August 11 / 14.30 Brighton

14.30

Good

Celebrating David Dark’s 80th Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 60y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Celebrating David Dark’s 80th Birthday Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 462217 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Made his breakthrough at the 26th attempt when landing a Lingfield handicap (5f, Polytrack) in June; well held on Tapeta (6f) last time but he was forced wide and could bounce back on this drop back in trip; has been placed numerous times on turf including a close second on fast ground in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(5)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:30 Brighton

Mr Fayez

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Dylan Cunha

visibility reduced by sea-fret, no stalls used, prominent

4/1

7th

5

(7)

19th Jul 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mr Fayez

9st 9lb

J: G Cheyne

T: Dylan Cunha

Runner-up twice on turf before narrowly making it 26th-time lucky in a handicap at Lingfield (5f, Polytrack) last time; return to 6f is not a problem and he is one for the shortlist.

4/1

1st

8

(5)

22nd Jun 2023

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

19:00 Lingfield (AW)

Mr Fayez

9st 0lb

J: G Cheyne

T: Dylan Cunha

towards rear

11/2

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -57113 CD BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Came good with cheekpieces added when winning classified events over C&D (good to firm) and at Ffos Las (5f, good) in June; held in third in her hat-trick bid here last time but she was a bit isolated on the far side and may have made her move too soon; still looks feasibly treated on her penultimate form and she's respected back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(3)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 16y

Class 6

16:13 Chepstow

Notre Maison

9st 0lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Stuart Kittow

Beaten a neck and a head in this race last year; has run some good races this season but her form dropped off at Salisbury last month and a visit to Brighton, a track she likes, could only produce a fourth of nine last time; handicapper's trying to help, though.

7/1

5

(1)

8th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:00 Brighton

Notre Maison

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Stuart Kittow

C&D winner who has run some good races this season but her form dropped off at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; on dangerous mark but has bit to prove again after that last run and she's now 1-26 in handicaps; visor removed.

11/2

2

(1)

23rd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Salisbury

Notre Maison

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Kittow

Beaten favourite on AW last time; only 1-25 in handicaps, compared to 2-5 at classified level, but has done her winning on turf and holds a fighting chance in this field.

9/2

OUR TIP

13/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 832268 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Two runner-up efforts off higher marks in sprint handicaps (good to firm) this season but he's been well held in last two starts and is now 0-26 since his last win in July 2021; one of five runners for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:50 Bath

Under Curfew

8st 6lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Veteran who is on a lengthy losing run; can lead but didn't at Windsor last time and was never involved; if on his game he wouldn't be without hope.

8/1

6th

8

(2)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

14:25 Windsor

Under Curfew

9st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Veteran who is on a losing run of 22; knocking on the door on AW when last seen and he won't mind getting back on the grass; has made the running but it is not a prerequisite; could go well.

13/2

4th

10

(3)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Under Curfew

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Veteran with nine wins on his record, all over sprint trips; stays this far though and he holds each-way claims once more.

8/1

Form: 514445 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Made all at Lingfield (5f, AW) in April but that was a narrow success and he's finished down the field in all four runs since; ran into some trouble at Wolverhampton last month (first run after wind surgery) but he's now 1-20 and others are more convincing; regular cheekpieces removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:30 Brighton

Battle Point

9st 2lb

T: Michael Attwater

Has made the frame a few times over C&D, but a record of 1-49 doesn't make him an appealing proposition.

12/1

10th

11

(5)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:30 Lingfield (AW)

Battle Point

9st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Michael Attwater

1-48, the win gained over 5f here in 2023; back from a break with three pretty good efforts this year, the latest a 66-1 fourth at Kempton (6f), but still makes only limited appeal.

16/1

4th

11

(8)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Battle Point

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Michael Attwater

Respectable efforts in classified events (5f) in last two runs but it's almost three years since his sole win and others are preferred; one of three runners for the yard.

14/1

Form: 812400 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 17th attempt when making all over C&D (firm) in May but he's struggled at Bath in his last two starts; the blindfold was removed late last time but he's still 2lb higher than for his win and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(7)

17th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:20 Brighton

Alfred Cove

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Tony Carroll

took keen hold, towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders over 3f out, pressed winner inside final 110yds, kept on

7/2

2nd

5

(5)

2nd Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

16:20 Brighton

Alfred Cove

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Tony Carroll

Two wins and six runner-up efforts since the end of March; his second here (5.3f) last month was an 8l defeat and although that was behind a very well-handicapped rival, he was well held here yesterday.

4/1

4th

3

(6)

1st Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:22 Brighton

Alfred Cove

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Successful twice, including over 6f here, this summer; runner-up six times otherwise in 2024, most recently over C&D (good) behind an easy winner; proving consistent and again holds a solid chance.

