August 17 / 14.32 Doncaster

14.32

Good To Firm

Believe Protect Handicap

  • Prize money: £5652.72
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Believe Protect Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2/1-74

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; won a Wolverhampton novice last August (9.5f); well beaten in two handicaps this season, last time finishing just over 6l fourth of six at Windsor on her first run at this trip (good to firm); may do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

20th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Newbury

Naaey

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Contested handicaps on last three outings, easily best form when scoring comfortably at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm; favourite) on second occasion; two runs this term, including latest, prompt concerns if the ground is softer than good; this is also a new trip and she has headgear first time.

12/1

9th

2

(9)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Naaey

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Made it two wins from her five starts when scoring at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) last month in her second handicap; did it comfortably and a 6lb rise may not stop her if conditions are suitable (unproven on slow ground).

7/2

1st

4

(2)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Naaey

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Lightly raced; won a Wolverhampton novice last August (9.5f); well beaten in two handicaps this season, last time finishing just over 6l fourth of six at Windsor on her first run at this trip (good to firm); may do better.

15/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 100476

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won four times over 1m for Andrew Balding, the latest at Kempton in February; has not fared quite as well since but beaten just under 2l when sixth of nine in a Redcar handicap (1m, good to firm) on stable debut last week; didn't seem to stay on only run over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Sudden Ambush

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Four wins over 1m, including off this mark and 4lb higher, for previous yard; couple of encouraging efforts for new stable, keeping-on second over 1m2f at Doncaster (good to firm) latest; nicely handicapped and is unexposed at this trip; interesting contender.

11/2

2nd

3

(3)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Sudden Ambush

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won four times over 1m for Andrew Balding, the latest at Kempton in February; has not fared quite as well since but beaten just under 2l when sixth of nine in a Redcar handicap (1m, good to firm) on stable debut last week; didn't seem to stay on only run over this trip.

7/1

6th

1

(2)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:12 Redcar

Sudden Ambush

10st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

dwelt start, towards rear

10/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 36-387 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Newcastle maiden winner over 1m2f in May 2023; has since had wind surgery and been gelded; modest efforts in two 1m2f handicaps (good to firm) this term; needs to bounce back in first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Chepstow

Crystal Mariner

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

1-12 on turf; returned to form when second at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) in September then went back-to-back at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on next two starts; slowly run series final didn't work out next time; not discounted on this comeback.

8/1

4

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Crystal Mariner

9st 10lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Two wins this summer, at Salisbury in July (1m2f, good to firm) and over C&D 19 days ago; hit with a 5lb rise but still feasibly weighted.

100/30

1st

3

(8)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Crystal Mariner

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jamie Osborne

Inconsistent but snapped losing sequence when winning at Salisbury (good to firm) in July; below form next two starts but close to career best when second at Doncaster (also 1m2f, good to soft) ten days ago; has run well here before and in calculations from the same mark (2lb well in).

7/1

Form: 130536 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has won four times, including over 1m2f on fast ground at Haydock last season; some fair efforts this term, notably when third at Newbury two runs back (1m2f, good to firm); major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lady Of Arabia

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Record of 7-20 on AW and 2-3 since wearing visor; midfield in notable handicap at Lingfield (1m2f) most recently, shaping as if this return to further is worth exploring; could go well in the retained headgear.

6/1

5th

5

(10)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Lingfield (AW)

Lady Of Arabia

8st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

2-2 since visored, following a 1m2f Chelmsford win with a ready success at Wolverhampton last month (9.5f); up 4lb and drawn widest so she will need to produce another personal best to complete her hat-trick.

12/1

3rd

4

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Lingfield (AW)

Lady Of Arabia

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Five-time AW winner who looks a solid contender, having shown herself back in better form with third-place finishes off current mark at Southwell (1m) in last three outings; should be thereabouts again.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: -64024 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won novice races at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m2f, soft) for James Fanshawe; yet to win a handicap but ran well when second at Newmarket (1m2f, good; cheekpieces on for first time) two runs back to one who was completing a hat-trick; headgear retained; chance on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

17:25 Sandown

Maso Bastie

10st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Good efforts in just two 1m2f handicaps for this stable, doing well against a progressive one at Newmarket (good; has won on soft) then things didn't go his way after another slow start at Doncaster in August; the return to a stiff finish can suit; has every chance.

