May 17 / 14.00 Newbury

14.00

Good To Soft

Ultimate Travel Company Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Ultimate Travel Company Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

1st
5 (10)
Grey Fox

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3340-7 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
All five wins on good/firmer and four of them have been at Windsor (1m/1m2f); well treated on old form but his last success was in August 2022 and he was laboured at Windsor (22-1) on his return last month; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

20:20 Salisbury

Grey Fox

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Emma Lavelle

Running, and winning, over 1m this time last year but he collected by 2l over 2m on the Kempton AW in March; not in the same form back there a month ago but chance if on a going day (can be up and down).

6/1

4

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

20:20 Salisbury

Grey Fox

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Emma Lavelle

Running, and winning, over 1m this time last year but he collected by 2l over 2m on the Kempton AW in March; not in the same form back there a month ago but chance if on a going day (can be up and down).

6/1

5th

2

(9)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

Grey Fox

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Emma Lavelle

Has spent most of his career racing at around 1m but looked an unlucky loser on his first crack at this trip over C&D last autumn and duly won well on his comeback here last month; no surprise to see him defy a 4lb rise.

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1364-3 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has mixed record in eight starts but he won a Bath handicap (1m, soft) last April and was a good third there (good) on his return last month; should benefit from that run and he had some form over C&D last summer; dangerous.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:40 Brighton

Johnjay

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Teal

Made a winning handicap and stable debut at Bath in April 2023 (1m, soft); repeated that form a few times since without adding to his tally, but it was a solid effort when third at Chepstow (1m, good) on his recent return; that was a career-low mark and he's down another 1lb; not ruled out.

7/2

5

(2)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:40 Brighton

Johnjay

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Teal

Made a winning handicap and stable debut at Bath in April 2023 (1m, soft); repeated that form a few times since without adding to his tally, but it was a solid effort when third at Chepstow (1m, good) on his recent return; that was a career-low mark and he's down another 1lb; not ruled out.

7/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 9329-1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Handles most ground and he recorded his fifth turf win when scoring on seasonal debut at Bath (1m, good); never looked in any serious danger after kicking clear in that race and he's a big player again off 3lb higher here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Newbury

Darvel

9st 12lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Patrick Chamings

Latest effort took his AW record to 0-4; justified favouritism at Bath (1m, good to firm) in most recent turf attempt and finished third off this mark in this race last year; should be involved.

10/1

9th

1

(10)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:55 Newbury

Darvel

9st 12lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Patrick Chamings

Latest effort took his AW record to 0-4; justified favouritism at Bath (1m, good to firm) in most recent turf attempt and finished third off this mark in this race last year; should be involved.

10/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 29-726 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Two wins on soft ground (1m) last autumn but has mixed record since last success and was down the field at Wetherby last month; mark is sliding but he's still 4lb higher than for last win and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(4)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:30 Nottingham

Dream Pirate

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: T J Kent

C&D last October saw him register his first win in more than year; 5lb higher today and although he ran respectably on AW reappearance in April, it's pretty glaring that his three wins have all been on soft ground.

15/2

10

(4)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:30 Nottingham

Dream Pirate

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: T J Kent

C&D last October saw him register his first win in more than year; 5lb higher today and although he ran respectably on AW reappearance in April, it's pretty glaring that his three wins have all been on soft ground.

15/2

6th

2

(8)

15th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Dream Pirate

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: T J Kent

Scored at Nottingham (1m) in October and signed off for 2024 with a solid fifth of 12 in 1m Southwell handicap in December; not ruled out on his seasonal return.

4/1

Form: 556-09

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Sole win was in a 2yo novice (7f, soft) in September 2022 and he's struggled at big prices in two runs for new yard this season; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-11 and has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(3)

27th May 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

8st 13lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Had dropped a long way in the weights prior to winning twice over C&D this spring (both wins under Robert Havlin), following a 188-day break; 6lb higher than last time in a much better race, but he has been rated much higher in the past and hard to rule out in his current mood.

