May 09 / 13.30 Chester

13.30

Good

CAA Stellar Handicap

  • Prize money: £22932
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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CAA Stellar Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 651-39 CD

Last run: 89 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Four of his five wins have come around a left-hand turn, two of them over C&D; not at his best in two starts in the Middle East for his new yard this winter but he's well drawn and makes more appeal than many; seems to handle any going; withdrawn having played up in the stalls before his latest intended run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

1

(3)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Democracy Dilemma

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner; second in this race in 2024 off 3lb higher; ran away with a 5f handicap at Haydock (good ground) last September off this mark; unable to hit the same heights since but his AW third in February was a fair run; won't be inconvenienced should there be a marked deterioration in the going but a full revival is required; visor returns having been left off latest.

10/1

6th

2

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Democracy Dilemma

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who looks well handicapped on his win at Haydock (5f, good) last autumn but he's been disappointing at Musselburgh and Goodwood this spring; has some questions to answer and he needs a major revival with headgear removed; stablemate of Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

9th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Democracy Dilemma

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Robert Cowell

Useful front-runner who returned with a good third in 5f AW listed event at Lingfield in February; not at his best on soft ground at Musselburgh since but can bounce back here.

8/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 0656-7 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
C&D winner at this meeting back in 2016 and 2017 and still capable of running to a useful as a 9yo last season; left the impression the run would bring him on when midfield at Beverley two weeks ago; on a reduced mark and although it's asking a lot of him to see off this field at the age of ten, a big run looks on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.

14/1

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 113-77 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had a fine year in 2023, winning four 5f handicaps (including C&D); only 1lb higher than for the latest of them and his two runs this time around aren't the ones to judge him on; this should be run to suit and much better is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Gained two of his ten wins over this C&D and returns here after bouncing back to form with commendable second in last week's Epsom Dash (5f, good to soft); still well handicapped after 3lb rise; likely contender.

11/4

2nd

19

(18)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Vintage Clarets

8st 10lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today.

16/1

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 800-12 C

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
All five British wins have come over 6f at this track; in good form in Bahrain this winter, winning an 18-runner handicap in February (6f, good to firm) and second over 5f (third past the post) a fortnight later; returns with a career-high mark to defy and just a niggling concern that a bare 5f around here might be insufficient, even in a race that should be well run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester (5f/6f); his last success was in May but he's gone backwards since and was beaten 14l in the Wokingham last time; now returns to Chester but he's drawn out wide and has something to prove back up in trip.

14/1

24th

14

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Roman Dragon

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester and he's been soundly beaten in the last two runnings of this race (100-1 each time); has been wearing cheekpieces but visor is now refitted.

100/1

11th

1

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Roman Dragon

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Has gained all eight domestic wins at Chester, the most recent on penultimate start; Epsom is an unknown and he's on a difficult mark, conceding weight all round to boot.

22/1

Form: 124221 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
He's been rated much higher in the past and he's rediscovered his spark this year, winning at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January and showing he retained serious early pace with a front-running success at Epsom 16 days ago; 7lb rise for that far less of a concern than stall 12.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

Form: 3444-2 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Regularly ran well last season, winning twice in five days in August (both 5f, good to soft and heavy); satisfactory return to action at Wetherby last month; possible he'll need slower ground than forecast if he's to contend over this sharp 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(12)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Manila Scouse

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Close up on consecutive outings in May (5f/6f) and also ran well when sixth of 21 at York (6f, good; behind Woven) last month; still on a workable mark and ought to be in the thick of things again.

8/1

6th

13

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Manila Scouse

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Exposed 7yo but he arrives in good form, beaten only a neck at Thirsk two weeks ago; 0-8 at York but has run well here on several occasions; should be thereabouts.

7/1

Form: 819981

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two wins in small-field fillies' handicaps on AW this year; hasn't shone in either turf start though and easy to swerve from stall 11.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

30th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 7lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Has done her winning at 6f but the way she shaped over 7f here last time (second run for new stable) suggests this new trip is worth exploring; attractively weighted off 4lb below last winning mark; interesting.

12/1

9th

2

(11)

30th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 7lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Has done her winning at 6f but the way she shaped over 7f here last time (second run for new stable) suggests this new trip is worth exploring; attractively weighted off 4lb below last winning mark; interesting.

