May 09 / 13.30 Chester

13.30

Good

CAA Stellar Handicap

  • Prize money: £22932
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV4
View Course
CAA Stellar Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 651-39 CD

Last run: 89 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Four of his five wins have come around a left-hand turn, two of them over C&D; not at his best in two starts in the Middle East for his new yard this winter but he's well drawn and makes more appeal than many; seems to handle any going; withdrawn having played up in the stalls before his latest intended run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Democracy Dilemma

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who looks well handicapped on his win at Haydock (5f, good) last autumn but he's been disappointing at Musselburgh and Goodwood this spring; has some questions to answer and he needs a major revival with headgear removed; stablemate of Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

9th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Robert Cowell

Useful front-runner who returned with a good third in 5f AW listed event at Lingfield in February; not at his best on soft ground at Musselburgh since but can bounce back here.

8/1

13th

1

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Democracy Dilemma

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Tough 5f specialist who usually makes the running; a respectable third at Lingfield six weeks ago should have blown away the cobwebs; concedes weight all round but he's a classy type and should go well.

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 0656-7 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
C&D winner at this meeting back in 2016 and 2017 and still capable of running to a useful as a 9yo last season; left the impression the run would bring him on when midfield at Beverley two weeks ago; on a reduced mark and although it's asking a lot of him to see off this field at the age of ten, a big run looks on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

1st

4

(2)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Legendary 12yo who has won 18 of his 117 races; fine second at Ripon on reappearance (5f, good), rain will help and although yet to win in four runs here, wouldn't rule him out.

13/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 113-77 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had a fine year in 2023, winning four 5f handicaps (including C&D); only 1lb higher than for the latest of them and his two runs this time around aren't the ones to judge him on; this should be run to suit and much better is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

7th

8

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Close third off 6lb higher (from stall 5) in this contest two years ago and 2-4 at Chester overall; however, has a big doubt over current form, reflected in two duck eggs this season; wide draw adds uncertainty.

25/1

12th

7

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Vintage Clarets

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ten-time winner whose mark is now 3lb lower than for his latest success; probably needed the run when well held at Southwell two weeks ago, but didn't show much and may require another before hitting his stride.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 800-12 C

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
All five British wins have come over 6f at this track; in good form in Bahrain this winter, winning an 18-runner handicap in February (6f, good to firm) and second over 5f (third past the post) a fortnight later; returns with a career-high mark to defy and just a niggling concern that a bare 5f around here might be insufficient, even in a race that should be well run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

12th

7

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Roman Dragon

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

25/1

Form: 124221 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
He's been rated much higher in the past and he's rediscovered his spark this year, winning at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January and showing he retained serious early pace with a front-running success at Epsom 16 days ago; 7lb rise for that far less of a concern than stall 12.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

Form: 3444-2 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Regularly ran well last season, winning twice in five days in August (both 5f, good to soft and heavy); satisfactory return to action at Wetherby last month; possible he'll need slower ground than forecast if he's to contend over this sharp 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

(14)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Manila Scouse

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

His last win came over C&D last July (good; off 1lb higher) and he stayed on for a close third at Hamilton (5f, good) a fortnight ago; could build on that latest performance now back up in trip; firmly in calculations.

10/1

3rd

10

(12)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Manila Scouse

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

May have needed his recent comeback from six months off at his age (cracked late on having raced prominently from a low stall over 6f round Chester); 2lb below his last successful mark and has won here before but David Allan has opted for Vince L'Amour.

12/1

7th

12

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Manila Scouse

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

On a competitive mark with a handy inside draw but he is returning from a seven month absence and his connections are also represented by Miraculous.

8/1

Form: 819981

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two wins in small-field fillies' handicaps on AW this year; hasn't shone in either turf start though and easy to swerve from stall 11.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

30th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 7lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Has done her winning at 6f but the way she shaped over 7f here last time (second run for new stable) suggests this new trip is worth exploring; attractively weighted off 4lb below last winning mark; interesting.