3/1

3rd

8

(3)

27th May 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

8st 13lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Had dropped a long way in the weights prior to winning twice over C&D this spring (both wins under Robert Havlin), following a 188-day break; 6lb higher than last time in a much better race, but he has been rated much higher in the past and hard to rule out in his current mood.

3/1

1st

1

(10)

12th May 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

19:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Serious Look

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Sharp regression during a limited campaign last year, coming 18lb down the weights, but attracted support ahead of his C&D comeback a month ago, when beating a subsequent winner despite pulling hard and hanging; fair chance he defies a 5lb rise.

5/2

Form: 5613-7 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won three times (7f-1m) last season, on ground ranging from good to firm to heavy; never involved on return at Brighton but he may have needed that and he won second time up last season; dangerous back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

9th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 5

16:32 Brighton

Marsh Benham

9st 9lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Acts on fast and heavy ground; four-time course winner (7f/1m), who recorded his seventh success when scoring at Newbury (1m, good) last month; can miss the break and was quiet at Chelmsford last time but he still looks feasibly treated and should get a decent tow into this race; dangerous.

10/1

6th

3

(3)

21st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Chepstow

Marsh Benham

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

Goes well at Brighton but it was at Newbury he won last week when overcoming a slow start over 1m (good); escapes a penalty for that but dropping back to 7f is a nagging concern.

5/1

3

(3)

21st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Chepstow

Marsh Benham

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

Goes well at Brighton but it was at Newbury he won last week when overcoming a slow start over 1m (good); escapes a penalty for that but dropping back to 7f is a nagging concern.

5/1

14/1

Form: 8353-8

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
All of his wins have come at shorter trips on good to firm; back on last winning mark and has form at this trip but he didn't fire on his return last month and the forecast slow ground is a major concern here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

7th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Lingfield

Amathus

9st 6lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Patrick Chamings

Took this in 2023 and he posted a good second of 16 in 7f Leicester handicap 11 days ago, though he travelled with little fluency in a first-time visor; he must enter calculations off the same mark.

4/1

2nd

7

(17)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Amathus

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Patrick Chamings

Winless since the summer of 2023 and he failed to build on his reappearance fourth when only sixth of ten in 7f Brighton handicap 27 days ago; needs to bounce back with visor replacing cheekpieces.

14/1

2nd

7

(17)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Amathus

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Patrick Chamings

Winless since the summer of 2023 and he failed to build on his reappearance fourth when only sixth of ten in 7f Brighton handicap 27 days ago; needs to bounce back with visor replacing cheekpieces.

14/1

8th
13 (1)
Baikal

20/1

Form: 05789-

Last run: 281 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Southwell (2m, good) last September but he was pulled up later that month and has not been seen since; 0-11 on Flat and he generally struggled in this sphere last year so is probably best watched on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Baikal

10st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Dual hurdle winner (once over C&D) in 2023; ended 2024 with some below-par hurdle runs but has won on the AW this year and reverts to this code on a tempting mark; could have a say.

16/1

5th

5

(7)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

Baikal

9st 4lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: Grace Harris

Seemed a non-stayer over 11.5f back on turf last time; good results (won/second) over 1m2f on AW at Lingfield otherwise this year; not dismissed, back down in trip.

10/1

Form: 3-1245 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Two wins at around 1m on AW during the winter but he wasn't at his best on Polytrack at Lingfield last month; still unexposed on turf but he needs to step up again on his return to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(3)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:35 Windsor

Landlordtothestars

9st 4lb

J: William Cox

T: James Evans

Triple Tapeta winner but his last success was 16 months ago and he was out of sorts in final two runs last season; has something to prove after 205 days off and his turf form lags behind his best AW efforts; cheekpieces added.

20/1

4

(3)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:35 Windsor

Landlordtothestars

9st 4lb

J: William Cox

T: James Evans

Triple Tapeta winner but his last success was 16 months ago and he was out of sorts in final two runs last season; has something to prove after 205 days off and his turf form lags behind his best AW efforts; cheekpieces added.

