March 15 / 19.30 Kempton (AW)

19.30

Standard To Slow

Read Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham blog@unibetracing Handicap (London Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 7f 218y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Read Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham blog@unibetracing Handicap (London Stayers’ Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £4.70

Form: 1/244/

Last run: 638 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo whose last start for the Gosden yard was when fourth of 19 in the 2021 Ascot Stakes (2m4f, good to firm); changed hands for 6,000gns in October of that year and now makes his stable debut after 638 days off; market useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

13th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Golden Rules

10st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Very lightly raced, with ten runs in five years, and although smart form for these connections in 2023 included a C&D win and a close second in the Northumberland Plate, he hasn't been eased back to that level in two starts following another absence; down in grade but questions for now.

7/1

14th

15

(11)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Rules

8st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Thomas Faulkner

Nine races overall and only three in more than three years with current connections; they include however a close second in this race in 2023; he's 4lb lower today and made a satisfactory return from 637 days off when fourth of nine at Kempton (2m, AW; Who's Glen second) three months ago; another big run on this second crack at the Plate may well be in the offing.

8/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -71123 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Stepped up from his stable debut in January by winning his next two starts, the second of them over this C&D; has run creditably in both outings since and had Diamond Bay and Smart Champion behind when third of 12 back here seven days ago; strong contender from the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(10)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

First Emperor

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Ryan

Some creditable efforts over 2m this year and he wasn't far behind Red Flyer in a Class 2 over C&D (sixth of 13) last time; his losing run is mounting up but he's edging down the weights and could go well on this drop back in grade.

14/1

6th

13

(7)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:47 Lingfield (AW)

First Emperor

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Ryan

pushed along soon after start, towards rear after 2f

16/1

3rd

5

(4)

24th Feb 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

17:05 Southwell (AW)

First Emperor

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Ryan

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway over 3f out, soon outpaced, rallied from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went third towards finish, not pace to challenge

16/1

5/2

Form: 126-64 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW winner including twice over 1m4f here, but the trip was no problem when successful at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) last August; finished a fair fourth of 12 over C&D seven days ago (2l behind First Emperor) and shouldn't be far away again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Diamond Bay

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Tom Ward

On a losing run and he was tried in blinkers when a below-par seventh of ten in 1m6f handicap at Goodwood 30 days ago; others appeal more.

8/1

7th

5

(8)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Diamond Bay

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Ward

Multiple winner who stays well but has failed to beat a rival in his last two races, with and without a visor; now tries blinkers.

8/1

6th

3

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

15:18 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diamond Bay

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Tom Ward

Two wins here including over this trip, but he ran very poorly on his return from four months off at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) a fortnight ago, especially as he proven fresh; visor returns.

8/1

Form: /4265-

Last run: 300 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who came closest to winning when second of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) just over a year ago; shapes as though he will stay this far, but returns from ten months off; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

De Vegas Warrior

10st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Longstanding maiden under both codes but he was running well when crashing out two from home at Taunton 17 days ago (3m, good); enters the reckoning.

7/1

9

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

De Vegas Warrior

10st 11lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Henrietta C Knight

Didn't fire on latest outing but began handicap hurdle career with encouraging thirds at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and Fakenham (2m7f, good); 4lb lower now and Philip Armson claims 3lb today; could have a say.

12/1

6th

8

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:20 Southwell

De Vegas Warrior

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.

8/1

5/1

Form: 0/208- D

Last run: 314 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won four times over 1m4f-2m on turf after joining this yard early in 2021, but lightly raced since; may have been flattered by his second of 15 in a Group 3 at Meydan (1m6f, good) just over a year ago and now returns from 314 days off, but has dropped 1lb below his last winning mark; worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:45 Newmarket (July)

East Asia

9st 10lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Ian Williams

On a reduced mark but he returned from an absence in March and has failed to shine on his three starts this year; major turnaround needed.

20/1

10th

10

(7)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

East Asia

9st 6lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Ian Williams

Four wins (1m4f-2m) on turf in 2021 during first campaign for this yard; lightly raced since and there's a serious question whether enough ability remains, as his last serious impact was at Meydan in February 2022, but his stable (runs plenty in this field) is one to note in major staying handicaps.

20/1

Form: 181-43 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Can blow hot and cold, but she stays well as she showed when winning at Chelmsford (2m, Polytrack) in November; twice held off this mark since (including over C&D) and may again find one or two too strong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(8)

1st Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Military Two Step

9st 11lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie Johnston

0-6 this year but ran respectably in first-time blinkers at Goodwood (1m6f) most recently; interesting off a workable mark in the retained headgear, with the return to 2m looking ideal; C&D winner in 2021.

2/1

4th

5

(4)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Goodwood

Military Two Step

9st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

2lb lower than when successful at Chelmsford (2m, AW) last November, but recent efforts raise doubts over whether she can take advantage so she needs the first-time blinkers to help turn things around.

9/2

Form: -55620 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly when behind a couple of these over C&D a week ago, but remains 1lb lower than when successful here last September; could make an impact if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(8)

2nd Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smart Champion

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Has been a useful stayer in his time but losing run is up to 16, despite him having fallen 21lb below his last winning mark, and last two efforts were well below his best; best to look elsewhere.

10/1

7th

6

(8)

2nd Apr 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smart Champion

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Has been a useful stayer in his time but losing run is up to 16, despite him having fallen 21lb below his last winning mark, and last two efforts were well below his best; best to look elsewhere.

10/1

8th

6

(6)

27th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Smart Champion

8st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Defied a much higher mark over C&D in 2022; however, recent form is nowhere near that level and he finished behind two of these rivals here five weeks ago; losing sequence looks set to continue.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.20
Straight Forecast £21.71
Trifecta £81.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

First Emperor

TOPSPEED:

Diamond Bay

The Times:

De Vega's Warrior

D Express:

Golden Rules

The Star:

East Asia

RP Ratings:

First Emperor

NEWMARKET:

First Emperor

Telegraph:

First Emperor

The Guardian:

First Emperor

Daily Mail:

First Emperor

Daily Mirror:

First Emperor

The Sun:

First Emperor

Daily Record:

First Emperor

POSTDATA:

Diamond Bay

LAMBOURN:

Diamond Bay