July 06 / 16.40 Leicester

16.40

Good To Firm

Mercer Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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Mercer Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 874-77

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten off today's basement mark over C&D three weeks ago and has now been unplaced all ten starts; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(12)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:57 Newmarket

Little Tiger

9st 0lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: William Stone

2-19 overall, with both his wins in 2024 over 1m2f; three thirds from his five starts (all 1m2f) this season and he would have been close up at Leicester last time but for some interference, but he did not shape that day as if this shorter trip would suit.

11/2

13th

12

(12)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:57 Newmarket

Little Tiger

9st 0lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: William Stone

2-19 overall, with both his wins in 2024 over 1m2f; three thirds from his five starts (all 1m2f) this season and he would have been close up at Leicester last time but for some interference, but he did not shape that day as if this shorter trip would suit.

11/2

5

(6)

14th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Leicester

Little Tiger

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: William Stone

Two wins last year, the first over C&D; ran well on when third over C&D on first two starts this season, but not done quite as well since; could bounce back at this track.

8/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 807839 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Nine-time AW winner, most recently in November; much less prolific on turf and finished well down the field on latest outing but has claims here if judged on his third at Redcar (1m2f, soft) two starts ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won this race in 2022 and finished second in it last year; much lower rated this time around and last month's third over C&D was more encouraging; should have a part to play.

5/1

3rd

7

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

in rear, headway under 2f out, went third inside final furlong, kept on

5/1

3rd

4

(12)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Whatwouldyouknow

9st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Three-time C&D winner including this race off 5lb higher two years ago; losing run up to 15 but could go well if bouncing back to his best form in the returning cheekpieces.

13/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 843533

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
18-race maiden; placed off today's mark on consecutive appearances in May, more recently on turf return at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm), and is among the most appealing options in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Leicester

Iftikhaar

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: J R Jenkins

Back to form with a near-miss at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in January but he's taken backward steps in two runs since; overall record is now 1-37 and others are preferred.

33/1

6th

3

(5)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Iftikhaar

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Chased home Monks Mead in a similar event (1m2f) here last month; another fair effort ten days later and dropping back to a mile shouldn't hinder him; strike-rate of 1-36 does temper enthusiasm though.

8/1

Form: 77-220

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Second off today's basement mark on first two starts this season (both 1m, soft) but disappointed on good ground last month and is now 0-8.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(11)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

First Encounter

9st 5lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: John Gallagher

Hit form, winning classified contests at Wolverhampton (8.5f) and Lingfield (1m) earlier this year; not far off those levels when last seen at Wolverhampton (sixth) two months ago; possible player on first visit to Newcastle with the promising Conor Whiteley booked.

13/2

6th

7

(2)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

His options have improved since eligible for classified events and he's 2-3 at that level of late, over C&D and 1m at Lingfield; needs more back in a handicap.

7/2

1st

2

(4)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Successful in this grade at Wolverhampton last month (8.6f) and backed it up with a solid C&D second two weeks ago; no obvious reason why he wouldn't be in the thick of the action once again.

2/1

5/1

Form: 2-0402

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Not very consistent and has already has several chances off lowly handicap marks but gave good account when second at Ripon (1m2f, soft) last month and will be fine on the faster ground here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(2)

26th Aug 2024

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:55 Ripon

Ribkana

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Is 0-22 and she came in last of nine in 7f Carlisle handicap five days ago; it's easy to look elsewhere.

20/1

9th

7

(5)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:00 Carlisle

Ribkana

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

prominent, weakened from 2f out

20/1

9

(8)

6th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:50 Catterick

Ribkana

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Runner-up at Ripon (1m2f, soft) in June but two lesser runs have followed and she's now 0-20; wears a first-time tongue-tie; others are preferred.

14/1

Form: 96-683

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
A maiden after 12 starts but kept on for third here (1m4f, good to firm) nine days ago and is another 2lb lower today; ought to cope with the drop back in trip and has each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(10)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

18:45 Windsor

Walk The Moon

9st 6lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Kept on for third in recent selling handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, good; behind Velvet Vulcan), making the frame in his fourth consecutive Flat race, but career strike-rate now stands at 0-31.

12/1

8

(6)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 6

14:55 Lingfield

Walk The Moon

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Tony Carroll

0-24 on the Flat but he wasn't running badly in this sphere prior to finishing tailed off over hurdles three weeks ago; not ruled out from this career-low mark with Oisin Murphy taking over.

