14.00
Good To SoftJohn Smith’s Racing Handicap
- Prize money: £23193
- 0m 7f 192y
- Class 2
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
6/1 (Won)
- Win: £5.00
- Place: £1.70
Form: 70-400 CD
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (10) |
28th Sep 2025 Standard 1m 2f 42y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
All British wins have been over 1m at York and he's unraced on the AW; some respectable shows in better handicaps this year but not the last twice; bit risky. |
10/1 |
|
5 (6) |
12th Sep 2025 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 3lb |
His three wins in Britain have all come over 1m at York but he is fully effective at other tracks and he wasn't beaten far in his one Sandown run back in June 2022 (1m, good to firm); rain won't bother him and he's slipped to a dangerous mark but he will need a good pace to aim at back at 7f; stable have won the last two runnings. |
7/1 |
|
17th 14 (1) |
21st Aug 2025 Good To Firm 0m 7f 192y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Scored just once in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but on the last three occasions it was over 1m in the summer at York and in 2022 it was in this race; 14th and 13th in the last two runnings of it, with reappearance the pick of his mixed record this season, but he's much too well handicapped to be ignored. |
11/1 |
9/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 2-5725 C
Last run: 23 days
W: 10st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 (4) |
1st Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 218y Class 2 |
9st 11lb |
Nosed ahead in the final strides at York (7f) last time, ending a two-year losing spell and showing he retains plenty of ability aged eight; back up just 2lb he remains well treated on historical data; won the Thirsk Hunt Cup over C&D in 2023; should remain competitive. |
9/2 |
16/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 735811 C
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 (6) |
7th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 219y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
Developed into a very useful handicapper for Ray Craggs in 2024, including a C&D win on good to firm; failed to scale the same heights for David Thompson in 2025 but has a reduced mark to work with now back under the care of his owner. |
20/1 |
|
12th 7 (2) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
C&D winner off this mark last summer and better than the result (met trouble) when fifth to Sir Busker in this 12 months ago; shaped as if retaining all his ability when sixth on C&D return in June and there have been excuses for two lesser runs since, with Thirsk fifth last time coming over a 7f trip which is likely a little on the short side for him nowadays; no shock were he to go well. |
25/1 |
|
1 (3) |
2nd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
Won two in a row on turf last May/June (1m/1m2f) for Ray Craggs (who still owns him) and fair sixth on stable/seasonal debut at York (1m2f) in June; might not have been over those exertions when well held over 1m on AW at Newcastle 13 days later; effective over 7f. |
33/1 |
14/1
Form: 3162-6
Last run: 28 days
W: 8st 7lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 (4) |
17th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 6y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Kickstarted 2026 with C&D win in April and posted another solid effort with third of nine over C&D ten days ago; considered off the same mark. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 1 (6) |
7th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 6y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Back off the same mark as when making a successful stable debut/reappearance over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in April; possible to forgive his latest effort on the AW and holds good claims otherwise, albeit good to firm ground may pose a small question. |
13/2 |
|
9th 3 (1) |
26th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 13lb |
Won on stable/seasonal debut at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) and he's remained in good heart on both starts since (1m, good/good to firm); each-way claims provided the return to AW isn't an issue. |
8/1 |
16/1
Form: 121750 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 9st 0lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 (2) |
4th Nov 2024 Standard To Slow 0m 7f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
led, increased tempo 3f out, headed 1f out, weakened final 110yds |
11/2 |
|
6 (2) |
4th Nov 2024 Standard To Slow 0m 7f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Won two of his first three starts (second to the subsequent 2000 Guineas winner in between the wins); some fair races on turf this summer and could prove well handicapped back on AW. |
11/2 |
|
13th 9 (10) |
14th Sep 2024 Good 0m 7f 0y |
9st 5lb |
prominent |
7/1 |
20/1
Form: 045-03
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 1lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (4) |
3rd Sep 2026 Soft 1m 3f 140y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he failed to justify favouritism in a similar event at Catterick (1m4f, good) last time, with the reopposing Star Start a place ahead of him second; however, his record in recent years suggests that going softer than good is ideal for him nowadays and this is the first time he's faced such conditions since a respectable reappearance off a much higher mark in the spring; considered. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 1 (5) |
17th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 13y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he has found it tough going so far in 2026; he has slipped a long way in the weights though and today's drop in class will help; not discounted. |
9/2 |
|
5th 7 (4) |
25th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 4f 98y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Won once each in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but has not scored since and this season he's not at all been the force of old; wore cheekpieces on last two outings, with a respectable show on first occasion; the last of his three AW races was in 2024; unpersuasive. |
25/1 |
10/1
Form: 27-051 CD
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 22 (9) |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