12/1

3rd

1

(8)

14th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shes Centimental

9st 9lb

J: George Buckell

T: Michael Appleby

Decent strike-rate on AW but form has been patchy since her last win April and she failed to beat a rival at Chelmsford (6f) on last month's stable debut; now 3lb lower than for last success but she still has stamina to prove at this trip and others are more solid; cheekpieces reapplied.

8/1

Form: 1/198- CD

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
C&D win on 2yo debut; returned from ten months off to win a Catterick novice last spring; unplaced in two Listed events at York subsequently but this is more suitable and he won't mind going back around a bend; gelded since last seen; unexposed and clearly goes well fresh but his wide draw is far from ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

19:35 Chester

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Back to winning ways with his Class 5 win at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in May; respectable efforts twice since but he would be more appealing on slower ground.

14/1

7th

6

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Left disappointing seasonal debut behind when scoring at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) last month; not discredited in big field at Thirsk soon afterwards and has the inside draw here but others look better handicapped.

10/1

8th

5

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Up in grade after winning a Class 5 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) but had dropped to a tempting mark; wouldn't count the 6lb rise against him.

9/1

Form: 3-3834 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran better than the bare result when fourth behind Night On Earth at Epsom last month, unable to adopt his usual prominent position having been involved in two lots of early scrimmaging; this mark not beyond him and he's effective around a bend; chance if he gets it right at the start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(1)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

19:39 Windsor

Clearpoint

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Superb run of AW form at 5f in the autumn, winning three in a row, two from the front; has remained in form since but he couldn't sustain his effort back on turf at Goodwood last time and needs to show he can reproduce his sand form on grass.

14/1

5th

3

(4)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Clearpoint

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Completed a 5f AW hat-trick last backend and has continued in fine form this spring, runner-up in 5f Southwell handicap last time; must enter calculations back on turf.

15/2

2nd

8

(12)

21st Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 2

16:38 Southwell (AW)

Clearpoint

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Simon Hodgson

Ended 2025 on the up and he improved again when second in the Listed Hever Stakes at Lingfield four weeks ago; a 3lb rise demands extra but this speedy sort shouldn't be discounted.

7/1

33/1

Form: 9215-8 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
As good as ever as an 8yo last year, winning heavy-ground 5f handicaps at Hamilton and Nottingham; lacklustre return to action at Pontefract last month though and not sure he'll be up to defying a wide stall on drying ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(9)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

Spoof

9st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Veteran; all 12 wins have been over 5f and is ideally suited by plenty of give in the ground; hasn't been out since Doncaster win in March (5f, good to soft); has plenty in his favour and should go well again.

13/2

1st

3

(16)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Spoof

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Veteran with 11 wins but the most recent was back in October 2023; starts this campaign off a reduced mark but others look safer.

25/1

Form: 2800-0 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Failed to win in 2023 but form such as his Listed third at York's Dante meeting and a second in a big-field handicap in Ireland last July brings him firmly into the reckoning off his reduced mark; low-key return at Musselburgh 18 days ago but a tongue-tie is now added; no shortage of other pace to contend with and perhaps one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Michaelas Boy

10st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Two wins and a close second to his name in four runs over C&D; tended to be hot and cold in the past, twice winning back-to-back, which bodes well after bouncing back off 4lb lower at Yarmouth last time; goes well for Luke Morris too.

7/2

1st

3

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 7lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

AW win in January and went close 19 days later; unplaced in both turf starts this spring and he needs to raise his game.

8/1

7th

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer; won at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January on second start since returning to this stable and he went close over that same C&D next time; ran creditably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 17 days ago but he has a better strike-rate on the AW (1-24 on turf).

10/1

Non-runners

Radio Goo Goo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.80
Straight Forecast £36.71
Tricast £235.43
Trifecta £174.90

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Democracy Dilemma

POSTDATA:

Manila Scouse

Daily Mail:

Roman Dragon

TOPSPEED:

Copper Knight

RP RATINGS:

Michaela's Boy

Telegraph:

Radio Goo Goo

The Star:

Clearpoint

SPOTLIGHT:

Vintage Clarets

The Times:

Democracy Dilemma

D Express:

Democracy Dilemma

Daily Mirror:

Manila Scouse

Daily Record:

Roman Dragon

The Guardian:

Copper Knight