October 01 / 13.40 Ayr

13.40

Good

Livescore Bet Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Livescore Bet Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 6-0413 D BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Looked good when winning on handicap debut on Lingfield AW (1m) in July and things didn't go entirely to plan when beaten at a short price at Kempton in August; has left Roger Varian since and now goes in a tongue-tie in his first turf handicap; has potential for yard that's 2-7 here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

1st Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Gracious Leader

9st 8lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: George Boughey

midfield, headway from 2f out, led 1f out, faced challenge but kept on inside final furlong

13/8

3rd

11

(6)

14th Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Gracious Leader

9st 1lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Gelded prior to his handicap debut at Lingfield three weeks ago (1m, AW) and he saw his race out well to reward odds-on backers; that was only a Class 6 event and he's been hit with an 8lb rise but the runner-up won next time and the form has some merit; still capable of better.

5/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -90696

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Classy handicap form in 2023, notably when winning at Goodwood (7f) and then third in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m; both on good to firm); has taken an age to recapture form this year but he caught the eye at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) 12 days ago and has a good mark to exploit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:58 Nottingham

Urban Sprawl

9st 10lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Already a three-time scorer (around 1m) in 2025 and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 13 in 1m Newcastle handicap; must enter calculations off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

5

(12)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Urban Sprawl

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Career win number eight when prevailing narrowly in a Class 4 at Beverley (extended 1m) and tends to find Class 2s too tough these days, so excused his Doncaster run; only 1-17 on the AW but could be a factor.

14/1

10th

12

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Urban Sprawl

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Charlie Johnston

Tough sort but has done his winning this year in Class 4, including at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) last time when taking record to 8-55; faces a tougher task back up two grades.

14/1

3rd
2 (3)
Tele Red

9/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 5-2574 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Three 1m wins in 2023 (good to soft and soft), the latest over C&D; two good efforts from four starts in 2024 but he hasn't looked ahead of his mark and likely needs softened ground to level the playing field back at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(1)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Beverley

Tele Red

9st 1lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: K R Burke

Consistent performer who won't have a problem with the likely ground conditions having gained five of his six wins on good to soft/soft; off 310 days, but has run well fresh before and market support would be interesting.

7/1

2nd

1

(14)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:03 Doncaster

Tele Red

10st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

In-form 8yo who recorded a 2l success at Pontefract (1m2f, soft) on Monday, ending two-year losing spell; incurs 4lb penalty but Jack Nicholls takes off useful 5lb; could well remain competitive.

4/1

1st

14

(5)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

16:33 Pontefract

Tele Red

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

8yo who has been beaten on his last 17 starts going back to October 2023 but he's been runner-up on his last two outings (1m, good/soft), most recently here when beaten a neck; he should be fine now back up to 1m2f and he has a strong record here; could be thereabouts.

9/1

4th
5 (8)
Yaaser

10/1

Form: 047017 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Tough character who ran on all three days of the Western meeting here, fading in the first but a cosy winner from off the pace in the second (1m, good) before understandably flagging the final day; back up 3lb for the win and needs things to fall right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(10)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:20 Hamilton

Yaaser

9st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Eight-time turf winner; rather inconsistent this season; has a chance on his third here in August (1m, good) but this softer ground against him.

13/2

4th

8

(1)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

14:45 Ayr

Yaaser

9st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Four-time course winner (7f/1m) who acts on good to firm and good to soft; did well to finish a close third after missing the break at Hamilton (8.3f) nine days ago but he's not easy to predict and was always behind over C&D on Saturday night; risks attached.

8/1

8th

12

(12)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:00 Ayr

Yaaser

9st 4lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Talented and well treated; multiple wins include two over C&D; nearly all his wins under Paul Mulrennan, who prefers Sanafi Zabeel, but he's also gone well for Lauren Young and ran creditably for her at Hamilton last week; the likely strong pace will suit and he's capable of a big run.

12/1

5th
9 (6)
Straya

25/1

Form: 575685

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Minor form since showing promise at the start of her career in Ireland and she couldn't make a serious impact back over 1m at Thirsk recently; down another 2lb but it doesn't look enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Straya

9st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Katie Scott

Sole win from 22 starts came at Ayr (1m2f, soft) in July; below that level since; however, didn't get much luck in running over this C&D 13 days ago and holds place claims granted a clearer passage.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Straya

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Katie Scott

Off the mark at the 19th attempt at Ayr (1m2f, soft) last month and her next start at Hamilton (1m, good) can be forgiven (saw no daylight); had no obvious excuse back at Ayr (1m2f, good) last time, though, and others are more persuasive.

7/2

3

(10)

28th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Ayr

Straya

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Katie Scott

Well-backed winner over C&D on July 6 (soft; subsequent winner Zebra Star a clear second) and a line can be put through her subsequent run at Hamilton (1m, good) as she was repeatedly short of room; in calculations.

