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

4th

1

(8)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Lord Melbourne

10st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Proved somewhat resurgent in the Epsom race won by Too Soon and looks a possible danger provided he builds on that effort; useful on his day and peak form includes a success in the 2024 November Handicap.

10/1

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

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

6th

1

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

17:00 Sandown

Warning Sign

11st 3lb

J: Mr David Dunsdon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Two Sandown wins under David Dunsdon in 2025, including this race on good (other win on good to firm); back on form returned to turf and reunited with his owner/rider when seeing off seven rivals at Goodwood (1m, soft) eight weeks ago; raised 6lb but his good record in these races affords him plenty of respect.

3/1

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

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

2nd

1

(7)

21st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 2lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Nick Littmoden

Landed his third win at this track (1m4f) in May; takes a significant drop in trip after beating only one home at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) last month; may be best to wait until he steps back up in distance.

10/1

7th

3

(6)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

18:00 Windsor

Green Team

10st 13lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

Third start for new yard when winning at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) under Grace Littmoden in May; 4lb rise fair enough and the return to turf shouldn't be a problem back from a short break; shortlisted.

7/2

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

3rd

8

(4)

23rd Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Fast Steps

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Made the frame on first three turf starts this season but has not been in the same form since and this 8yo is nothing like the force of old; first AW run since 2024; others preferred.

16/1

5th

1

(10)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:07 Ffos Las

Fast Steps

9st 13lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Rod Millman

Runner-up over this C&D in June; shaped better than the bare result at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) next time and didn't get home there last time over 11.5f after kicking clear; now 14lb below his last winning mark and he'll appreciate this drop back in trip.

6/1

4th

4

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

18:00 Windsor

Fast Steps

10st 11lb

J: Mr Patrick Millman

T: Rod Millman

Latest defeat when sent off favourite here (1m2f, good to firm) a fortnight ago wasn't quite as bad as it looks, but his losing run is now up to 20 and his best form has come over shorter.

9/2

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

2

(8)

19th Oct 2026

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:47 Bath

Sanitiser

11st 1lb

J: Mr Hezekiah March

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hasn't won on the Flat since 2022 but has been successful over hurdles and chases since; this looks likely to be a pipe-opener before reverting to fences; jockey's third ride under rules.

5/1

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

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

1st

2

(8)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

17:40 Brighton

Bug Boy

9st 8lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Tony Newcombe

Lightly raced since a C&D win three years ago; insufficient promise this season.

25/1

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

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

10th

3

(5)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: George Baker

He hasn't been at the top of his game over C&D on his last three starts but was on slow ground each time, which may not have suited; has an excellent record here otherwise (three-time C&D winner on good/good to firm) and he's 1lb below his last winning mark; can't be discounted.

10/1

4th

2

(3)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:42 Epsom

Gordon Grey

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

With Ben Brookhouse when gaining two C&D wins last summer; best run for current yard was in Bahrain back in the spring; may have needed it here ten days after three months off but could have run better than he did (led early).

10/1

6th

2

(7)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 9lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: George Baker

Won twice over C&D for Ben Brookhouse last summer, including this race by a wide margin (cheekpieces first time) when rated just 1lb lower; only run to form once in four starts for George Baker this year and he was tailed off on soft ground here when last seen in June; Patrick Mullins has been booked this afternoon and not unreasonable to think this race has been on the agenda for a while; respected.

7/1

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