September 07 / 14.10 Ascot

14.10

Soft

Chapel Down Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Chapel Down Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 1-22 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won debut at Newmarket (7f, heavy) last November and reappeared with creditable second at Thirsk (1m, good to soft) in July; gelded before his second to a Gosden newcomer in novice at Hamilton (1m3f, heavy) 15 days ago, probably running well despite starting evens; headgear is turned to for this handicap debut and his trainer (also runs Solomon) did win this race with handicap newcomers in 2015 and 2022, as well as with a more experienced sort in 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

The Reverend

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Gained a fourth Flat win with a hard-earned success in the 1m6f Old Borough Cup at Haydock last September; stamped himself as a useful recruit to hurdling when scoring at Cork last month.

7/1

1st

6

(7)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

The Reverend

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Looked one to follow when impressive on handicap debut at Ascot (1m4f, soft) last September; failed to kick on from that initially but got back on track with convincing win in small field at Ripon (1m4f, soft) in July; could have more to offer for top yard now things have clicked again, especially now back up in trip, and he's not necessarily a soft-ground specialist.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

The Reverend

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: William Haggas

Looked potentially smart when smooth winner on 1m4f Ascot handicap debut (soft) last September in first-time cheekpieces; hasn't progressed as might have been expected in three subsequent runs (favourite each time) but not disgraced either and may have found good to firm ground too lively (raced on softer than good otherwise) when fifth of 12 in a York Dante meeting handicap on reappearance (no headgear); still has time on his side and a potential class act giving weight away to lesser opposition in refitted cheekpieces.

4/7

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 84-261 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Racing too freely did not prevent bold shows on his first two starts this season, notably when plenty went wrong in handicap at Royal Ascot (sixth); duly raised his game when settling better in a first-time hood under James Doyle at Glorious Goodwood (again 1m4f on good to firm) on his only run since, coming from off the pace to edge it by a neck, as the first two drew clear; up 9lb but may well have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

French Duke

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Won in a hood (kept since) over 1m4f at Glorious Goodwood last July; never-nearer eighth when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot on 2025 reappearance and although he settled better when trying 1m6f back at Goodwood three weeks ago, his progress from the back 3f out proved very short-lived; returns to 1m4f and, having been among the market leaders for both those races this term, there's a feeling of unfinished business with this lightly raced 4yo.

9/2

10th

8

(13)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

French Duke

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Settled better in a hood (kept since) when winning over 1m4f at this meeting last year; good second at Ascot (1m4f, soft) in September and denied a prep run before his never-nearer eighth of 18 when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot (1m4f; still second favourite) six weeks ago; new trip looks interesting (if he settles) and so does last year's peak form.

4/1

8th

12

(15)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

French Duke

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Plenty went wrong when sixth in C&D handicap for 3yos at Royal Ascot 2024; held up again for two big 1m4f handicaps afterwards as 3yo when settling better in a hood and duly raising his game for a win at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm) and second here (soft); gelded since; "a little hiccup" denied him the prep race for this which his trainer wanted but this lightly raced 4yo has been relentlessly progressive so far.

13/2

12/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3-2208 BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won as 2yo on debut (1m, heavy); second in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f) in May was an excellent handicap debut and he was far from disgraced after racing freely at Royal Ascot (1m4f) next time; however, he was too free again when joint-favourite at Newmarket eight weeks ago and needs to put that performance way behind him; gelded since and now sports a hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Poniros

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Belied his 100-1 odds with a remarkable success in the Triumph at this meeting (2m1f, good to soft) last year on hurdles debut, collaring Lulamba who subsequently reversed placings with him at Punchestown and is a leading contender in today's Arkle; ran below expectations at Royal Ascot but ran promisingly, with a view to this race, in the Irish Champion Hurdle on return from layoff (got detached in the back straight, ending up with plenty to do, then stayed on for third of five); could be open to plenty of further improvement with that outing under his belt and given his very low mileage in this sphere; very interesting back at Cheltenham.

