October 04 / 16.30 Ascot

16.30

Heavy

BetMGM Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 221107 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won at York (6f, good to soft) in June and followed up in dominant fashion here (5f, good); returned to form with close seventh of 22 in the Portland at Doncaster (5.6f, good) three weeks ago and, while he needs to raise his game, he's now back at the scene of his career-best performance; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Holkham Bay

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Progressive last year, with his three wins including two at Ascot (one over C&D); confirmed his affinity for the track with a good fourth in the Wokingham three weeks ago, a race where he was finishing fast up the stands' rail and comfortably beating the others to race on that part of the track; 1lb rise manageable but with the stalls on the stands' side there must be a query over the suitability of stall 1.

7/2

4th

29

(29)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Holkham Bay

9st 0lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Regularly runs well in big-field sprints and in fine form here in 2024, finishing a close second of 26 over C&D before winning both subsequent starts (good and soft); may be high in the weights relative to this class of race but he shouldn't be far away following a luckless Goodwood run and then slightly short of room at York since.

20/1

7th

3

(12)

14th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:42 York

Holkham Bay

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: William Knight

Made good progress last season, winning handicaps over C&D and twice at Ascot (5f and 6f); unplaced twice this year but looked to need the run at Southwell and then met plenty of trouble at Goodwood 12 days ago (saw little daylight between 2f out and 1f out as the race was unfolding); 1lb lower today and Oisin Murphy, who won on him at Ascot in October, takes over; still has something to prove on good to firm, albeit he had a bleak draw when well held at the Ebor meeting last year.

6/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 140133 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
3yo who made it four wins from his six starts when scoring at Chester (6f, good) in July, and he's been a close third the next twice (6f/7f, good); won on debut on good to soft (unraced on softer); he could still have more to offer and may be in the shake-up this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

11

(28)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Garfield Shadow

9st 5lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won five of his ten starts for Richard Fahey, notably a local Group 3 in Qatar in November 2024; absent for 593 days and gelded prior to his stable debut at Pontefract (6f, good) last month, a race in which he was caught out wide but plugged on for second behind the thriving easy winner; clearly retains ability but this will demand much more.

40/1

2nd

2

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

Garfield Shadow

9st 13lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Useful for Richard Fahey, winning five times the latest of which was a 7f handicap in Qatar in November 2024; makes his debut for his new yard (gelded in the meantime) and, like his stablemate The Strikin Viking, whether he is on a favourable mark remains to be seen; the choice of James Doyle, though, so interesting to see what the market says.

4/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 113005 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Kicked off campaign with two wins (6f, AW) and he's also a two-time turf winner (heavy/good to firm); returned to form with close fifth at Kempton (6f, AW) last month, when denied a clear run, and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25th

23

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Ferrous

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Best known for his AW exploits but he is fine on turf and has a lower mark in this sphere; went desperately close at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) 15 days ago, a race in which the first two pulled clear in the closing stages from a subsequent winner; 2lb ahead of the handicapper and he was successful on his only visit to Goodwood; interesting.

16/1

40/1

Form: 97-830

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in the Portland at Doncaster (5.6f, good) three weeks ago and needs to leave that run miles behind, but prior to that he showed some spark at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) and testing ground would be right up his street judged on past evidence; not a forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wodao

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Steph Hollinshead

Listed winner in Ireland as a 2yo who regressed sharply for Jamie Osborne; been off for four four months since well held over C&D and the change of scenery will need to have done the trick.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 256346 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
0-8 this year and hasn't been at his best, but he's run creditably in defeat in the two handicaps he's tackled this season (6f, good to firm) and he's versatile ground-wise; headgear swapped; could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Commanche Falls

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Runner-up twice in a row in Bahrain (6f, good/good to firm) in January; this 9yo hasn't shone on his three starts since and his losing sequence goes back to September 2023, but perhaps the drop back in grade will trigger a revival for this C&D winner; not ruled out.

7/1

11th

5

(15)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Veteran who ran a cracker behind a stablemate over C&D at last season's Ebor meeting; runner-up twice in Bahrain in January; low-key return to Britain last week; on a good mark but this is a tough race in which to try and rebound.

25/1

6/1

Form: 707074 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
He's had a disappointing campaign but has dropped down the weights and took a big step back in the right direction in first-time blinkers (retained) when a close fourth at Ripon (6f, soft) last Saturday, having been slowly away; this course winner may be able to build on that latest performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

Baradar

9st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Won the International at Ascot and a 6.5f course handicap on soft at the St Leger meeting in a very good 2023 campaign; has failed to hit the same heights this year but now dangerously well handicapped and recent efforts have been a bit better.