11/4

10/1

Form: 745366 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 30 starts was on AW last spring; perked up with a close third behind Notre Maison at Ffos Las (5f, good) in June but he's been well below that form in both runs since and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(12)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:30 Brighton

Mr Pc

9st 0lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Tony Carroll

visibility reduced by sea-fret, no stalls used

10/1

6th

10

(11)

25th Jul 2023

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mr Pc

9st 0lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Tony Carroll

Prominent racer; close up in third in a 5f classified event at Ffos Las last month but well beaten in a Leicester handicap four days later (cheekpieces first time, left off now); drawn widest and makes limited appeal.

20/1

6th

8

(4)

29th Jun 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Leicester

Mr Pc

9st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Tony Carroll

prominent, weakened from over 1f out

6/1

Form: 712256 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Six-time AW winner but he's 1-36 on turf and that win was gained in 2018; in good form on Polytrack in the spring but he was well held back on grass here (6f classified) last month and others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

2nd May 2024

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

15:05 Lingfield (AW)

Perfect Symphony

9st 0lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Mark Pattinson

Infrequent winner who's into the veteran stage and poor now; again finished well held behind two of today's rivals over C&D last time.

16/1

5th

6

(4)

2nd May 2024

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

15:05 Lingfield (AW)

Perfect Symphony

9st 0lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Mark Pattinson

Infrequent winner who's into the veteran stage and poor now; again finished well held behind two of today's rivals over C&D last time.

16/1

5th

5

(3)

8th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

16:30 Lingfield (AW)

Perfect Symphony

9st 0lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Mark Pattinson

raced in last

7/1

33/1

Form: 055

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Massive prices and she's finished ahead of only one rival in three maiden/novice events (7f/1m) this season; now switches to sprinting and she needs a transformation on her handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(9)

20th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:25 Lingfield (AW)

Poppyequiano

10st 7lb

J: Miss Michelle Bryant

T: Paddy Butler

dwelt start, always behind

66/1

9th

8

(9)

3rd Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:00 Brighton

Poppyequiano

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Paddy Butler

Eight-race maiden who has yet to be placed and she has plenty of work to do on these terms.

40/1

8th

9

(9)

7th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:32 Lingfield (AW)

Poppyequiano

9st 3lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Paddy Butler

Triple-figure prices and has mostly run accordingly, although she did show more when a close sixth of ten over C&D 11 days ago; will need more for the first-time hood and drawn out wide.

25/1

Form: 076730

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent 17-race maiden maiden; placed in classified event here (6f, good to firm) last month but was beaten over 5l in that race and she failed to back that up at Bath last time; hood is removed and tongue-tie now goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

20th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Alyas Gold Award

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

took keen hold, prominent on inner

20/1

5th

3

(6)

13th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Alyas Gold Award

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Exposed low-grade maiden who has issues in the stalls; again well beaten at Chelmsford on Thursday.

25/1

8th

1

(4)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Alyas Gold Award

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Longstanding maiden; has issues at the start and was reluctant to race here in September; opposable, even at this level.

50/1

16/1

Form: 7-2660 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Old-timer who has ten wins on his CV but his last success was 14 months ago; went close off a reduced mark at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in January but he's not matched that in three runs since and was last of ten at Bath last month; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

28th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:15 Brighton

Boom The Groom

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Course winner who has been a wonderful servant to the yard but now on the decline; won off this mark on Lingfield AW (5f) last November, but well held in four starts since.

12/1

7th

2

(1)

28th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:15 Brighton

Boom The Groom

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Course winner who has been a wonderful servant to the yard but now on the decline; won off this mark on Lingfield AW (5f) last November, but well held in four starts since.

12/1

12th

7

(5)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Boom The Groom

9st 5lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Front-running teenager who won three times last year (once over C&D); not firing on all cylinders in recent months, though, and recent 2lb drop is not enough to tempt.

16/1

Form: 8-7449

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who has been beaten 8l or more in her four handicaps (5f-7f) this season; mark continues to fall but blinkers need to make a difference on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(5)

24th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 16y

Class 6

14:15 Chepstow

Get Busy

8st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: John Gallagher

in touch with leaders, weakened quickly from 2f out

33/1

13

(8)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

14:30 Brighton

Get Busy

8st 13lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Gallagher

Eight-race maiden who has been beaten 8l or more in her four handicaps (5f-7f) this season; mark continues to fall but blinkers need to make a difference on this drop back in trip.

33/1

9th

6

(12)

20th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Leicester

Get Busy

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Gallagher

Seven-race maiden who has been beaten upwards of 8l in three sprint handicap starts this season, the latest nine days ago; the step up to 7f needs to spark improvement.

33/1

Non-runners

Kodi Dancer, Thank The Lord

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £20.03
Tricast £73.52
Trifecta £85.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Notre Maison

The Times:

Thank The Lord

D Express:

Kodi Dancer

NEWMARKET:

Mr Fayez

POSTDATA:

Under Curfew

RP RATINGS:

Notre Maison

Daily Mail:

Notre Maison

The Star:

Notre Maison

Daily Record:

Notre Maison

Telegraph:

Thank The Lord

The Guardian:

Thank The Lord

Daily Mirror:

Thank The Lord

The Sun:

Thank The Lord