September 14 / 16.15 Doncaster

16.15

Good To Soft

PJ Towey Construction Handicap

  • Prize money: £36078
  • 1m 2f 43y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
PJ Towey Construction Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 31-324 D

Last run: 87 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
8lb higher than for his latest win last November but he was a close fourth of 29 over 1m at Ascot three months ago in a first-time visor; equally effective in the reapplied cheekpieces and has no ground issues; can go well providing he's tuned up on return from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(12)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Daysofourlives

10st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: David Simcock

Won off this mark for Marco Botti at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September 2024; however, absent since that November and it remains to be seen how much ability he retains; stable debut (remains in same ownership).

50/1

9th

3

(3)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Daysofourlives

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Marco Botti

in touch with leaders

14/1

3

(3)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Daysofourlives

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Marco Botti

Had soft ground as a possible excuse for his no show in the Balmoral at Ascot last month and solid record in handicaps before that, including fourth in Hunt Cup and a defeat of subsequent Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane at Doncaster (1m2f) in September; has a 2-2 AW record; no surprise were he to make his presence felt in this higher grade.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 0-0170 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has an up-and-down profile but smart on his day, notably in winning a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in May; found all the trouble going at Epsom in June and then midfield at York last time in a deep race; on a tough mark but has some class about him and races prominently, which might be an asset with no recognised front-runners in the field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Liberty Lane

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

1m winner early in career but has shown best form at 1m1f/1m2f, notably with wins in the 2024 Cambridgeshire and Listed races last year; bit to prove off current mark back down in trip; wears first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

1

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Liberty Lane

10st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently (didn't when trying 1m4f last time); a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; has started 2026 in downbeat fashion but today's ground could prompt something better, as his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; below-form favourite in this race two years ago but was denied a clear run; needs to be back in peak form to have any chance.

12/1

4th

4

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Liberty Lane

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently; a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; 2026 started in downbeat fashion (similar to last year) in Listed race and his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; this is also a new trip (unraced beyond an extended 1m2f) but he's bred to get it and has a chance on best form; ground the chief worry.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £6.60

Form: 3-0100 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Slow starts have become a habit and, while he got away with one at Nottingham in June (1m, good; off 1lb lower; fine at 1m2f) they've been a major drawback at a loftier level; however, this race isn't as deep as his last two and the ability is there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

Form: 112607 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
0-5 for the Crisfords; completed an AW hat-trick for this yard during the winter but has yet to replicate that level of form on turf; latest start was a tad more encouraging, admittedly, but others in here appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:35 Stratford

Penzance

11st 4lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Not the force of old (one-time useful Flat handicapper) but has made the frame in two Stratford events since rejoining Shark Hanlon, albeit proved no match for a Skelton-trained 11-10 favourite last time; likely to be a similar story today.

13/2

2nd

5

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

18:48 Stratford

Penzance

11st 4lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has reached the frame in both hurdles starts but beaten 34l and 23l in the process; could be one for handicaps in due course but, in a race lacking depth, he may be capable of hitting the frame again.

7/1

4th

6

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

14:05 Stratford

Penzance

11st 3lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Useful Flat racer, albeit on the downgrade now; back with John Hanlon after three-run spell with Mark Loughnane that included a second on Polytrack (1m4f; RPR 88) last month; made underwhelming hurdle debut when well-held third at Worcester (2m, good) last summer but still enters calculations.

8/1

OUR TIP
5th
2 (1)
Paradias

8/1

Form: 0-2010 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Can race freely so usually held up; everything panned out well at Goodwood's big meeting (1m1f, good to firm) but not so at York where he ran into trouble at a crucial stage; has the form to play a major role but a lack of pace in the field today, which looks likely, wouldn't be ideal; no ground preferences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Paradias

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Six-time winner on the Flat over shorter trips than this (1m1f-1m4f), including at this track in 2023; beaten about 5l when fifth of seven in a Group 3 over this C&D in May (behind Lazy Griff and ahead of Furthur and Duke Of Oxford) but that was steadily run and he didn't fully prove his stamina; stable won this with Trueshan in 2024 but this 7yo has a bit to find to reverse placings with Lazy Griff.

5/1

5th

6

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Paradias

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

7yo who has a good record here and has been better than ever in AW handicaps this year, and he wasn't beaten far when fifth of six in Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; however, his form needs to go to a new level and he's unraced beyond 1m4f on the Flat.

33/1

5th

5

(6)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Paradias

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Alan King

In the form of his life this winter with a win at Lingfield (1m4f) in February and close calls in his other three outings; those were on AW, which does seem to suit him particularly well, and also in handicaps, which leaves him with something to find in his first Group venture.

40/1

13/2

Form: 975812 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
In choppy waters until coming good at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in August and, 4lb higher with a penalty, he backed that up with a near miss at Newcastle; back up 1lb but he shouldn't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Parlando

10st 5lb

J: Miss Amy Milburn

T: Ian Williams

Good third over 1m4f on Kempton AW in March and again ran well when filling the same position at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; a case can be made on those efforts but subsequent evidence suggests he's gone off the boil.