11/1

6th

5

(6)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Baradar

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: George Boughey

He's had a disappointing campaign but has dropped down the weights and took a big step back in the right direction in first-time blinkers (retained) when a close fourth at Ripon (6f, soft) last Saturday, having been slowly away; this course winner may be able to build on that latest performance.

6/1

4th

2

(10)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Baradar

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: George Boughey

It's been a struggle for him so far this year, including back under favourable conditions at Doncaster 13 days ago, but he's down to a good mark and possible the switch to blinkers will pique his interest.

9/1

Form: 3-9610 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Flopped at Windsor (6f, good to firm) in August but has had a short break since and he won at Windsor (6f, good to firm) two starts ago; won on soft ground last October and this 3yo retains potential; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(5)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Palmar Bay

10st 2lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ralph Beckett

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 10lb lower mark; as good as ever when fourth of eight at Wolverhampton (7f, Listed) in March but has found it tougher going since; apprentice's claim is useful but he still has little margin for error off this mark.

9/1

8th

3

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Palmar Bay

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ralph Beckett

Comfortable winner of a C&D handicap (good to firm) last August; better than ever when a close fourth in a Listed event at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in March but he's been well held in both subsequent runs and latest was in a C&D; has bit to prove again and this looks a tough task on the figures.

14/1

8th
4 (1)
Rohaan

100/30

Form: 808030 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent this year and the visor worn on his last three starts is now left off; however, he has a very good record here, winning this race last season (good) and finishing a close third over C&D (soft) two starts ago when the slow pace was against him; firmly in calculations off a handy mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

(10)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Rohaan

8st 12lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David Evans

Has five C&D wins on his resume, including two Wokinghams and two Group 3s; getting on for two years since his last win though and this might be too competitive these days.

14/1

3

(11)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Rohaan

10st 0lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Evans

Hold-up sprinter who has been a source of frustration since his last win in October 2023; on a lowly mark and his four C&D runs this year have all been competitive; shouldn't be far away.

9/1

8th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Pontefract

Rohaan

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: David Evans

Landed the Wokingham in 2021 and 2022; on a long losing sequence but ran encouragingly in big field at Newbury most recently; fighting chance off current mark.

11/2

Form: 100657 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
He's had a mixed campaign and was soundly beaten at Haydock (6f, soft) last Saturday; however, he's just 1lb higher than when winning at Thirsk (6f, good to soft) in May and is also fine on soft/heavy; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:13 Ripon

Wobwobwob

9st 7lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Without a victory since 2024 and he was retried in a visor when beating one in 6f Hamilton handicap 11 days ago; blinkers and tongue-strap are fitted here.

25/1

9th

5

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Wobwobwob

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Well handicapped on his old form but last win was over two years ago and he's been out of sorts this season; this drop back in trip is no problem but he needs a major revival; visor reapplied.

25/1

18th

10

(7)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Wobwobwob

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Losing run stretches back over two years; best effort this year when fifth of eight over 7f at Goodwood (soft) on Sunday, but he'll need more if he's to exploit his reduced mark.

20/1

Form: -11672 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
3yo who kicked off campaign with two wins (7f/7.5f, soft/good) and was solid second of five at Chelmsford (7f, AW) latest; travelled well most recently and pedigree also hints he'll be suited by sprinting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

7f wins include the Group 1 City Of York Stakes last summer; not quite at his best this year, although a sixth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month (80-1) was no disgrace; back down in grade and returns to his optimum distance so should be thereabouts.

3/1

6th

3

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Never So Brave

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Proved somewhat resurgent with second-place finish behind Qirat over 7f at York last time, the C&D of his Group 1 success last August; however, faces a stiffer assignment back up in trip/class and possibly isn't crying out for this return to 1m, despite being a distance winner.

50/1

2nd

3

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart performer; completed a notable hat-trick (on good to firm ground) last summer, culminating in Group 1 honours over C&D; avoids a penalty for that success and holds a leading chance assuming he's back in similar form; best to forgive Epsom Group 3 effort last time (unsuited by the way the race unfolded).

4/5

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.20
Straight Forecast £37.84
Tricast £344.89
Trifecta £271.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rohaan

Telegraph:

Baradar

The Guardian:

Garfield Shadow

Daily Record:

Never So Brave

D Express:

Ferrous

NEWMARKET:

Holkham Bay

TOPSPEED:

Wobwobwob

RP RATINGS:

Rohaan

POSTDATA:

Rohaan

The Times:

Rohaan

Daily Mail:

Rohaan

The Sun:

Rohaan

Daily Mirror:

Baradar

The Star:

Baradar