September 21 / 16.15 Chester

16.15

Good To Soft

Protos Networks & Cisco Handicap

  • Prize money: £15288
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Protos Networks & Cisco Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.70
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 370880 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Handicapped to win, 7lb lower than when just denied over C&D in May; promising effort from a poor draw at York last month and this is easier than last week's Portland assignment; not ideally drawn but he's one to keep onside in the short term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Gained two of his ten wins over this C&D and returns here after bouncing back to form with commendable second in last week's Epsom Dash (5f, good to soft); still well handicapped after 3lb rise; likely contender.

11/4

2nd

19

(18)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Vintage Clarets

8st 10lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today.

16/1

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 901109 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Veteran who won twice here in midsummer (6f, heavy and 5.5f, good to soft); well beaten twice since and opposable despite returning to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 249002 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Close fourth over C&D at the May meeting and he ran his best race since when just denied over 6f (good ground; drawn wide) three weeks ago; this should be well run but he'd still be of more interest over a longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester (5f/6f); his last success was in May but he's gone backwards since and was beaten 14l in the Wokingham last time; now returns to Chester but he's drawn out wide and has something to prove back up in trip.

14/1

24th

14

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Roman Dragon

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Hugo Palmer

Has won in Bahrain but all eight British wins have come at Chester and he's been soundly beaten in the last two runnings of this race (100-1 each time); has been wearing cheekpieces but visor is now refitted.

100/1

11th

1

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Roman Dragon

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Has gained all eight domestic wins at Chester, the most recent on penultimate start; Epsom is an unknown and he's on a difficult mark, conceding weight all round to boot.

22/1

Form: 209824 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
He's a better horse on AW but handicapped accordingly and he comes here on the back of a couple of creditable turf runs; out of the weights in a stronger race this time though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(10)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:55 Nottingham

Bang On The Bell

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

His last win was at Windsor 13 months ago but that was off 13lb higher and he finished a close third over C&D (good to firm) on his penultimate run; has possibilities if he can recapture that form and he won't mind what the weather does.

15/2

8th

4

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:57 Southwell (AW)

Bang On The Bell

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Won at Windsor last April off a mark 12lb higher than today's and he took a step back in the right direction when a close-up third at Nottingham (5f) a week ago; claims if building on that now returned to the AW.

9/2

Form: 274107 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
His Haydock win in July promised better but he's come up short in Class 3 handicaps twice since; not discounted but others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(5)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Cloud King

8st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

This is his first outing since last December but he's gone well fresh in the past and ran some good races in the second half of last year; his C&D form figures read 12772 and he can be in the shake-up if fully tuned up.

10/1

5

(9)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Cloud King

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Robert Cowell

Hasn't had many chances on AW but he looked good over C&D last spring and he picked up smartly to beat eight rivals at Chelmsford last month; this is a higher grade but a 4lb rise is fair enough and he still has a bit of potential.

5/1

1st

1

(3)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Chelmsford (AW)

Cloud King

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Robert Cowell

Southwell Tapeta winner who is now 1lb lower than when successful at Haydock (5f, good) last summer, but probably needs a bit more than in his recent efforts now switched to Polytrack; stable triple-handed.

11/2

Form: 104078 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Gained the 15th win of his illustrious career over C&D (soft) in June; mixed bag since but he's bagged the inside stall and has the pace to take advantage of it; there are other front-runners to contend with but he's on a winning mark and is more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.

14/1

6th

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Copper Knight

9st 5lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here.

16/1

18th

18

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Copper Knight

8st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays.

20/1

12/1

Form: -13224 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Series of good runs this season, the latest at Haydock two weeks ago; up in class and she's drawn widest so others look more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Secret Mistral

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner; effective at this track and she arrives on the back of a good second under Myla Coppins at Nottingham (5f, good) three weeks ago; has a low draw and looks set for another big run.

9/2

2nd

6

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner including four on turf (good/soft); runner-up in final two starts last season but she struggled at Wolverhampton (6f) in her final run last year; this drop back in trip looks a good move on her return but her last three wins have been in Class 5 events and others are preferred.

11/1

2nd

4

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Course regular who landed her third race here when making all over C&D (good) in July; similar form when second at Chester (5.5f, soft) last time; player.

9/2

9/2

Form: 382712 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Enjoying a good year, winning at Chelmsford and Goodwood; ran right up to his best when second at Lingfield (5f, AW) last week; 2lb rise asks more of him but he should give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Almaty Star

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who's drawn to attack and boasts a solid record over C&D; not much room for manoeuvre off this mark, though, for a yard also responsible for Ziggy's Missile.

8/1

8th

6

(5)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 3

19:17 Windsor

Almaty Star

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Robert Cowell

Front-runner who was found an ordinary Yarmouth handicap when winning easily in the spring; handicapper had his say for that and he finished well beaten behind Dream Composer upped in class at Epsom last time; yard also runs Rhythm N Hooves.

12/1

18th

20

(13)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Almaty Star

8st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Robert Cowell

Better on AW than turf but took advantage of a good opportunity at Yarmouth in April (5f, good); hit with an 8lb rise for that, bringing his turf and AW marks into line; blew the start back at Yarmouth last month but the stewards deemed him a non-runner due to having his head turned as the stalls opened; risky on the back of that and there are other pace influences to contend with today.

20/1

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 146286 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; three course wins to her name over 6f; well drawn to attack but she's not the only pace influence on show; wait for an elusive first 5f win could be set to continue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:55 Doncaster

Radio Goo Goo

9st 12lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: David Evans

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

8/1

9th

3

(2)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:15 Chester

Radio Goo Goo

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

prominent, pressed leader over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

6/1

Form: 125917 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Speedy front-runner who has won four 5f handicaps this year; held in a good sprint at Haydock two weeks ago but not ruled out back in calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Confirmed trailblazer who has won 13 races in his career (six on AW), but has finished out of the frame in all six starts over C&D; blinkers go on for the first time on his 86th start; others preferred.

11/1

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

One of the faster sprinters in training and he belatedly got off the mark for the year with a front-running win at Wolverhampton 17 days ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition could find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Night On Earth

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Ian Williams

Trailblazing sprinter who got no peace up front when beaten favourite in a Racing League handicap last time; ran a stormer the time before at Haydock and should give it a good shot from stall 3; has form here.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £60.90
Straight Forecast £82.87
Tricast £298.64
Trifecta £361.60

Selections

D Express:

Radio Goo Goo

The Times:

Roman Dragon

SPOTLIGHT:

Vintage Clarets

TOPSPEED:

Copper Knight

NEWMARKET:

Almaty Star

The Guardian:

Bang On The Bell

Telegraph:

Night On Earth

Daily Mirror:

Radio Goo Goo

The Sun:

Radio Goo Goo

Daily Mail:

Roman Dragon

Daily Record:

Roman Dragon

RP RATINGS:

Vintage Clarets

The Star:

Vintage Clarets

POSTDATA:

Copper Knight