September 02 / 16.30 Chester

16.30

Good To Soft

Olivia Acton 21st Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 5f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Olivia Acton 21st Birthday Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 765407 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has some uninspiring formfigures but they don't tell the whole story, most recently when trying to weave his way through from a difficult position at Sandown 13 days ago (5f, good); no doubt he's handicapped to win but being ridden for luck around here is a risky business.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

19th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Ayr

Call Me Ginger

9st 9lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

towards rear

12/1

1

(9)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Musselburgh

Call Me Ginger

9st 11lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

17lb lower than when winning at Ascot last September (5f, good to firm; completing a quick double) having been badly out of form since; usually ridden by Amie Waugh; down to Class 5 in a handicap for the first time.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -85412 C BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Four 6f wins at the track and he ran as well as he ever has when second over C&D seven weeks ago (soft; behind Count D'Orsay); well drawn and should get a strong pace to aim at; more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 135009

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Now 2lb lower than for his Ripon win in April (5f, soft); recent defeats have come in top handicaps and this is slightly more manageable; well drawn for a prominent racer but slower than good to soft would be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

Form: -64905 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Course winner (7f) last year but he has struggled for two different stables this year and this represents a marked drop in trip; easy enough to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Evocative Spark

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John David Riches

Arrives in great form, having won three of his four turf starts this season, two of those here over 7f and the latest over C&D; up another 4lb but looked like he had a bit more up his sleeve last time; big player.

9/4

1st

5

(2)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Evocative Spark

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: John David Riches

Thrives here - form figures 72111 - twice accounting for Vince Le Prince over 7f last month; weakened at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago, but this track is a much better fit, and he's unlikely to be hindered by rain; still fairly treated off 67 based on historic form.

7/1

7th

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

20:02 Doncaster

Evocative Spark

9st 6lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

Veteran who has been back in fine form of late, landing a pair of 7f handicaps at Catterick; up another 3lb but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.

3/1

12/1

Form: 170553 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Only 1lb higher than when seeing off Roman Dragon and six others over C&D in July; best run since when third of seven at Hamilton last week; stall 12 the major negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(11)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:30 Nottingham

Count Dorsay

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2024 with a pair of soft-ground 6f wins at Catterick, the second of them off 13lb higher; handicapper has held the upper hand this year but conditions will suit and he helps form a strong hand for Tim Easterby.

12/1

25/1

Form: 044060 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer; patchy record this season but he's dropped a long way in the weights and has a good draw; revival not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

Form: 243-60

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had some solid form as a 2yo, notably three good runs at York (6f, good or faster); low-key reappearance last month and only tenth of 14 at Sandown 13 days ago but the latest run was eyecatching as he couldn't get a clear run up the far rail (lost several places late on when his rider accepted defeat); another 2lb lower today and still has some potential; stepping back up in trip can help too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

20

(21)

21st Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Dare To Hope

8st 13lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

Strong at the finish when repelling stablemate Ramazan in the Great St Wilfrid five weeks ago; no obvious excuse when midfield at York off this mark one week later; stable may have stronger claims elsewhere.

25/1

7th

9

(3)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Dare To Hope

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

He had been bubbling away nicely prior to enjoying his finest hour in last week's Great St Wilfrid at Ripon (6f, good), digging deep to hold off a smart stablemate; 6lb rise takes him into new territory but he ran well over C&D last month and there could be more improvement lurking.

15/2

1st

10

(16)

17th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Dare To Hope

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

raced near side

15/2

Form: 371115 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Goes well here and he's been in the form of his life this summer (after a wind op), winning handicaps here and Haydock (both 7f, good) before an impressive display in the Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton in July (6f, good to soft); stiff task at the weights in a Listed race here four weeks ago (6f, soft) and couldn't get to the front early (forced very wide at the first turn); another drop in trip today but stall 11 looks offputting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

9th
4 (4)
Spoof

9/2

Form: 110921 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
As good as ever at the age of eight, winning for the third time this season when narrowly repelling an unexposed Newmarket raider at Hamilton four weeks ago (5f, heavy); 2lb rise not excessive and he's won on both visits to Chester (5f); lots to like as long as the ground doesn't dry out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(16)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Spoof

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran with 11 wins but the most recent was back in October 2023; starts this campaign off a reduced mark but others look safer.

25/1

7th

8

(7)

21st Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

15:45 Yarmouth

Spoof

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran who made a pleasing return from a three-month break at Haydock last month; not so good at Redcar 17 days ago and others appeal more.

25/1

20/1

Form: 485229 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Drawn in stall 1 when winning the corresponding race 12 months ago; he's out in stall 13 this time though and that, allied to a modest effort at Beverley last time, makes him easy enough to swerve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -57400

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Modest strike-rate for one of his ability and he's been well short of his best on his last two starts; his close fourth in the Dash came off 5lb higher though and he should get a good pace to run at here; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(15)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Three-time C&D winner, including twice off higher marks in the month of April; unlucky third, having found daylight too late, in this race 12 months ago; soft ground was against him here last weekend; likely player if the cards drop right.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Below best on latest course start in October but has a strong C&D record otherwise, three wins include this race (good to soft) last year; now 2lb lower and primed for a good run if he avoids trouble in running.

9/2

7th

10

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Zarzyni

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he did score twice in 2025, the latter win over C&D; 3lb higher in a better race this time and he'll need to be somewhere near last year's best to take this after four months off.

14/1

Non-runners

Democracy Dilemma, Lihou

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.10
Straight Forecast £26.19
Tricast £144.04
Trifecta £208.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Roman Dragon

TOPSPEED:

Spoof

SPOTLIGHT:

Dare To Hope

NEWMARKET:

Evocative Spark

Daily Mirror:

Paws For Thought

D Express:

Zarzyni

RP RATINGS:

Call Me Ginger

The Times:

Roman Dragon

Daily Mail:

Roman Dragon

The Star:

Roman Dragon

Daily Record:

Roman Dragon

Telegraph:

Spoof

The Guardian:

Spoof

The Sun:

Spoof