September 30 / 17.25 Newmarket

17.25

Good To Firm

Lope Y Fernandez First Foals 2023 Handicap

  • Prize money: £13500
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Lope Y Fernandez First Foals 2023 Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £4.00

Form: -20626

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Promising 2yo at 6f; back from wind surgery with an excellent second of 11 in a big 1m York handicap in August; that was on good to firm ground and perhaps the late rain was unwelcome there 20 days ago when right out of sorts; not ruled out on the earlier form now back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(11)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:10 Laytown

Catch The Paddy

11st 12lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Patrick J McKenna

Won over 1m at Dundalk in December but seems to have lost his way in his last few starts; needs first-time tongue-tie to work the oracle.

16/1

9th

5

(9)

15th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:20 Dundalk (AW)

Catch The Paddy

8st 8lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Mainly campaigned on AW since joining yard, winning on debut here over 1m in December; mixed form since, well held on return from a short break on latest turf run.

8/1

10th

7

(11)

5th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 60y

16:50 Leopardstown

Catch The Paddy

9st 7lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Mainly campaigned on AW since joining yard, winning on debut in December but not since, tame effort on turf at Musselburgh latest; opposable.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 814134 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Often leads but doesn't need to; progressive and looked the likely winner from some way out on latest 7f run, at York in July; little between him and Catch The Paddy on their 1m run there (good to firm) next time but not in the same form on latest; worth another go at 7f if still in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(7)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bajan Bandit

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

Has won over 1m but better at shorter and this extended trip might prove beyond him; not beaten far over 7.4f on Saturday; Billy Loughnane booked but others appeal more for win purposes.

12/1

5th

8

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:10 Beverley

Bajan Bandit

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Patrick Morris

Scored three times at 7f/1m on the AW in 2025 but his more recent form is far less encouraging, last of eight in 1m handicap at Nottingham last month; visor goes on the first time here.

25/1

8th

4

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

11:30 Nottingham

Bajan Bandit

9st 10lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Patrick Morris

Last three wins have been on the AW, the most recent off a 6lb higher mark at Newcastle (7f) in December; below his best there over 1m after becoming upset in the stalls 90 days ago and needs to bounce back returned to turf on his first start since.

12/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 271400 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
First British win on the other course in July (1m, good to firm) which he followed with an excellent front-running fourth of 20 in the big 1m handicap at Glorious Goodwood (soft); fair effort at Leopardstown latest but shade to prove against the specialists back over a bare 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Darkness

9st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

He won two 7f handicaps last season and took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 12 at Haydock in April; however, well beaten at Newmarket since and others arrive with less to prove.

33/1

OUR TIP

100/30

Form: 261324 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Three wins split between both Newmarket courses but versatile regarding tracks and ground; continued in fine form in highly competitive 7f handicaps since winning on the other course in July; big run expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(10)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Star Of Orion

8st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Effective here (and on various ground); placed three times in a row this August/September (1m/7f) but only seventh of 18 in the Challenge Cup here (7f, soft) a fortnight ago and needs a bigger performance today.

33/1

10

(3)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Star Of Orion

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Returned in July from ten months off and has run well in his last three starts, third of nine at Sandown (7f, soft) last time, but he has managed to win only one of his last 25 starts and is still 5lb higher; addition of a tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

25/1

3rd

1

(2)

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Star Of Orion

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Shaped well on reappearance (found trouble) and bang there in his subsequent races, over 1m at Newmarket and C&D 13 days ago (first-time cheekpieces); hard to offer any excuses on either occasion and, now 3-31, he's looking a hard horse to catch right.

100/30

Form: 675407 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Tough task in Listed company in one previous course start; cracking handicapper in top 7f races over the years and his fourth of 15 in the Bunbury Cup on the July course (good to soft was slower than ideal) shows how capable he still is; however, he hasn't sparked on last two runs at Ascot (slightly hampered latest) and may not be in peak form here either.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

11th

10

(3)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Bless Him

9st 0lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran hold-up performer who is now 8lb lower than when third in the Victoria Cup in May; capable but he'll need everything to go his way to win.

33/1

Form: 1-4951 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won his maiden over 1m but he hasn't been keeping up the gallop in handicaps at that trip since returning from a layoff in July and the return to 7f looked the right move when winning a 0-90 classified stakes at Ascot 22 days ago (good); raised 6lb but is not such an open book as some.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

19:30 Beverley

Glenfinnan

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Dods

In-form 6yo whose two attempts over C&D comprise a success in May and 1l second latest start; holds a fighting chance off unaltered mark; defied a stone higher in 2024.