12/1

9th

2

(11)

30th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 7lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Has done her winning at 6f but the way she shaped over 7f here last time (second run for new stable) suggests this new trip is worth exploring; attractively weighted off 4lb below last winning mark; interesting.

12/1

3rd

1

(8)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 9lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Decent strike-rate on AW but form has been patchy since her last win April and she failed to beat a rival at Chelmsford (6f) on last month's stable debut; now 3lb lower than for last success but she still has stamina to prove at this trip and others are more solid; cheekpieces reapplied.

8/1

Form: 1/198- CD

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
C&D win on 2yo debut; returned from ten months off to win a Catterick novice last spring; unplaced in two Listed events at York subsequently but this is more suitable and he won't mind going back around a bend; gelded since last seen; unexposed and clearly goes well fresh but his wide draw is far from ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Up in grade after winning a Class 5 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) but had dropped to a tempting mark; wouldn't count the 6lb rise against him.

9/1

1st

1

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Changeofmind

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Won his first two starts but beaten 17 times since; down the field at Thirsk on last week's reappearance but drops in grade today and the slower ground should suit.

10/1

14th

12

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

0-16 since winning his first two races and beat just one home in a division of this race 12 months ago; now 8lb lower but he carries risks after seven months off.

20/1

Form: 3-3834 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran better than the bare result when fourth behind Night On Earth at Epsom last month, unable to adopt his usual prominent position having been involved in two lots of early scrimmaging; this mark not beyond him and he's effective around a bend; chance if he gets it right at the start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Clearpoint

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Completed a 5f AW hat-trick last backend and has continued in fine form this spring, runner-up in 5f Southwell handicap last time; must enter calculations back on turf.

15/2

2nd

8

(12)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:38 Southwell (AW)

Clearpoint

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Ended 2025 on the up and he improved again when second in the Listed Hever Stakes at Lingfield four weeks ago; a 3lb rise demands extra but this speedy sort shouldn't be discounted.

7/1

2nd

2

(3)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 1

13:25 Lingfield (AW)

Clearpoint

9st 2lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Better than ever in late 2025, winning two C&D handicaps before completing his hat-trick at Wolverhampton in November; ran as well as he ever has when second over C&D in December but that defeat off a BHA mark of 96 will need bettering to trouble the principals.

10/1

33/1

Form: 9215-8 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
As good as ever as an 8yo last year, winning heavy-ground 5f handicaps at Hamilton and Nottingham; lacklustre return to action at Pontefract last month though and not sure he'll be up to defying a wide stall on drying ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(16)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Spoof

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran with 11 wins but the most recent was back in October 2023; starts this campaign off a reduced mark but others look safer.

25/1

7th

8

(7)

21st Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

15:45 Yarmouth

Spoof

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran who made a pleasing return from a three-month break at Haydock last month; not so good at Redcar 17 days ago and others appeal more.

25/1

Form: 2800-0 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Failed to win in 2023 but form such as his Listed third at York's Dante meeting and a second in a big-field handicap in Ireland last July brings him firmly into the reckoning off his reduced mark; low-key return at Musselburgh 18 days ago but a tongue-tie is now added; no shortage of other pace to contend with and perhaps one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer; won at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January on second start since returning to this stable and he went close over that same C&D next time; ran creditably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 17 days ago but he has a better strike-rate on the AW (1-24 on turf).

10/1

6th

6

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:25 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and it's four years since his sole success in this sphere; not the percentage call in this first grass attempt since last August.

12/1

Non-runners

Radio Goo Goo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.80
Straight Forecast £36.71
Tricast £235.43
Trifecta £174.90

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Democracy Dilemma

POSTDATA:

Manila Scouse

Daily Mail:

Roman Dragon

TOPSPEED:

Copper Knight

RP RATINGS:

Michaela's Boy

Telegraph:

Radio Goo Goo

The Star:

Clearpoint

SPOTLIGHT:

Vintage Clarets

The Times:

Democracy Dilemma

D Express:

Democracy Dilemma

Daily Mirror:

Manila Scouse

Daily Record:

Roman Dragon

The Guardian:

Copper Knight