March 23 / 16.45 Doncaster

16.45

Heavy

William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Apprentice Handicap (Rnd 1 Yorkshire Future Stars) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Apprentice Handicap (Rnd 1 Yorkshire Future Stars) (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 35048-

Last run: 127 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Maiden whose three handicap starts have come over 1m2f and 1m4f on Newcastle Tapeta; rather disappointing when last seen in November but had shaped quite promisingly there one week earlier and he could do better as 4yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 8y

Class 5

14:22 Thirsk

Bustaam

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in touch with leaders, ridden and pressed leaders 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led inside final 110yds, won going away

5/1

3rd

2

(4)

11th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

14:10 Carlisle

Bustaam

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

slowly away, held up in rear, steady headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge

5/1

6th

2

(4)

29th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 16y

Class 5

15:20 Hamilton

Bustaam

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won on reappearance at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in March and fair third at Haydock (1m4f, soft) on Saturday when back on slow ground; might not be far away if this run doesn't come too soon.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 205-58 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
All three wins at 1m2f on turf, including on heavy; consistent form, in victory and defeat, between May and June last year and may have needed both AW runs this year after a layoff; can do better now back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(8)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:53 Windsor

Moonlit Cloud

8st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

No win since May 2024 (1m2f, Bath) but she has fallen a long way in the weights as a result; may have needed her reappearance run at Wolverhampton (9.4f) last month but she had a patchy record last season and others are more convincing.

12/1

4th

6

(2)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Moonlit Cloud

9st 2lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Dean Ivory

No win since May 2024 (1m2f, Bath) but she has fallen a long way in the weights as a result; bogged down on heavy ground at Nottingham last October; it's difficult to know what to expect returned to AW (0-11) off a six-month absence.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 80-813 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground winner as 2yo; didn't have a great 3yo season but he took advantage of weights drop when winning at Chelmsford last month (1m2f) in a first-time hood; fair third over 1m4f since but perhaps the return to 1m2f back on turf will suit with refitted tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

4th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:55 Lingfield (AW)

Awtaad Prince

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Amy Murphy

Not on a bad mark but form has become patchy and much depends on what effect a change of headgear might have.

16/1

5th

6

(8)

4th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:55 Lingfield (AW)

Awtaad Prince

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Amy Murphy

Not on a bad mark but form has become patchy and much depends on what effect a change of headgear might have.

16/1

6th

7

(3)

29th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Awtaad Prince

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Amy Murphy

took keen hold, midfield, edged left and weakened over 1f out

8/1

Form: 12420-

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Two wins in 2023, over 7f (AW) and 1m (soft), but down the field on final start for Edward Bethell and sold for 12,000gns since; has more to prove than some, having first run beyond about 1m back from break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Powerful Response

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoffrey Harker

Back to winning ways with a front-running C&D success 23 days ago (visored first time); up 2lb but should give it another good go.

5/1

1st

5

(3)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:08 Pontefract

Powerful Response

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Two soft-ground turf wins, including one for this yard, but he acts on better ground and made the most of a good draw when close third of 15 at Nottingham (8.5f, good; Token Love seventh) in cheekpieces three weeks ago; that is just about the best recent form on offer and he's nicely berthed again; visor goes on and he's respected.

5/2

3rd

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

16:07 Nottingham

Powerful Response

9st 4lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

First win was on AW but last two have come on turf (8.3f/1m2f, soft); had some close calls on Tapeta during the winter and he was a creditable fourth in big field at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; could be in the mix again but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out.

8/1

14/1

Form: 803-83 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on second start for this yard, over 1m2f on AW last May; finished close up over this trip on soft in July but nearly always kept to shorter since and not quite at his best of late (first-time cheekpieces latest, now discarded).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:15 Nottingham

Fifty Sent

9st 9lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

Returned to form when winning two classified events at Southwell (1m) last month but he flopped in his hat-trick bid there (handicap) last time; has bit to prove again after that heavy defeat and he's 1-17 on turf.

9/2

9th

1

(9)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

Fifty Sent

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Thomas Faulkner

Goes well at the track and he arrives chasing a hat-trick after back-to-back C&D wins in classified company; sneaking up the weights but another bold bid is expected.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 326162 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Was 3-5 in 1m2f turf handicaps between October 2022 and last June (including on good to soft; acts on soft); in good form on Tapeta for new yard, winning over 1m4f and close second at Wolverhampton (about 1m1f) this month; looks sure to go well back on turf in refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:35 Newmarket (July)

At Liberty

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Appleby

prominent, led over 2f out

6/1

4th

3

(13)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Carlisle

At Liberty

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

Triple turf winner (1m2f) on fast and slow ground; got back on the scoresheet at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in March but he's not easy to predict and has been well held in last three runs; still 4lb higher than for his last win and he comes with risks attached back at this trip.

10/1

16/1

Form: 4-5197

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Two wins over about 1m1f at Wolverhampton this winter but he hasn't been at his best on his last two starts and his one turf win from 25 attempts came back in August 2021; others higher up the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Distinction

9st 2lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Kept to a track that suits as his form at Pontefract features wins in 2024/2025 and a resurgent effort (close third) in latest start; faces some unexposed types among his younger rivals but holds a solid chance.

