August 08 / 20.00 Chepstow

20.00

Good To Firm

Racing League 20 Handicap (For horses in the care of trainers registered to Racing League)

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
ITV4
View Course
Racing League 20 Handicap (For horses in the care of trainers registered to Racing League)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 3849-1 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Lost his way in last few runs of 2023 but he was back with a bang this year, winning at Ascot (1m2f) four weeks ago; raised 4lb again but remains well capable of being seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

30th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Fantasy Believer

10st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Defied a 2lb higher mark at last September's Doncaster St Leger meeting but hasn't been as good since, despite still showing some pretty useful form; fully effective on AW in the past, mostly at this track, and now tries it for the first time this season.

10/1

7th

9

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 313201 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Most handicaps have been over 1m6f+, indeed he won over 1m6f on heavy going in May, so it was something of a surprise (25-1) when he dropped back to 1m2f on fast ground with a win at Yarmouth two weeks ago, always front rank in front of several of today's rivals; up 4lb but needs each-way respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Rathgar

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Dual course winner in the past and completed a double elsewhere in April; however, finished behind Tony Montana at Glorious Goodwood most recently and is rather weighted to the hilt off current mark.

14/1

10th

13

(7)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Rathgar

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Has won twice at this track, albeit in very different races to this; 1m2f wins at Newbury and Epsom (made all) on good ground in April and ran well again when third at Sandown this month on good to firm; each-way player if he's in the same form.

14/1

3rd

2

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:22 Sandown

Rathgar

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Better than ever with 1m2f wins at Newbury and Epsom (made all) on good ground in April but a further 5lb rise proved enough to stop him at York last time; might be vulnerable again.

9/1

3/1

Form: 755-23 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in 2022 who has made the frame in five of his eight starts since, including over about 1m2f at York and Yarmouth (on the heels of winner Rathgar) on both starts this season; firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(10)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Have Secret

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has faced a few difficult tasks this summer and he proved resurgent when back down in grade at York (1m2f) last time; remains on same mark as when winning a spring event; beaten twice (fifth in 2024, down the field last year) in this race, however.

14/1

4th

5

(10)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

15:15 York

Have Secret

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract back in the spring and ran well here in May, but the wheels have come off since then; has finished out the back here in last two races, behind stablemate Castle Stuart on both occasions.

33/1

20th

10

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Have Secret

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; respectable fifth of 15 over C&D (good) at the Dante meeting in May but well held twice since, latterly at 100-1 in the John Smith's Cup.

28/1

8/1

Form: 955346 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced on AW debut last week, having been a creditable fourth to Rathgar at Yarmouth the time before; having a solid campaign and should be in serious each-way contention.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(2)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:43 Newcastle (AW)

Qitaal

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Charlie Johnston

Ended long losing run with emphatic 1m2f success early last month on his only appearance at this track; reverted to lesser displays on his two starts since but has another change of headgear (first blinkers) and isn't dismissed back at Newcastle.

14/1

7th

4

(9)

23rd Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Qitaal

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Ended long losing run with emphatic success at Newcastle (1m2f) this month; still on a workable mark after 4lb rise and recent defeat on soft turf is not viewed harshly; no surprise if he features.

12/1

7th

10

(7)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:50 Chester

Qitaal

8st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Three-time turf winner who was well on top last week in a 1m2f Class 5 at Newcastle where the visor returned; back up 4lb in stronger company but he has won here and might not be far away.

8/1

6/1

Form: -35112 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won at Redcar and Haydock in his first two handicaps and close second at Doncaster on latest, all 1m2f on good or good to firm; came from the rear on last two outings; clear of the third on latest and it would be no great shock if this seriously progressive sort takes the 5lb rise in his stride.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(3)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ayr

Financer

8st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Acts on any ground; has registered a couple of Class 4 wins this term, including at Beverley (8.5f, heavy) latest start; back up in class but two attempts at this contest comprise a win (off 2lb higher) in 2024 and respectable fifth last year.

8/1

1st

12

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Beverley

Financer

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Ended an 18-race losing run when beating three rivals at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) in July and ran well when second of eight at Pontefract (1m2f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; all his best form has come on good/good to firm ground, though.

13/2

2nd

7

(8)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

17:15 Pontefract

Financer

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won four-runner handicap at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) last month and close fourth of 15 at York (1m, good to firm) next time; caught wide early and failed to settle when mid-division in competitive handicap at Haydock (1m, good) last Saturday so that run can be forgiven; not discounted.

20/1

Form: 4126-6 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Only sixth in his two handicaps but he was off for ten months in between and going down by about only 3l in Rathgar's race at Yarmouth (1m2f; favourite) two weeks ago was close to his best form; may build on that; connections also turn to cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(9)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

King Lear

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Solid effort on his Tapeta debut in August, when going close off a 2lb lower mark in first-time cheekpieces (switches to blinkers today); below that level on turf last time and has still to conclusively prove his stamina over a demanding, extended 1m4f.

4/1

7th

7

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

King Lear

8st 11lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Maiden winner who is still lightly raced and this headgear combination did him no harm when runner-up at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in August; could have done without the 3lb rise in this stronger company.

6/1

2nd

3

(10)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:10 Southwell (AW)

King Lear

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Nottingham maiden winner (1m, good) a year ago, but out of the frame in all three handicaps; still unexposed, but needs the switch to the AW and addition of a tongue-tie to give him a lift.

15/2

16/1

Form: 0-7545 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful three-time Flat winner (12.5f, 1m2f and 9.5f) in France in 2022 but he's not made a significant impact in his nine starts (Flat and over hurdles) in Britain; mark continues to fall but the first-time cheekpieces (he's tried a visor once) need to spark something.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Selwan

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Three-time Flat winner and twice competitive in that scene during the summer; made an okay return to hurdling when an 18l third at Market Rasen and now tackles his first handicap.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Selwan

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Exposed as a fair Flat performer at best these days; pulled up twice and tailed off on the other occasion when tried over hurdles two seasons ago when with Alan King; best watched for now.

25/1

Non-runners

Arthurs Realm, Diderot, Lady Of Arabia

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.70
Straight Forecast £52.25
Tricast £167.55
Trifecta £169.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Financer

Telegraph:

King Lear

POSTDATA:

Rathgar

The Guardian:

Have Secret

TOPSPEED:

Lady Of Arabia

The Sun:

Fantasy Believer

RP RATINGS:

Financer

Daily Mirror:

Financer

Daily Mail:

King Lear

D Express:

King Lear

The Times:

Rathgar

Daily Record:

Rathgar

The Star:

Have Secret