July 29 / 16.50 Ascot

16.50

Soft

Betfred Handicap

  • Prize money: £32400
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Betfred Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.45
  • Place: £1.75

Form: /211-0 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo; notched a personal best when winning at Newmarket (1m, soft) last autumn and that form worked out well; could finish only in midfield when one of the fancied runners for the Royal Hunt Cup over C&D (good) five weeks ago, but he came third in his group and a return to today's expected softer ground should suit; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(10)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Ghaly

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Lightly raced 7yo; notched a personal best when winning at Newmarket (1m, soft) last autumn and that form worked out well; could finish only in midfield when one of the fancied runners for the Royal Hunt Cup over C&D (good) five weeks ago, but he came third in his group and a return to today's expected softer ground should suit; high on the list.

13/2

13th

10

(8)

21st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Ghaly

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Lightly raced and progressive; acts on any ground; has form figures of 12211 in 1m handicaps, most recently winning off 8lb lower at Newmarket last October in a race that has worked out very well; won from Blue For You the time before; may improve further this term, despite being a 7yo now; trainer won this race in 2010 and 2021; very interesting contender.

10/1

1st

3

(11)

29th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:23 Newmarket

Ghaly

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Saeed bin Suroor

prominent, joined leaders and going easily over 2f out, pushed along and led over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, kept on, always doing enough

4/1

2nd
3 (9)

11/1

  • Place: £4.65

Form: -95816 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
8yo who defied top weight at Nottingham (1m, good to firm) in June but could finish only sixth of 15 at Sandown off his revised mark the following month; yard has more obvious claims with Ghaly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

20/1

  • Place: £1.95

Form: -11472

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
In good form over 1m2f on the AW, his second at Chelmsford last time a career best, but today's drop in distance isn't sure to be in his favour and his turf record stands at 0-4; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Storm Catcher

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Multiple C&D winner, the latest last August when rated 5lb higher; obvious chance if anywhere near that level but he has been struggling more recently; the return to 1m2f will help but not a solid option.

14/1

6th

1

(3)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Storm Catcher

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Has done nearly all his winning at about 1m2f, most recently last August; inconsistent since but drops back in grade off a workable mark; stayed on for creditable effort in sole attempt over 1m4f.

16/1

11th

6

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:50 Newcastle (AW)

Storm Catcher

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Eight-time AW winner and first and second in two of his four races here; didn't run at all badly last time at Lingfield (1m2f) but looks vulnerable at the minute in a race of this nature.

40/1

6/1

Form: 2/138- D BF

Last run: 308 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold; looked a colt of considerable potential when bolting up in a Yarmouth maiden (1m, good to firm) last spring but didn't build on that as anticipated, only eighth of 12 on handicap debut at Haydock (favourite) in the autumn; now returns after ten months off; lightly raced and could still be unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

34th

11

(6)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Akhu Najla

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

Very lightly raced 4yo who reappeared with a promising run at Ascot (1m, good) in July, when staying on for a close fourth; better could have been expected at York (1m, good to firm) but it was a difficult race in which to make headway from the rear; the extra furlong may well be a positive here, along with the first-time blinkers, and he could be in the mix.

25/1

13th

5

(4)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Akhu Najla

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

towards rear

6/1

Form: 2-7209 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Beaten narrowly at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) in April but he hasn't repeated the form, ninth of ten behind Lattam at Newcastle four weeks ago; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

Empirestateofmind

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Prolific winner at 1m-1m1f on good or slower; inconsistent this season but has slipped to a workable mark and, if in the same form as at Ripon on penultimate start, he could have a say.

10/1

11th

13

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empirestateofmind

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins last year (1m/1m1f, good/soft); the last of them came in a seller and he was well beaten on last month's reappearance at Doncaster, but that was the competitive Spring Mile and he may have needed the run; won this in 2022 and he's not discounted off a handy mark.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21-574 D

Last run: 147 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Spanish-trained contender; enjoyed his finest hour when winning German Group 2 (1m, good to soft) in September 2021 and performed respectably in three runs in Dubai early this year; bit to prove on British/handicap debut but Jamie Spencer is a good booking over the straight mile here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

22nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newbury

Rodaballo

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: G Arizkorreta Elosegui

Spanish-trained 6yo whose career highlight came when winning Group 2 at Baden-Baden in 2021; however, his form at Meydan earlier this year, and in two British starts in the summer, suggests he may be a shade vulnerable.

