October 05 / 17.35 Salisbury

17.35

Soft

M J Church Handicap

  • Prize money: £5888.24
  • 1m 6f 44y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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M J Church Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 444525

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Kept on for promising second at Newcastle (12.4f, AW) in June when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained since) on second handicap start; has also run well on soft; only fifth at Ascot (1m4f, good to soft) latest but was caught wide and his pedigree suggests this step up in trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:10 Uttoxeter

Military Tycoon

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Came good at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in March and probably bettered that performance when close second at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in April; reportedly not suited by the sharp track at Cartmel when very disappointing favourite last month but might bounce back in new headgear here and is evidently versatile ground-wise.

6/1

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 74-434

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Hasn't threatened in his first two handicaps (1m6f, good/heavy) but those were still reasonable efforts in warm 3yo contests and he's edging down the weights; this is just his seventh start and he's a possible improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Royal Deeside

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham and nearly won again at Kelso ten days ago when headed on the run-in; same mark.

5/2

2nd

6

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Royal Deeside

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Both chase wins were over 2m4f on good ground at Hexham last year, latest in August; close third over same C&D last time and worth considering.

7/2

3rd

4

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Royal Deeside

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

C&D winner in May and August (good) last year; has been in good form both over fences and on the Flat (second over 2m5f at Pontefract 11 days ago) on last four starts; conditions suit and he's a contender.

13/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: P54332

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Close third on handicap debut at Newbury (1m4f, good) in August and runner-up to an unexposed winner at Yarmouth (1m6f, soft) a fortnight ago; he could do with settling better and he perhaps didn't find as much as could have been expected last time, but he's still high on the shortlist here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(4)

5th Jun 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:50 Kempton (AW)

Sailing On

9st 1lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Nine-race maiden but consistent form until a slight dip on latest start; edging down the weights; makes AW debut and tries cheekpieces in search of the breakthrough.

5/1

5th

1

(9)

21st May 2024

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Brighton

Sailing On

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Consistent maiden who has form figures of 3233 since handicapping, most recently staying-on third at Bath (11.5f) on seasonal debut; gives the impression there's an ordinary race in him; shortlisted.

15/8

5th

1

(9)

21st May 2024

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Brighton

Sailing On

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Consistent maiden who has form figures of 3233 since handicapping, most recently staying-on third at Bath (11.5f) on seasonal debut; gives the impression there's an ordinary race in him; shortlisted.

15/8

Form: 279208

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won at Windsor (11.4f, soft) in May and good second at Sandown (1m6f, heavy) in August; he's capable of bouncing back from poor runs so is not written off today, but he's been beaten a very long way the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(6)

29th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Epsom

Enochdhu

9st 5lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Jonathan Portman

Won at Bath (soft; acts on heavy) in April and ran respectably most starts since; however, he was a remote seventh behind Miller Spirit over C&D 17 days ago, despite starting favourite at a track he does handle.

10/1

7th

6

(8)

12th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:45 Epsom

Enochdhu

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jonathan Portman

Won at Bath (1m3f, soft) in April and has run creditably on most starts since, at up to 1m6f; unlikely to be far away if she handles this track.

7/1

5th

1

(5)

6th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Enochdhu

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Jonathan Portman

Won here in 2022 but has not fared so well in his three subsequent visits; won at Bath (1m3f, soft) in April and has run creditably over 1m6f in three of his four races since, so has each-way claims.

4/1

Form: -51536 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (1m6f, AW) in July on second handicap start and solid runs the next twice; not ruled out but he needs to bounce back from a lesser run at Chelmsford (1m6f, AW); unproven on turf (albeit just one run).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Bodygroove

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Won over 2m here last March but nothing in two runs this season and there are stamina doubts; the return of a hood (fitted for that win) could help.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 31-564

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Unable to get competitive on her three runs this year and she's unraced beyond 11.3f; however, this 3yo remains lightly raced and showed promise when winning a Nottingham maiden (8.3f, soft) last October; the first-time hood could help her settle better and she has potential at the trip; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ashtanga

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

reared in stalls before start, took keen hold, towards rear, headway and raced in second after 2f, lost second over 1f out, soon weakened quickly

33/1

9th

9

(8)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ashtanga

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

reared in stalls before start, took keen hold, towards rear, headway and raced in second after 2f, lost second over 1f out, soon weakened quickly

33/1

4th

6

(4)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Ashtanga

8st 8lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

raced in second, lost second over 2f out, short of room and switched left under 2f out, soon no impression

14/1

Form: 075019

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who stayed on well to win at Sandown (1m2f, good) in July; however, good runs have been scarce this year and he was well beaten back there (1m2f, good) last time; has his first run beyond 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

1st

5

(5)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he made it 6-11 at Kempton when swooping late for a last-gasp win over 1m3f in January; up 2lb but he remains well handicapped on his best form and is strongly respected back up in trip.

4/1

1st

9

(7)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

8st 11lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Keiran Burke

Somewhat interesting off an attractive mark back at Kempton, being 5-10 here, but all of that course form is over 1m; has a mixed record beyond that distance so carries risk back up in trip; however, certainly holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

9/1

Form: 715

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won at 80-1 in a maiden at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) in August on his second start; this well-bred and very lightly raced 3yo retains potential but he needs a bigger performance than when merely fifth on his handicap debut at Newbury (1m4f, good) last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

2nd Dec 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

African Star

9st 12lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Mark Loughnane

Well held in three runs for this yard (also saddle two others) in the summer and goes without a tongue-tie for the first time since debut back from a break; potentially on a fair mark now and worth a look in the market.

8/1

4th

2

(5)

2nd Dec 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

African Star

9st 12lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Mark Loughnane

Well held in three runs for this yard (also saddle two others) in the summer and goes without a tongue-tie for the first time since debut back from a break; potentially on a fair mark now and worth a look in the market.

8/1

8th

1

(9)

14th Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

African Star

10st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Turf maiden winner a year ago and a close third from 3lb higher at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in January on his final start for Sylvester Kirk; held in both starts since returning for this yard in May with cheekpieces applied, but the drop in class offers hope.

4/1

Form: 492667 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who went very close over C&D in May and is now 2lb lower; however, three lesser Flat runs followed (two here) and she didn't shine off her lowly hurdles mark last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Wilderness

10st 11lb

J: Miss Daisy Warden

T: Seamus Mullins

Versatile mare who is on a much-reduced mark but she hasn't won since 2022 and has offered very little in her last four races; passed over.

25/1

7

(12)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 6

14:52 Bath

Wilderness

9st 5lb

J: George Downing

T: Seamus Mullins

Hasn't won for a good while now and offered very little in her last three races.

25/1

10th

11

29th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

19:43 Salisbury

Wilderness

9st 0lb

J: J F Egan

T: Seamus Mullins

Long time since she won a race; beaten 5l into second at Lingfield three runs back and offered nothing since.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.00
Straight Forecast £19.89
Tricast £42.90
Trifecta £50.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Sailing On

RP RATINGS:

Bodygroove

SPOTLIGHT:

Military Tycoon

Daily Mail:

African Star

The Star:

Royal Deeside

D Express:

Whitcombe Rockstar

The Times:

Sailing On

Telegraph:

Sailing On

The Guardian:

Sailing On

The Sun:

Sailing On

Daily Record:

Sailing On

NEWMARKET:

Bodygroove

Daily Mirror:

Bodygroove