
Trifecta £489.20

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Halla Dubai

POSTDATA:

Pearle D'or

Telegraph:

Mobashr

TOPSPEED:

Dashing Dick

SPOTLIGHT:

Global Esteem

NEWMARKET:

Laoisman

The Times:

Grenham Bay

RP RATINGS:

Snuggle

D Express:

Halla Dubai

The Sun:

Halla Dubai

Daily Mirror:

Pearle D'or

Daily Record:

Pearle D'or

The Star:

Mobashr

Daily Mail:

Dashing Dick

The Guardian:

Global Esteem