16.50
Good To SoftJohn Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap
- Prize money: £10729.7
- 2m 0f 56y
- Class 4
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
14/1 (Won)
Form: 3-4859 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (4) |
21st May 2026 Good 1m 7f 217y Class 6 |
11st 1lb |
Solid effort when second of eight at Catterick ten days ago (2m, good; first run in this combination of accessories); should remain competitive. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 2 (4) |
11th May 2026 Good 1m 7f 189y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
The odd sign of spark last season and he may have needed his recent comeback run; down to a dangerous mark but this 7yo has been regressive and is winless since July 2024; cheekpieces return for first time since last May. |
6/1 |
|
6th 4 (4) |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 10lb |
Drew a blank in 2025 but he did reach the frame on both C&D visits, including C&D reappearance; off for 196 days; David Allan partners the other Tim Easterby runner. |
10/1 |
12/1
Form: 63-273 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 8st 13lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 70
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 12 (4) |
31st May 2026 Good 1m 4f 8y Class 4 |
8st 4lb |
Consistent last July-September and nicely treated on that form; however, she hasn't been at the same level on her two outings this year. |
20/1 |
|
7th 3 (5) |
3rd May 2026 Good 1m 3f 15y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
Made the frame four consecutive times last July-September (1m3f-2m), but made a low-key reappearance last week and is probably better suited by a stiffer test of stamina than this now. |
7/1 |
|
6th 1 (4) |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 1m 4f 23y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Ended last season with a spell of consistent efforts and has frame possibilities provided she returns in similar form; whether she can end a losing spell is another matter (no win since 2023). |
6/1 |
9/2
Form: -68411
Last run: 27 days
W: 9st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 71
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 (1) |
31st May 2026 Good 1m 4f 8y Class 4 |
9st 2lb |
He's reappeared in rude health this year with wins under Lauren Young at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) and Hamilton (1m3f, good); beat bang-in-form stablemate last time and a 5lb higher mark might not stop this course winner. |
5/2 |
|
1st 4 (1) |
17th May 2026 Good 1m 3f 15y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Three wins (C&D, 1m6f and 2m1f) in summer 2024 and, from a reduced mark, back on the scoresheet at Musselburgh (1m4f) three weeks ago when arriving very late on the scene at 20-1 under Lauren Young to deny Fast Fred; back up 4lb but could take another step back up the ladder. |
7/2 |
|
1st 7 (7) |
26th Apr 2026 Good 1m 4f 104y Class 4 |
8st 7lb |
Three wins (1m3f, 1m6f and 2m1f) in summer 2024 and he's 7lb below his last winning mark; struggled to get competitive last year until his running-on fifth under Lauren Young in a blanket finish on final start (1m4f, soft); reappearance record isn't great and today's test may be a bit too sharp for him. |
10/1 |
9/1
Form: /700-9
Last run: 15 days
W: 9st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 (8) |
28th Feb 2025 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 2 |
8st 10lb |
held up in rear, bit short of room when headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression |
20/1 |
|
5th 5 (5) |
7th Feb 2025 Standard 2m 0f 0y |
9st 4lb |
prominent on inner, weakened on far side of group over 1f out |
10/1 |
|
5th 5 (5) |
7th Feb 2025 Standard 2m 0f 0y |
9st 4lb |
prominent on inner, weakened on far side of group over 1f out |
10/1 |
20/1
Form: -15734 BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 8st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 67
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 6 (4) |
6th Apr 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 5 |
9st 10lb |
Won first time out on Polytrack two years ago and made it 2-3 on the AW when closing out last season with a Newcastle victory off 4lb lower; perhaps a bit surprising to see no blinkers tonight but he's one to consider. |
5/1 |
|
1st 4 (12) |
18th Nov 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 6 |
9st 13lb |
Record of 0-8 this term; however, drops back two grades and is far less exposed on AW than on turf, having raced only twice in this sphere (won the first attempt); interesting off current mark. |
9/1 |
|
7 (11) |
12th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
10st 12lb |
Three wins last season (1m6f-2m1f) and he's now 5lb below his last winning mark; blinkers were enlisted for last two outings, when beaten only about 3l, so he has each-way claims. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: 8-7205
Last run: 14 days
W: 8st 11lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 68
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 (2) |
31st May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 5 |
9st 6lb |
Scored over C&D last May for Brian Ellison; yet to fire for his new yard in handicaps at Wolverhampton (1m4f) and Lingfield (2m) this spring though. |
14/1 |
|
5th 4 (1) |
12th May 2026 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 5 |
9st 10lb |
A fair 1m6f scorer for Brian Ellison in 2025; beat only one for his new handler after seven months off in 1m4f handicap at Wolverhampton last month; needs to take a big step forward. |
16/1 |
|
6th 7 (3) |
4th Apr 2026 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 4 |
8st 10lb |
Debuts for a fourth yard having been picked up from Brian Ellison last autumn for 7,500gns; won first time out as a 2yo and on his comeback last spring, which gives hope, but there's not much room for manoeuvre off this mark. |
20/1 |
14/1
Form: 131464 D
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 75
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (1) |
16th Aug 2025 Good 1m 4f 10y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Won four times for David O'Meara last year (1m6f-2m) but has been out of form for new stable this season and is not sure to be ideally suited by today's drop back in trip; considered only if lively in the betting. |
10/1 |
|
3 (6) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 56y Class 4 |
9st 2lb |
