July 14 / 14.50 Ascot

14.50

Good To Firm

Knights Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £8450.99
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Knights Nursery Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 421 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has improved in his three starts, getting off the mark at Carlisle (6f, good to soft) 16 days ago; ran well on good to firm the time before and although the Carlisle runner-up did little for the form at Ayr on Monday, he still rates a serious player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(18)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Soldiers Gold

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Unraced on soft/heavy; came up short in the Vintage but has progressive form otherwise; ran well off top weight in 7f nursery at the York Ebor festival last time; has frame possibilities on ratings.

12/1

5th

1

(10)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Soldiers Gold

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Hugo Palmer

Improved again when comfortably winning a 6f Ascot nursery (good) last month; not up to the Group 2 Vintage at Glorious Goodwood on his first attempt at 7f but this is a more realistic assignment.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 234 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
650,000gns yearling; promising second of ten on his York debut (6f, good to firm) in May, but hasn't built on it in two subsequent starts under similar conditions; gelded since last seen, but he needs to resume his progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

13th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:28 Leicester

Impressive Act

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Appleby

Not living up to his yearling price-tag but has made the frame on all four starts, most recently when creditable second of ten on nursery debut at Ascot (6f, good) last month; has to take a 3lb rise on the chin but ought to make his presence felt again.

3/1

2nd

3

(6)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ascot

Impressive Act

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Appleby

took keen hold, held up in midfield, headway over 2f out, ridden and challenging when hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong

4/1

4th

4

(1)

15th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Haydock

Impressive Act

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

dwelt start and slowly into stride, in rear

5/4

11/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 493

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Promising fourth of ten on her debut on the Newmarket Rowley Mile (6f, good) in May and, after a lesser performance on the AW, she bounced back with a creditable third of six on the July Course (7f, good) three weeks ago; faded late after pulling hard then so the return to this trip should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(7)

13th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:28 Leicester

Oops

9st 1lb

J: Connor Planas

T: George Boughey

Kept on well for third on last month's nursery debut at Ascot (6f, good) but was behind Impressive Act there and his 7f run at Newmarket three weeks ago was a backward step; others preferred.

8/1

6th

4

(9)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Newmarket (July)

Oops

9st 2lb

J: Connor Planas

T: George Boughey

Only modest effort in four starts came on the AW and she looked as though the return to this trip would suit when third of ten in an Ascot nursery (6f, good) eight days ago; should run her race, but she looks vulnerable to an improver and her rider is unable to claim.

7/1

3rd

6

(2)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ascot

Oops

9st 5lb

J: Connor Planas

T: George Boughey

in rear and pushed along, headway and switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, went third towards finish

11/1

Form: 633

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved from his debut when third of five at Salisbury (5f, good) in May (runner-up won next time) and although well beaten when filling the same position at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) seven days later, he did have excuses (pulled hard, raced wide); could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Mr Baloo

9st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Lingfield (1m, AW) last month but not at the same level at Epsom (8.5f, good) and Kempton (7f, AW) since, and needs to get back on track.

20/1

8th

2

(11)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Mr Baloo

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Added to a good record in the spring when winning off 2lb lower at Lingfield (1m) last month in first-time cheekpieces; a long way below that level on turf since and this trip is a bare minimum round here, especially from a wide stall.

16/1

9th

5

(5)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:58 Epsom

Mr Baloo

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

7f nursery winner here (good; has won on good to firm) in 2023; landed seventh AW win when scoring at Lingfield (1m; first-time cheekpieces, retained) a fortnight ago; has won off higher marks than this and must be considered on his return to turf.

7/2

Form: 386

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when last of three on his Newmarket debut (5f, soft) in May, but has gone backwards in two subsequent starts; first-time hood will need to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(8)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ascot

White Christmas

8st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Not beaten far when last of three on his Newmarket debut (5f, soft) in May, but has gone backwards in two subsequent starts; first-time hood will need to make a big difference.

20/1

6th

8

(6)

15th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Haydock

White Christmas

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

led, headed but prominent after 2f, ridden 2f out, lost position over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

10/1

5

(2)

8th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

18:10 Yarmouth

White Christmas

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Last of three at Newmarket (5f, soft) on debut appeared to be fair form, among the best in this line-up; however, he was well below that figure back at Newmarket (6f, good) 11 days later; return to 5f may help.

