September 15 / 15.55 Chester

15.55

Soft

Expleo Handicap

  • Prize money: £7327.6
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Expleo Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.30
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 649054 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last summer who's generally struggled for two different yards this year; offered more here on latest start, though, meeting traffic before coming home well over 5.5f, despite having pulled hard (has worn a hood twice); well treated if more amenable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Evocative Spark

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John David Riches

Arrives in great form, having won three of his four turf starts this season, two of those here over 7f and the latest over C&D; up another 4lb but looked like he had a bit more up his sleeve last time; big player.

9/4

1st

5

(2)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Evocative Spark

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: John David Riches

Thrives here - form figures 72111 - twice accounting for Vince Le Prince over 7f last month; weakened at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago, but this track is a much better fit, and he's unlikely to be hindered by rain; still fairly treated off 67 based on historic form.

7/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 14730- C

Last run: 350 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has won here (soft) but is best known for his AW work and returns from almost a year off and weighted to around his turf best; boasts a decent record in September but all wins came after a recent outing and this looks quite a task from stall 11.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 2

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Stone Soldier

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard Fahey

Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call.

20/1

7th

11

(4)

23rd Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 2

18:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Stone Soldier

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard Fahey

Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call.

20/1

11

(3)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Stone Soldier

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

midfield but in touch with leaders

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 633562 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Improved his record on Tapeta to 12612 when coming back to form at Wolverhampton last Thursday (6f); 3lb well in today but, while soft ground and 7f are fine, whether the two combined are optimal is open to argument.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Beauty Choice

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Winless since 2024 and winless in sprints since 2023; said to have hung left when well beaten on his return to turf seven weeks ago and only holds outside claims.

33/1

13th

14

(14)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

14:55 Doncaster

Beauty Choice

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Hindered by traffic issues last time (AW); the 9yo hasn't won since 2024 but is nicely weighted, especially if Lewis Chalkley's 7lb claim is taken into account.

16/1

4th

4

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Beauty Choice

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went without a win in 2025 but often ran well; another serviceable effort when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton in January; others appeal more for win purposes.

7/1

Form: 4618-8

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Handed an 8lb rise for his heavy-ground win last autumn and found it too much in one more start (also heavy); entitled to have needed his comeback here two months ago but needs to improve for the extra furlong and/or switch to blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(6)

9th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

15:45 Carlisle

Orbital Chime

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Helen Cuthbert

Ended his time with James Owen with a couple of lesser efforts and he could only manage a midfield finish here (7f, soft) on last month's stable debut; dropping down the weights but others are stronger.

20/1

6th

3

(9)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:28 Carlisle

Orbital Chime

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Helen Cuthbert

Poor strike-rate; eventually lost his form during spring spell with James Owen and was sold for 2,200gns since last run; best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.

16/1

8th

6

(10)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Orbital Chime

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Has been threatening for his current yard this spring but a couple of expensive defeats latterly; goes back to the visor from blinkers and, while capable off this mark, his strike-rate doesn't inspire.

5/1

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: -40548 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Winner over 7.6f here in the spring last year off a 7lb higher mark (not much luck from stall 10 in the same race this season); the return to softer ground is much in his favour from a handy draw and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

17:28 Chester

Red Mirage

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has a win over C&D but that was over four years ago; hasn't backed up an encouraging third at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) in March in two runs since but has dropped to a career-low mark so all is not lost.

8/1

6th

7

(7)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Red Mirage

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Four-time Polytrack winner who ran well below market expectations in two previous starts on Tapeta; back on his last successful mark but didn't build on a decent comeback effort last time.

12/1

6th

4

(6)

13th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:22 Leicester

Red Mirage

9st 6lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: John & Sean Quinn

Resumed from four months off with a good third of 15 in 7f Doncaster handicap 15 days ago; must enter calculations off an unchanged mark.

7/2

8/1

Form: 1-27 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Plenty to like about her debut win last autumn but turned over at short prices in her two runs this summer, latterly when stopping quickly on her handicap debut; has something to prove stepping up from 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(11)

8th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Couplet

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Eustace

towards rear after 1f

12/1

6th

9

(5)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:55 Chester

Couplet

9st 3lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Harry Eustace

Plenty to like about her debut win last autumn but turned over at short prices in her two runs this summer, latterly when stopping quickly on her handicap debut; has something to prove stepping up from 6f.