4/1

Form: 106960 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won 1m maiden at Haydock (soft) in April but he hasn't finished nearer than sixth in handicaps since, albeit two of them were in highly competitive races; slipped in weights but hard to know if he's worth his current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Candonomore

9st 6lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Won races for two previous yards and was a close third on debut for current one (1m1f, good to firm); hasn't kicked on from there, including here two runs back when beating one home over 6f; drops into a claimer but these terms aren't easy.

8/1

7th

1

(8)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:50 Windsor

Candonomore

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jennie Candlish

Successful for two previous yards and ran creditably at Ayr on debut for current stable; below par in two starts since but likely found 6f too sharp latest; returns to a more suitable distance.

10/1

8th

8

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:03 Chester

Candonomore

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jennie Candlish

A ready winner at Bath (1m, firm) in April (final start for Stuart Williams); good start for Jennie Candlish when third over 1m1f at Ayr (good to firm) but not in the same form when beaten favourite at Carlisle (1m) ten days later; quite a strong traveller over those trips but whether he has the speed for sprinting remains to be seen.

10/1

20/1

Form: 407906

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground 7f winner in Ireland; taking time to find his feet for new yard and big weights drop not enough as yet, failing to hold position over 7f here ten days ago; blinkers no help, now tries a hood; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

5th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Starliner

9st 6lb

J: William Pyle

T: Linda Perratt

An infrequent winner but he's run many good races on this track to go with his 7f win in late 2024; another sound effort when going close over this C&D on Wednesday and he shouldn't be far away.

7/2

2nd

10

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Starliner

9st 1lb

J: William Pyle

T: Linda Perratt

Sits on last winning mark (Ayr, 1m) and has held his form well, finding one stronger in three of his last four, including when picked off inside the final furlong at Doncaster (7f; 11-1) recently; is a modest 1-22 on AW.

3/1

2nd

13

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Starliner

8st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Linda Perratt

Ended a losing sequence at Ayr (1m) in May and largely in good nick since, sixth of ten in 1m handicap at Hamilton two weeks ago; no forlorn hope eased 1lb.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: -70294 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Never involved on soft ground at Ascot two starts ago but he ran two good races either side of that and didn't appear to get room to breathe at a crucial moment over C&D 12 days ago; thereabouts again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(6)

7th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Power Of Gold

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John & Sean Quinn

Just one win from his 21 starts but he's been a creditable third on two of his three starts this season, most recently at Chepstow (7f, good); he's probably fine on good to soft; in the mix if he's on another going day.

5/1

3rd

2

(8)

21st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Chepstow

Power Of Gold

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1-20 but his comeback run was encouraging, over 1m at Pontefract; Wetherby next time was disappointing but he did go down by only a neck on his last run over 7f (last August) and he's his Yorkshire-based yard's only runner on the card; Oisin Murphy rides.

6/1

2

(8)

21st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Chepstow

Power Of Gold

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1-20 but his comeback run was encouraging, over 1m at Pontefract; Wetherby next time was disappointing but he did go down by only a neck on his last run over 7f (last August) and he's his Yorkshire-based yard's only runner on the card; Oisin Murphy rides.

6/1

10/1

Form: 651994 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Six of his seven wins have come at Carlisle, the most recent over 7f (good) in August; has also won at 1m and 1m1f there; two moderate efforts followed but he kept his nose to the grindstone over 7f here ten days ago and the return to further will suit; should figure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 208y

Class 5

15:40 Musselburgh

Detective

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Dianne Sayer

10yo who gained the latest of his eight career wins over this C&D (good; wore blinkers) last summer; soundly beaten on both outings this year but has blinkers refitted today and it won't be a shock if he stages a revival.

14/1

10th

11

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

Detective

8st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Dianne Sayer

Veteran who has loads of Carlisle form, including six wins; however, has become inconsistent with age and isn't guaranteed to give his running.

20/1

9th

11

(5)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Detective

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Dianne Sayer

10yo who has an up-and-down profile last year and this is his first run since September; however, he was a good third over C&D (good) on his reappearance last April and won here (1m1f, good) in July; not ruled out each-way.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.50
Straight Forecast £13.90
Tricast £51.52
Trifecta £53.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gracious Leader

THE NORTH:

Tele Red

The Times:

Starliner

POSTDATA:

Power Of Gold

RP RATINGS:

Urban Sprawl

Daily Mirror:

Yaaser

The Guardian:

Gracious Leader

Daily Mail:

Gracious Leader

The Sun:

Gracious Leader

The Star:

Gracious Leader

Telegraph:

Tele Red

D Express:

Tele Red

Daily Record:

Tele Red