5/1

3rd

10

(9)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Distinction

8st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Conditions no problem and he has slipped back down the weights but this year's efforts leave him with a point to prove.

20/1

8th

9

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Distinction

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

Nine career wins but operating below his best for some time; best watched.

16/1

Form: 347-58 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Nothing special about recent AW runs but she gets her ideal conditions today and is back on the same mark as the second of her consecutive 1m2f Ffos Las wins (heavy and soft) in August and September; can be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(6)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

City Escape

9st 2lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Nikki Evans

Five-time winner over C&D and 2lb lower than for the latest; never figured on last month's stable debut at Leicester after 217 days off, but she may have needed it and no great surprise if she ran well.

14/1

6th

2

(6)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Leicester

City Escape

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Nikki Evans

Consistent mare who signed off for Mark Loughnane with a solid third in 9.4f Wolverhampton handicap in October; has gone well fresh so not out of things for her new yard.

5/1

Form: 87700-

Last run: 171 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Latest three wins at about 1m4f on AW and has a 1-21 strike-rate on turf; has run respectably on soft ground but the going can't be described as an asset and he has something to prove back from break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

8

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:40 Southwell

Natchez Trace

10st 13lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

Four Flat wins but he hasn't achieved much at big prices in two handicap hurdles, at 2m1f and 2m7f; no great appeal this time, either.

40/1

6th

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Natchez Trace

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Declan Carroll

in rear

16/1

12/1

Form: 700-95 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Winner of 1m2f maiden (good to yielding) in Ireland during 2022; has had some heavy defeats since but has dropped a long way in the weights in a short time and didn't look a lost cause over an inadequate 1m at Kempton 17 days ago; once blinkered in the past, now in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Vellner

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has modest strike-rate in recent years and ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when safely held on last two starts at Ffos Las (1m2f/1m); needs to up his game.

14/1

1

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:40 Ffos Las

Vellner

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Sole handicap win over 1m on good ground but he has form on soft and heavy; signs of a revival two starts ago but he failed by a long chalk to confirm it on this track since; still capable of going well off his reduced mark if refitting cheekpieces helps.

8/1

4

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:25 Ffos Las

Vellner

9st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has dropped to a handy mark, but he didn't get going until it was too late when fourth of eight over C&D (good to soft) 12 days ago; capable of playing a part if things drop right; stable also runs Zambezi Magic.

6/1

12/1

Form: 35240- D

Last run: 134 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Three wins at 1m2f and 1m4f (including on heavy) in 2022; in the frame in six from eight starts in 2023, without really nailing it in the same way, but now 6lb lower than last spring and a revival could be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Mrs Meader

10st 11lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Four wins came on turf later in the year and made it 0-16 on the AW when tailed off over 1m6f here five weeks ago; on a career-low mark now but it's hard to find any other positives.

33/1

8th

8

(4)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Mrs Meader

9st 4lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

0-15 on AW but not beaten far when seventh of 13 on comeback run here (1m3f) 16 days ago; steps back up in trip and down to a career-low mark so not out of this.

12/1

7th

4

(8)

22nd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Mrs Meader

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Veteran who is a four-time winner on turf; 0-14 on AW but was a good second at Chelmsford on most recent attempt in this sphere; absent since September.

7/1

16/1

Form: 0605-5

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Both turf wins over about 1m3f at Yarmouth (good to firm and good; probably handles soft); running into form on AW, doing well when fifth over inadequate 1m1f at Wolverhampton in January, and the greater the stamina test this becomes the better; can go well fresh and has possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(3)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Pontefract

Franco Grasso

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Kevin Frost

Both wins in 11.5f contests at Yarmouth; well beaten in two runs this spring; now wears a tongue-tie; not the percentage call.

20/1

8th

4

(2)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Franco Grasso

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Kevin Frost

Both wins have come at Yarmouth (11.5f), the most recent from 4lb higher in May last year; may not have liked the soft ground at Doncaster (1m2f) last month, but still needs the return of the blinkers to have a positive effect.

12/1

8th

4

(2)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Franco Grasso

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Kevin Frost

Both wins have come at Yarmouth (11.5f), the most recent from 4lb higher in May last year; may not have liked the soft ground at Doncaster (1m2f) last month, but still needs the return of the blinkers to have a positive effect.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.80
Straight Forecast £36.13
Tricast £144.72
Trifecta £277.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

At Liberty

TOPSPEED:

Fifty Sent

RP RATINGS:

Moonlit Cloud

NEWMARKET:

Awtaad Prince

The Times:

Vellner

Daily Record:

Awtaad Prince

Telegraph:

Fifty Sent

The Guardian:

Fifty Sent

POSTDATA:

At Liberty

Daily Mail:

At Liberty

D Express:

At Liberty

The Sun:

At Liberty

Daily Mirror:

Moonlit Cloud

The Star:

Moonlit Cloud