September 30 / 14.05 Chester

14.05

Soft

Watergate Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £40768
  • 2m 2f 140y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Watergate Cup Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -34380

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
No win since July 2021 but the vast majority of those have been at Listed/Group level and it wasn't much easier when he dipped his toes back into handicap company last time given it was in the Ebor; whether this track plays to his strengths remains to be seen but these are certainly calmer waters for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:32 Ayr

Tashkhan

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

A very useful four-time winner on the Flat, he got off to a winning start over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; stayed on well to snatch third up in trip in a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; holds obvious credentials back down in grade.

2/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 597717 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Made all under Zak Wheatley in this race last year and made the most of a soft lead back here (1m6f, soft) in July; his stamina was stretched by an extended 2m4f on soft at Goodwood in early August and he's been given time to get over those exertions; big player at a venue where he's finished in the first two five times from only eight visits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:12 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat stayer who has made the frame on all three hurdling starts; left behind by wide-margin winner when second here (2m6f, soft) last month but that was still a good effort and he's a contender over this shorter trip.

5/1

5

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:38 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat performer and was running okay (beaten 5l in the Chester Cup) until below par last time with a visor back on (now discarded); two respectable efforts over hurdles last year, notably when second in an Aintree maiden; every chance; has no clear ground preferences.

7/4

4

(7)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 46y

Class 2

16:40 Haydock

Emiyn

8st 13lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; slow starts have been interfering with what used to be a front-running role; best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning any race in July 2023; ran creditably off this mark in good handicaps both starts this term, sixth in the Chester Cup last time, but he was third in this race last year and may come up a bit short once again.

4/1

3rd
9 (2)
Baez

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 321111 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Thriving of late, completing a four-timer (including over 2m2f) when scoring over 2m here (good to soft) 15 days ago; racing from effectively 9lb higher here (including 6lb out of weights) so she'll need a big career best to extend the winning run to five.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(14)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:15 Chester

Baez

8st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Won four in a row over 2m-2m2f last July-September and the last of those was here (3lb higher today); very reliable overall and had excuses (1m4f and 204 days off) 19 days ago; each-way contender.

7/1

12th

13

(14)

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:15 Chester

Baez

8st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Won four in a row over 2m-2m2f last July-September and the last of those was here (3lb higher today); very reliable overall and had excuses (1m4f and 204 days off) 19 days ago; each-way contender.

7/1

11th

11

(6)

21st Apr 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:15 Musselburgh

Baez

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won four in a row (one here) over 2m-2m2f last July-September and looks effective on any going; very reliable overall but absent 204 days and she does have a little to prove both first time out and dropped back in trip.

7/1

Form: 711311

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Is enjoying an excellent season, gaining her fifth success (and fourth in her last five starts) when proving too strong for It's Good To Laugh at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) 13 days ago; further progress can't be discounted given who trains her and this place promises to suit this enthusiastic, prominent racer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 56y

Class 3

16:30 York

Yorkindness

8st 7lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Won a soft-ground maiden but best efforts when it's not so deep; 0-10 this season, nearly winning at Musselburgh in August but beaten over 20l on last two outings; down the weights but it's hard to have confidence in her.

20/1

3

(8)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 2y

Class 5

15:37 Pontefract

Yorkindness

10st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Has won on soft, best form on faster ground; 0-9 this season but nearly won at Musselburgh in August; stiff task last time; three-time Pontefract scorer and looks interesting off a workable mark back here.

7/1

9th

12

(6)

21st Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Yorkindness

8st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Charlie Johnston

in touch with leaders

16/1

5/1

Form: -08421

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; won at York (1m4f, good) on sole start in 2022 and gradually back to that form this year, second over 1m4f here before resuming winning ways in good style when stepped up to 1m6f at Goodwood (soft) five weeks ago; his stamina has to be taken on trust now stepping up markedly in trip but ground conditions are going to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

16lb below his last winning mark, but losing run now up to 15; might get more of a pace to run at than when fifth of nine over C&D last time, but others have more to recommend them; stable also runs Simiyann.

