October 03 / 16.50 Salisbury

16.50

Heavy

M J Church Handicap

  • Prize money: £5888.24
  • 1m 6f 44y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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M J Church Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 4341-U

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably over 2m on soft ground on penultimate start last term, but it was over 2m on Kempton AW (5-4 favourite) next time that he took the step forward to make his breakthrough; absent for nearly a year before rearing over in the stalls at Chester three weeks ago, taking no part when he was second favourite; could still have potential as a stayer if there are no alarms this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Berkshire Sundance

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Good strike-rate of 7-17 and he should have brighter prospects than some of staying this extreme trip given he wasn't stopping at the end of the Chester Cup over an extended 2m2f last time; has raised his game in cheekpieces (fitted in only his last two races) and he could outrun his odds if coping okay with fast ground.

16/1

6th

6

(15)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Berkshire Sundance

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Missed most of last season but won on good/AW in four of his six starts since, the latest in clearcut fashion with first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle on AW Championships day; raised another 7lb, drawn wide and lacks any race experience at this track, but he's going from strength to strength.

10/1

1st

9

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Berkshire Sundance

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In and out on his five runs since returning from an absence in October but he's won three of them, most recently at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) in January; has also won on Tapeta; this steadily progressive 6yo has gone up just 2lb for last time and could again be involved; cheekpieces go on.

9/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 961211 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 3yo who has won three of his six starts for current yard, including a quick double last month at Epsom (1m4f, soft) and Chester (1m6f, good to soft); up another 6lb but firmly in charge on both those occasions and has to make appeal on his upward curve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(17)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Small Fry

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

1m4f festival wins off much lower marks at Chester and Epsom preceded his 100,000gns purchase last July; two Flat runs (including 2m Irish Cesarewitch) last autumn didn't work out but there was encouragement to be drawn from his two hurdle races last month (second on latest) and he scored over an extended 1m6f in 2024; not entirely dismissed, from stable which runs seven.

18/1

2nd

11

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 100y

14:41 Listowel

Small Fry

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Five Flat wins in UK and ran respectably in two autumn Flat starts for this yard after 100,000gns purchase; previous efforts over hurdles were modest but there was promise in his run at Down Royal (2m2f, good) earlier this month when staying on for fourth; entitled to improve over that return; contender.

9/4

4th

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Small Fry

11st 12lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Five Flat wins in UK and ran respectably both starts for this yard last autumn after 100,000gns purchase; just modest form both hurdle runs in UK, but could do better now that he is more mature; check for market strength.

4/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -33383

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; inclined to pull hard since handicapping, including when back from 1m4f to 1m2f last time, and will need to settle much better over this new trip; the returning hood (tried three starts back) could help but there are risks involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:50 Market Rasen

Crown Of India

10st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Exploited much-reduced mark at Worcester (2m, good) in May, his second run after a break, and backed up that performance with good second behind unexposed rival there last month; can make presence felt again.

9/2

2nd

5

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Worcester

Crown Of India

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Left low-key reappearance run behind him when finishing well to score over C&D (good) three weeks ago and is now 2-11 over hurdles; still on workable mark after recent 4lb rise; high on the list.

11/4

1st

6

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Crown Of India

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Won a good-ground maiden here last June but hasn't offered much in five handicaps subsequently; his mark is dropping if nothing else.

20/1

Form: 134217

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Competitive in his first six handicaps, including three wins, before he was put in his place in a valuable 1m6f race at Haydock (good) on latest outing; that was only his second turf race, the other having been on good to firm; needs to resume improvement on this very different surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

16:35 Aintree

Road To Wembley

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner on the Flat for Richard Hughes and it's been a promising start over hurdles, winning a Southwell maiden last time without too much fuss (good); penalised accordingly but sets the standard.

Evs

1st

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Fairly useful four-time AW Flat winner in these silks for Richard Hughes and promising second of ten on his Warwick hurdle debut (2m, good to soft) for Olly Murphy 24 days ago; entitled to improve and the one to beat.

Evs

2nd

7

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Road To Wembley

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time AW winner at up to 2m on Flat for Richard Hughes, reaching an RPR of 85 (has shown a similar level of form on turf); remains with same owner; has the potential to become a fairly useful hurdler.

13/2

Form: -33526 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who's performing consistently but the exception came as 2yo on her only start on heavy going; her sixth when favourite trying 1m6f and cheekpieces (both for the first time) on latest outing was not her best form and today she sports blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

3rd Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 6f 44y

Class 4

16:50 Salisbury

Frankelian

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Eight-race maiden who's performing consistently but the exception came as 2yo on her only start on heavy going; her sixth when favourite trying 1m6f and cheekpieces (both for the first time) on latest outing was not her best form and today she sports blinkers.

9/1

6th

7

(11)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Haydock

Frankelian

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

0-7 but performing consistently, the exception on heavy going as a 2yo (her only run on softer than good); needs a little extra for the breakthrough win but this longer trip looks worth a go; she also now tries headgear.

4/1

2nd

8

(8)

10th Aug 2024

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

17:45 Lingfield

Frankelian

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Fair form in three handicaps this season, most notably when third at Salisbury (1m2f, good to firm) on first occasion; not really favoured by the weights in this maiden but still considered each-way.

11/2

Form: 6143/7

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
2m winner in 2022 when best efforts were on good to soft; absent 666 days before soundly beaten at Goodwood this August, which was his second start on soft ground, and he's been withdrawn twice since due to unsuitable ground (heavy and good to firm); well treated on 2022 form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

18:55 Goodwood

Zikany

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Amanda Perrett

Wide-margin winner here on heavy ground over 2m in October 2024 and followed up with a smooth success at Newbury (2m, heavy) next time; a beaten favourite at Nottingham (soft) 590 days ago and it's likely he'll need his first start since over a trip short of his best.

