July 18 / 18.30 Epsom

18.30

Soft

Steve Donoghue Handicap

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 0f 113y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Steve Donoghue Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 724232 BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
0-11 but in the frame on last five starts (runner-up in three) on varying ground; first four of those races were at about 1m and the latest was here over 1m2f; should be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(5)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Hello Cotai

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Jim Boyle

Three wins for Adam West including one on the AW in France; encouraging return/stable debut at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in April but didn't build on it at Newbury (1m, good) last month; others preferred.

8/1

6th

5

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Newbury

Hello Cotai

9st 5lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Jim Boyle

Three wins (8.5f/9.5f) for Adam West; ran encouragingly (close third) in 1m2f AW contest at Lingfield on stable/seasonal debut and has possibilities provided he builds on that effort.

13/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 371171

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Led over 1f out to win over 1m at Ripon and Brighton (twice) in three of her four turf handicaps, on a range of ground; the exception came when never dangerous at Bath on penultimate outing; took a five-runner race in good style last time, which has been followed by a 7lb rise but she's on a roll and clearly one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(3)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Blenheim Star

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Knight

Four-time turf winner but 0-6 on AW; never threatened when fifth at Kempton on Monday (1m) and has to prove this trip is in range.

10/1

10

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Kempton (AW)

Blenheim Star

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Knight

Four turf wins to her name, the latest at Brighton in April (1m, good to firm) when rated 2lb higher; needs to bounce back from a lacklustre run at Epsom last month.

10/1

7

(9)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:25 Epsom

Blenheim Star

8st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: William Knight

Can be in and out but fairly solid in cheekpieces when third at Brighton (1m) on her last two starts and it was a creditable second on her only start here (C&D, good) last July; has dropped below her last winning mark.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 48-360 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Reappearance (1m, AW) was better than either start since and she has much more to prove on soft than good to soft; there's a notable positive in that her 7f maiden win last August was registered at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(7)

29th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Unreal Connection

10st 5lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

Sole win from 19 starts came on turf at Epsom (7f fillies' maiden) in August 2023; more miss than hit since joining Gemma Tutty (0-4), although there was a slight glimmer at Wolverhampton (7f; third) in November; blinkers make a return and that potentially offers hope.

25/1

7th

5

(7)

29th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Unreal Connection

10st 5lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

Sole win from 19 starts came on turf at Epsom (7f fillies' maiden) in August 2023; more miss than hit since joining Gemma Tutty (0-4), although there was a slight glimmer at Wolverhampton (7f; third) in November; blinkers make a return and that potentially offers hope.

25/1

7th

6

(9)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Unreal Connection

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Sole win was in an Epsom maiden 16 months ago and she was never involved over 8.6f here (seventh of 11) last time; cheekpieces are now added but she's been in and out this year and her tactical speed will be tested back at this trip; others are more convincing.

12/1

Form: 362512 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Brighton specialist (6-12 there) who has run just once here; pipped over 1m2f on soft ground in last week's attempt to complete a quick Brighton double, after a 1m win on good to firm; both were under Oliver Carmichael; due to be 5lb higher in future handicaps than he is today, so shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

16th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Brighton

Uncle Dick

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Eight C&D wins, the most recent off current mark in August; not in the same form since and was behind a few of today's rivals last time.

10/1

5

(11)

29th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:55 Brighton

Uncle Dick

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Has struggled on his last three starts but always a force to be reckoned with at this track having registered an eighth win here on his last visit in August (1m, good; ridden by Oliver Carmichael); only 2lb higher.

16/1

1

(10)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Bath

Uncle Dick

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Resumed winning ways at Brighton (1m) in August and not disgraced when fifth of nine in 1m Salisbury handicap 16 days ago; shortlisted.

12/1

Form: -86707

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
1m winner at Brighton (2022) and Bath (2023) who ran well in one of his three races at this track; out of form this year, with first-time cheekpieces (kept today) on latest start; 2lb out of the handicap today but thrown in were he to revert to 2023 form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

22nd Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Lingfield

Roundabout Silver

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Close third in a 7f Lingfield classified last time but that was AW; no win since August 2023 and it's almost as long since he ran well on turf.

10/1

5

(1)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

20:10 Lingfield (AW)

Roundabout Silver

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Not beaten far on his last attempt at this level (1m2f here) in March; not a solid option but no surprise to see him bounce back with blinkers given a go.

10/1

12/1

Form: 405

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Fourth at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April was a promising debut but she's been beaten 14l on good to soft in her two runs since, racing freely; absent 69 days and makes handicap debut, so not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Seamore

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

prominent, ridden over 1f out

20/1

8th

4

(9)

18th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 209y

Class 5

17:00 Sandown

Seamore

9st 7lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Best run was her debut; beaten just under 7l in both her handicaps (1m/1m2f) and others have more convincing claims.

25/1

Form: -41673

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
6f AW win for David Evans as a 2yo; easily saw off his four rivals at Windsor (6f, soft) in May on second run for current yard; that was a big career best and he's 5lb higher today but he did stay on late over 7f at Lingfield (AW) on latest outing, which makes this trip look worth an attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(10)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Charlie Mason

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Tony Carroll

Usually a reliable sort whose five wins have all been over 6f; beaten a head over 5f at Wolverhampton in March and a shade disappointing back on turf subsequently but should give a better performance here.

7/1

10

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Charlie Mason

8st 12lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

All five wins have been this trip but he had a near-miss over 5f at Wolverhampton in March; only 1lb higher today but he was a disappointing favourite back on turf at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) last time; has a bit to prove again after that and this is a step back up in grade.

7/1

7th

7

(11)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Charlie Mason

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Three wins in 2025, the latest at this track (6f, good) in September when 3lb lower; several good runs in defeat since and he is a leading contender with this likely to be run to suit.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 716200 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; C&D winner last September (5lb higher today) but flopped here next time; a bit up and down on AW early this year and finished last at 33-1 and 50-1 in his two turf races since; his usual hood is removed in this revival bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

7th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:43 Brighton

Shot Of Love

9st 9lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Michael Attwater

Front-runner who is not as good as he was but ran okay to be beaten 2l over 1m in a classified race last time; expect a very positive ride back at 7f.

10/1

4

(2)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

20:12 Brighton

Shot Of Love

9st 9lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Michael Attwater

Front-runner who's regressed sharply and again pulled hard when well fancied on his first crack at 0-50 classified company last time; needs to settle better back up from 7f.

8/1

6

(9)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

20:10 Lingfield (AW)

Shot Of Love

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Michael Attwater

Often front-runs; on the downgrade for current stable but that enables him to run at this level for the first time; needs a revival though.

8/1

Non-runners

Atlantis Blue

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.60
Straight Forecast £5.74
Tricast £24.97
Trifecta £36.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Blenheim Star

The Times:

Hello Cotai

SPOTLIGHT:

Uncle Dick

Daily Mail:

Hello Cotai

The Star:

Hello Cotai

POSTDATA:

Blenheim Star

NEWMARKET:

Blenheim Star

The Guardian:

Blenheim Star

D Express:

Blenheim Star

Daily Mirror:

Blenheim Star

Daily Record:

Blenheim Star

Telegraph:

Uncle Dick

The Sun:

Uncle Dick