December 18 / 16.05 Kempton (AW)

16.05

Standard To Slow

Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 1m 3f 219y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 616131 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who made it 3-5 on AW when justifying favouritism over 1m3f here last month; up 6lb but he finished well to beat 13 rivals last time and is open to more progress in this sphere; big player again for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

The Glen Rovers

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

7yo who is lightly raced for his age and made it 6-12 on AW when winning a competitive 1m2f handicap at Newcastle last month; achieved very little on turf at the start of his career but he's a different model now and he could be in the shake-up if the return to grass isn't an issue.

8/1

1st

12

(15)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

The Glen Rovers

8st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

Five AW wins between July 2024 and February 2025, including here; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game on his three starts since November, which puts him down the pecking order today.

25/1

5th

1

(1)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

The Glen Rovers

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

Made giant strides on AW last winter; rocketed up the handicap as a consequence and his two runs back from an eight-month absence have been underwhelming; still 5lb higher than for his last win but this is at least an ease in grade.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: -38736

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won Newcastle maiden (1m2f, AW) for Sir Micheal Stoute last May; 0-7 since but he's dropped down the weights and didn't get much luck at Lingfield (1m2f) on recent stable debut; looks worth another try at this trip and could be dangerous if things go his way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Chepstow

Crystal Mariner

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

1-12 on turf; returned to form when second at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) in September then went back-to-back at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on next two starts; slowly run series final didn't work out next time; not discounted on this comeback.

8/1

4

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Crystal Mariner

9st 10lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Two wins this summer, at Salisbury in July (1m2f, good to firm) and over C&D 19 days ago; hit with a 5lb rise but still feasibly weighted.

100/30

1st

3

(8)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Crystal Mariner

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jamie Osborne

Inconsistent but snapped losing sequence when winning at Salisbury (good to firm) in July; below form next two starts but close to career best when second at Doncaster (also 1m2f, good to soft) ten days ago; has run well here before and in calculations from the same mark (2lb well in).

7/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 881465 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run at Haydock (11.6f) in September but he's been vulnerable since and was beaten 6l at Wolverhampton (1m6f) last time; new headgear is now tried on this drop back in trip but others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

0-17 on AW but he returned to form with a staying-on third here (1m6f) last month; now drops back in trip but he's 1lb lower than last time and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style; visor reapplied.

9/2

3rd

2

(7)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

On losing run and 0-16 on AW, unable to justify favouritism at Chelmsford 12 days ago; another 2lb lower today and too much ability to discount.

9/2

14/1

Form: 2581- D

Last run: 424 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Hasn't made an impact in five hurdle runs for new yard this year but he won on the Flat (1m4f) in France last autumn; not easy to weigh up from a handicapping point of view but he's still lightly raced and needs watching in market back in this sphere; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Illucidate

11st 5lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Gary McGill

Has shown ability in France and Britain for former stables; was detached when falling on debut for this stable at Bellewstown; best watched for now.

16/1

7

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:30 Bellewstown

Illucidate

11st 3lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Gary McGill

Flat winner in France showed some ability in five hurdle starts in UK; worth a market check on debut for this yard.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 616577 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Recorded his eight win when scoring at Brighton (1m4f) in August but he's been well held in four subsequent runs and latest was at Wolverhampton last month; still 2lb higher than for his last success and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Lexington Knight

10st 3lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Won this 12 months ago and returns on a hat-trick after another course win (made all) and a success at Salisbury that looked unlikely until he picked up late on; might travel sweeter back at this track and can cope with this mark.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

19:50 Salisbury

Lexington Knight

9st 7lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Returned from three-month break with front-running win at Brighton (1m4f, good) in May and will be fine on the faster surface here but he's probably not quite as good as he was; younger rivals appeal more.

11/4

1

(3)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 5

16:05 Brighton

Lexington Knight

9st 9lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Richard Hannon

Ordinary form on the AW during the winter but he is 5lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) last August; off since February but he's respected back here on this return.

13/2

6/1

Form: -86046 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Caused a 50-1 surprise at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) last November but he's not gone on from that in six runs since; wasn't beaten far from off the pace at Southwell last month but he needs to find more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 0y

15:15 Listowel

Met Office

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Eoin Doyle

Three-time flat winner showed a little bit more over timber at Tramore (16.5f, good) last time but was still beaten 7.5l into eighth; down 2lb but needs to improve again to be competitive here.

22/1

8th

9

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 140y

15:00 Tramore

Met Office

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Eoin Doyle

Three-time Flat winner (twice in France, once in Britain) at up to 1m4f; has shown little over hurdles, but can be forgiven his recent run at Cork, failed to recover after being badly hampered four out; may do better.

12/1

8th

11

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 20y

14:30 Cork

Met Office

11st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Eoin Doyle

Three-time Flat winner (twice in France, once in Britain) at up to 1m4f; has shown little over hurdles; first handicap now.