5/2

2nd

2

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:10 Beverley

Glenfinnan

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Ended a long losing run over C&D in May and posted another solid effort (in a refitted hood) when fourth of 14 in 1m Carlisle handicap ten days ago; this keen-going sort is not out of things off an unchanged mark.

6/1

4th

7

(8)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Glenfinnan

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won a maiden over 1m at two but all four wins since have been over shorter, the most recent at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) last month; too free at York (7f) 11 days ago and he'll need to settle better now returned to this trip with the hood back on (worn once in 2023).

14/1

Form: -50055 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Course winner at 6f and 7f; had a distinguished career and it's not over yet judged on a hampered fifth of 15 in Bunbury Cup in July (good to soft; handles most ground); fair fifth in a Racing League race at Chepstow since; handicapper cautiously dropping him in the weights; involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(13)

6th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Accidental Agent

10st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

switched sharply right soon after start, in rear

16/1

3rd

1

(13)

6th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Accidental Agent

10st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

switched sharply right soon after start, in rear

16/1

9th

1

(5)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Accidental Agent

9st 7lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

awkward start and slowly away

14/1

Form: 1-356

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
All races at 1m; looked good when winning sole 2yo start last autumn (good to soft); ran to a similar level in novices in 2023 but looked an awkward ride on handicap debut at York in August and cheekpieces now fitted on the drop to 7f; needs to show he can handle a less conventional track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(5)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:25 Newmarket

Modesty

8st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

All races at 1m; looked good when winning sole 2yo start last autumn (good to soft); ran to a similar level in novices in 2023 but looked an awkward ride on handicap debut at York in August and cheekpieces now fitted on the drop to 7f; needs to show he can handle a less conventional track.

9/1

6th

10

(11)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

17:15 York

Modesty

8st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

in touch with leaders, hung badly left from over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, weakened inside final 110yds

8/1

5th

2

(8)

21st Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Newmarket (July)

Modesty

9st 11lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Freddie & Martyn Meade

took keen hold, held up in midfield, headway over 2f out, shaken up and edged left over 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

100/30

25/1

Form: 9-7659 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Useful 3yo form after making a winning debut but things haven't gone so well in 2023 and he hasn't been running to his mark; should be better off returning to 7f but limited appeal with first-time blinkers added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Leicester

Bass Player

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Not yet a year since he almost defied 8lb higher on quick turf (1m); mixed bag since, and hard to find any benefit from a third wind operation in the winter, but he's too well treated not to bear in mind at least.

16/1

5th

7

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Bass Player

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Ended 2025 with two good runs but he has been well short of that level in two runs this year, a wind op before the latest making no difference; tongue tie returns; risky despite his reduced mark.

20/1

11th

9

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Bass Player

8st 11lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

First win was on turf (7f) and last two have been on Tapeta (8.6f); reached the frame in two starts at Wolverhampton in December but he had a major blip there the following month; had another wind operation since and needs a major revival after four months off.

12/1

Form: 641275 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Often leads; useful 7f form at Haydock in the summer, winning then chasing home an improver (both on good to firm); failed to stay 1m next time but he wasn't himself at Epsom since (course winner as 2yo); down the list this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(8)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:25 Newmarket

Chartwell House

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

Often leads; useful 7f form at Haydock in the summer, winning then chasing home an improver (both on good to firm); failed to stay 1m next time but he wasn't himself at Epsom since (course winner as 2yo); down the list this time.

10/1

5th

2

(5)

28th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:05 Epsom

Chartwell House

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: William Knight

in touch with leaders on outer, weakened from 2f out

4/1

7th

2

(5)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

19:00 Windsor

Chartwell House

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

led, hung left and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £117.10
Straight Forecast £131.65
Tricast £1126.47
Trifecta £1249.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Star Of Orion

The Times:

Modesty

SPOTLIGHT:

Glenfinnan

TOPSPEED:

Darkness

RP RATINGS:

Accidental Agent

NEWMARKET:

Bass Player

Daily Mirror:

Bless Him

Daily Mail:

Modesty

Daily Record:

Glenfinnan

The Guardian:

Star Of Orion

The Sun:

Star Of Orion

The Star:

Star Of Orion

POSTDATA:

Darkness

D Express:

Accidental Agent