May 23 / 15.23 Brighton

15.23

Good To Firm

Rachael Helfgott-Bates Handicap

  • Prize money: £3245.08
  • 0m 6f 210y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Rachael Helfgott-Bates Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.80
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-6136 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a C&D handicap last month; solid run on AW one week later; slowly away and never able to land a blow dropped to 5.5f at Bath last week; this should be more suitable but there are other pace influences to worry about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

23rd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

15:15 Chepstow

Diamond Cottage

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Malcolm Saunders

Course regular who led close home to score over C&D (good) last month; reportedly unsuited by the soft ground when well beaten here 16 days ago; current mark is workable if she's back on song.

9/1

8th

6

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Chepstow

Diamond Cottage

8st 13lb

J: William Carson

T: Malcolm Saunders

Notched a third course win when ending a losing run over C&D 17 days ago (unlucky Vape not far behind in sixth); got messed about a bit herself and has a fair chance of defying a 3lb rise.

3/1

1st

8

(9)

21st May 2025

Good

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:35 Chepstow

Diamond Cottage

8st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Malcolm Saunders

Suffered lots of defeats since last win nearly two years ago, though went down by a short head at Salisbury (6f) two runs ago; she was entitled to run better here last week over the 7f, though.

16/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 147-08 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Two 7f wins last summer, including here; well beaten in two runs this year and risky, for all this represents a drop in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

King Of War

10st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Habitual front-runner; reeled in after going off a bit too hard over 1m at Brighton recently but won over 7f there (good to firm) two starts ago and has the ideal draw here; could take some catching.

9/2

5th

5

(6)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:13 Brighton

King Of War

9st 5lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Ran well when third of 12 on his reappearance over C&D this month (Rogue Dynasty second), but all six wins have come over 7f including when recording his fourth course success back here eight days ago, for which he has a 4lb penalty.

2/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 458652 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Three wins and three seconds from his ten visits to Brighton; perfectly good effort when second on AW 11 days ago; should be competitive once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

1st Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:13 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 5lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

led

10/1

6th

6

(6)

1st Apr 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:13 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 5lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

led

10/1

7th

2

(5)

21st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Fieldsman

9st 8lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

12yo who was disappointing here (1m) last Tuesday but did too much too soon in that amateurs' race; had previously been running consistently well (including over C&D) and he may well bounce back with a bold bid.

10/1

Form: 44/80- D

Last run: 354 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Gained the last of his four wins back in August 2019; no impact in two runs for current stable last summer; has a year on the sidelines to overcome; blinkers now tried (has worn other headgear).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(3)

20th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

21:00 Brighton

Spirit Warning

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: George Baker

took keen hold, midfield, switched to near side over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out

11/2

5th

6

(6)

12th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Lingfield

Spirit Warning

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

took keen hold, midfield, towards rear and waiting for room 3f out, not clear run 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden and found little 1f out, weakened final 110yds

100/30

3

(6)

9th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Spirit Warning

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Losing run goes back to 2019; however, shaped encouragingly in first-time blinkers here (7f; third start for new stable) last month when back from an absence; possibilities off a handy mark in the retained headgear, with this return to 1m looking ideal.

3/1

Form: 3748-3 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
The addition of cheekpieces worked the oracle when he landed a C&D handicap last August; mixed bag since but he ran creditably over C&D on his reappearance three weeks ago; down in class this time and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:36 Chepstow

Amathus

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Patrick Chamings

Has seven wins and usually at his peak in the summer months but below his best at Bath on his last two starts; others preferred.

25/1

8th

7

(7)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

20:40 Brighton

Amathus

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Patrick Chamings

Dual C&D winner who traditionally peaks in the summer; showed enough in three runs over 1m round Bath in the spring to suggest he's still up to winning at this level if he gets one of his better starts and the race pans out his way.

20/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 2140-5 CD

Last run: 136 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Did well in the first half of 2022, winning four times (including C&D); more recent efforts leave him with something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(7)

21st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Major Gatsby

9st 7lb

J: William Carson

T: Bill Turner

Won at Wolverhampton (7f, Tapeta) last October and now 2lb lower; however, he hasn't been at the same level on either outing this year and needs to raise his game; just one win from his last 17 starts.

16/1

6th

10

(7)

23rd Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Major Gatsby

9st 3lb

J: William Carson

T: Bill Turner

1lb lower than when gaining his fourth C&D success in October, but out of the frame in three starts since; well backed last time, though, so interesting to see if the money comes for him again now returned here.

