May 19 / 13.30 Newbury

13.30

Good To Soft

Starlight Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4527.4
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Starlight Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

1st
10 (10)
Mabre

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.70
  • Place: £4.10

Form: 071239 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Tough sort who stands his racing well, though he has a bit to prove after a modest effort when sent off favourite on his return to turf at Nottingham (1m, soft) last month; wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(9)

30th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

14:15 Pontefract

Mabre

10st 1lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: David Evans

Three 1m wins this season and he went desperately close at Chester 16 days ago (7.5f, soft); only 1lb higher here and Ben Curtis is a positive booking; one to take seriously.

6/1

2nd

9

(8)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

17:45 Chester

Mabre

9st 5lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: David Evans

All of his eight wins have been at 1m and latest was in blinkers at Newbury (good) in May; only 1lb higher than for that success but he's gone off the boil in last two starts and was a remote third over 7f here last time; down the list.

16/1

3rd

10

(1)

30th Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:40 Chester

Mabre

10st 5lb

J: Miss Sophie Bain

T: David Evans

Stands his racing really well and as good as ever when winning an apprentice handicap at Newbury (1m, good) last month; respectable second on firm going at Bath a week later; below-form fifth over 1m2f back at Newbury 15 days ago but this is more his trip.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 1307-0 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Three wins in the middle of last year and back off the same mark as when getting the race in the stewards' room at Chepstow (1m, good to firm) on the final occasion; well held on his return from six months off at Kempton (1m, AW) 16 days ago, but his record suggests he would have needed it; claims if the ground dries out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(10)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Greg The Great

9st 2lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

in touch with leaders

10/1

10th

8

(4)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Greg The Great

8st 12lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

midfield, pushed along under 5f out, weakened 2f out

5/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 0500-9 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Sent off favourite for his Brighton return (7f, good to firm) this month, but failed to beat a rival and has been successful in just one of his last 36 starts; continues to slide down the weights and cheekpieces now go on, but still makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(12)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Ayr

Trais Fluors

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Linda Perratt

Oldest contender in this field; gained last five wins on Newcastle AW and hasn't scored on turf for three years; brings mixed recent handicap form to classified debut.

8/1

7th

6

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:07 Newcastle (AW)

Trais Fluors

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Veteran (13-103), latest win C&D (from 5lb higher) on New Year's Day; out of sorts lately, so perhaps age is beginning to catch up with him.

20/1

Form: 76067- D

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Now 6lb lower than when successful at Doncaster (1m, good) last summer, but unplaced in all seven subsequent starts; off seven months, but has gone well fresh before and well-enough treated to make his presence felt if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(13)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Newmarket

Le Reveur

10st 8lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

Nowhere in this 12 months ago but returns in better form having won on the July course last month by nearly 5l and then close up at Newcastle off this 8lb higher mark; in the mix.

12/1

3rd

10

(1)

31st Aug 2023

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Le Reveur

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

dwelt start, in rear

16/1

1st

9

(9)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Newmarket (July)

Le Reveur

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Mike Murphy & Michael Keady

raced centre, took keen hold

16/1

6/1

Form: 146-33 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Seems versatile as regards trip, but proved he had the pace for this sort of test when winning at Ffos Las (1m, good) last September; has run well to finish third at Windsor (1m, soft) and Bath (1m, good to soft) since returning from 182 days off last month and the latter contest was much stronger than this one; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Bath

Rival

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: John & Rhys Flint

Winless since 2022 and nothing like as good now; failed to build significantly on reappearance when sixth of ten over 1m at Chepstow (good) last month and the losing run seems likely to continue

10/1

6th

6

(10)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

17:35 Chepstow

Rival

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: John & Rhys Flint

Winless since 2022 and nothing like as good now; entitled to have needed his C&D comeback at his age nine days ago after a lengthy layoff but finished well held.

10/1

8th

3

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:55 Chepstow

Rival

9st 7lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: John & Rhys Flint

Last of two wins came in September 2022; seemed to find his level again last year when making the frame four times; has been absent since last August though and needs to hit the ground running.

9/2

40/1

Form: 6/0847

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in seven starts on the AW with her best efforts coming over 6f; 2lb wrong for her turf debut and has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(7)

21st Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Runner Bean

9st 0lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Ed de Giles

13-race maiden; yet to show worthwhile form on turf and her AW record (easily best effort in 2021) is not convincing either; first headgear.

66/1

10th

7

(8)

9th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Kempton (AW)

Runner Bean

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

12-race maiden who has yet to hit the frame and finished tailed off last week at Bath.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 413422 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Seen more often on the AW and has been running well lately, finishing runner-up over 7f/1m at Kempton in his last two starts; still looks on a fair mark returned to grass, but best turf form has come on good to firm so he may need the ground to dry out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

14th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Sandy Paradise

9st 10lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Richard Hughes

pressed leader, led after 1f, headed then sustained duel with winner inside final furlong, just held

15/2

7th

7

(8)

25th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Sandy Paradise

9st 11lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Three of his five wins have come at this track; not at his best on turf the last twice but he's edging back down the weights and a better showing can't be ruled out.

16/1

9th

9

(9)

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Sandy Paradise

8st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Five-time AW winner but made it 0-12 on turf when finishing last at Brighton, where he ran well to be third the time before; even if back on song, all his wins have come at a lower level than this.

25/1

8/1

Form: 556-55 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Not shown much in two starts on the AW (1m/1m2f) since returning last month, but he was in good form turf last summer including wins at Nottingham (1m, good to firm) and Yarmouth (1m, good to firm); looks to be on an attractive mark returned to turf and drying ground would bring him right into it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

14:54 Leicester

Lennys Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Adam Kirby

Nine wins over the years, including two early last summer, but he's been going the wrong way this term; admittedly badly hampered on latest outing; 6lb below his last winning mark.

