15.25

T: Lucinda Russell

16/1

Form: O5

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict

Took a strong hold on Aintree debut and was clear when running out at halfway (soft; 9-1); was more focused at Huntingdon but was beaten 13l and he'll need to improve on that.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 14	17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 91y Class 2	16:05 Ayr Knomorediamonds 10st 10lb J: Alan Doyle T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	Easy win at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) last October and he's continued to run well (soft/good to soft), finishing 11l fourth of 17 at Haydock (2m5f) in January on his last handicap start; not ruled out each-way although there's a suspicion he's vulnerable to stronger stayers at this trip.	16/1
3rd 3	16th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 0y Class 4	15:10 Carlisle Knomorediamonds 11st 7lb J: Alan Doyle T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	In good form in handicaps this season, winning easily at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) in October and running well in defeat at Haydock (2m3f/2m5f, good to soft) on his last two starts; also effective on soft; has been shaping as though this drop back in trip could suit; major player.	5/1
4th 4	17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 50y Class 4	15:10 Haydock Knomorediamonds 11st 12lb J: Alan Doyle T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	Has shown improvement this term and was collared only in the final strides at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) most recently, having been mostly clear from four out; likely player provided he stays this new trip.	7/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

14

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

10st 10lb

Easy win at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) last October and he's continued to run well (soft/good to soft), finishing 11l fourth of 17 at Haydock (2m5f) in January on his last handicap start; not ruled out each-way although there's a suspicion he's vulnerable to stronger stayers at this trip.

16/1

3rd

3

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Carlisle

11st 7lb

In good form in handicaps this season, winning easily at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) in October and running well in defeat at Haydock (2m3f/2m5f, good to soft) on his last two starts; also effective on soft; has been shaping as though this drop back in trip could suit; major player.

5/1

4th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 50y

Class 4

15:10 Haydock

11st 12lb

Has shown improvement this term and was collared only in the final strides at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) most recently, having been mostly clear from four out; likely player provided he stays this new trip.

7/1

4th

5

Opera King

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

13/8

Form: 4

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict

Never ran for Andrew Balding after making 100,000gns as a yearling; joined current yard for 27,000gns in July and was under 5l away in a good-ground Doncaster bumper where he was outpaced before running on; that sets the standard.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
9th 6 (6)	7th Mar 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 6	17:15 Newcastle (AW) Opera King 9st 7lb J: Harrison Shaw T: Scott Dixon	in touch with leaders, midfield after 6f	20/1
5th 3 (4)	21st Feb 2025 Standard 1m 4f 14y Class 5	17:15 Southwell (AW) Opera King 9st 7lb J: Joey Haynes T: Scott Dixon	Modest ability in bumpers and over hurdles; tailed off in two AW Flat starts over shorter than this since joining current stable; the longer trip may help but he probably isn't good enough.	100/1
12th 8 (1)	11th Feb 2025 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 4	16:30 Wolverhampton (AW) Opera King 9st 4lb J: Kieran O’Neill T: Scott Dixon	Maiden in bumpers and over hurdles for previous yard; completely tailed off at Southwell (1m) on the switch to this sphere; opposed.	100/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

9th

6

(6)

7th Mar 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

9st 7lb

in touch with leaders, midfield after 6f

20/1

5th

3

(4)

21st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

9st 7lb

Modest ability in bumpers and over hurdles; tailed off in two AW Flat starts over shorter than this since joining current stable; the longer trip may help but he probably isn't good enough.

100/1

12th

8

(1)

11th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

16:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Opera King

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Maiden in bumpers and over hurdles for previous yard; completely tailed off at Southwell (1m) on the switch to this sphere; opposed.

100/1

OUR TIP

2

Authorized Mission

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Iain Jardine

10/1

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict

Third foal; dam point/2m4f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to useful 2m4f-3m chase winner Russian Regent; tongue-tied for debut; stable has occasional bumper success so check the market.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
5th 1	20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2	16:30 Musselburgh Authorized Mission 12st 0lb J: Danny McMenamin T: Nicky Richards	Easy win on stable debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner there (extended 2m6f, soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) at the start of January but has had a break since and could bounce back with a bold show today.	11/2
9th 8	11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 100y Class 4	16:58 Ayr Authorized Mission 10st 10lb J: Dominic Hislop T: Chris Grant	Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.	16/1
9th 8	11th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 100y Class 4	16:58 Ayr Authorized Mission 10st 10lb J: Dominic Hislop T: Chris Grant	Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.	16/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

5th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

12st 0lb

Easy win on stable debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner there (extended 2m6f, soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) at the start of January but has had a break since and could bounce back with a bold show today.

11/2

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

10st 10lb

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

10st 10lb

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

6

T: Lucinda Russell

5/2

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict

Out of a low-grade 2m hurdle/3m chase winner; easy to back at 8-1 here last month (good to soft) but impressed in how she travelled and the clear second ran well before and since; should feature.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2nd 4	13th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 48y Class 4	15:00 Hexham Shes Notjoeking 11st 9lb J: Conner McCann T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	Won from the front at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft; front pair clear) in February and was third under much more patient ride at Ayr (2m, soft) last month; may not want the ground to dry out here but otherwise she's likely to be on the premises again.	5/1
3rd 2	6th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 5	15:50 Ayr Shes Notjoeking 12st 0lb J: Conner McCann T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	Belatedly regained the winning thread at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) but was able to dictate the pace; chance of following up may depend on whether she gets another easy lead.	7/2
1st 4	21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 190y Class 5	16:33 Newcastle Shes Notjoeking 11st 8lb J: Conner McCann T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore	Usually gives her running but just 1-12 over hurdles and she lost two places late on when fourth at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) just after Christmas; more required.	6/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2nd

4

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:00 Hexham

11st 9lb

Won from the front at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft; front pair clear) in February and was third under much more patient ride at Ayr (2m, soft) last month; may not want the ground to dry out here but otherwise she's likely to be on the premises again.

5/1

3rd

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Ayr

12st 0lb

Belatedly regained the winning thread at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) but was able to dictate the pace; chance of following up may depend on whether she gets another easy lead.

7/2

1st

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

16:33 Newcastle

11st 8lb