July 12 / 15.25 Ascot

15.25

Soft

Long Harbour Derek Lucie-Smith Handicap

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Long Harbour Derek Lucie-Smith Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 4-3205

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Continued his consistent run of form when runner-up in a C&D handicap in May but subsequent efforts were underwhelming, having no excuses under a prominent ride at Haydock latterly; has to bounce back in a tough race and ground slower than good will be a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(3)

7th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

16:00 York

Zain Blue

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John Butler

Enhanced his good record at York with a fifth of 15 at the Ebor meeting over this trip; handicapper is retaining a hold on him but he has each-way claims.

14/1

5th

14

(15)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Zain Blue

8st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Butler

Winner here over 1m on good to soft last autumn and two creditable efforts over C&D (good to firm) in the first half of this summer; ran poorly in a Racing League event at Yarmouth last month but not without hope back here.

18/1

13th

9

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 2

20:40 Yarmouth

Zain Blue

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Butler

Last season's two wins came on good to soft going (unraced on slower) and he's run pretty well in defeat at York (1m2f, good to firm) on his last two starts; could take a step forward now back on slow ground.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: -43845

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won his first two races as a 2yo (one on good to soft); mostly consistent in handicaps and didn't get the breaks when behind Ebt's Guard at Yarmouth two weeks ago; not without hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Cerulean Bay

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Progressive last term, winning two in a row at Goodwood (1m, good to soft/good) in the autumn, and kept on well for a close fourth on last month's reappearance at Haydock (7f, good to firm); solid claims back up to 1m.

13/2

4th

3

(10)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Cerulean Bay

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Had strong handicap form over 1m in the second half of 2025, finishing second at York's Ebor meeting (good to firm) before recording back-to-back wins at Goodwood (good to soft and good); ran well for third in a Nottingham Listed race when last seen 178 days ago; only seventh in this race 12 months ago and he's 4lb higher today.

9/1

3rd

2

(7)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Cerulean Bay

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won on soft last year; Goodwood double (1m, good to soft/good) in handicaps this autumn; however, only mid-division in valuable event at Ascot 11 days ago, comfortably held by Ebt's Guard, and needs to resume improvement.

14/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 6-3212 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Has run well in handicaps on either side of winning his maiden at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) and his latest Yarmouth conqueror headed there on the back of a win; all his recent form stacks up well as the horse who beat him at Sandown three runs back won there last weekend; goes on soft and, despite a harsh 5lb rise for last time, he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tough and consistent sort who won the C&D Spring Cup on 2025 reappearance but couldn't get a clear run in it this time round; third in this race last year and 9lb higher today but he's an each-way contender.

10/1

18th

3

(11)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tough and consistent sort who won this race (good ground) on his reappearance 12 months ago and finished second in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot in the autumn; starts the new season on a career-high mark but he's impossible to rule out.

16/1

2nd

3

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Ebts Guard

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Acts on soft; has mostly run well in warm 7f/1m handicaps this season, never better than when dead-heating for second in a valuable event at Ascot 11 days ago; this first Listed assignment makes for a different scenario but he has the form to be not far away.

11/2

4th
2 (3)
Apiarist

7/1

Form: 241-53

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Progress at two culminated with a valuable sales race success on soft at York (soft); faced a tough return on good ground at Newmarket and showed more on his handicap debut at Haydock (1m, soft) where he was dropped in from a wide draw and saw his race out well for third (winner made all); that form looks quite strong and there's a bigger run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Apiarist

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Three fine efforts on AW to start the year but his run of good form came to a halt when well behind Blue Rc at Newcastle over Easter; acts on turf but has a much better strike-rate on AW; drawn widest.

20/1

12th

6

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Apiarist

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Finished a good third in this race 12 months ago when rated 2lb lower; arrives in good form, having beaten Popmaster at Lingfield (1m) before a good third at Kempton (7f) 16 days ago; chance if stall 1 proves no hindrance.

10/1

3rd

4

(3)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Apiarist

9st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Beat very good yardstick in Popmaster for fourth AW win from just eight tries at Lingfield 19 days ago (1m; ridden by Jack Callan for the first time); up just 3lb, and no issue with this shorter trip, but he's never been to Kempton and trainer is just 1-14 here last five years.