12/1

8th

8

(8)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 2

16:07 Redcar

Parlando

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ian Williams

Five-time winner who has been operating close to his best in defeat this year but not last time at Epsom when in first-time cheekpieces; even if back on song, others are more intriguing.

25/1

6th

4

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Parlando

8st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ian Williams

Two AW wins in December and returned to turf with 3l third of eight at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last Tuesday; might not be far away but there's a suspicion that this exposed 7yo might find a few too good; cheekpieces go on.

8/1

Form: 26-662

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner who is still lightly raced and this headgear combination did him no harm when runner-up at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in August; could have done without the 3lb rise in this stronger company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(9)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

King Lear

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Solid effort on his Tapeta debut in August, when going close off a 2lb lower mark in first-time cheekpieces (switches to blinkers today); below that level on turf last time and has still to conclusively prove his stamina over a demanding, extended 1m4f.

4/1

7th

7

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

King Lear

8st 11lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Maiden winner who is still lightly raced and this headgear combination did him no harm when runner-up at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in August; could have done without the 3lb rise in this stronger company.

6/1

2nd

3

(10)

29th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:10 Southwell (AW)

King Lear

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Nottingham maiden winner (1m, good) a year ago, but out of the frame in all three handicaps; still unexposed, but needs the switch to the AW and addition of a tongue-tie to give him a lift.

15/2

10/1

Form: 320127 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Has had a solid season (1m6f and 1m2f winner) and didn't run badly in a seriously competitive handicap at York three weeks ago; won't find this quite so demanding and there's always hope that new headgear might give him a boost.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:22 Sandown

Rathgar

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Better than ever with 1m2f wins at Newbury and Epsom (made all) on good ground in April but a further 5lb rise proved enough to stop him at York last time; might be vulnerable again.

9/1

9th

3

(5)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Rathgar

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Jack Channon

Very close to his best when beating 13 others to land Newbury handicap in April and he made all at Epsom (also 1m2f, good) ten days later; may have been fortunate to beat a subsequently impressive winner on the latter occasion, however, and this career-high mark demands a fair bit more.

6/1

1st

5

(1)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Rathgar

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Beat 13 rivals to win at Newbury (1m2f, good) ten days ago on his second start back from some time off; back up 4lb but he's just 1lb higher than when second in this last year and he's a solid contender.

9/2

Form: 41289-

Last run: 377 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Useful as 2yo; best form last year when winning at Musselburgh (1m1f) and second of 15 at Royal Ascot (1m2f; both on good to firm); highly tried in the US afterwards, finishing last both times; gelded since and back with Charlie Johnston; not dismissed despite his absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

12th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Useful on turf and has performed well in both AW starts, bolting up in a weak Newcastle novice (7f, Tapeta) as a 2yo and only beaten two necks into third of 14 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack; first-time blinkers) last month; may still have more to offer and respected up 1lb.

8/1

3rd

1

(2)

12th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Useful on turf and has performed well in both AW starts, bolting up in a weak Newcastle novice (7f, Tapeta) as a 2yo and only beaten two necks into third of 14 at Kempton (1m, Polytrack; first-time blinkers) last month; may still have more to offer and respected up 1lb.

8/1

3rd

10

(9)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Lion Of War

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

midfield

16/1

6/1

Form: -52417 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Useful 1m/1m2f form in Ireland and joined current team for 80,000gns; 50-1 for stable debut at York (1m, good to firm) recently but beaten under 3l and today's longer trip might be what he needs now, as well as some give underfoot; quite interesting with Jamie Spencer booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Thirsk

Mr King

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Geoffrey Harker

Winless for Iain Jardine (also refused to race once); failed to build on Redcar sixth for his new yard when seventh of ten in 1m Carlisle handicap 17 days ago; not one to rely on.

20/1

7th

6

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

17:28 Carlisle

Mr King

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Geoffrey Harker

Modest 2-26 strike-rate and refused to race once in the autumn; however, he's often run well in competitive races, as when third of 19 at York (1m, good) last July and was hampered next time; creditable return for new yard at Redcar (first-time hood, cheekpieces now refitted) this month; involved.

14/1

6th

6

(9)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

19:20 Redcar

Mr King

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Geoffrey Harker

Successful twice (1m2f/1m) in Ireland earlier in his career; talented but failed to win in 14 starts for Iain Jardine, including refusing to race on his penultimate outing last year; it's possible a change of stable (same owner) could spark a revival but a watching brief is still the percentage call here; hooded first time.

22/1

Non-runners

Marhaba The Champ

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.40
Straight Forecast £15.40
Tricast £244.61
Trifecta £319.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Liberty Lane

TOPSPEED:

Paradias

The Star:

Parlando

NEWMARKET:

King Lear

The Sun:

Daysofourlives

Telegraph:

Mr King

RP RATINGS:

Liberty Lane

Daily Mail:

Liberty Lane

D Express:

Liberty Lane

Daily Mirror:

Liberty Lane

Daily Record:

Parlando

POSTDATA:

Paradias

The Times:

Paradias

The Guardian:

Paradias