August 18 / 16.20 Newbury

16.20

Good To Soft

Christopher Smith Associates LLP Handicap

  • Prize money: £5574.2
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Christopher Smith Associates LLP Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 11-500 C

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two from two last term; has struggled in three runs this season but it's possible to make an excuse for each defeat; this drop back in class may help; first go beyond 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:45 Salisbury

Zouky

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Lightly raced since competitive form over 7f at Listed level in 2023; well beaten in handicap and Listed races in two runs for current outfit but has undergone a wind operation since those; dual winner at 6f but may need further now.

9/1

11

(1)

1st Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Zouky

9st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: David Menuisier

Had Listed-race form at 7f in late 2023 but she hasn't had much racing since and while her comeback at Haydock in May was satisfactory, on debut for this yard, it still leaves her with a tough task up in grade.

40/1

3

(12)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:08 Haydock

Zouky

9st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: David Menuisier

Well beaten over C&D last August on final run for Charlie McBride and absent since; however, she has a handy mark to work with on this stable debut and ran really well on last season's reappearance; not ruled out.

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 51-793

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Gelded prior to finishing third at Ascot (7f, good to soft) three weeks ago, showing easily his best form since handicapping; may build on that effort; possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(8)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Captain Cuddles

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Fionn McSharry

Ex-Richard Hannon; not at his best this year and although well handicapped as a result, has plenty to find on recent efforts; tongue-tie now tried.

20/1

8th

8

(11)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Captain Cuddles

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Fionn McSharry

6f novice winner for Richard Hannon in July 2022 (good to firm); has not shown a great deal lately but is on a career-low mark as a result.

40/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1-1057

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Dual 6f scorer; has failed to show his form at about 7f (good/heavy) the last twice; first-time headgear may help but he still has something to prove at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(6)

26th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

13:50 Lingfield (AW)

Garner

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Archie Watson

slowly into stride, always behind

10/1

5th

4

(4)

4th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:10 Chepstow

Garner

9st 12lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Archie Watson

6f wins, including for the Charlton yard last spring, came from the front, but he was ridden more patiently when offering more in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last time; that gave something to build on dropped 2lb.

5/1

3rd

4

(6)

18th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Garner

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Dual 6f scorer; has failed to show his form at about 7f (good/heavy) the last twice; first-time headgear may help but he still has something to prove at this distance.

16/1

Form: 067212 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
In-form 6yo who regained the winning thread at Epsom (good to soft) then went very close over this C&D (soft) later in July; still well treated on peak RPRs; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

(12)

18th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Be Prepared

9st 3lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

In-form 6yo who regained the winning thread at Epsom (good to soft) then went very close over this C&D (soft) later in July; still well treated on peak RPRs; respected.

9/2

2nd

1

(4)

27th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newbury

Be Prepared

10st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

took keen hold, pressed leader, against near rail under 4f out, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied towards finish, just held

3/1

1st

12

(11)

5th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

20:00 Epsom

Be Prepared

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Tumbled down the weights and returned to his optimum conditions (7f, soft) he ran well at Brighton two weeks ago; that was a lowly Class 6 event though and he'll need vastly more to come out on top in this field.

16/1

5th
9 (1)
Snuggle

13/2

Form: 321234

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Seems held by Captain Cuddles on Ascot running three weeks ago but first-time headgear may help in the rematch; runner-up over C&D in early July and can't be dismissed back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

19:40 Chepstow

Snuggle

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Thomas Faulkner

Dual 6f Windsor winner (soft and good to firm), latterly in April 2024 for Luke Dace; left Claire Hobson after three starts, including fair fourth of nine at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft; first-time visor) last July; market might help on this stable debut (same owner) and first start for ten months.

12/1

3

(4)

28th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

14:15 Yarmouth

Snuggle

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Clare Hobson

Second of two wins was in April 2024 when trained by Luke Dace; has shown little in two starts for current trainer this year; first-time visor goes on but hard to recommend.