3/1

Form: 73-212 D BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
The front two came clear when a workmanlike winner at Newmarket (1m, good) and he confirmed himself progressive by going close off this 7lb higher mark at Nottingham last week (good); out again quickly before a 3lb rise kicks in and cheekpieces are added; big shout if handling this slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(8)

12th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

Global Asset

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

in touch with leaders

7/2

2nd

2

(1)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:40 Nottingham

Global Asset

9st 10lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Has improved steadily with each run and the front two came clear when a workmanlike winner at Newmarket (1m, good; 13-8); the runner-up was third of nine on his next start; 7lb rise demands that he improves some more but that's very feasible.

6/4

1st

5

(7)

21st Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Global Asset

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Better with each run last backend before being gelded; had a subsequent dual winner behind when going close off a 3lb lower mark on his comeback over this trip last month and holds leading claims for a yard back in its usual form.

7/4

4/1

Form: 271 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Raised his game to floor the favourite in a 1m fast-ground novice at Windsor and the runner-up is a good horse despite being 0-6; this son of Kingman is impressive physically and surely has lots more to offer in handicaps; surprising should he not go on this slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(5)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:10 Doncaster

TChalla

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Windsor novice (1m, good to firm) in June and bounced back from a lesser run on handicap debut at Ascot when making all at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month; he's in good hands to continue to progress and could give another bold account up 5lb.

7/1

1st

6

(2)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newbury

TChalla

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

made all

8/1

6th

4

(2)

12th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

TChalla

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

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

4/1

Form: 998-45 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
7f novice winner for Tom Dascombe; best form yet when fourth on stable debut at Ascot (1m; having been gelded; Zain Blue runner-up) but didn't pick up when it mattered on the drop to 7f at Haydock; when factoring in doubts about him on slow ground (all turf runs on good or quicker) it perhaps makes sense to turn elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(10)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:02 Kempton (AW)

Bigbertiebassett

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and went second over 1f out, led final 110yds, kept on

4/1

1st

6

(10)

4th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:02 Kempton (AW)

Bigbertiebassett

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

took keen hold, prominent, ridden and went second over 1f out, led final 110yds, kept on

4/1

2nd

7

(6)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Bigbertiebassett

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

led early, headed and prominent after 1f

9/2

Form: 5411-0

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Signed off last season with front-running novice wins over 7f at Ayr (good to soft) and Redcar (good); however, made a quiet return to action at York (7f handicap) and has since left Karl Burke for 21,000gns; subsequently gelded; something to prove now, including his ability to handle slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Respectful

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Won twice over 7f for Karl Burke as a 2yo; not much to celebrate since but his stable debut in January (C&D) wasn't without hope and he's now 10lb lower; not solid but a big run wouldn't be a bolt from the blue.

8/1

4

(5)

3rd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

17:15 Hamilton

Respectful

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Dual 7f winner for Karl Burke as a 2yo; failed to win for his next yard but his mark has eased considerably and he got no luck last time at Carlisle (6f); not discounted.

10/1

7

(1)

12th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:45 Carlisle

Respectful

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Dual 7f winner for Karl Burke as a 2yo who's proved hard to place for two yards since; handicapper easing off now and he may have needed his recent Thirsk run, back from six months off, but he'll need to improve a deal on that.

20/1

Form: 061-01 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shone when previously encountering ground softer than good and it was good to firm when a 3l winner at Pontefract (1m) where the visor was taken off; 1lb well in with the penalty should he perform to the same level here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(11)

7th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

16:00 York

Magnum Opus

10st 2lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Did well in Meydan and returned to Britain for a close fourth in the Lincoln; hasn't kicked on from there, finishing down the field in the Royal Hunt and then midfield at Chelmsford (1m2f); looks vulnerable with his big weight.

10/1

3

(4)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Magnum Opus

9st 5lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Successful in Meydan handicap (1m1f, good) during his spell in UAE and ran creditably (close fourth) in the Lincoln in March; looks interesting on that form but he's been a bit up and down this year and he struggled in the Royal Hunt Cup last time; mixed messages.

5/1

17

(16)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Magnum Opus

9st 3lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Successful in Meydan handicap (good) during his spell in UAE and ran creditably (close fourth) in the Lincoln on last appearance; quite exposed, however, and current mark leaves him in a tough spot.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £71.70
Straight Forecast £77.81
Tricast £330.81
Trifecta £308.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Global Asset

The Times:

T'Challa

NEWMARKET:

Magnum Opus

D Express:

Bigbertiebassett

POSTDATA:

Ebt's Guard

The Star:

Cerulean Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Apiarist

Telegraph:

T'Challa

Daily Record:

T'Challa

TOPSPEED:

Global Asset

The Guardian:

Global Asset

Daily Mail:

Global Asset

The Sun:

Global Asset

Daily Mirror:

Magnum Opus