16/1

6th

5

(2)

19th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Rodaballo

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: G Arizkorreta Elosegui

Spanish-trained 6yo whose career highlight came when winning Group 2 at Baden-Baden in 2021; however, his form at Meydan earlier this year, and in a handicap at Ascot three weeks ago, suggests he's vulnerable here.

33/1

6th

1

(6)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Rodaballo

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: G Arizkorreta Elosegui

Spanish-trained contender; enjoyed his finest hour when winning German Group 2 (1m, good to soft) in September 2021 and performed respectably in three runs in Dubai early this year; bit to prove on British/handicap debut but Jamie Spencer is a good booking over the straight mile here.

14/1

6/1

Form: 311

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo, winner of two of his three races, all of them at 7f (soft/AW); improved to score narrowly in novice at Newcastle last month, digging deep; retains potential but doesn't have an obvious chance on the figures and his pedigree casts some doubt about whether this longer trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(6)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Lowton

10st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Narrow maiden (soft) and novice (AW) wins over 7f in May and June 2023; has yet to get a regular foothold in handicaps (hampered early on latest) but this is a drop in grade from last time and he is falling in the weights.

12/1

7th

5

(5)

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Lowton

8st 13lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Edward Bethell

Back-to-back wins in minor races last season but handicaps are providing a tougher challenge; beaten under 4l in a Racing League event last time and that was after an absence (gelded), but whether he'll build on that remains to be seen.

10/1

8th

1

(3)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:14 Southwell (AW)

Lowton

9st 13lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice over 7f in maiden/novice company last season (including Tapeta) but he came up short once handicapping; gelded since last seen; can do better this year but he's into a competitive race after 317 days off.

14/1

Form: 2-2287 D BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Latest run can be ignored (favourite; badly hampered by loose horse) and he has claims on earlier seconds over this trip at Redcar and Newcastle; handles any ground and would be dangerous if getting an easy lead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Spirit Catcher

9st 3lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Philip Kirby

Having tumbled down the weights he returned to form in a 1m1f handicap here last month, winning decisively; second over 1m2f at Ripon on Sunday, staying on at the finish; up in trip but likely to go well.

3/1

2nd

8

(13)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Spirit Catcher

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Won for the first time since August 2023 off a much reduced mark in a weak contest at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) last month; not sure to back that up in this better contest off 4lb higher.

11/2

1st

1

(5)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

16:25 Musselburgh

Spirit Catcher

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Triple turf winner (7f/1m) but his last success was in August 2023 and he's been out of sorts since returning in September from a lengthy absence; mark is tumbling but he needs a major revival.

10/1

Form: 51-670 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Hasn't cut much ice in competitive handicaps on his last two starts, but on the second occasion he probably failed to stay 1m4f at the Royal meeting here after racing up with a very strong pace; will need a personal best but he's only a 3yo and today's drop in distance could be in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

(11)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Mr Mistoffelees

8st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Sam England

On dangerous mark but he's finished down the field in three runs this term and is now 0-12 in Flat turf events; others preferred.

25/1

5th

7

(2)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Ayr

Mr Mistoffelees

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Often ran well last year, including on turf, and won at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October; however, he's finished down the field on both outings this season; he may be of greater interest when the blinkers return.

25/1

7th

9

(8)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Mr Mistoffelees

8st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Sam England

In good form in blinkers towards the end of last year, winning at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October; however, he has a poor strike-rate and wasn't at his best in cheekpieces at Newcastle (1m, AW) six weeks ago following a break; cheekpieces remain on today.

14/1

Non-runners

Lattam

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.60
Straight Forecast £31.25
Tricast £206.77
Trifecta £446.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lattam

RP RATINGS:

Ghaly

The Times:

Akhu Najla

POSTDATA:

Spirit Catcher

NEWMARKET:

Lattam

The Guardian:

Lattam

Daily Mail:

Lattam

The Sun:

Lattam

Daily Record:

Lattam

Daily Mirror:

Akhu Najla

The Star:

Akhu Najla

TOPSPEED:

Ghaly

Telegraph:

Ghaly

D Express:

Ghaly