June 27 / 16.00 Brighton

16.00

Good To Firm

Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares Handicap

  • Prize money: £5129.32
  • 0m 6f 210y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Play With The Finest Bookmaker, Fitzdares Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 5-0212 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Off the mark (eighth attempt) with a convincing win in a C&D handicap (firm) last month and found more progress when going close in his follow-up bid at Chepstow; only 1lb higher and he's a big player back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

12

(14)

31st Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Sir Winston

9st 6lb

J: C Y Ho

T: George Baker

Won three times over this trip last year when with Roger Varian; no wins in seven for current yard and this is a tough race in which to put that right; in first-time cheekpieces today.

40/1

8th

2

(12)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Sir Winston

9st 13lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Triple 7f winner for Roger Varian last year; gave a pretty good account before fading into sixth at Epsom (7f, good) nine days ago but is now 0-6 for George Baker and needs to find something extra.

33/1

6th

1

(1)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

21:00 Epsom

Sir Winston

10st 0lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: George Baker

prominent

11/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 486853

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Triple 6f winner but he can compromise his chance by starting slowly or pulling hard; finished well to snatch third over 5f at Sandown (good to firm) last time but he's now 0-16 since his last success 11 months ago and is untried at this trip; others preferred
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

15

(12)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Tolstoy

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Low-key return to turf at York (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; should be well treated but he comes with risks attached.

25/1

14th

11

(2)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Tolstoy

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Drew a blank in 2025 but he has slipped a long way in the weights; absent since a poor run at Newcastle (7f) in February; headgear absent for his return and dropping back to 6f isn't sure to suit.

33/1

10th

12

(11)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Tolstoy

9st 4lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Brian Ellison

Too headstrong in a clear lead at Southwell (7f) last time, so did fairly well to be beaten only 2l in the end; gained last win off 10lb higher at Newcastle in August 2024; fighting chance provided he settles.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 466646 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner on turf and AW but the latter is more his scene, hence a 9lb lower mark on grass; didn't get much luck when a close sixth at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last time but this looks tougher back up in grade and he will need a good pace back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Poetic Force

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Recorded the 18th win of his long career when leading late over C&D in February (for Myla Coppins); ran well behind a thriving rival at Lingfield next time but he failed to fire over C&D a fortnight ago (finished behind Coloane); he has bounced back from quiet runs before so can't be ruled out.

6/1

8th

7

(7)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Poetic Force

9st 5lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Tony Carroll

18th success of his long career when getting the better of Antiquity (winner since and runs in the 6.00) over C&D last month; bumped into an in-form opponent at Lingfield two weeks ago (7f; blinkered first time); another 2lb rise is not ideal but he is likely to give his running.

5/1

2nd

2

(4)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

13:53 Lingfield (AW)

Poetic Force

9st 9lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Well into the veteran stage but he retains plenty of enthusiasm and ran on well to beat a subsequent winner (Age Of Time third) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) three weeks ago, his 18th success; a 2lb rise not excessive but late in the day to be giving blinkers a go (has run well in new headgear before).

10/1

Form: 7-0827 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 827 in C&D races last month, so recent inconsistency leaves him somewhat hard to predict; however, he won off 1lb higher here (good to firm) last August and could make a serious impact if he's on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Brighton

King Of War

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Four C&D wins to his name, the latest in June off 4lb lower; an easy lead would seem unlikely and this opposition may prove too demanding.

16/1

8th

3

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:48 Epsom

King Of War

10st 1lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Front-runner who is probably best known for his exploits at Brighton; won there (7f, good to firm) in June and was placed from favourable draw at Chester (7f, good) last month but finished well down the field when last in action and might find others better treated.

10/1

11th

12

(8)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

King Of War

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Likes to get on with it and he registered the latest of his six wins when making all in five-runner Brighton handicap (7f, good to firm) last month; went off too quickly next time but his third at Chester was a solid effort two weeks ago; same mark and this is tougher, though.

16/1

14/1

Form: -88315 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Four-time course winner (6f/7f), who recorded his 11th success when scoring at Lingfield (6f, AW) last month; flopped at Goodwood last time but he raced alone on the near side and it wouldn't be a surprise if he bounced back with a bold bid back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(9)

7th Nov 2023

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:22 Lingfield (AW)

Mamillius

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Baker

Veteran who has been a bit in and out this year, but is 2lb lower than when successful over 6f here in May; return to this trip no problem having won twice over C&D, but he needs to better his two efforts since returning to the AW in September.

16/1

8th

1

(5)

26th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

13:50 Lingfield (AW)

Mamillius

9st 12lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: George Baker

held up in rear

10/1

Form: -32423 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won four times last season including this race (good to firm); now 0-11 since her last success ten months ago but she's been consistent and was only narrowly denied off 1lb lower at Bath (5.7f) on her penultimate run; dangerous on this step back up to 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

25th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Granary Queen

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Six-time winner who is well treated on best form; however, below par during a light 2024 campaign and failed to revive on reappearance; best watched unless the betting suggests otherwise.

7/1

6th

11

(9)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Granary Queen

9st 1lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

held up in rear

10/1

6th

11

(9)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Granary Queen

9st 1lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

held up in rear

10/1

Form: 16-785 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who is a dual C&D winner (good to firm) but he's finished down the field in his three runs this season and was beaten 10l at Yarmouth last time; now 4lb lower than for last success but he needs a major revival back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Ideal Guest

9st 8lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Off the mark for the season when making all at Pontefract last time (6f, good); his other five wins have all been over 7f (two sound runs on both C&D starts); well drawn; a possible.

9/2

1st

2

(8)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Pontefract

Ideal Guest

9st 12lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Losing run is mounting up but he shaped well from the front over C&D (good) eight days ago, eventually tying up having kicked clear too soon in hindsight, beaten only 2l; big chance off same mark with Ethan Tindall taking off a bonus 5lb, provided his energy is used better.

3/1

4th

8

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:05 Pontefract

Ideal Guest

9st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Harriet Bethell

Ran poorly last time, failing to back up reappearance effort and continuing his long losing spell; otherwise well capable of taking a serious hand off current mark, provided he rebounds.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7651-8 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ended last year with a 4l win in a Chelmsford novice (7f, AW) but she returned from an absence with a low-key effort on her handicap debut at Kempton (15-2) two weeks ago; still has potential after only five starts but she needs to resume her progress back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

27th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:00 Brighton

Whispering Song

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Ended last year with a 4l win in a Chelmsford novice (7f, AW) but she returned from an absence with a low-key effort on her handicap debut at Kempton (15-2) two weeks ago; still has potential after only five starts but she needs to resume her progress back on turf.

5/1

8th

1

(3)

14th Jun 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Whispering Song

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

slowly away, towards rear

6/1

1st

10

(7)

10th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Whispering Song

9st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Big prices and out of the frame in her first three outings (around 2l behind Colombidea at Kempton on her second start); likely she won't come into her own until tackling handicaps over further.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.90
Straight Forecast £12.82
Tricast £71.73
Trifecta £70.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sir Winston

Daily Mail:

Granary Queen

TOPSPEED:

King Of War

NEWMARKET:

Whispering Song

The Star:

Tolstoy

RP RATINGS:

Sir Winston

The Times:

Sir Winston

Telegraph:

Sir Winston

The Guardian:

Sir Winston

The Sun:

Sir Winston

Daily Record:

Sir Winston

POSTDATA:

King Of War

D Express:

Granary Queen

Daily Mirror:

Granary Queen