20/1

7th

2

(8)

21st Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

15:56 Brighton

Lennys Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Adam Kirby

Multiple winner but an 8yo now and hasn't been remotely threatening in last four races.

20/1

11th

2

(10)

8th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Pontefract

Lennys Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Adam Kirby

Multiple winner; narrowly beaten on yard debut at Lingfield in March (1m2f AW) but this 8yo's form has cooled.

10/1

Form: 673-02

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden who came closest to winning when beaten a neck at Newcastle (1m, AW; first-time cheekpices) ten days ago; races off the same mark and blinkers now given a go, so one for the shortlist if able to reproduce that form back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

21st Jun 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

18:50 Newcastle (AW)

Flag Of Truth

9st 3lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Archie Watson

0-7 but came closest to winning when beaten a neck here (1m; first-time cheekpieces) last month; now 3lb lower, but has appeared to find this trip too far in three previous attempts.

10/1

4th

2

(5)

4th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:45 Nottingham

Flag Of Truth

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Archie Watson

Six-race maiden; well held in blinkers at Newbury most recently; went close in cheekpieces (now reapplied) over 1m at Newcastle earlier in May and has a fighting chance on that form.

11/2

9th

1

(13)

19th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Newbury

Flag Of Truth

10st 2lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Archie Watson

Five-race maiden who came closest to winning when beaten a neck at Newcastle (1m, AW; first-time cheekpices) ten days ago; races off the same mark and blinkers now given a go, so one for the shortlist if able to reproduce that form back on turf.

5/1

Form: 046-09 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Turned over a 1-16 favourite when winning a Chepstow novice (1m) last August, but unplaced in five starts back in handicaps over 1m-1m4f on turf/AW since; cheekpieces given a go, but hard to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Painless Potter

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Picked up for 14,000gns after winning a Worcester hurdle (2m4f) for Shaun Lycett in the autumn; poor in two runs for this yard since and would want to see good support before considering him.

20/1

10th

2

(11)

17th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 5

13:20 Newcastle (AW)

Painless Potter

9st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

One win each on Flat (2022 turf novice) and over hurdles (made all this September); left Shaun Lycett for 14,000gns before pulled up in a hurdle race seven weeks ago; some AW minor honours make this look a good mark.

12/1

0

14

29th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Worcester

Painless Potter

10st 10lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Formerly a fairly useful Flat-racer and came good over hurdles at ninth attempt, making all in C&D handicap for Shaun Lycett this month; recently changed hands for 14,000gns; interesting to see what new stable can do with him.

12/1

9/1

Form: 77335- D

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Beaten ten times after making a winning reappearance at Windsor (1m, good) last season, but is 8lb lower this time around so well worth a second look; no headgear today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(13)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Newton Jack

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Stuart Kittow

Effective on Polytrack and he's well handicapped on his form up to last autumn; however, he's run just twice this year and has been tailed off each time (May/August); major turnaround required.

16/1

7th

3

(10)

31st Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:06 Bath

Newton Jack

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Stuart Kittow

Well beaten (bled from the nose) on seasonal debut in May and not seen again since; well handicapped on some of last year's form but needs to prove his wellbeing; cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

11th

11

(6)

19th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Newbury

Newton Jack

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Stuart Kittow

Beaten ten times after making a winning reappearance at Windsor (1m, good) last season, but is 8lb lower this time around so well worth a second look; no headgear today.

9/1

12th
4 (12)
Taravara

20/1

Form: 01-048 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
1-22 with his win coming at Southwell (1m, AW) last December, but well held in three starts since; 2lb below his winning mark and has gone close a couple of times on turf (both times in a visor), so he could make an impact back from a short break in the returning headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:45 Nottingham

Taravara

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon Pearce

Sole win over 1m on AW in late 2022; 0-11 on turf but he hasn't often had the fast ground that suits and he looks well worth another go back at this trip after weakening over 1m2f here this month; can be involved.

4/1

4th

1

(4)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:57 Nottingham

Taravara

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Simon Pearce

Lacks consistency, has won only once (26 races) and is better known nowadays on the AW; beaten a head three starts back at Kempton (Polytrack) and is back to the same career-low mark, but others have more pressing claims.

9/1

Form: 8312-5 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner on the AW and rarely seen on turf (0-12) these days; not digraced when fifth of 12 on his return from 132 days off at Kempton (1m) this month (fourth has won since), but has something to prove back on grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

6th Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Calonne

9st 7lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Robyn Brisland

4lb higher than his latest win at Lingfield in December (7f, Polytrack) and ran well when 1lb higher than this next time; form has been tailing off since then and he has a bit to prove dropping back to this trip.

7/1

8th

9

(4)

14th Jun 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton (AW)

Calonne

9st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Robyn Brisland

Last two wins came off breaks of 142 and 131 days but is fine with a quick turnaround; course runs this year suggest he may find a few better handicapped, though; cheekpieces discarded.

14/1

Non-runners

Calonne

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £170.10
Straight Forecast £119.88
Tricast £1260.83
Trifecta £1519.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Trais Fluors

Telegraph:

Sandy Paradise

SPOTLIGHT:

Rival

The Sun:

Flag Of Truth

NEWMARKET:

Taravara

POSTDATA:

Lenny's Spirit

The Guardian:

Mabre

Daily Record:

Calonne

The Times:

Newton Jack

D Express:

Sandy Paradise

Daily Mirror:

Rival

TOPSPEED:

Trais Fluors

Daily Mail:

Trais Fluors

The Star:

Trais Fluors