June 27 / 19.15 Newbury

19.15

Good To Firm

Donnington Grove Vets Handicap

  • Prize money: £5574.2
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Donnington Grove Vets Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0-6135

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Pulled clear with the runner-up when returning to winning form at Windsor (11.4f, soft) last month and the form of his third of 18 at York (1m4f, good) nine days later could hardly be working out better; held in cheekpieces (now removed) at Nottingham (1m6f, good to firm) this month, but a big player back at this trip; owner also represented by Vaynor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(3)

23rd Apr 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:55 Epsom

Splendent

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Well beaten on recent reappearance at Kempton but that was his first crack at 2m and he could improve for the run; won three times last year over about 1m4f (various ground); he might be a contender now back down in trip.

10/1

7th

8

(3)

23rd Apr 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:55 Epsom

Splendent

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Well beaten on recent reappearance at Kempton but that was his first crack at 2m and he could improve for the run; won three times last year over about 1m4f (various ground); he might be a contender now back down in trip.

10/1

8th

9

(4)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Splendent

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Won at Newcastle in 2021 but came last at Wolverhampton in 2022 on his only other AW start, both on Tapeta; had turf wins last year at Windsor in May, Newbury in June and in Hungary in September, before two minor honours at Newmarket in the autumn; ran respectably on both attempts at 1m6f (last summer) but has more to prove going beyond that for the first time.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 212275 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
All three wins on the AW, the latest at Lingfield (1m2f) in January, but his limited turf form lags well behind, as when a well-held fifth of 11 at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; not hard to have reservations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Obsidian Knight

10st 0lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: T J Kent

7-25 on the AW, with one of the wins coming on his only Chelmsford start; creditable third of ten at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) 19 days ago and the second from that race has won since; stamina not assured over the longest he's tackled but can be very competitive from his mark.

11/2

3rd

2

(5)

30th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Lingfield (AW)

Obsidian Knight

10st 0lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: T J Kent

7-24 on the AW with six of those wins coming at Lingfield (1m2f/1m4f); no joy in three turf runs in May/June but he didn't get much luck back on AW at Wolverhampton last month; now only 1lb higher than for his C&D win in April and he's in the mix back at this track.

15/2

11

(1)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

20:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Obsidian Knight

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: T J Kent

7-23 on the AW with all wins coming over 1m2f/1m4f on Polytrack, six of them at Lingfield; 0-7 on Tapeta, but runner-up on four occasions so he isn't easy to dismiss.

16/1

7/2

Form: 52157 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Out of the frame in both handicaps since winning a Lingfield maiden (1m4f, AW) in February, though his latest seventh of 11 at York (1m4f, good to firm; first-time blinkers) wasn't a complete blowout; still to prove this trip on a galloping track is ideal, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

Latin Verse

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Olly Murphy

Has patchy profile but he's feasibly treated on best form and was disputing second when he fell at the last at Taunton (2m, soft) in final run last season; returns after almost a year off but conditions are no problem and he needs a close look on first run for Olly Murphy.

7/2

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

Form: 47-433

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Made winning reappearance at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) last year, but finished well behind Splendent on his return in the same race this time around (soft); has twice finished third since, though, and very much suited by fast ground so a player if those conditions prevail.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(3)

25th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Noble Masquerade

9st 13lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

always behind

10/1

3rd

2

(2)

8th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Noble Masquerade

10st 0lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

slowly into stride, in rear, some headway over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong

8/1

OUR TIP

3/1

Form: 211-03 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Four wins over 1m4f-1m6f on turf/AW last year and a better effort on his second start back when third of ten at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) 11 days ago; suspicion this may be an insufficient test for him now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Vaynor

10st 9lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

His last win was two years ago but he's on a dangerous mark and was a good second in amateur jockeys' handicap at Haydock (1m6f, good) 17 days ago; should be fine on this drop back in trip and has claims if he can build on that last run.

4/1

5

(6)

8th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Haydock

Vaynor

10st 12lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

His mark continues to fall and he didn't run badly at Windsor (1m2f) in May when back from an absence; however, he's failed to threaten on his three starts since (1m2f-1m6f) and needs to turn things around.

14/1

5th

4

(1)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newbury

Vaynor

11st 1lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Charles Hills

All five wins from 1m4f to 1m6f; outpaced when fourth of six on reappearance at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May and he couldn't get in a blow over 1m4f last time; will likely need a pace meltdown; first ride under rules for James Hills.

12/1

6th
3 (3)
Greystoke

4/1

Form: 322216 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Gained compensation for a frustrating run of silver medals when winning a Chester apprentice handicap in good style (1m4f, soft) last month, but this 5lb higher mark appeared to anchor him over the same C&D (good) 15 days later; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:31 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 2lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Jimmy Frost

Regressive 7yo who was a well-beaten 66-1 shot over C&D (good) last month and is effectively only 2lb lower today.

33/1

12

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Has struggled since joining this stable, including when briefly tried over fences and in cheekpieces, but offered some hope here on heavy ground in April (2m1f); has come a long way down in the weights but returns from a break with enough to prove.

33/1

5th

7

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:44 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Consistent and capable under both codes when with Alan King; has yet to reach the frame on seven starts for this stable, trying fences the last time; has a lot to prove right now.

14/1

Form: 6-3971 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Ended his losing run when beating three rivals at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; would have a chance if repeating that, but his lack of consistency is perhaps a bigger worry than the 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:15 Hereford

Millions Memories

11st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

pulled hard, prominent, saddle slipped with one circuit to go, jumped left 3rd, not fluent 4th

12/1

4

4th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:15 Hereford

Millions Memories

11st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

pulled hard, prominent, saddle slipped with one circuit to go, jumped left 3rd, not fluent 4th, slow jump and lost position 5th, weakened 3 out

12/1

7th

10

(7)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:55 Chester

Millions Memories

10st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

towards rear

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.10
Straight Forecast £13.78
Trifecta £58.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Splendent

NEWMARKET:

Obsidian Knight

LAMBOURN:

Vaynor

D Express:

Noble Masquerade

POSTDATA:

Greystoke

The Times:

Obsidian Knight

Daily Mail:

Obsidian Knight

RP RATINGS:

Splendent

TOPSPEED:

Splendent

Telegraph:

Splendent

The Guardian:

Splendent

The Sun:

Vaynor

Daily Record:

Vaynor

Daily Mirror:

Noble Masquerade

The Star:

Noble Masquerade