14/1

3rd

4

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

Poniros

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Made his stable/hurdles debut in the Triumph at Cheltenham, belied odds of 100-1 to win by a neck; second at Punchestown in May (despite racing freely) confirmed his high standing; ran much too freely when strongly fancied for the 2m4f Ascot Stakes.

14/1

17th

20

(10)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Poniros

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

Trained last year by Ralph Beckett, favourite when below form in the 1m1f Cambridgeshire on final outing (also below form on sole run on good to firm); made his stable/hurdles debut in March, in the Triumph at Cheltenham no less, but belied odds of 100-1 to win by a neck; second at Punchestown in May (despite racing freely) confirmed his high standing in that sphere, so he's a high-profile candidate for this return to Flat, over a very new Flat trip but his trainer usually picks the right ones for these races.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-2669

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Nearly 2-2 on AW to start his career, before put firmly in his place in the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.6f, good; unraced on softer), Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f) and the Melrose Handicap at York; gelded before the last named, in which he may have been stretched by 1m6f but a visor goes on today and others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

14:53 Chester

Imperial Sovereign

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Philip Kirby

Sole win (19 races) was a novice in 2023; running respectably this term, drawn wide when never able to challenge in the Chester Plate last time; competitively handicapped but probably not the percentage call.

7/1

7th

11

(15)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Imperial Sovereign

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

Sole win (18 races) was a novice in 2023; ended 2025 bang there in two AW handicaps (2m/1m6f) and ran respectably on both starts this term, back on good ground latest, but drawn wide and others are preferred.

16/1

3rd

4

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Nottingham

Imperial Sovereign

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Philip Kirby

Sole win (17 races) was a novice event in 2023; ended 2025 when bang there in two AW handicaps (2m/1m6f) and he wasn't disgraced behind Rock N Roll Pinkie on recent return, but not the percentage call.

13/2

Form: -21731 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Seventh in the London Gold Cup at Newbury but highly competitive in his other five races, winning three times; hung left from over 2f out on penultimate start and blinkers were enlisted when he justified favouritism in six-runner race at Goodwood (1m4f, soft) two weeks ago; up 5lb but perhaps better than the bare result last time and no worries if it's testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

11th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Newmarket

Goodwood Odyssey

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: David Menuisier

Unraced on firmer than good; highly competitive in five of his seven races, winning three; blinkered on last two starts (1m4f, soft) when winning at Goodwood but racing too freely at Ascot, and the headgear is absent today; needs to resume improvement.

12/1

5th

3

(7)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Goodwood Odyssey

9st 7lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: David Menuisier

took keen hold, midfield, lost position 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on but no impression inside final furlong

7/2

1st

7

(3)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

15:50 Goodwood

Goodwood Odyssey

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: David Menuisier

Only seventh in the London Gold Cup at Newbury but highly competitive in his other four races, winning twice and good third to the progressive Lord Of Love at Newmarket (1m4f, good) on latest start six weeks ago; looked a little awkward (hung left) at Newmarket (hung left) and blinkers are enlisted this time; big player if the headgear has a positive effect.

7/2

Form: 213794

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; had 1m2f/1m3f wins in May/June; twice finished last, including over C&D, before his respectable fourth at Newbury nine days ago but he needs better than that; a hood (tried once at start of career) returns and he's tongue tied for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

19

(10)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:05 York

Whathappensinvegas

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Can take a hold so needs a good pace to aim at, which he had when winning at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in August; still 2lb higher, but this may also be run to suit him so very much frame material.

20/1

4th

7

(4)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

16:05 Epsom

Whathappensinvegas

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Below par on AW last time; largely respectable form on turf otherwise this season, notably Windsor success in August; possibly has very little in hand off current mark, however.

14/1

10

(1)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Whathappensinvegas

8st 10lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

The latest of three turf wins was at Windsor (1m2f) two weeks ago; one respectable effort on dirt at Jebel Ali in early 2024 but unraced on AW in Britain and he likely needs something new for Tapeta if he's to defy his current mark.