9/1

5th

1

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Maso Bastie

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Won novice races at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m2f, soft) for James Fanshawe; yet to win a handicap but ran well when second at Newmarket (1m2f, good; cheekpieces on for first time) two runs back to one who was completing a hat-trick; headgear retained; chance on that form.

6/1

4th

3

(5)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Hamilton

Maso Bastie

10st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Michael Bell

Inconsistent but returned to form in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when runner-up at Newmarket (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago; has run well over an extended 1m4f in the past and he's one to consider; tongue-tie added.

11/4

5/1

Form: -68344 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Two wins over this trip on good/good to firm for David O'Meara last term; bought for 7,500gns last autumn and creditable runs for present yard, including when fourth at Ayr last week (1m2f, good to soft); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(5)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Eeetee

9st 5lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Two wins at Redcar (1m, good to firm/good to soft) last summer, the latest off today's mark; however, it was a tame end to the season and this 8yo needs to get back on track on his reappearance.

50/1

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Eeetee

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Wainwright

Has gained all wins on turf, mostly at Redcar; has gone off the boil since last success and this return to AW seems unlikely to help, with record in this sphere far from solid.

20/1

12

(13)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Eeetee

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Wainwright

Showed his liking for Redcar with C&D wins in June and July; things haven't gone to plan since but he met trouble here in August and a heavy defeat last time came in the Legends race at Doncaster; not inconceivable he'll bounce back.

20/1

10/1

Form: 184-14 CD

Last run: 177 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Series of good runs last season, notably when winning a C&D handicap off 8lb lower in September (soft); also won a 15-runner handicap in Abu Dhabi in January (1m4f, good); off since February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(1)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Nottingham

Ala Kaifi

10st 2lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Ismail Mohammed

took keen hold, prominent, switched to centre 4f out, weakened from 1f out

20/1

9th

1

(6)

25th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

15:55 Redcar

Ala Kaifi

10st 1lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Ismail Mohammed

in touch with leaders on outer

14/1

5th

1

(7)

15th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

16:50 Doncaster

Ala Kaifi

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ismail Mohammed

Series of good runs last season, notably when justifying favouritism in this race (soft) off 7lb lower; also won in Abu Dhabi in January (1m4f, good) and wasn't disgraced back here four weeks ago after six months off, albeit having been backed into second favouritism; needs overall improvement and 5lb claimer is enlisted.

12/1

5/1

Form: 573084

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Hasn't added to last season's two wins (7f/1m, good/good to firm) but ran well when close fourth at Chester (good) last time on first go at this trip, beaten a length despite stumbling early on; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(11)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:15 Chester

Tobetso

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Respectable fourth over C&D (good) last month but followed that with a poor run at Doncaster and he effectively refused to race in blinkers (which are quickly discarded) at Beverley a fortnight ago; hard to know what to expect.

28/1

11th

12

(3)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Beverley

Tobetso

8st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Consistency is an issue but he's on a good mark on this year's best, notably a close third at Thirsk in May; blinkers tried for the first time, which could be significant as the only other occasion he's worn headgear resulted in a Brighton win last summer (cheekpieces when trained by W Haggas).

16/1

8th

9

(1)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Tobetso

8st 10lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Hasn't added to last season's two wins (7f/1m, good/good to firm) but ran well when close fourth at Chester (good) last time on first go at this trip, beaten a length despite stumbling early on; interesting.

5/1

Non-runners

Arcadian Nights

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.50
Straight Forecast £23.72
Tricast £105.08
Trifecta £140.30

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Naaey

TOPSPEED:

Tobetso

The Times:

Ala Kaifi

RP RATINGS:

Sudden Ambush

Telegraph:

Maso Bastie

SPOTLIGHT:

Lady Of Arabia

The Star:

Crystal Mariner

Daily Record:

Ala Kaifi

Daily Mail:

Naaey

D Express:

Naaey

The Sun:

Naaey

POSTDATA:

Tobetso

The Guardian:

Tobetso

Daily Mirror:

Sudden Ambush