8/1

25/1

Form: 804079

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has struggled this season, coming 12lb down the weights; didn't see out 1m last time (has done most of his racing over 6f) and is some way down the pecking order back in the cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Newcastle (AW)

Gis A Sub

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

On a losing run but he wasn't best drawn when seventh of 11 in 6f Pontefract handicap 43 days ago; he needs considering off a handy-looking mark.

11/2

7th

1

(13)

27th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Pontefract

Gis A Sub

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a poor strike-rate but went close at Ripon last weekend and holds a fighting chance in this grade; gained sole handicap win off 5lb higher.

7/2

2nd

6

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:38 Ripon

Gis A Sub

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Runner-up in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes as a 2yo; nothing like so good now but that wasn't a barrier to success in the corresponding event 12 months ago; 7lb lower this time around and he didn't run badly at Thirsk 17 days ago; headgear left off today.

7/1

Form: 1-1067

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to two heavy-ground winners but ran on only fast surfaces in Ireland, winning twice at Dundalk last winter; given a second go beyond 6f today, having been picked up for 30,000gns, and the market will guide with his wide stall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(6)

30th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Song For Whoever

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

prominent

11/1

9th

1

(9)

9th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Song For Whoever

9st 10lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Ex-Irish 3yo who ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces at Wolverhampton last month on second start for new yard, taking form figures over 6f on AW to 2113 and shaping as if this drop back to 5f won't be a problem; still open to further progress in this sphere; shortlisted.

11/2

3rd

6

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Song For Whoever

9st 8lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Scored twice at Dundalk (6f, Polytrack) last winter, but held since returning on turf in May including when eighth of ten on stable debut at Chester (7f, good to soft) last month; return to the AW may help and cheekpieces are given a go, but others look more solid.

16/1

Form: 313642 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Turf wins have all come earlier in the year, mainly in early summer, and he doesn't have much room for manoeuvre off this mark; otherwise he's enjoyed a consistent season and is fine on any ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(1)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Little Boy Blue

8st 12lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner down the years but this veteran has something to find on 2025 form; comfortably held last time, failing to back up his reappearance effort.

25/1

7th

5

(9)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Little Boy Blue

9st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner who goes particularly well at Brighton where he was only 2l away last month (7f, good to soft) on his return from a lengthy break; might be vulnerable to younger limbs but should give his running.

10/1

2

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:10 Brighton

Little Boy Blue

9st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Off since September but he's proven when fresh having won at Epsom (7f, good) off 1lb higher on his reappearance last July; has won here four times from nine starts, including this race in 2022 off 3lb higher and he holds sound claims on his return.

11/2

5/1

Form: 608333 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Wins both came on slow turf in the autumn and he offered much more when one of three to come away on his AW (Tapeta) debut last Friday; will be 3lb higher from tomorrow and has landed the inside stall, so there are reasons for optimism.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins and a second from three visits to Nottingham, all over this trip on fast ground; 1lb higher than for his latest second; one to take seriously.

2/1

2nd

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a patchy profile but he won at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in May and finished close-up in sixth there 18 days ago; remains feasibly treated on his win in this race last year and he's 2-2 at Nottingham; interesting contender.

11/4

Form: 251071 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Most wins have come in sprints but he did win over C&D off a similar mark two autumns back; has his conditions and arrives in form, so should go well again from a handy draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(11)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Roundhay Park

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-time winner who is ideally suited by slow ground; his last success was off 2lb higher at Ripon (6f, soft) last summer but he's been well held in both runs this season; now drops back in trip but this veteran needs a major revival.

16/1

7th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-91; won from this mark at Ripon (6f, soft; Ideal Guest third) last July and was runner-up at Pontefract (from 4lb higher) last September; weakened - eighth of nine - on last month's C&D comeback run (66-1) but that's likely to have brought him on.

14/1

8th

8

(4)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:52 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Course winner who scored at Ripon (6f, soft) last July and is just 2lb higher on this reappearance outing; however, 6f has been this 11yo's optimum trip in recent seasons, and this is his first run since October.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £93.80
Straight Forecast £80.96
Tricast £841.01
Trifecta £838.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Emperor Caradoc

TOPSPEED:

Beauty Choice

NEWMARKET:

Couplet

SPOTLIGHT:

Red Mirage

The Star:

Roundhay Park

The Times:

Gis A Sub

Daily Mirror:

Little Boy Blue

Telegraph:

Couplet

The Guardian:

Emperor Caradoc

The Sun:

Emperor Caradoc

RP RATINGS:

Red Mirage

Daily Mail:

Beauty Choice

D Express:

Beauty Choice

Daily Record:

Roundhay Park