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

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

7th

8

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Close third off 6lb higher (from stall 5) in this contest two years ago and 2-4 at Chester overall; however, has a big doubt over current form, reflected in two duck eggs this season; wide draw adds uncertainty.

25/1

12th

7

(10)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Vintage Clarets

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ten-time winner whose mark is now 3lb lower than for his latest success; probably needed the run when well held at Southwell two weeks ago, but didn't show much and may require another before hitting his stride.

14/1

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

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

12th

7

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Roman Dragon

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

25/1

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

3rd

8

(3)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:57 Nottingham

Bang On The Bell

8st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: J R Jenkins

Out of sorts this winter; tumbled down the weights but not a solid option now returning to turf.

10/1

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

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

4

(9)

24th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

14:10 Sandown

Cloud King

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Robert Cowell

Couple of fourth-place finishes since wearing cheekpieces; scored comfortably off this mark at Haydock last July and a return to that peak form would give him major claims.

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

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

1st

4

(2)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Legendary 12yo who has won 18 of his 117 races; fine second at Ripon on reappearance (5f, good), rain will help and although yet to win in four runs here, wouldn't rule him out.

13/2

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

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

2nd

5

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Secret Mistral

9st 6lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Recorded her sixth win when making all at Haydock (5f, good) in July but she's not gone on from that in three runs since; ran respectably at Haydock last time but she looks weighted near her best off this mark and could be vulnerable again.

13/2

7

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten over C&D last month but that was a rare start on fast ground; has won here three times, the latest over C&D (good) in July, and she's also won on soft ground; could bounce back with a bold show.

8/1

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

6

(13)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Almaty Star

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Had been running well on the AW this winter and wasn't for catching after setting a strong pace over this C&D last month (third has won since); an 8lb rise still leaves him on a fair mark based on his previous form but he does now step back up in grade.

5/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 42y

Class 4

17:40 Yarmouth

Almaty Star

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Ultra-reliable operator on AW, running another solid race when second to a class-dropper at Wolverhampton (5f; first time visor) last month; lesser strike-rate on turf but he is fully effective on it and he has been given a real chance by the handicapper, dropped 10lb for his last two turf defeats (in Class 3); should go well.

15/2

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