August 26 / 15.52 Epsom

15.52

Good

Betfred Amateurs’ Derby Handicap (For Gentleman Amateur Jockeys)

  • Prize money: £6844.6
  • 1m 4f 6y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Betfred Amateurs’ Derby Handicap (For Gentleman Amateur Jockeys)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -15514 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won for the Crisfords in April (1m2f, heavy) and in amateurs' race at York (1m4f, good to soft) in June on second run for new connections; shaped well here three starts back and ran well at Ascot latest; firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(17)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Lord Melbourne

9st 3lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

Won 23-runner November Handicap (1m4f, soft) in 2024 and he's 2-3 here (1m2f and 1m4f) including a win on good to soft last September; those are the clear positives but he's been poor in three starts at 1m2f (snow/AW/good) this year; has a tempting mark if he can stage a revival, so needs a market check.

20/1

9th

1

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Lord Melbourne

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ralph Beckett

A very useful 1m2f/1m4f winner at his best but lightly raced in recent seasons and came in last of 11 in 1m2f AW Lingfield handicap in February; needs to take a big step forward after a break.

25/1

11th

2

(7)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Lord Melbourne

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

2024 November Handicap winner who reappeared with an easy win over 1m2f at Epsom last September; respectable sixth of 22 when bidding to defend his November Handicap crown on sole subsequent start last year; well-beaten fifth on the snow at St Moritz on return last weekend; entitled to come on for that outing but this test might be sharp enough for him.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -00022 BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Probably acts on any going; added to his good efforts when partnered by his owner David Dunsdon when second at Sandown (1m) and Newbury (1m2f; beaten a head) on last two outings, with cheekpieces enlisted; third to two Irish challengers in this race last year and he's in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Goodwood

Warning Sign

10st 6lb

J: Mr David Dunsdon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Two Sandown wins in 2025 at 1m and 1m2f (good and good to firm; acts on soft) under David Dunsdon; recent AW defeats can be glossed over and he's weighted to go well; one of the stronger options.

13/2

11th

7

(3)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Warning Sign

9st 6lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Dual Sandown winner last summer (1m, 1m2f), latterly off 5lb lower, who stays a deal further; 66-1 when only having stablemate Good Speed behind on his C&D comeback last month and may need some help from the handicapper.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 000363

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten outsider on both his runs at Epsom; partially emerged the doldrums when third at Chester (1m4f, good to soft; unproven on soft) on two of his last three starts but his only win was in 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 7lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025 for Ian Williams; in good nick for his present yard too, fourth of eight in 1m3f Southwell handicap eight days ago; not out of things.

12/1

4th

4

(7)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Green Team

10st 8lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month; just a fair debut for his new yard recently and this trip is a bare minimum these days.

12/1

Form: 364152 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
A win and two places from three races at this track, latterly when third in this contest in 2022 on the last time he was tried over this far; has had a solid 2024 campaign over 1m2f, including a win at Newbury, but spending the last two years over shorter trips than this is a little off-putting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Windsor

Fast Steps

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Rod Millman

His last win was two years ago but he's been placed in all three runs this season including close calls over C&D (good to firm) and at Ffos Las (1m2f, good); remains well handicapped on his old form and he should make another bold bid.

3/1

2nd

5

(8)

23rd Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ffos Las

Fast Steps

9st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Losing run is mounting up but on a good mark and placed in his last two races (1m2f); goes on all ground; hard to rule out.

4/1

3rd

9

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Fast Steps

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Rod Millman

C&D winner whose losing run is up to 17 but he had dropped 14lb below his last winning mark when beaten less than a length into third of seven here four weeks ago; respected if building on that.

11/2

Form: 18/6-0

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
1m2f winner at Windsor (good) in September 2022 off 1lb higher than today; came up short over hurdles this year and finished last at Glorious Goodwood when returned to the Flat, trying tongue-tie and blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) which are both removed today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

16:40 Plumpton

Sanitiser

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Doing surprisingly well over fences as he's not bred for them; he might just be a shade high in the weights now after his hat-trick bid came up shy in a three-runner race but he must still have some sort of chance on ground he handles.

3/1

2nd

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:47 Wincanton

Sanitiser

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Not bred for fences but has collected small-field chase wins on soft ground at Plumpton (2m1f) and Fontwell (2m2f) in recent weeks, and may be even better suited by the forecast good ground on this hat-trick attempt.

4/5

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 165y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Sanitiser

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Plenty of short-priced defeats to go with his sole win over hurdles; ended a losing run when winning over fences at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) last time, off a 4lb lower mark, but needs to build on that against a couple of progressive rivals.

