August 22 / 19.30 Chelmsford (AW)

19.30

Standard

Weatherbys Chelmsford City Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £20936
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 5 runners
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Weatherbys Chelmsford City Cup Handicap

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 31-926 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Six of his last seven runs have been at Newmarket, which includes two 7f wins but also two heavy defeats in his three runs this season; still looks feasibly treated on his best form but he comes with risks attached back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Goodwood

Ararat

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Won twice on AW (6f) for Robert Cowell last autumn and he is thrown in on that form; not at his best for new yard this year and hopes rest on the return to sprinting reviving his fortunes.

25/1

6th

5

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:48 Epsom

Ararat

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

0-7 for new stable this season; outran 28-1 odds when placed at Newbury (7f, good to firm) in June and is now 4lb below that mark but his more recent efforts have been underwhelming; others preferred.

25/1

5th

1

(8)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

20:30 Windsor

Ararat

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

All five wins have been for previous trainers over 6f/7f; his two runs over 1m have not proved his stamina for the distance, but this does represent a class drop so all is not lost.

20/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2-1167 D BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Started this season with clearcut wins at Thirsk (7f maiden) and Chester (7.6f, good); highly tried in the Jersey (Group 3) at Royal Ascot but he wasn't beaten far in that race and it was a similar story in Class 2 handicap at Chester last time; still has potential after only six starts and he's respected on this switch to AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

7f wins include the Group 1 City Of York Stakes last summer; not quite at his best this year, although a sixth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month (80-1) was no disgrace; back down in grade and returns to his optimum distance so should be thereabouts.

3/1

6th

3

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Never So Brave

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Proved somewhat resurgent with second-place finish behind Qirat over 7f at York last time, the C&D of his Group 1 success last August; however, faces a stiffer assignment back up in trip/class and possibly isn't crying out for this return to 1m, despite being a distance winner.

50/1

2nd

3

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart performer; completed a notable hat-trick (on good to firm ground) last summer, culminating in Group 1 honours over C&D; avoids a penalty for that success and holds a leading chance assuming he's back in similar form; best to forgive Epsom Group 3 effort last time (unsuited by the way the race unfolded).

4/5

Form: 32-213 D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Landed the odds with a runaway win in Chester maiden (7f, good to soft) in May and she made a bold bid when a close third on handicap debut at Ascot (1m, good) last month; up 2lb but she's open to more progress on this drop back in trip and is a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Fair Point

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ralph Beckett

Listed runner-up at Newmarket (1m, heavy) last September and Chelmsford (7f, AW) this July; however, she now needs to shrug off poor runs in Group 3s at Sandown and Goodwood in recent months; blinkered for the first time.

20/1

14th

7

(19)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

16:10 Doncaster

Fair Point

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ralph Beckett

Listed runner-up at Newmarket (1m, heavy) last September and Chelmsford (7f, AW) this July; however, well beaten in Group 3 at Sandown (1m, soft) recently and her claims aren't compelling on the back of that.

25/1

3

(7)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Fair Point

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Chelmsford (7f, AW) at the beginning of July on latest outing saw her fill the runner-up spot at Listed level for a second time, but there's more on her plate in this competitive Group 3.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -40054 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all seven starts since joining David O'Meara from the Gosdens, but he's been beaten less than 3l in last two runs and latest was in a similar race at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 12 days ago; 1lb lower here and this Polytrack winner shouldn't be far away back on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:38 Beverley

Alzahir

10st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jennie Candlish

Recorded his sixth victory of the year with a career-best effort in 5.4f handicap at York 16 days ago; he's also a winner in the mud so must enter calculations once more.

5/1

1

(7)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

15:00 York

Alzahir

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

He has enjoyed a fine season, winning five handicaps, and he ran another sound race when fourth in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon three weeks ago; this intermediate trip should suit and he's versatile where the going is concerned; likely to run well but might find a few better treated.

10/1

2

(17)

16th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Alzahir

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jennie Candlish

He's enjoyed a fine year and although he's come unstuck on his last two starts, he did too much early at York and then raced up the middle in the Stewards' Cup; earlier Ascot win off just 2lb lower was a fine effort; first visit to Ripon but he has won on the undulations at Epsom; drawn against the rail and a big run would seem likely.

10/1

11/4

Form: 72-544

Last run: 89 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Listed runner-up at Doncaster (6f, heavy) last October and close fifth on reappearance in Group 3 Greenham at Newbury (7f, good to soft); well-held fourth in last two runs for Karl Burke but he bled from the nose at Haydock (Group 2) last time and is now back in calmer waters on his handicap/stable debut; needs a close look back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Alaskan Gold

9st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

Not beaten far at Hamilton in August (5f, good) but only four ran there and he hasn't built on it since; will be 3lb lower from the weekend and easy enough to have reservations.

25/1

2

(11)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Alaskan Gold

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Smart on his day, as when close up in a Group 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft) in April 2024; showed he was sharp enough for 5f when going down in a tight finish at Hamilton (good; four ran) in August and although below that level since he'll be suited by a return to good to soft ground in this lower grade than of late; has run well in a visor and it's now refitted.

8/1

6

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:07 Haydock

Alaskan Gold

8st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Robert Cowell

Appeared to run well when a close third at Hamilton last month but that effort is sandwiched by two lesser efforts; down in the weights but stable may have stronger claims with Democracy Dilemma.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.10
Straight Forecast £12.82
Trifecta £29.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fair Point

NEWMARKET:

Never So Brave

The Star:

Alzahir

RP RATINGS:

Fair Point

POSTDATA:

Fair Point

The Times:

Fair Point

The Guardian:

Fair Point

Daily Mirror:

Fair Point

The Sun:

Fair Point

Daily Record:

Fair Point

Telegraph:

Never So Brave

Daily Mail:

Never So Brave

D Express:

Never So Brave