4/1

8/1

Form: 510

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Improved from her Chantilly debut to win a Wetherby maiden (5.5f, good to firm) last month, but was out of her depth in the Group 3 Albany 17 days later; back in calmer waters, but this still looks tough off joint top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Passionately

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Amy Murphy

made all, increased tempo from over 3f out, hung right from over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong

33/1

1st

3

(6)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Passionately

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Amy Murphy

made all, increased tempo from over 3f out, hung right from over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong

33/1

7th

2

(4)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Ripon

Passionately

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Amy Murphy

awkward start, in rear

12/1

Form: 088

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
120,000gns yearling; well beaten in three starts over 6f-6.5f; this may be more realistic receiving weight from all her rivals with a visor fitted, but a leap of faith is still required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

17th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

16:00 Leicester

Time Signature

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

Gelded before coming in a below-par seventh in 7f Kempton nursery 29 days ago; visor is refitted now with plenty more required if he's to shed his maiden tag.

7/1

7th

5

(7)

18th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:52 Kempton (AW)

Time Signature

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

No closer than seventh in five starts, but was sent off just 4-1 when beating one home at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last time; gelded since and interesting to see if the money comes again for him on AW debut.

14/1

9th

1

(8)

26th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:05 Lingfield

Time Signature

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: William Knight

Minor promise in three maiden/novice runs at around 6f; tried in a visor for his nursery debut at Ascot (6f, good) 12 days ago but never able to land a blow; up in trip and down in class so could yet fare better.

6/1

7/1

Form: 751

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Improved on his first two efforts (over this trip) when narrowly landing a Lingfield maiden (7f, good to firm) last time (first two pulled well clear); the way he rallied to win that race doesn't suggest the return to 6f is likely to be in his favour, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(3)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Quickfire

9st 4lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Mark Loughnane

Took well to first-time cheekpieces in classified event in August for a second turf win; well beaten back on AW since and still has something to prove in this sphere.

25/1

10th

3

(11)

23rd Sep 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Quickfire

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Struggled in first four runs for current yard but he turned things around with cheekpieces added when landing a classified event at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) last month; now returns to AW but he's unexposed in this sphere and this step back up in trip should be fine; respected back in a handicap.

11/2

1st

11

(1)

19th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

19:40 Yarmouth

Quickfire

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Sharp regression for his current yard this year; wears first-time headgear as he drops from middle-distances and has it all to prove.

12/1

20/1

Form: 6884

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 9lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all four starts, though didn't fare badly when fourth of seven in a York maiden (6f, good to firm; 125-1) last month; form may not be that solid, though, and he probably needs to improve for the visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Damien Wingrove

in rear

16/1

10th

10

(6)

10th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Damien Wingrove

in rear

16/1

8th

9

(3)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Socialise

8st 9lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Recorded sole success over 6f; not particularly solid on his sprint form for new yard but shapes as if this return to 7f is possibly worth exploring; may raise his game.

12/1

Form: 461 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Poor in his first two starts over 5f on a soft surface in April, but a complete contrast when landing an Ayr maiden (6f, good to firm) last month; significant rain would be an issue, but makes plenty of appeal otherwise if conditions remain on the fast side; stable has a good record in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(1)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Ascot

Dark Points

9st 7lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Poor in his first two starts over 5f on a soft surface in April, but a complete contrast when landing an Ayr maiden (6f, good to firm) last month; significant rain would be an issue, but makes plenty of appeal otherwise if conditions remain on the fast side; stable has a good record in this race.

5/1

1st

2

(2)

13th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Dark Points

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in second, pushed along 2f out, ridden and led 1f out, edged right inside final 110yds, kept on

25/1

6th

4

(5)

30th Apr 2023

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

16:15 Musselburgh

Dark Points

9st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Tailed off on debut at Leicester a fortnight ago but sent off just 9-4 and perhaps heavy ground didn't suit; he's the first foal of a Group-placed 1m 2yo winner and could be a different proposition here for his top yard.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £15.17
Tricast £173.62
Trifecta £168.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Impressive Act

SPOTLIGHT:

Dark Points

Daily Mirror:

Soldier's Gold

LAMBOURN:

Quickfire

The Times:

Passionately

Telegraph:

Oops

The Guardian:

Socialise

TOPSPEED:

Mr Baloo

POSTDATA:

Impressive Act

NEWMARKET:

Impressive Act

Daily Mail:

Impressive Act

D Express:

Dark Points

Daily Record:

Dark Points

The Sun:

Soldier's Gold

The Star:

Quickfire