16/1

10th

5

(8)

8th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

13:15 Lingfield (AW)

Major Gatsby

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: Bill Turner

String of good runs on turf and AW last season and there were feasible excuses for his last two defeats (drawn wide/raced close to a strong pace); handicapped to be competitive.

10/1

8/1

Form: 5213-6 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Just one win from 13 starts but it came over C&D when trained by Marco Botti; modest effort on her stable debut at Kempton (1m) 13 days ago but this is weaker, the blinkers return and she isn't dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:35 Fontwell

Shalfa

12st 0lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Fair Flat racer who opened hurdling account at fifth attempt, at Plumpton (2m2f, good) last month; not quite in same form when fourth there (2m, good) a fortnight later but still enters calculations.

6/1

4th

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:37 Plumpton

Shalfa

12st 0lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Fair 1m2f Flat scorer; progressing really well in this sphere and she cosily got off the mark over 2m2f here two weeks ago; up 3lb but this strong-travelling sort is capable of better still; leading claims.

100/30

1st

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 1f 169y

Class 5

14:55 Plumpton

Shalfa

11st 12lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Lydia Richards

Five-time Flat winner at an ordinary level; lightly raced hurdler who ran well for a long way on her handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) and she'd approve should conditions be drier here.

11/2

14/1

Form: 4960-6 D

Last run: 101 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
AW winner in November 2021; gone the wrong way for current yard but he didn't run too badly over an inadequate 6f when last seen in February; cheekpieces now given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

12th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Sir Sedric

9st 3lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Lee Carter

slowly away, took keen hold, in rear, rushed up and prominent after 1f

12/1

9th

9

(3)

6th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

13:55 Lingfield (AW)

Sir Sedric

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Lee Carter

Sole win from 29 starts came for previous trainer nearly two years ago and often finds less than looks likely; visor returns to replace blinkers.

8/1

8th

10

(4)

30th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Lingfield (AW)

Sir Sedric

8st 11lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Lee Carter

Has the ability to win races off his lowly mark but he can flatter to deceive, as when fourth here two weeks ago (7f); others safer on balance.

12/1

Form: 209-06

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent for former yard and he has struggled badly on his last three runs; sold for 2,200gns this month; new headgear tried on stable debut but there are risks involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(6)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:07 Southwell (AW)

Dazzerling

8st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Phil McEntee

22-race maiden with a patchy record; likely to come up short once again; non-runner 8.00 Chelmsford Thursday.

33/1

8th

11

(3)

7th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Dazzerling

8st 9lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Phil McEntee

led, headed and prominent after 2f

14/1

4/1

Form: -62765 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Sole turf win came over C&D two years ago; on a reduced mark and he has been in fair form on AW this season; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:50 Windsor

River Wharfe

9st 4lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

11-time winner, with five on turf and six on AW; his last success was off 2lb higher at Southwell in March but he's struggled since and needs to get back on track.

20/1

8th

12

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

River Wharfe

8st 7lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Conditions to suit and he is on a winning mark but it has been a long time since he won above Class 6 company; others are stronger.

25/1

6th

8

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

11:30 Nottingham

River Wharfe

9st 4lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Tony Carroll

Came from off the pace when winning at Southwell (7f, AW) in March but he's been below that level in three starts since; all five wins on turf have been at Brighton and others have stronger claims.

14/1

Form: 073503 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
He has dropped a long way down the weights in the last six months and he didn't run badly over 6f here three weeks ago; 2lb lower this time but he's unlkely to get his own way up front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

15:42 Lingfield (AW)

Mount Mogan

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Laura Mongan

His last four wins have come over C&D; not at his best on his last two starts but he went close over a mile here in November and he races off the same mark today; needs taking seriously.

11/4

10th

1

(1)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Mount Mogan

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Laura Mongan

Four course wins over 7f, two of them early this year, but now tackles 1m for the first time on his 57th start; others look safer.

12/1

10th

1

(1)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Mount Mogan

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Laura Mongan

Four course wins over 7f, two of them early this year, but now tackles 1m for the first time on his 57th start; others look safer.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.40
Straight Forecast £42.57
Tricast £245.42
Trifecta £312.70

Selections

The Times:

River Wharfe

Telegraph:

Amathus

POSTDATA:

Diamond Cottage

SPOTLIGHT:

Shalfa

RP RATINGS:

Fieldsman

The Guardian:

River Wharfe

D Express:

River Wharfe

The Star:

River Wharfe

Daily Mirror:

Amathus

The Sun:

Amathus

Daily Record:

Amathus

Daily Mail:

Diamond Cottage