11/4

5th

9

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

8st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Handicapper has been relenting and he showed a lot more with third of 14 in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (about 2m, Tapeta; 25-1) one week ago; a repeat of that puts him bang there; 2lb well in.

11/2

7

(3)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zealandia

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Has got himself well handicapped for good reason and his recent thirds were none too threatening; doubts remain; another tweak on the headgear front.

20/1

Form: 214574

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent sort who got back to winning ways over 2m at Goodwood (good to firm) in June; respectable efforts in defeat since but suspicion he may be vulnerable for win purposes again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(13)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Pons Aelius

9st 9lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner at up to 2m in Britain but yet to hit any sort of form for current yard; career-low mark and tongue-tie tried so don't rule out.

12/1

11th

7

(16)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Pons Aelius

9st 11lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: H D McGuigan

Donegal yard likes to pick up horses with back-form, often from Britain, and try to rejuvenate them; six-time winner at up to 2m but hasn't been finishing out his races in Ireland and been off a while.

18/1

8th

9

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pons Aelius

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner for Charlie Johnston and best form over this trip; poor on first two runs for this yard at big prices; better than bare result when beaten over 5l at Gowran last May; yard's first runner of the year won on Tuesday; no surprise were he to go well after a break with leading claimer aboard.

20/1

Form: 829534

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Seemed to run his best race for a while when beaten just under 5l into fourth in the five-runner Doncaster Cup (2m2f, soft) 15 days ago; however, that was a muddling, steadily-run event and his proximity has resulted in his mark going back up by 4lb so he's now higher than when quite comfortably held in two handicap starts in August (beaten just under 6l when third at Ascot latter occasion).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

The Grand Visir

9st 12lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

midfield, outpaced over 3f out, kept on but not pace to challenge

14/1

4th

5

(1)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

The Grand Visir

9st 12lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

midfield

14/1

Form: 539222 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Arrives on a lengthy losing run but he's knocking on the door, runner-up twice here (to Emiyn first occasion) before chasing home Yorkindness at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft); ought to be thereabouts again from an unchanged mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:55 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Competitive form at this track in 2023 and didn't run too badly when eighth in last season's Chester Plate; however, it was after a year off when tailed off here two weeks ago and that run was worrying.

20/1

11th

1

(1)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:20 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

10st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ran some big races on Flat in 2023 and three of them were at this track; fair eighth of 16 in the Chester Plate last May but that was his only appearance last year; dropped 5lb in his absence but whether this is the time to latch on to him remains to be seen.

25/1

11th

1

(1)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:20 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

10st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ran some big races on Flat in 2023 and three of them were at this track; fair eighth of 16 in the Chester Plate last May but that was his only appearance last year; dropped 5lb in his absence but whether this is the time to latch on to him remains to be seen.

25/1

Form: -34186

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner over jumps and on AW; respectable sixth of eight in 2m Goodwood handicap (good) 25 days ago but it underlines he needs more from his mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

30th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Earlofthecotswolds

9st 6lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Multiple winner over jumps and on AW; respectable sixth of eight in 2m Goodwood handicap (good) 25 days ago but it underlines he needs more from his mark.

20/1

6th

1

(2)

5th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Earlofthecotswolds

10st 2lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Multiple winner over jumps and on AW; failed to show his form in last two appearances (Flat/hurdle); close second off 2lb higher in this race last year and has a fighting chance if back in the same form.

14/1

2

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 2

14:50 Market Rasen

Earlofthecotswolds

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Hasn't been seen over hurdles since Boxing Day 2021 but has since developed into a smart Flat performer, gaining a fourth success (all on AW) at Wolverhampton in March (RPR 105); fascinating contender.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.50
Straight Forecast £16.64
Tricast £48.47
Trifecta £61.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Baez

SPOTLIGHT:

Emiyn

Daily Mirror:

Zealandia

TOPSPEED:

Pons Aelius

The Times:

Yorkindness

RP RATINGS:

It's Good To Laugh

POSTDATA:

The Grand Visir

D Express:

Baez

The Sun:

Baez

The Star:

Baez

Daily Record:

Zealandia

The Guardian:

Emiyn

Daily Mail:

Emiyn