September 06 / 16.45 Ascot

16.45

Good

National Racehorse Week Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
National Racehorse Week Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 450510

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Both wins on soft, the more recent at Hamilton (1m1f) last month; the much faster surface was against him at York (behind stablemate Bennetot) since; chance largely depends on how the ground is riding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Beverley

Theoryofeverything

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

Off a good mark he wore down a subsequent winner at Ayr (1m, good) and getting back on softer ground is a plus; raised just 3lb and he's on the shortlist; stays this far.

10/1

1st

1

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Theoryofeverything

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

Well handicapped on his best form and some of that has been here, although not on his latest visit in July when only eighth; however, he's one of a few in here who would appreciate softening ground and firmly enters the reckoning.

4/1

8th

2

(7)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Ayr

Theoryofeverything

10st 2lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Has produced his peak RPR of 102 in both C&D attempts, including a win off 3lb higher in this race last year; Conor Whiteley takes off a bonus 5lb; interesting returned to this scenario.

6/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3030-7 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy ground; placed off higher marks in a few major handicaps, including the Royal Hunt Cup over C&D, in 2023; seemed to need the run in the Bunbury Cup eight weeks ago on reappearance; highly respected in this easier-looking assignment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(10)

6th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Awaal

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Acts on heavy ground; placed off higher marks in a few major handicaps, including the Royal Hunt Cup over C&D, in 2023; seemed to need the run in the Bunbury Cup eight weeks ago on reappearance; highly respected in this easier-looking assignment.

2/1

7th

1

(17)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Awaal

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Placed in three major handicaps last term, including this one off 3lb higher (good to soft); now goes in tongue-tie on 2024 reappearance; likely player provided he returns in top form.

15/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 734915 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; ex-French 5yo who opened his British account with Windsor success last month, then ran well off today's mark in big field at the York Ebor festival (again over 1m); likely player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(14)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:43 Doncaster

Bennetot

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

in rear, some headway over 1f out, no telling impression

12/1

11th

4

(4)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Bennetot

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month and has run well in defeat on his four starts since, on the latest finishing fourth of 31 in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (1m1f, soft); one of two solid contenders for the yard.

9/1

4th

23

(6)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Bennetot

8st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David O’Meara

Won at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month and has run well in defeat on his three starts since (1m/1m2f, good to firm-soft); each-way possible.

20/1

10/1

Form: 218-19 D

Last run: 125 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise; both starts this season came at Newmarket in the spring, winning narrowly at the Craven meeting (1m) then below par at the Guineas festival; may rebound, having shown he goes well fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(21)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Hafeet Alain

9st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

9yo who looked as good as ever when making all with something to spare at Sandown (1m, good) in May on his sole run this season; however, he's never defied a mark this high and may be vulnerable in this hot contest.

28/1

10/1

Form: 1-3058 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 5yo who ran respectably (off 5lb higher) in soft-ground Lincoln on stable/seasonal debut; not in the same form since but could revive on return from ten-week layoff; market support should be heeded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

17:00 Gowran Park

Navagio

9st 10lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner (including at this venue) but no success since July 2023; has been below his best in four outings this season; plenty to prove now.

16/1

9th

10

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

Navagio

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner but no joy since July 2023; mark sliding but hasn't looked like taking advantage in recent starts; beaten 10.5l when down the field at the Curragh on latest.

25/1

6/1

Form: -92965 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; inconsistent this term but is useful on his day; solid second at Sandown in June and ran respectably, despite traffic issues, in major 1m handicap at Goodwood on penultimate start; major chance off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:48 Ascot

Classic

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Won a competitive handicap at Newbury (1m, good) in May and ran really well when third of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) latest, when he had to wait for room; also effective here and could be in the mix.

7/1

3rd

8

(12)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Classic

9st 6lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May but has been unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup and Coral Challenge; current mark is stiffer than the one off which he finished sixth, amid traffic issues, in this race two years ago.

16/1

8th

6

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Classic

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May; unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup but wasn't disgraced; successful on this card in 2023 (7f handicap) and 2025 (this race); solid claims back here.

10/1

10/1

Form: 122108

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Progressive on AW, winning twice (9.5f/1m2f); has failed to transfer that form back to turf (1m2f) in last two outings but gives the impression this return to 1m is worth exploring; difficult to write off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(8)

6th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Inspiritus

8st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Progressive on AW, winning twice (9.5f/1m2f); has failed to transfer that form back to turf (1m2f) in last two outings but gives the impression this return to 1m is worth exploring; difficult to write off.

10/1

8th

6

(9)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Windsor

Inspiritus

8st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Roger Varian

Major improver in 1m2f AW handicaps, quickening up smartly at Lingfield in March (hood discarded, now refitted; Andaleep back in third); said to have been unsuited by Chester's tight turns when way back there in May; needs to show he's as good on turf as AW but remains of interest.

9/2

11th

1

(6)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:10 Chester

Inspiritus

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Big improver in AW handicaps this year, running out a decisive winner of a 14-runner race over 1m2f at Lingfield on Good Friday; a 5lb rise doesn't look enough to stop him if proving as effective on turf (9l second in a maiden on previous attempt).

3/1

25/1

Form: 35-020

Last run: 78 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Bits of useful form over 7f for Jane Chapple-Hyam; failed to get home and eventually well held in the Britannia over C&D on last appearance; sold for 100,000gns since; still has something to prove at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

4

(11)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Son Of Man

11st 6lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Jim Boyle

Ended long losing run when successful in a 1m4f AW handicap at Lingfield in April; ran well on his next two starts and when down the field on last month's return to action at Kempton (after 11 weeks off) it was in a higher grade than this; handles testing ground and has a good amateur booked; one for the shortlist.

10/1

9th

6

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Son Of Man

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Jim Boyle

Landed a competitive handicap at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in April before being placed on his next two starts, but he was tailed off over this C&D in May; a 77-day break may have done him some good and he could bounce back.

20/1

12th

14

(6)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Son Of Man

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

High marks for consistency of late and belatedly doubled his tally at Lingfield last month (1m4f, AW); better form when going down by a nose under same conditions next time and it wasn't much of a drop off when third at Windsor last week; hard to rule out.

10/1

7/1

Form: 070244 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Appears to handle any ground; creditable fourth at this course (1m) the last twice; on a two-year losing spell but has possibilities off current mark, which is 22lb below his peak one; successful in this race in 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tempus

10st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Multiple winner in his young days including over C&D, but has only managed to win two of his last 31 starts, one of which was on Jersey; may find a couple too strong.

7/1

Non-runners

Dear My Friend

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.60
Straight Forecast £10.36
Tricast £34.22
Trifecta £57.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Awaal

The Times:

Bennetot

POSTDATA:

Tempus

TOPSPEED:

Theoryofeverything

Telegraph:

Classic

Daily Mirror:

Hafeet Alain

RP RATINGS:

Awaal

NEWMARKET:

Awaal

The Sun:

Awaal

The Guardian:

Bennetot

D Express:

Bennetot

The Star:

Bennetot

Daily Mail:

Tempus

Daily Record:

Tempus