10/1

12/1

Form: 4-5132

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Seven races, the best efforts being his four runs on good to firm; that includes winning a maiden at Windsor (1m2f) in July and when close up since in handicaps over 1m4f here (made most) and 1m2f at Newbury; that was progressive form but he has a bit to prove back on good ground or softer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

Houstonn

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Richard Hannon

0-10 in handicaps; twice third over 1m4f at Ascot this year but last two efforts have been below par; dropped another 3lb but it's not enough to tempt.

9/1

1

(6)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newbury

Houstonn

10st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

0-9 in handicaps; best form when second in the closing 1m2f race on this card last year; some respectable shows over 1m4f too, including with first-time blinkers (kept since) on penultimate start; last of ten back at Ascot last Saturday, admittedly in a Shergar Cup race and not beaten far but others have more pressing claims.

9/1

10

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Houstonn

9st 4lb

J: Ryusei Sakai

T: Richard Hannon

0-8 in handicaps; easily his best 2025 efforts were two thirds over C&D on good to firm, including when on the heels of Night Breeze on latest start, wearing first-time blinkers, but he needs to find extra.

16/1

Form: 61-001 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
After opening this campaign in the Derby and a Royal Ascot handicap, his sights were lowered somewhat when justifying favouritism in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) 16 days ago; found plenty to get on top close home and left the impression there was more to give; up 5lb but a player if he goes on the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(8)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:05 Kempton (AW)

Kamboo

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Richard Hughes

Won here as 2yo; opened his 2024 campaign in the Derby and a Royal Ascot handicap, before sights were lowered when justifying favouritism in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (1m4f, Tapeta; 4lb higher today) in August; heavy defeats in major 1m4f turf handicaps on his two subsequent starts, since which he's been gelded and had wind surgery; dark horse reappearing at 2m but his family and style of the Newcastle win give significant hope.

7/4

15th

6

(4)

11th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Newmarket

Kamboo

9st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Richard Hughes

After opening this campaign in the Derby and a Royal Ascot handicap, his sights were lowered somewhat when justifying favouritism in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (1m4f, AW); met with a heavy defeat at Ascot five weeks ago but he'd looked capable of better going into that and perhaps the soft ground was to blame; may be worth another chance.

14/1

8th

7

(4)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Kamboo

9st 4lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Richard Hughes

in touch with leaders, lost position 2f out, weakened and eased 1f out

11/1

13/2

Form: 213815 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran well on AW early this year; had traffic issues on turf/handicap debut (good to soft) but easily gained compensation when 6-5 favourite in apprentice race at Haydock (1m2f, good) in August; running him off an unchanged mark did not work out over C&D (good to firm) six days later but there had been plenty of encouragement for 1m4f before that; up 7lb but could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Solomon

9st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

AW winner in Britain (1m) and added Limerick claimer last summer for previous yard; 0-6 for current yard, slow to break and keen when last seen in November; down to a nice mark but record fresh isn't great.

12/1

9th

3

(11)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Solomon

9st 7lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

AW winner in Britain; won a claimer at Limerick in June; modest form so far since joining this stable and heavy defeats on last two starts at 1m4f; others arrive in better form.

28/1

Non-runners

High Order, Galactic Charm

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.40
Straight Forecast £20.69
Tricast £74.92
Trifecta £143.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kamboo

Telegraph:

The Reverend

Daily Mail:

Solomon

NEWMARKET:

French Duke

POSTDATA:

Goodwood Odyssey

RP RATINGS:

Poniros

TOPSPEED:

Houstonn

D Express:

Solomon

LAMBOURN:

Kamboo

The Times:

Kamboo

Daily Mirror:

Kamboo

The Star:

French Duke

The Guardian:

The Reverend

The Sun:

The Reverend

Daily Record:

The Reverend