May 08 / 14.35 Chester

14.35

Good

tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap

  • Prize money: £15288
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
ITV4
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tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 2831-2 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Record of 2312 on ground softer than good, most recently second at Catterick (6f) on stable/seasonal debut; place possibilities off same mark, especially granted another slow surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Knicks

9st 1lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went close in a C&D handicap last July when rated 8lb higher; he has run some fair races in defeat this summer and shouldn't be too far away.

5/1

4th

5

(5)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:30 Pontefract

Knicks

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Latest effort suggests he remains in form; still on a long losing sequence but looked an unlucky third, having been forced to switch, over C&D on penultimate start; possibilities off same mark.

5/1

6th

4

(11)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Knicks

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Winless since May 2024 but he took a step back in the right direction with a close third of seven in 5f Pontefract handicap eight days ago; very much one to consider off a reduced mark.

7/2

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 45-311 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made all at Ripon (6f, heavy; won easily) and Catterick (5f, soft; comfortably defied a penalty) the last twice, taking record since handicapping to 2-3; improving sharply and may well cope with new mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Ripon

Vince LAmour

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Far from consistent this season but scored off just 1lb lower over C&D in May and has a fighting chance provided he's back in the same form.

16/1

7th

6

(1)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Vince LAmour

8st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

Won a C&D handicap in April 2024 (heavy); has run mainly over 5f since; fair run in a decent 5f handicap at Carlisle last week (soft); each-way chance.

8/1

6th

7

(10)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

Vince LAmour

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Hasn't been at his best since winning at Ripon early last month (5f, good); today's conditions ideal and could bounce back from good draw.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 11247- D

Last run: 191 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Went very close off this mark over C&D (good to soft) last September when bidding to go 3-3; regressed in two subsequent runs but looks interesting back here, from a good draw, on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Due For Luck

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Well treated on this year's best and his penultimate effort suggested he was still in good order; latest Chelmsford run was disappointing though and he'll need the new hood to have a positive effect; drops in class.

14/1

9th

2

(7)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Due For Luck

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Well treated on this year's best and his penultimate effort suggested he was still in good order; latest Chelmsford run was disappointing though and he'll need the new hood to have a positive effect; drops in class.

14/1

9

27th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Due For Luck

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

7/1

Form: 33431- D

Last run: 145 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Absent since winning nicely at Southwell (5f, AW; off 7lb lower) five months ago on second start for new yard; may improve further, provided he gets the breaks (held up in rear the last twice).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Blue Storm

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Gemma Tutty

Had some useful form last year, including on soft, but he has yet to find his best in three runs in a truncated 2025 campaign; 9lb lower than when midfield in this race last year; others look safer.

12/1

4

(2)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Blue Storm

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Gemma Tutty

Progressive last season when his two successes included the 3yo Dash on Derby day; missed the first half of this season and might have needed his first two runs back, never-dangerous fourth of ten at Haydock on latest; raced only at 5f but may now be ready for this step up in distance; still relatively low mileage and not ruled out.

20/1

1

(7)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Blue Storm

9st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Gemma Tutty

Progressive for Gemma Tutty last season, winning the 3yo Dash on Derby day and posting a personal best when beating nine rivals in this contest (just 1lb higher today) 12 months ago; weak in the market and might have needed the run after over ten months off when only sixth of eight here on reappearance; big player if building on that.

7/1

Form: 262-21 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times prior to going one better in Wolverhampton maiden (5f, AW) in March, comfortably beating a dual subsequent scorer; open to further improvement and holds strong claims from the plum draw on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Kings Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Gained all four wins over sprint trips, the latest in September 2024; ran quite well over 7f at Catterick (good) in May, though, and nearly exploited this career-low mark at Doncaster (6f, good to firm; second run in cheekpieces) a week ago; due to go back up 3lb; must be considered.

11/4

2nd

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:20 Doncaster

Kings Merchant

9st 12lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Progressive as a 3yo (C&D winner) but regressed last year and has continued to slide this season; hit a bit of traffic when not beaten far in first-time cheekpieces (retained) latest but others look to have stronger claims.

7/1

Form: -21224 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Form dipped a tad last week but is normally very consistent (on AW/turf) and could well rebound; close second at Thirsk (5f, soft) the time before; nicely drawn and has possibilities in first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

Moonstone Boy

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jennie Candlish

Four wins over 5f for Iain Jardine, but unplaced in three starts on the AW since returning for this yard in January; 8lb below last winning mark, but drying ground and return to 6f pose questions; cheekpieces return.

12/1

7th

2

(12)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Moonstone Boy

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jennie Candlish

A fair 5f scorer for Iain Jardine; shaped encouragingly for his new yard when fourth at Southwell (5f) in January but raced too freely over 6f when seventh at Wolverhampton since; can bounce back here.

16/1

7th

5

(8)

16th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Moonstone Boy

9st 5lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Jennie Candlish

Campaigned mostly over 5f; posted a resurgent effort at Southwell on stable/seasonal debut; successful twice off current mark, so holds possibilities provided he's as effective back at 6f.

12/1

Form: 18 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Newcastle debut success (5f, AW) came at the expense of Kings Merchant; dropped away in closing stages at Pontefract (6f, heavy) since but may fare better returned to the minimum trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Dandy Devil

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

dwelt start, hampered soon after start, in rear, detached after 1f

9/1

7th

9

(5)

8th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

14:35 Chester

Dandy Devil

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

in rear, some headway against far rail inside final furlong

12/1

7th

9

(5)

8th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

14:35 Chester

Dandy Devil

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

in rear, some headway against far rail inside final furlong

12/1

Form: 2419-5 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Scored twice during a largely consistent 2yo campaign; seemed to need his Thirsk reappearance run; however, looks more exposed than many of these rivals and has a difficult draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:11 Ayr

Midnight Lir

10st 7lb

J: Mr Matt Brown

T: Michael Dods

It's now 21 starts since his last success but he comes here in good form, fourth of ten in 5f Thirsk handicap 19 days ago; well in the mix.

5/1

4th

7

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Thirsk

Midnight Lir

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

On a long losing sequence but he got back on track in first-time blinkers (tongue-tie also back on) with third of ten in 5f Carlisle handicap 18 days ago; well in the mix off the same mark with headgear retained.

6/1

3rd

7

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Carlisle

Midnight Lir

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Beaten 19 times since his last win in September 2023 and good runs have been scarce over the last year and a bit; however, it's possible he'll improve for this month's reappearance outing and he's not discounted off a handy mark in a reapplied tongue-tie and first-time blinkers.

9/1

Non-runners

Ziggys Missile, Indicate, Rainyniteingeorgia, Enchanting

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £73.90
Straight Forecast £78.82
Tricast £305.70
Trifecta £390.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kings Merchant

RP RATINGS:

Vince L'Amour

Daily Mail:

Due For Luck

NEWMARKET:

Rainyniteingeorgia

The Guardian:

Blue Storm

POSTDATA:

Kings Merchant

The Times:

Kings Merchant

Telegraph:

Kings Merchant

Daily Mirror:

Kings Merchant

The Sun:

Kings Merchant

Daily Record:

Kings Merchant

The Star:

Due For Luck

TOPSPEED:

Vince L'Amour

D Express:

Vince L'Amour