Yet to strike form after three runs for new stable this year but now 1lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) for David O'Meara just under a year ago; usually ridden patiently; revival possible. |
20/1 |
|
13 (2) |
28th Jun 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Four wins for David O'Meara last year (2m/1m6f), two on Tapeta, and she's on a competitive mark on her best form; the step back up in trip may help but she's not easy to fancy judged on this year's two runs. |
40/1 |
10/1
Form: 634251
Last run: 24 days
W: 8st 11lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 68
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 (7) |
23rd May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Six wins (all handicaps) from 32 runs; not disgraced after losing ground at the start when fourth of six at Nottingham four weeks ago; faces a significantly stiffer assignment on her first attempt at a Group race. |
25/1 |
|
4th 1 (3) |
26th Apr 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
3-10 at Nottingham, including the first of last year's three wins; effective at 1m6f/2m and ran well on recent return, so shortlisted. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 1 (3) |
9th Apr 2026 Standard 2m 0f 102y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
Enjoyed a good 2025 when a three-time winner (from 1m6f to 2m) but she came in last in 1m6f Nottingham handicap on her final run in October; has gone well off a break, though. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 222233
Last run: 7 days
W: 8st 6lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 63
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 (7) |
11th May 2026 Standard 1m 5f 219y Class 6 |
9st 6lb |
Three wins, two seconds and two thirds to his name from nine runs over C&D; will need a career-best off this mark, though, and there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh (off since January). |
14/1 |
|
6th 3 (2) |
27th Jan 2026 Standard 1m 5f 219y Class 6 |
9st 12lb |
His three AW wins have all been here, the latest over C&D over Christmas off 3lb lower; could bounce back from a lesser show at Southwell. |
11/4 |
|
2 (4) |
4th Nov 2025 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 6 |
10st 0lb |
Has gained both AW wins at Wolverhampton but ran well in sole C&D attempt; got going too late last time (1m6f) and holds a fighting chance off current mark back up in trip. |
7/1 |
12/1
Form: 4-3171 D
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 73
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 (8) |
22nd Jan 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
towards rear |
14/1 |
|
5th 7 (8) |
22nd Jan 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
towards rear, headway from 2f out, no impression inside final furlong |
14/1 |
|
5th 1 (5) |
7th Jan 2025 Standard 1m 5f 219y Class 5 |
10st 0lb |
Won twice last year and is 2lb lower than when successful at Nottingham (1m6f, good to firm) in June; met late interference when beating one home over C&D 11 days ago (Green Team second); capable of playing a part at this level granted a clearer run. |
14/1 |
25/1
Form: /7/2/4 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 9st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 3 (16) |
13th Jul 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 56y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
prominent, led over 6f out, headed and lost ground quickly over 3f out |
25/1 |
|
4th 2 (2) |
23rd Jun 2024 Good 2m 2f 2y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Never figured over hurdles last month on stable debut and return from long absence; not seen on Flat since 2018; best watched. |
33/1 |
|
14th 1 |
8th May 2024 Good 2m 6f 151y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Easy win in a Newton Abbot seller (2m2f, good) for Dan Skelton in September 2022 but he's not been since then; well treated on his old handicap form but he's untried beyond 2m4f and has something to prove for new yard after a long absence. |
16/1 |
8/1
Form: 316633
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 7 |
11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
in rear |
20/1 |
|
12th 7 |
11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 12lb |
in rear |
20/1 |
40/1
Form: 3/53-6
Last run: 26 days
W: 8st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 64
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 (4) |
19th Sep 2024 Good 2m 1f 27y Class 5 |
9st 4lb |
held up in rear, weakened quickly and detached 5f out, pulled up 4f out |
6/1 |
|
2nd 2 (8) |
10th Aug 2024 Good To Firm 1m 5f 218y Class 6 |
9st 13lb |
Bumper winner who's regressed and only seen sporadically in recent times; came in for support over C&D last time, though, and worth considering down another 3lb in first-time headgear. |
10/1 |
|
6th 5 (6) |
21st Jul 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 218y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
Won a bumper in 2021; 0-9 under Flat rules and absent 352 days before soundly beaten in his two runs (upped to 1m6f, then 2m) this summer; some 2022 form reads well but he has questions to answer at present. |
20/1 |
8/1
Form: -12612 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 8st 11lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 68
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 (9) |
13th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 217y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Gained most recent success off just 1lb lower in June (over 2m at Catterick); however, subsequent form (Flat/hurdles) is unconvincing. |
12/1 |
|
2 |
24th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Four-time Flat winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Carlisle (2m3f, good) in April; only 2lb higher today and could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip but disappointed on last two outings (hurdles/Flat) and arrives here with a point to prove. |
14/1 |
|
4 (4) |
1st Aug 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Front-runner who has made all in all four of his victories on the Flat, including two over C&D; modest over hurdles 12 days ago but respected back here, especially as he may again enjoy the run of the race; new headgear combination. |
11/2 |
Non-runners
Duke Of Verona, Tailorman, Red Force One
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Straight Forecast | £85.25 |
| Tricast | £206.09 |
Selections
The Guardian:
Duke Of VeronaDaily Record:
Red Force One