9yo who went 0-10 last year but he's well handicapped on the pick of last season's efforts, which came in the spring, and his Doncaster form-figures of 1413 catch the eye on his first visit here since 2023; interesting. |
50/1 |
|
3rd 1 (3) |
27th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 0m 7f 219y Class 3 |
10st 0lb |
Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win). |
7/1 |
|
3rd 1 (3) |
27th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 0m 7f 219y Class 3 |
10st 0lb |
Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win). |
7/1 |
12/1
Form: 309-46 CD
Last run: 16 days
W: 9st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 10 (11) |
13th Jul 2024 Good To Soft 0m 7f 192y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
prominent, weakened gradually from over 1f out |
12/1 |
|
6th 5 (7) |
27th Jun 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Five-time winner who is on a good mark and he ran well in this last season; lots to like about his return at Nottingham (1m) when perhaps unfortunate not to have troubled the winner; major player. |
6/1 |
33/1
Form: 138-00
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (6) |
1st Sep 2026 Good 1m 1f 170y Class 5 |
9st 11lb |
Dug in to repel Qitaal over C&D (good; from 5lb lower) in June and lost out narrowly to stablemate Poet's Dawn back here the following month; met with trouble at Musselburgh (1m1f, selling handicap) latest; Rhys Elliott takes off 3lb. |
5/1 |
|
6th 1 (2) |
24th Aug 2026 Good 1m 0f 208y Class 5 |
10st 0lb |
Comes here in decent form having won at Ripon in June and finished a close second to a stablemate there last month (also 1m2f, good); contender. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 3 (3) |
18th Jul 2026 Good 1m 1f 170y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
8yo who capitalised on a reduced mark to win over C&D (good) last month before 7l second to easy winner in amateur jockeys' race at Pontefract (1m2f, good); he's not ruled out back here. |
9/2 |
33/1
Form: /2005-
Last run: 302 days
W: 9st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (8) |
4th Oct 2025 Good 0m 7f 219y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Mostly creditable efforts in 2025 and he won at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; Chester's extended 1m2f possibly stretched his stamina last time; could bounce back but as a 7yo he's more exposed than some of these. |
10/1 |
|
7th 3 (2) |
13th Sep 2025 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 3 |
9st 8lb |
Modest strike-rate of 3-37 but his last win was at Thirsk (7f) last month and he ran another good race when a close third at Newmarket (1m) last time; now goes into unknown territory at this trip but he ran well over 1m1f in July and he's not ruled out; acts on good to firm and good to soft. |
9/1 |
20/1
Form: 540610 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 10st 1lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 (1) |
31st Aug 2026 Good To Soft 0m 7f 3y Class 3 |
9st 8lb |
On a reduced mark and this two-time C&D scorer can't have the ground soft enough; not at his best at Goodwood on Saturday. |
6/1 |
6/1
Form: 315-81
Last run: 27 days
W: 9st 2lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 (8) |
24th Oct 2025 Soft 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 12lb |
Well suited by slow ground; attractively handicapped and his last two runs have both been promising, meeting trouble before finishing off strongly at Newcastle last month; high on the list. |
4/1 |
|
4th 9 (10) |
28th Sep 2025 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
1lb lower than for his Doncaster win 12 months ago (7f, soft); several creditable runs in handicaps this season but he will need to pull out a bit more if he's to come out on top. |
12/1 |
|
8 (5) |
6th Sep 2025 Soft 0m 7f 0y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Not troubled the judge this season but hasn't been running badly, last time behind Native Warrior on the AW in late June; a triple winner on ground softer than good so connections have no doubt been waiting for some rain; worth considering. |
14/1 |
11/1
Form: 95383- D
Last run: 287 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 11 (8) |
25th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 1lb |
A fair 1m1f winner in 2025 but arrives out of sorts, beating one in 1m handicap at Pontefract eight days ago; others are preferred. |
40/1 |
|
5th 5 (2) |
17th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 6y Class 4 |
9st 3lb |
A dual winner (around 1m) in 2025 but he's yet to fire this season, only ninth of 11 in 1m Redcar handicap four weeks ago; others appeal more. |
20/1 |
|
9th 11 (3) |
19th Jun 2026 Good 0m 7f 219y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
Has dropped 8lb lower than when last winning a handicap for good reason; his last two starts didn't suggest a return to winning ways was imminent. |
14/1 |
25/1
Form: 004-00
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 6lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 11 (8) |
26th May 2026 Standard 1m 0f 0y |
9st 1lb |
Well exposed but won on Tapeta at Wolverhampton last year; second to a subsequent improver over C&D in January; poor form since. |
33/1 |
|
8th 3 (6) |
23rd Apr 2026 Standard 1m 0f 0y |
9st 12lb |
Two minor wins on Flat in Britain; failed to build on C&D second in January; best of six subsequent runs when fourth in C&D claimer; well beaten here (7f) on latest; new headgear is tried now. |
25/1 |
|
9th 4 (13) |
10th Apr 2026 Standard 0m 7f 0y |
10st 0lb |
Two minor wins on the Flat in Britain; failed to build on a second placing over 1m here in January; best of four subsequent runs when fourth in a claimer; down the field over hurdles last time. |
12/1 |
14/1
Form: 266-04 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 11 (4) |
23rd Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call. |
20/1 |
|
7th 11 (4) |
23rd Nov 2024 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Formerly useful in this sphere but is 0-9 and showing inconsistent form for current stable; came up well short returned to AW last time and doesn't look the percentage call. |
20/1 |
|
11 (3) |
17th Oct 2024 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
midfield but in touch with leaders |
14/1 |
Non-runners
Elnajmm
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| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £29.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £25.71 |
| Tricast | £174.87 |
| Trifecta | £177.30 |
Selections
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