14/1

10/1

Form: 426535

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who missed last year; some good efforts over 2m here in 2024 but he didn't fire at Wolverhampton last time and his tactical speed will be tested on this big drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Moel Arthur

11st 2lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Brett Johnson

Both wins at this track, the latest a C&D defeat of Sun Dancer Girl in January; solid placed efforts on his last two starts and he has the assistance of a top amateur jockey; big player.

11/4

3rd

8

(6)

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:53 Sandown

Moel Arthur

8st 13lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brett Johnson

Most runs and both wins have been on the AW but has comparable turf form, including a second over C&D in 2022; needs respecting after a near miss at Kempton (2m).

8/1

15/2

Form: 311210 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has been a spectacular success on turf this year, with seven wins including six under Molly Gun; had tough assignment in the November handicap last time but he needs to bounce back after that 17l defeat and he's 1-24 on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:15 Doncaster

Three Dons

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple Flat wins at 1m-1m4f, including on heavy; unable to make a significant impact on the Flat last autumn but he's run with credit over hurdles in recent months and is well treated back on the level (6lb below his last winning mark); considered.

10/1

2nd

4

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Three Dons

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple Flat wins at 1m-1m4f, including on heavy; switched to hurdling late in the day but he's taken surprisingly well to this game, running two good races at Leicester (extended 1m7f; soft and heavy), and may well improve for this easier stamina test now handicapping; thereabouts.

4/1

3rd

11

20th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

14:32 Leicester

Three Dons

11st 8lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Tony Carroll

8-46 on the Flat; left it rather late in the day to launch his hurdling career but went down fighting over C&D (soft) just after Christmas and has a good chance if in similar form again.

9/2

Form: 85-2

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Well-bred 3yo, who returned after 13 months off with a promising second in Newcastle novice (1m4f, AW) two weeks ago; that was only his third run and this unexposed colt is open to more progress now switched to a handicap; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(8)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Sir Geoff Hurst

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, pressed leaders inside final 110yds, stayed on

12/1

25/1

Form: 4338

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in novice/maiden events (1m2f/1m4f) this year but he struggled switched to a handicap at Lingfield (2m, AW) two weeks ago and that was after a non-completion on his hurdling debut; still unexposed and now drops back in trip but he has some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(2)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

15:22 Southwell (AW)

Vinnys Dream

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: B F Brookhouse

Lightly raced 4yo; has ability but well held in two Polytrack handicaps (2m/1m4f); hard to enthuse in first-time cheekpieces on Tapeta debut.

33/1

7th

8

(2)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

15:22 Southwell (AW)

Vinnys Dream

9st 4lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: B F Brookhouse

Lightly raced 4yo; has ability but well held in two Polytrack handicaps (2m/1m4f); hard to enthuse in first-time cheekpieces on Tapeta debut.

33/1

10th

11

(6)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Vinnys Dream

9st 2lb

J: Luke Catton

T: B F Brookhouse

Showed promise in novice/maiden events (1m2f/1m4f) this year but he struggled switched to a handicap at Lingfield (2m, AW) two weeks ago and that was after a non-completion on his hurdling debut; still unexposed and now drops back in trip but he has some questions to answer.

25/1

Form: 5/723- D

Last run: 586 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner, including six at a variety of trips on the Flat; went close off 4lb higher at Ascot (2m, soft) on his last run but that was 19 months ago and this 9yo has something to prove after a long absence; regular hood is missing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Cogital

11st 1lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Not the easiest to predict and well held on both starts on the AW since finishing a good second over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in March, ridden by Harry Atkins who can claim his 5lb allowance here; will not mind any rain and not out of this if in the mood, with one of his two hurdling wins coming over C&D.

7/1

5th

2

(12)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

17:17 Southwell (AW)

Cogital

11st 2lb

J: Miss Jessica Llewellyn

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Hard to predict and was out the back at Wolverhampton (1m4f) three weeks ago but he finished runner-up over hurdles at Chepstow (2m) last month and his last Flat win was off this mark (1m6f, good) last summer; comes with risks attached but he's not ruled out back up in trip; change of headgear.

20/1

9th

1

(5)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cogital

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won a weak four-runner handicap at Ffos Las (1m6f, good) under David Probert in July but mostly poor form under both codes since; appeared to take a step back in the right direction when second over hurdles last time and Probert is back in the saddle for the first time since that win.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.60
Straight Forecast £7.47
Tricast £53.41
Trifecta £52.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Glen Rovers

TOPSPEED:

Lexington Knight

The Guardian:

Three Dons

Daily Record:

Sir Geoff Hurst

The Star:

Crystal Mariner

D Express:

Met Office

RP RATINGS:

The Glen Rovers

POSTDATA:

The Glen Rovers

NEWMARKET:

The Glen Rovers

The Times:

The Glen Rovers

Telegraph:

The Glen Rovers

Daily Mail:

The Glen Rovers

Daily Mirror:

Lexington Knight

The Sun:

Three Dons