May 18 / 16.57 Doncaster

16.57

Good

Proudly Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4396.56
  • 1m 3f 197y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Proudly Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0601- D

Last run: 233 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Good pedigree and he improved for the step up to 1m4f when leading close home on handicap debut at Pontefract (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) in September; up just 2lb in a less competitive race; improver who needs a solid pace on this less testing track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(2)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Baltic

9st 11lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Lucy Wadham

Won his first five handicaps (including on Tapeta, unproven on Polytrack) but the last of those was in July 2024; generally disappointing since and, after 307 days off, this is a new trip on first run since changing hands and leaving Harry Charlton.

10/1

2

(8)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 3f 104y

Class 4

17:40 Yarmouth

Baltic

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

Made it 5-5 in handicaps (including C&D, and on soft and fast ground) when winning at Newcastle last July and he was a good second on AW last October; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game on either run this year.

11/1

6th

4

(8)

14th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Sandown

Baltic

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Harry Charlton

Won his first five handicaps at about 1m4f on varying surfaces but his mark took a hit and he didn't run much of a race on his comeback at Thirsk, having been gelded; reservations on the back of that.

14/1

100/30

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 95-681 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins in 2023 (1m3f, good to firm; 1m2f, heavy); went off the boil in the autumn and disconcerting that he trailed home in his first two runs this year but he found plenty for a convincing AW win at Kempton (1m4f) ten days ago and this surface can suit back on grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Damascus Steel

8st 11lb

J: William Carson

T: Gihan Arnolda

Two 1m4f AW wins last winter for Denis Quinn and respectable fifth of 15 at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) last month on sole run for John Ryan; however, it's a long time since he ran well on turf and has something to prove back on grass; stable debut.

12/1

5th

9

(3)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Lingfield (AW)

Damascus Steel

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Ryan

In good form for Denis Quinn in recent months including wins at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta) in December and over C&D in January; closely matched with Wonder on a couple of bits of form and respected on first start for John Ryan (same owner); stable also runs Tommy's Promise.

11/1

3rd

3

(6)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:00 Lingfield (AW)

Damascus Steel

9st 12lb

J: William Carson

T: Denis Quinn

Made it two wins in a row when edging out Wonder over C&D last month; extended his run of good form when second of ten at Wolverhampton (1m4f) four weeks ago; should figure again.

5/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 25766-

Last run: 289 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Minor hurdle form in four attempts over the winter, despite finishing in the frame each time; however he won three times at up to 1m2f in France and is better handicapped than when first starting out for this yard last summer; may still need more weight off his back, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Worcester

Mandega

10st 10lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Micky Hammond

Fair Flat-racer who has made the frame on all five hurdling starts, most recently when close third at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) in May; that form isn't anything out of the ordinary but, nevertheless, he has each-way claims again.

4/1

7th

5

(2)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Nottingham

Mandega

9st 10lb

J: Dominique Van Der Kraats

T: Micky Hammond

Ran creditably last month at Doncaster (1m4f) and Cartmel (2m1f novice hurdle); not far away on that evidence but others are preferred for the win.

11/2

Form: 8770-3

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Often leads; low-key season after winning on second start after a break, at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last May, but now 8lb lower and he made a perfectly respectable return behind The Dancing Poet at Musselburgh 15 days ago; might find others seeing out the trip that bit better though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

31st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Masque Of Anarchy

9st 8lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Craig Lidster

led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out

8/1

6th

4

(5)

31st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Masque Of Anarchy

9st 8lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Craig Lidster

led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out

8/1

2nd

1

(7)

24th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Masque Of Anarchy

9st 11lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Craig Lidster

Two-time C&D winner; near miss at Beverley in July (1m2f, good to firm) and he ran to a similar level at Ripon last month (1m3f, good); caught wide when underperforming at Pontefract last week; dangerous at this level in an uncompetitive race; jockey having first ride as an apprentice (0-5 as an amateur).

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 437-81 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner, the last six over 1m4f on a variety of ground and most recently when things fell right for him at Musselburgh (good; cheekpieces refitted for the first time since August); back up 3lb but he's run well here in the past; on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

9th

2

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 5

17:30 Haydock

The Dancing Poet

11st 2lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Brian Ellison

The last three of his ten wins were last May-September (two over 1m4f then one at 1m6f) and he's 6-18 at Catterick, unraced here since two placed efforts in 2020; well beaten at three other tracks this term but he's now back to his last winning mark.

14/1

8/1

Form: 063

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Classy pedigree, out of dual Group 1 winner; looked promising when winning two good-ground bumpers last May and June and although he hasn't featured in 1m4f events on AW and turf there's every chance he'll find his level in handicaps; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 9lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner and looks capable of winning on the Flat, coming from further back than the winner when second over 1m4f here in April; should be sharper for a recent comeback run at Newcastle and enters calculations.

8/1

1

(14)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner and looks capable of winning on the Flat; came from further back than the winner when second at Southwell in April (1m4f); can go well fresh.

10/1

2nd

3

(13)

30th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:10 Southwell (AW)

Mr Zippi

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Dual bumper winner; close fourth over C&D in December but four lesser runs have followed, the latest in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: 4514-0 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-25 is offputting but he has quite a solid record over 1m4f in the last two years, including over C&D, and his AW win in October was convincing; had just two 1m2f runs since and not ruled out back at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Oriental Art

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Chased home an improver at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) 11 days ago and races off the same mark, but a record of 1-32 makes him hard to warm to.

6/1

2nd

7

(6)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:39 Newcastle (AW)

Oriental Art

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Chased home an improver at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) 11 days ago and races off the same mark, but a record of 1-32 makes him hard to warm to.

6/1

2nd

6

(8)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Oriental Art

9st 9lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Placed a few times at up to 1m6f this term but form dipped the last twice; has a poor strike-rate (1-31) and is likely set for minor honours even if back on song.

14/1

Form: 494451 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
The wins don't come around too often but he had a mark in the 70s this time last year and he took advantage at Yarmouth (1m3f, good) 14 days ago; back up just 2lb; this asks for more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Total Lockdown

9st 6lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

midfield

16/1

6th

2

(10)

8th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Total Lockdown

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

towards rear

8/1

5th

3

(13)

16th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

13:45 Thirsk

Total Lockdown

9st 10lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Ex-Martin Dunne, winning for him at Yarmouth in May (11.5f, good); missed the break and pulled too hard on stable debut at Windsor last time (11.4f, good to firm; first run after a break); should be better for that run

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.00
Straight Forecast £10.41
Tricast £91.69
Trifecta £87.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Baltic

RP RATINGS:

Damascus Steel

Telegraph:

Mr Zippi

POSTDATA:

The Dancing Poet

Daily Mail:

Mr Zippi

The Times:

Baltic

The Guardian:

Baltic

Daily Mirror:

Baltic

The Star:

Baltic

Daily Record:

Baltic

NEWMARKET:

Damascus Steel

D Express:

Damascus Steel