3/1

Form: 9205-2

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Campaigned over hurdles (easily made all on good to soft in July) for current yard until his second at Brighton (1m4f) 18 days ago; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:48 Stratford

Zhang Fei

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Struggled after returning to this stable last season but has shown more encouraging signs this spring, running respectably on the Flat before a better effort in a Cartmel selling hurdle (2m1f, good) in May; faces a tougher task back in open handicap company under top weight but has place claims.

14/1

3rd

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Zhang Fei

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has struggled over hurdles since rejoining this stable but his penultimate Flat run was encouraging and this is his first time in a seller.

12/1

5th

3

(6)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Zhang Fei

9st 6lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

He's struggled over hurdles since rejoining this stable but he ran a respectable race at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) 10 days ago; needs to build on that effort now stepping back up in trip and he's without a win on the Flat since 2022.

5/1

20/1

Form: 064256

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Beaten a head at Sandown (1m6f, good) in July and shaped as if in similar form at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm; staying on when hampered) on latest start; each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

6th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:05 Bath

Aikhal

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Former Group 3 winner who's been on the slide for a while now; suggested he was about to exploit a much reduced mark when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) last month and he attracted good support when keeping on for third at Brighton (1m2f, good to soft) ten days ago; overall profile far from persuasive but he still warrants consideration.

3/1

3rd

6

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Aikhal

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Suggested he might be able to exploit his much reduced mark soon when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) a fortnight ago but his run at Kempton (1m4f) on Wednesday was a backward step and he remains without a win since his Irish Group 3 success in June 2022.

13/2

3rd

6

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Aikhal

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Suggested he might be able to exploit his much reduced mark soon when fourth at Wolverhampton (9.4f) a fortnight ago but his run at Kempton (1m4f) on Wednesday was a backward step and he remains without a win since his Irish Group 3 success in June 2022.

13/2

14/1

Form: 13-893 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Held up; his only two runs here were over 1m4f in 2023, when winning in July (good to soft) and a creditable third in October; back-to-form third at Brighton (Zhang Fei second) on latest start, when he made up plenty of late ground, so needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

15th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:31 Bath

Bug Boy

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tony Newcombe

C&D winner who hasn't scored since August 2023; well beaten in his only two starts since September 2024 and looks best watched.

20/1

6th

4

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Chepstow

Bug Boy

9st 7lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Tony Newcombe

Good record here down the years, with form figures of 21319 highlighting two wins at 1m4f (good); also scored twice over this trip in 2023 (including on good to soft) but no wins since and he only saw the track once last year; still worth a market check ahead of his return.

10/1

Form: 513419 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won this year at Lingfield (7f, AW) and Sandown (1m, good) in two of his five handicaps; the latter was an amateurs' race under Fletcher Yarham; tongue tied when below form on latest outing, so he isn't today; going beyond 1m for the first time gives him a fair bit to prove but having Motivator as the dam's sire gives some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(8)

21st Sep 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Newmarket

Cervetto

10st 13lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Dylan Cunha

in rear

12/1

9th

6

(1)

26th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:52 Epsom

Cervetto

10st 13lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Dylan Cunha

Won this year at Lingfield (7f, AW) and Sandown (1m, good) in two of his five handicaps; the latter was an amateurs' race under Fletcher Yarham; tongue tied when below form on latest outing, so he isn't today; going beyond 1m for the first time gives him a fair bit to prove but having Motivator as the dam's sire gives some hope.

12/1

9th

7

(6)

8th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Sandown

Cervetto

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Dylan Cunha

towards rear

4/1

Form: 222121 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runner; ended a frustrating run of seconds when off the mark at Pontefract in May and doubled his tally in good style over C&D (female amateurs' Derby) on latest start, both 1m4f on good; runner-up on heavy in between; 7lb higher than last time but has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(16)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

8st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: George Baker

The second runner for local trainer George Baker and this one has an enviable 3-4 record here, having picked up two Ladies' Derbys (2024 and 2025) in addition to the Amateurs' Derby last year when trained by Ben Brookhouse; not discounted on that score but this is a good bit hotter than those events; refitted tongue-tie could be a plus.

16/1

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

Non-runners

Enochdhu

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.50
Straight Forecast £15.89
Tricast £190.03
Trifecta £164.60

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Gordon Grey

POSTDATA:

Fast Steps

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord Melbourne

RP RATINGS:

Cervetto

Telegraph:

Warning Sign

D Express:

Aikhal

The Sun:

Bug Boy

Daily Mail:

Lord Melbourne

Daily Mirror:

Gordon Grey

The Star:

Gordon Grey

Daily Record:

Gordon Grey

The Times:

Fast Steps

The Guardian:

Fast Steps