12/1

6th

1

(11)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Zikany

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Amanda Perrett

in rear

11/4

6th

1

(11)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Zikany

10st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Amanda Perrett

in rear, headway from 2f out, weakened final 110yds

11/4

Form: 53/79-

Last run: 615 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Bumper and hurdle (on good to soft) winner whose only four races under Flat rules were on AW in the winter 2022-2023, behind in his only handicap (2m); below form in August on his latest start over hurdles but overall jumps form means he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Jack The Savage

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Laura Horsfall

Has won two of his last three, the latest over 3m2f at Fontwell when Sean Bowen was at his strongest; probably has little up his sleeve after the 5lb rise.

5/1

1st

3

10th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

17:00 Fontwell

Jack The Savage

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Laura Horsfall

Landed a weak handicap at Hereford (3m1f, good) in March; never threatened off 2lb higher at Southwell (3m, good) last time; Sean Bowen rides for the first time so may well have a say.

5/1

4th

5

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Jack The Savage

11st 5lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Laura Horsfall

Had dropped to a good mark and finally exploited it with a head success at Hereford (3m1f, good); that was a weak race but he's only 2lb higher and should give some less exposed rivals plenty to think about.

11/4

Form: -42935 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Five-time turf winner at up to 2m on Flat but no win since July 2022; second at Salisbury in June but not so good in her three starts since and her rare starts on soft ground in recent years have been unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Wilderness

10st 11lb

J: Miss Daisy Warden

T: Seamus Mullins

Versatile mare who is on a much-reduced mark but she hasn't won since 2022 and has offered very little in her last four races; passed over.

25/1

7

(12)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 6

14:52 Bath

Wilderness

9st 5lb

J: George Downing

T: Seamus Mullins

Hasn't won for a good while now and offered very little in her last three races.

25/1

10th

11

29th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

19:43 Salisbury

Wilderness

9st 0lb

J: J F Egan

T: Seamus Mullins

Long time since she won a race; beaten 5l into second at Lingfield three runs back and offered nothing since.

33/1

Form: 4-2374

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Ex-French maiden (seven races); improved when staying-on fourth of nine in handicap at Sandown (1m2f, soft) last time, having been soundly beaten the time before on her only attempt at 1m4f; now it's 1m6f and she needs to find extra again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

7

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Nini Star

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Fair on the Flat on her going days; has not achieved a great deal in three hurdle runs for new yard this year but she now switches to a handicap and is a possible improver with new headgear tried; one to keep an eye on.

7/1

8

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:20 Southwell

Nini Star

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Fair on the Flat on her going days but was pulled up on stable/hurdle debut in February and probably didn't achieve much when sixth at Worcester (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) a fortnight ago.

14/1

8

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:20 Southwell

Nini Star

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Fair on the Flat on her going days but was pulled up on stable/hurdle debut in February and probably didn't achieve much when sixth at Worcester (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) a fortnight ago.

14/1

Form: 73513

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won handicap/stable debut at Pontefract in July, staying on nicely to be well on top late on; raced closer and a bit freely when not performing so well at Ripon (again 1m4f on good) in August in his only start since; his dam won at up to 1m6f and he's lightly raced, so could still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

St Pancras

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Two wins apiece on Flat and under this code, notably in 4yo Listed hurdle; subsequently ran well in substandard Adonis then had a straightforward task at Stratford; this assignment demands best form yet.

12/1

6th

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

St Pancras

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Two wins apiece on Flat and under this code, notably in 4yo Listed hurdle; subsequently ran well in substandard Adonis then had a straightforward task at Stratford; this assignment demands best form yet.

12/1

1st

6

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:55 Stratford

St Pancras

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Dual Flat winner who has raised his profile over hurdles, winning the Scottish Triumph at Musselburgh (good to soft) before finishing runner-up in the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton; he probably faced mission impossible that day in conceding 5lb to a really smart prospect; hard to beat.

Evs

OUR TIP

Form: /1954- BF

Last run: 403 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) first time as 3yo; below that form in three turf events since, on soft ground for last two occasions and with first-time cheekpieces in a Goodwood seller on latest in August 2023 (left Andrew Balding for £20,000); gelded since; others look far more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Torre Del Oro

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Useful on the Flat at his best; safely held on first two hurdling starts (2m3f/2m1f) and was tailed off when unseating rider on latest outing but makes his handicap hurdle debut in a low-grade race and may yet transfer some of that Flat ability to this code.

9/1

10

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:35 Taunton

Torre Del Oro

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Flat winner for previous stable; form for current yard, including twice over hurdles at Fontwell, leaves a lot to be desired.

50/1

10

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:35 Taunton

Torre Del Oro

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Flat winner for previous stable; form for current yard, including twice over hurdles at Fontwell, leaves a lot to be desired.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.20
Straight Forecast £16.87
Tricast £58.84
Trifecta £123.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Small Fry

Telegraph:

St Pancras

TOPSPEED:

Frankelian

The Times:

Crown Of India

RP RATINGS:

Zikany

Daily Mirror:

St Pancras

POSTDATA:

Frankelian

The Guardian:

Small Fry

Daily Mail:

Small Fry

D Express:

Small Fry

The Sun:

Small Fry

The Star:

Small Fry

Daily Record:

Small Fry