25/1

6th

10

(1)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Snuggle

8st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

Dual 6f winner and went close here over 6f and 7f last year when higher in the weights; however, he ran a quiet first race for this yard at Windsor last month.

20/1

Form: 2-1840 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Free-going sort who has gained both wins in six-runner races; well held in big field at Goodwood most recently; this may not be ideal, either; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(2)

18th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Peace Of Mine

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

1m2f winner on soft at a much lower level in Britain but 72-rated filly has no chance here on stable debut.

66/1

8th

3

(5)

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

17:38 Bath

Peace Of Mine

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Boughey

Won off 1lb higher on soft ground in April, albeit having dictated in small field; inconsistent since, latterly at 7f; returns to 1m2f.

16/1

5th

9

(1)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:50 Epsom

Peace Of Mine

9st 4lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Boughey

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 2f out, kept on but no impression inside final furlong

20/1

7th
10 (9)
Vape

20/1

Form: 410246

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Well exposed 6yo who has done all his winning over 6f and off marks in the 60s; opposed off 71 returned to 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Chepstow

Vape

9st 6lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: John & Rhys Flint

Dual 6f winner (once here) last summer; also suited by 7f but we haven't seen him since a disappointing AW run in September and he probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark.

12/1

2

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Vape

9st 12lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: John & Rhys Flint

Dual Polytrack winner who boasts a patchy record round here; has enjoyed a good spell of late under Charlie Tucker but whether he's up to winning on Tapeta off his revised mark is the question.

6/1

6

(5)

2nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Vape

9st 5lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: John & Rhys Flint

Thoroughly at home on this track, with three of his last four wins over C&D (good to soft and good) and the latest a fortnight ago, the day after a Windsor success; has won off higher marks than today's and his apprentice rider Charlie Tucker gets a sweet tune out of him; hat-trick is on the cards.

9/2

16/1

Form: 41-755

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
6f AW scorer last November; has failed to progress in three starts (7f/1m) this year, including on turf; may fare better off this reduced mark but others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

3

(3)

21st Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

16:00 Gowran Park

Mindthegap

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: J F Levins

Won on the AW for Richard Hannon; 0-8 on turf; best effort for current yard came in a Killarney claimer in July (1m, good) when wearing a tongue tie and visor, which are back on today; well-beaten in two handicaps since and is unproven on soft; others look more likely.

12/1

13th

3

(6)

5th Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Mindthegap

9st 13lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: J F Levins

in touch with leaders

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 511353 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Best form on good/faster (unraced on soft/heavy); scored twice in June, including over C&D; creditable third at Newmarket (6f) last week; place claims off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(10)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:45 Yarmouth

Flying Secret

10st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

in rear

5/1

1st

5

(6)

19th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Yarmouth

Flying Secret

9st 11lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Dual 7f winner (once over C&D) in spring 2023; not firing on all cylinders this year but was denied a clear run before keeping on for fourth at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) last month and now reverts to optimum trip after a failed 1m attempt on Tapeta; on a tempting mark.

10/1

7th

3

(11)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:58 Southwell (AW)

Flying Secret

9st 8lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Won two 7f handicaps last June; would have finished closer at Chepstow two weeks ago but for running into some trouble; stamina for a mile has to be taken on trust though.

7/1

Non-runners

Halla Dubai, Hello Zabeel, Chelsea Square

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.90
Straight Forecast £19.85
Tricast £76.78
Trifecta £94.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Halla Dubai

NEWMARKET:

Zouky

The Guardian:

Captain Cuddles

POSTDATA:

Flying Secret

RP RATINGS:

Be Prepared

The Star:

Chelsea Square

Telegraph:

Snuggle

The Times:

Hello Zabeel

TOPSPEED:

Halla Dubai

LAMBOURN:

Halla Dubai

D Express:

Halla Dubai

Daily Mail:

Zouky

The Sun:

Captain Cuddles

Daily Mirror:

Flying Secret

Daily Record:

Be Prepared