4/1

9th

6

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:10 Stratford

Walk The Moon

11st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Tony Carroll

0-24 on the Flat and 0-5 over hurdles; not seen over jumps since 38l defeat in 2m2f handicap here in October and his tendency to race too freely is always a worry.

50/1

Form: 788362

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Bumped into revitalised rival when clear second at Bath (1m, firm) 12 days ago and has now been placed over that C&D on two of his last three appearances; big player if this step up in trip suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(13)

5th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

15:40 Yarmouth

Keen Interest

8st 11lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

3lb lower than winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in November and was running well when last seen on turf last summer, including a win here (11.5f, good to firm); still capable over this shorter trip and shortlisted.

14/1

10th

12

(13)

5th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

15:40 Yarmouth

Keen Interest

8st 11lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

3lb lower than winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in November and was running well when last seen on turf last summer, including a win here (11.5f, good to firm); still capable over this shorter trip and shortlisted.

14/1

Form: 80-389

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising seasonal/handicap debut when third at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April but two disappointing turf runs have followed, and his tendency to race too freely is a worry over this new trip; cheekpieces/tongue-tie removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(5)

19th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

19:40 Yarmouth

Medician Star

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Settled better when splitting Available Angel and Red Evelyn over C&D three weeks ago; that was much his best effort on turf and gave something to build on.

6/1

4th

9

(6)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

17:30 Yarmouth

Medician Star

8st 12lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Bell

Free-going gelding who's lost his way and still to run well on turf; 1m2f looked beyond him last time but he has something to prove.

14/1

8th

8

(7)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Leicester

Medician Star

8st 13lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Michael Bell

Made quite promising seasonal/handicap debut when third at Lingfield (1m, AW) in April but two disappointing turf runs have followed, and his tendency to race too freely is a worry over this new trip; cheekpieces/tongue-tie removed after one use.

8/1

Form: -43484

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Placed off 8lb higher at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) in April, her second handicap, but suffered heavy defeat over C&D when upped in trip last month and was about 6l behind Keen Interest when fourth at Bath (1m, firm) recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(5)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Leicester

Ready Or Nott

8st 10lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie Johnston

Placed off 8lb higher at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) in April, her second handicap, but suffered heavy defeat over C&D when upped in trip last month and was about 6l behind Keen Interest when fourth at Bath (1m, firm) recently.

7/1

4th

4

(6)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Bath

Ready Or Nott

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Charlie Johnston

Made the frame on her first three starts this year; took a backward step when beaten a long way at Leicester (1m2f, good to soft) this month, but her previous form gives her claims here.

6/1

Form: 19-060

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Won on soft ground in France last summer (11.5f) but has struggled on the AW and over hurdles since joining current stable in the autumn; urgently needs to prove some ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

14th Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:38 Fakenham

Bubblecraft

10st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Michael Wigham

Flat winner in France in summer 2023 but yet to show any worthwhile form on the Flat or over hurdles in Britain and is 23lb out of the weights for this handicap hurdle debut; sports first-time blinkers.

33/1

13

28th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Bubblecraft

10st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Wigham

Won on the Flat in France last summer but has struggled over hurdles and on the Flat since switching to current stable in the autumn.

100/1

10th

2

(2)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Leicester

Bubblecraft

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Wigham

Won on soft ground in France last summer (11.5f) but has struggled on the AW and over hurdles since joining current stable in the autumn; urgently needs to prove some ability remains.

25/1

33/1

Form: 6-4500

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all six starts, most recently when well-beaten 200-1 shot in 6f classified race on turf debut; hiked up in trip with cheekpieces added today; considerable improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

27th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Metal Beau

8st 13lb

T: Sarah Hollinshead

24

27th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Metal Beau

8st 13lb

T: Sarah Hollinshead

12th

11

(12)

14th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Metal Beau

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Has not had many chances but little of note as yet in handicaps and a classified at 6f to 1m2f.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £96.10
Straight Forecast £106.52
Tricast £800.59
Trifecta £779.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Walk The Moon

SPOTLIGHT:

Keen Interest

Telegraph:

Ribkana

NEWMARKET:

Medician Star

The Times:

Keen Interest

The Guardian:

Keen Interest

The Star:

Keen Interest

POSTDATA:

Walk The Moon

D Express:

Walk The Moon

Daily Mirror:

Walk The Moon

The Sun:

Walk The Moon

Daily Mail:

Ribkana

Daily Record:

Ribkana