June 27 / 17.40 Newmarket (July)

17.40

Good To Firm

Close Brothers Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4380.9
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Close Brothers Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Series Qualifier)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: -06311 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Had a career-low mark when winning at Musselburgh (2m) this month and followed up in apprentice event at Redcar (1m6f) nine days later; bids for his third win in two weeks and has the same mark as latest outing (due to go up 3lb) so there's plenty to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Red Force One

11st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Well-beaten when back over hurdles last month but stayed on well from poor position to go close under Natasha Cookson at Kelso (2m5f, good) ten days ago and looks well worth a crack at 3m.

7/2

10

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Red Force One

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won small-field Flat marathon off much reduced mark last month but has not run over hurdles since summer 2023 and his current ability in this sphere is hard to gauge; best suited by good or faster ground.

25/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 27-331 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
11th race when off the mark at Lingfield (second attempt at 2m, good to firm) 19 days ago, comfortably making all; largely consistent in handicaps and needs plenty of respect despite 5lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

2m 0f 32y

Class 5

17:05 Beverley

Pfingstberg

9st 8lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Mark Walford

In a fine run of form for David Simcock during 2024, over 1m6f/2m on the AW and fast ground; effective on soft as well but has a long absence to overcome.

8/1

1st

1

(1)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Pfingstberg

10st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Was building up a head of steam over 2m, winning at Lingfield and Nottingham on fast turf this summer, but the wheels came off at Beverley seven weeks ago; he has run well in both visits to Chelmsford before; considered.

7/2

7th

2

(9)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 32y

Class 6

16:20 Beverley

Pfingstberg

10st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: David Simcock

in touch with leaders, pressed leader after 4f, niggled along halfway, lost second over 2f out, soon dropped to rear and struggling

13/8

Form: 323-82

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Two fast-ground wins last summer (1m2f and 1m4f) and she also won twice over about 2m4f as a hurdler in October; good runs (hurdles and Flat) on last two outings, beaten a neck at Doncaster (14.5f) latest; unraced over this far on Flat but she's one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:53 Cartmel

My Chiquita

11st 13lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Built upon pleasing stable debut when coming from off the pace for C&D (good) success under Leah Noreci in May, but wasn't quite in same form here last month and the forecast rain is another negative.

10/1

7th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Built upon pleasing stable debut when coming from off the pace for C&D (good) success under Leah Noreci in May; subsequent 3lb rise ought to be manageable and she can make her presence felt again.

11/2

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner for Ben Brookhouse; made a promising start for her new yard after eight months off when third of eight over 2m4f at Aintree eight days ago; she should strip sharper here and rates a player off the same mark.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 013146 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Four-time AW winner at up to 16.5f; first turf win came at Doncaster (14.5f, good to firm) in May and there have been two creditable runs since; return to 2m should be fine and it looks like she will be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 5

16:24 Ripon

Churchella

10st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Won four times for David O'Meara last year (1m6f-2m) but has been out of form for new stable this season and is not sure to be ideally suited by today's drop back in trip; considered only if lively in the betting.

10/1

3

(6)

12th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:45 York

Churchella

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to strike form after three runs for new stable this year but now 1lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) for David O'Meara just under a year ago; usually ridden patiently; revival possible.

20/1

13

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Churchella

9st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Philip Kirby

Four wins for David O'Meara last year (2m/1m6f), two on Tapeta, and she's on a competitive mark on her best form; the step back up in trip may help but she's not easy to fancy judged on this year's two runs.

40/1

11/2

Form: 1257-0 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Fast ground would pose the big question, as he's unraced on firmer than good for over two years; however, he won this race in 2022 and 2023, is now only 1lb higher than last winning mark and gave encouragement on reappearance three weeks ago; has to be considered seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:18 Ripon

Dereham

9st 5lb

J: Molly Keegan-Price

T: John Berry

5-42, his last three wins close to home on the July Course at Newmarket (2m); third to Regally Blonde in this last year and the handicapper is beginning to cut him some slack (back on last winning mark); vulnerable to younger rivals?

6/1

4th

5

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:23 Newmarket (July)

Dereham

9st 1lb

J: Molly Keegan-Price

T: John Berry

10yo whose last three wins (in 2022, 2023 and 2025) came in the 2m handicap he contested here six weeks ago; could only manage 5l third to the reopposing Prince Quattro in this year's renewal; 4lb better off with that rival this time but it may not be enough.

10/1

3rd

5

(2)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Dereham

8st 10lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: John Berry

10yo whose last three wins came in this race (2022, 2023 and 2025) and it's now named after him; did it in good style from the back last year (good to firm) and is now 3lb higher; made a satisfactory return to action at Yarmouth last month and the chief concern today is probably whether there will be enough pace in the race for his stamina to kick in sufficiently.

11/4

Form: 50/0-5

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Unraced beyond 1m4f on Flat but has scored over 2m and 2m4f as a hurdler; his significant Flat form was in 2022 and he was tailed off on recent return to Flat for new yard after eight months off; others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

15:18 Exeter

Cabrakan

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

A dual hurdle winner for Milton Harris; well beaten on the Flat on first two starts for this stable in June and only made a satisfactory start to his chasing career when a well-held third at Plumpton (2m1f, good; second has won since) last month; has a fitness edge over some and not ruled out with that experience behind him, off 5lb lower.

11/2

3rd

4

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

16:20 Plumpton

Cabrakan

10st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed over hurdles for Milton Harris last autumn but returned from layoff with two poor Flat runs for new stable in June/July and has too much to prove on this chasing debut.

10/1

6th

4

(7)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newmarket (July)

Cabrakan

9st 3lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Harriet Dickin

Unraced beyond 1m4f on Flat but has scored over 2m and 2m4f as a hurdler; his significant Flat form was in 2022 and he was tailed off on recent return to Flat for new yard after eight months off; others have more pressing claims.

25/1

Non-runners

Solution

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.20
Straight Forecast £16.12
Trifecta £39.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pfingstberg

POSTDATA:

Red Force One

RP RATINGS:

My Chiquita

D Express:

Solution

NEWMARKET:

Pfingstberg

The Times:

Pfingstberg

Telegraph:

Pfingstberg

Daily Record:

Pfingstberg

TOPSPEED:

My Chiquita

The Star:

My Chiquita

The Guardian:

Red Force One

Daily Mail:

Red Force One

Daily Mirror:

Red Force One

The Sun:

Red Force One