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

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

1st

1

(1)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

16:05 Epsom

Lord Melbourne

10st 2lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

Progressive and useful sort but lacks recent match practice, having been absent since winning last year's November Handicap (1m4f, soft), and isn't crying out for this drop back to a sharp 1m2f.

13/2

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

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

9th

5

(6)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Warning Sign

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

In good form in blinkers last summer, winning twice at Sandown (1m and 1m2f) before placed efforts at Epsom and Newmarket; has tended to need his reappearance in the past so perhaps one to watch with an eye to the future; cheekpieces on today.

10/1

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

4th

4

(9)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month, his latest second coming in a messy, small-field affair; decent record here, though, and is one to consider under regular partner Billy Loughnane.

7/1

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

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

3rd

4

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:53 Windsor

Fast Steps

9st 6lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

C&D winner who is versatile ground-wise; well handicapped on best form last season but he was out of sorts in the autumn and needs a major revival after six months off.

6/1

7th

2

(5)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Fast Steps

11st 9lb

J: Mr Patrick Millman

T: Rod Millman

Three handicap wins (one on soft) at 1m2f, the latest in July 2024; 11lb lower today but he's basically gone off the boil this season.

7/1

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

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

4th

2

(7)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:53 Windsor

Zhang Fei

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

8yo who has struggled back over hurdles since rejoining Fergal O'Brien in the autumn; his sole Flat win came at this track (11.4f, good to firm) but that was in 2022 and he has something to prove back in this sphere; hood reapplied.

16/1

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

5th

1

(12)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:15 Bath

Bug Boy

11st 2lb

J: Mr Henry Main

T: Tony Newcombe

Multiple winner at 1m2f-1m4f, including over C&D, but he never found his best form in 2024 and it's 12 months since he was last seen.

14/1

4th

11

(5)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:15 Chester

Bug Boy

10st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Tony Newcombe

Held up; landed a pair of 1m4f wins last summer but hasn't managed to hit the same heights this time round, finishing down the field on three of his last four starts; others arrive with more pressing claims.

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

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

1st

1

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newbury

Gordon Grey

11st 7lb

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) one week ago; 2-3 under amateur riders and he's run respectably here before; 2lb well in under the penalty and rider Paul Hainey has already impressed this season.

6/4

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