March 15 / 19.00 Kempton (AW)

19.00

Standard To Slow

‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £30924
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 111-21 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Most progressive sort who is unfortunate not to be heading into this bidding for a sixth straight win, having lost the race in the stewards' room after narrowly finishing first past the post in a handicap at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) on his penultimate start; has since gained ample compensation in first-time blinkers (retained) in a Listed contest at Cagnes-Sur-Mer (1m, Polytrack); high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

5th

2

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Brave Emperor

9st 13lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

Has recorded his biggest wins abroad, mostly at Group level; far from solid on 2025 form, latterly in handicaps; best watched unless the market speaks positively.

33/1

15/8

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 2871-1 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Twice disappointed after a promising debut last spring but made it fourth-time lucky with a comfortable success in a Lingfield novice (7f, Polytrack) in October; gelded soon afterwards and narrowly made a successful return over 15 rivals in a Local Group 2 at Doha (1m, good) last month; respected with the run under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:38 Beverley

Alzahir

10st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Recorded his sixth victory of the year with a career-best effort in 5.4f handicap at York 16 days ago; he's also a winner in the mud so must enter calculations once more.

5/1

1

(7)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

15:00 York

Alzahir

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

He has enjoyed a fine season, winning five handicaps, and he ran another sound race when fourth in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon three weeks ago; this intermediate trip should suit and he's versatile where the going is concerned; likely to run well but might find a few better treated.

10/1

2

(17)

16th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Alzahir

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jennie Candlish

He's enjoyed a fine year and although he's come unstuck on his last two starts, he did too much early at York and then raced up the middle in the Stewards' Cup; earlier Ascot win off just 2lb lower was a fine effort; first visit to Ripon but he has won on the undulations at Epsom; drawn against the rail and a big run would seem likely.

10/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 23-243 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Made a successful AW/nursery debut for Marco Botti here (6f) in October and has run consistently well since, including on his debut for this yard when beaten just over a length into third of seven in a Listed event at Lingfield (7f, Polytrack) 11 days ago; takes on some progressive types here but a repeat of that latest effort would put him in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(5)

1st Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Chester

Tenjin

9st 2lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: John Ryan

Close Listed third at Lingfield (7f, AW) in March but unable to hit the same heights on turf on his last four starts and others are preferred.

25/1

9th

4

(9)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

17:10 Epsom

Tenjin

9st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Ryan

Close Listed third at Lingfield (7f, AW) in March but unable to hit the same heights on turf on his last three starts and others are preferred.

66/1

8th

2

(3)

6th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:15 Newmarket

Tenjin

9st 7lb

J: Adam Kirby

T: John Ryan

Ran well in the face of stiff tasks on his first two starts for John Ryan, finishing third in a Lingfield Listed event (7f) and a conditions race at Kempton (1m); did so again, at 80-1 but beaten only just over 3l, when sixth of eight in 7f Listed race at Newmarket on Friday.

40/1

Form: 13175-

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Two wins in small fields over 7f on turf last summer but limitations were then exposed in the Goffs Million at the Curragh (7f, soft) and a Group 3 at Newmarket (1m, good); half-brother to a Polytrack winner but this looks a tough ask on AW debut/return from five months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Killybegs Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Placed twice in a row in Bahrain earlier this year and didn't run badly when fifth of seven at Windsor in June following a three-month break; could build on that latest run and continues to drop down the weights, but he's without a win since July 2023 and others are more compelling.

40/1

1

(3)

30th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Killybegs Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Well treated on old form but his last win was almost two years ago; two placed efforts in Bahrain (1m1f/1m2f) earlier this year but he returned to Britain with a heavy defeat at Kempton in March; now drops back in grade but he's hard to predict and comes with risks attached after a break.

16/1

11th

12

(12)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Killybegs Warrior

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Made most when second in this race last year off 11lb higher, the last of only three ventures on AW; that has to catch the eye and he also has a chance on turf form for Charlie Johnston as recent as September; fit from placed efforts in Bahrain for new yard this year and a case can be made.

16/1

9/2

Form: 4123-3

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
4-10 on turf last year, his latest success coming in a Hamilton nursery (6f, good to soft) in August; beaten less than a length when third of four on his AW debut after 140 days off in a Wolverhampton handicap (8.6f, Tapeta) last month, but more will be needed to come out on top here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Chepstow

Coco Jack

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

All four wins were last summer, beaten nine times this season but there has been the occasional good run and he's becoming well handicapped; goes on good to soft but anything softer would be a worry; gets new blinkers.

10/1

9th

5

(6)

21st Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:30 Newmarket (July)

Coco Jack

9st 8lb

J: Levi Bedford

T: George Scott

Four-time winner but now exposed and had no excuses from a good position when fifth here last week (1m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces); best form is at shorter.

14/1

Form: 71- C

Last run: 161 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved from his Newbury debut last September when narrowly winning a novice here (7f) the following month; form of that race hasn't really worked out, but this Derby entry is beautifully bred and may show a good deal more this year; not underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(14)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Lieber Power

8st 13lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Mostly creditable efforts in defeat this season, including second of nine at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) last month; below-par sixth in this race on heavy ground last year; William Buick up but others arrive with more pressing claims.

11/1

2nd

4

(10)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:30 Windsor

Lieber Power

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Andrew Balding

Had a good summer over about 1m4f last term, including when beaten a neck by Night Breeze in this race; some minor honours this season, without being quite in peak form but he is in serious each-way calculations.

11/2

3rd

2

(11)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

20:00 Chepstow

Lieber Power

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Had a good summer over about 1m4f last term, including a win in this race (good to soft) off 6lb lower; the handicapper has been winning the argument since but recent efforts have been creditable and he ought to be competitive again.

6/1

20/1

Form: 05115- D

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Progressive in his first four starts last year, narrowly winning a Chelmsford novice (7f, Polytrack) before gaining a more emphatic success in an Ayr nursery (1m, good); found the step up to Group 3 level too much at Newmarket (1m2f, good) on his final outing, though he also appeared not to stay; will need to be at the top of his game to make a winning return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Brian Toomey

Showed notable handicap form in 2024 but has posted duck eggs in three runs since that campaign and needs to prove he retains ability; best watched on second run for new yard, unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

20th

19

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brian Toomey

Well treated on his 2024 form for Jack Channon and he won the Spring Mile at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance that season; however, just two runs last term, finishing down the field in April/May, and he has plenty to prove making his stable debut after an absence; blinkers go on.

40/1

12th

10

(15)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Last three wins over 1m, most recently the 2024 Spring Cup; however, finished a close fourth in major C&D handicap last July and could go well with Haydock reappearance under his belt.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.20
Straight Forecast £16.86
Trifecta £92.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Brave Emperor

NEWMARKET:

Alzahir

Telegraph:

Lieber Power

TOPSPEED:

Tenjin

The Times:

Killybegs Warrior

D Express:

Lieber Power

Daily Mail:

Tenjin

Daily Mirror:

Alzahir

The Sun:

Alzahir

Daily Record:

Alzahir

RP Ratings:

Brave Emperor

POSTDATA:

Brave Emperor

LAMBOURN:

Brave Emperor

The Guardian:

Brave Emperor

The Star:

Brave Emperor