20/1

12th

5

(12)

31st Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

15:58 Bath

Landlordtothestars

9st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: James Evans

midfield, lost position 4f out, dropped to rear 3f out, lost touch over 1f out, tailed off

16/1

Form: 440-00

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Clear promise in five runs over middle distances in France but she's finished last at 150-1 in two runs for new yard this spring; returns to turf off a reduced mark but she needs a major revival; tongue-tie removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(6)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

French Martini

8st 13lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Gary & Josh Moore

bumped start, held up in rear

10/1

4th

9

(6)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:20 Kempton (AW)

French Martini

8st 13lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Revelation on her final start at Bath last autumn (2m1f, soft; first run since wind surgery) when winning easily off 3lb lower; was sent off 11-1 for the voided Lingfield 0-60 handicap on her intended return 24 days ago; market useful.

10/1

1

(3)

28th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:22 Lingfield (AW)

French Martini

11st 2lb

J: Mr David Dunsdon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

led, race voided 4f out

3/1

16/1

Form: /0040-

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Dual Kempton winner (7f, AW) from the front as a 3yo but he generally struggled during a light campaign last year; has dropped down the weights but he has questions to answer back on turf on his return; headgear removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(5)

10th Jul 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Unsung Hero

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Heather Main

Two 7f wins here in September 2022; beaten nine times since and although there have been some fair runs, as when third of five at Haydock last week (visored first time), there have also been some hefty defeats; others look safer.

6/1

3rd

5

(5)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 5

21:00 Haydock

Unsung Hero

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Heather Main

bumped start, prominent, slightly hampered over 4f out

20/1

7th

3

(2)

3rd Jun 2024

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Unsung Hero

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Heather Main

Dual Kempton winner (7f, AW) from the front as a 3yo but he generally struggled during a light campaign last year and was tailed off at Newbury (1m, good) on his return 17 days ago; cheekpieces are now tried and he has plenty to prove.

20/1

Form: 8/199/ D

Last run: 664 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won Bath novice (1m, good to soft) in April 2022 but she was tailed off in both subsequent runs that year; still lightly raced but she returns after 664 days off and has plenty to prove for new yard; hood back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(12)

21st Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

14:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Veneta

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

towards rear on outer

7/1

4

(12)

21st Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

14:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Veneta

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Missed the whole of 2023 but has been consistent in handicaps since last summer; didn't enjoy a clear run when third of six over C&D last month, but was still well held and that didn't really prove her stamina.

7/1

3rd

5

(5)

22nd Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

17:28 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bella Veneta

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Lightly raced for her age; proving consistent for this yard, again making the frame when fourth of seven over 9.4f here in January; chance hinges on her staying this much longer trip (some encouragement from pedigree).

15/2

12/1

Form: 75-277 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Seven-time AW winner but he's finished a well-held seventh at Kempton in last two starts; on much lower mark back on turf and he's just 1-11 in this sphere; that win was a narrow success off 4lb lower; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(10)

25th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Gavi Di Gavi

9st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

in rear

20/1

13th

12

(8)

17th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Newbury

Gavi Di Gavi

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Alan King

Seven-time AW winner but he's finished a well-held seventh at Kempton in last two starts; on much lower mark back on turf and he's just 1-11 in this sphere; that win was a narrow success off 4lb lower; others preferred.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.90
Straight Forecast £23.77
Tricast £87.25
Trifecta £177.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Darvel

POSTDATA:

Johnjay

NEWMARKET:

Dream Pirate

RP RATINGS:

Marsh Benham

The Times:

Johnjay

The Sun:

Johnjay

The Star:

Johnjay

Daily Record:

Johnjay

Telegraph:

Darvel

The Guardian:

Darvel

Daily Mail:

Darvel

D Express:

Darvel

Daily Mirror:

Darvel