January 09 / 18.30 Chelmsford (AW)

18.30

Standard To Slow

It’s Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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It’s Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Sunny

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 63611- CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Two from two for new stable, both wins over C&D; did it a shade cosily after coming from off the pace on latest occasion and is only 2lb higher today; commands respect in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Carlton

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

All eight Flat wins have been on the AW, though he's won twice over hurdles at up to 2m4f; very capable at the right level but this isn't it; faces a mammoth task on all the figures.

80/1

4th

9

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Carlton

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Highly fruitful in his two and a half years with this yard, including two wins (Flat/hurdles) this February/March; needs to bounce back from a rare flop but the chief concern is his 0-15 record on Flat turf.

18/1

5th

4

(4)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Carlton

9st 9lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Thriving at present and he followed up 1m6f Chelmsford success in February with an emphatic victory over hurdles at Huntingdon last month; big shout once more.

9/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 89355-

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
0-17 now but ended last year with three pretty good efforts, most recently when fifth behind Carlton over C&D three weeks ago; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:08 Bath

Zooks

8st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Ian Williams

37 starts, with her only wins coming last year on AW in February and at Ffos Las (1m6f, good) in July; went off the boil this January-March and no revival 15 days ago, after a break, but she'd be a major player if back on song.

14/1

7th

7

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Zooks

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Two wins from 36 starts; runner-up at Wolverhampton (1m6f) in December but below that level in three starts since, including when a 12l third of ten here over 1m6f last time; still has place claims.

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £5.40

Form: 49882-

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
A maiden after 11 runs but has not been with Mark Usher long and ran big race before succumbing to Carlton over C&D three weeks ago; contender if similar form again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(1)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:05 Lingfield (AW)

Lumberjack

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Mark Usher

Placed several times, including 7l second at Chelmsford (1m5f) on reappearance; has each-way hopes but looks far from guaranteed to go one better, being still a maiden at the age of seven.

13/2

11

(5)

16th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lumberjack

9st 0lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Usher

0-16; placed three times over 1m6f-16.5f on the AW last winter, but then lost her way and needs to hit the ground running back from 161 days off.

25/1

10th

11

(1)

8th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:27 Southwell (AW)

Lumberjack

8st 9lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Mark Usher

15-race maiden and has been below par on his last two starts; dropping back in trip not sure to suit and first-time visor replaces cheekpieces; others preferred.

25/1

Form: 41393- D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Came good for Tony Carroll at second attempt, with clearcut success at Southwell (1m6f) in November, and bounced back from a lesser effort when placed on his latest outing; suited by Polytrack and probably still on a workable mark; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(4)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Bath

Alex The Great

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

All three wins on the AW and turf form is very unconvincing; others safer.

20/1

4th

1

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:55 Brighton

Alex The Great

9st 9lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Three-time AW winner but not since March 2025, and his record on turf is poor; last off four in Lingfield handicap (1m6f, good to firm) 12 days ago and not the percentage call here.

16/1

4th

2

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:27 Lingfield

Alex The Great

8st 11lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Tony Carroll

Regressive 6yo who has struggled in five hurdle runs this year and was well held back on the Flat in a classified event here (1m4f, AW) 12 days ago; this step back up in trip should suit but losing run is up to 20 and all of his three wins have been on AW; others preferred.

9/1

Form: 60696-

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Ten-race maiden; arrested decline when respectable sixth at big odds in C&D race won by Carlton three weeks ago (refitted cheekpieces) but overall profile remains unappealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

(8)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Rogue Raider

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Clare Hobson

towards rear

33/1

10th

11

(8)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Raider

8st 12lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Clare Hobson

disputed lead, headed and prominent after 3f

33/1

10th

11

(8)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rogue Raider

8st 12lb

J: Raul Da Silva

T: Clare Hobson

disputed lead, headed and prominent after 3f

33/1

Form: 35374- D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Ended 2024 with respectable fourth at regular haunt Wolverhampton (1m6f) and is now only 1lb higher than when winning over that C&D in September; each-way claims if all goes well on first visit to Chelmsford.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(9)

17th Feb 2026

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

Three of his five wins have come over C&D, including a division of this race last year when rated 5lb higher; not shone yet this winter and he arrives with a bit to prove.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Black Smoke

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Mark Loughnane

Three-time course winner (1m6f) but he's been out of sorts in his last five runs and latest was at this track three weeks ago; has something to prove and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip.

20/1

11

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:08 Bath

Black Smoke

8st 6lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Mark Loughnane

Kept on well to score off this mark at Chepstow (2m, good to firm) in July and also has a soft-ground success on his record but both runs last month were below par and conditions are probably not ideal for him today.

16/1

16/1

Form: 11454- C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Won two classified races at around 1m4f on turf last summer but has found things tougher in handicaps since and has quite a bit more to prove than some in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

17:40 Brighton

Foinix

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Classified winner over 1m4f on the Lingfield AW last month but only seventh there two weeks ago; he can be up and down.

10/1

7th

1

(6)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

15:33 Lingfield (AW)

Foinix

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Came from the rear to get up to win a similar contest over C&D last Tuesday; has more on his plate here with a 5lb penalty but current winning form is rare in such contests so he comes back here with decent claims.

3/1

1st

7

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Foinix

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

1-31 on the AW; placed in similar events at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) in his last two starts, but it's only modest form and likely he will need more to take this.

5/1

6/1

Form: 79044-

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all seven starts but built upon his encouraging stable debut when fourth at Wolverhampton (2m) last month, having lost ground at the start and made a big forward move from 5f out; may do better again if this race pans out more smoothly for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:42 Stratford

Mamdoh

10st 10lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Dual 1m6f AW Flat winner for Joseph Parr; didn't jump that well when pulled up on hurdles debut; should improve.

33/1

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

18:48 Stratford

Mamdoh

11st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Won two low-grade 1m6f AW handicaps for Joseph Parr when fitted with cheekpieces in February; changed hands for 8,500gns in May; goes without headgear on stable/hurdle debut but will be fine stamina-wise; market may guide.

14/1

6th

3

(5)

4th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Mamdoh

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Joseph Parr

led

3/1

20/1

Form: 1/080- C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Won three times at Kempton (1m3f-1m4f) in first half of 2023 but returned from a long layoff with three down-the-field runs towards end of last year; needs to stage a revival and is not yet proven over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(5)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Meisterzinger

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Mark Usher

midfield, headway and prominent after 5f

20/1

9th

5

(5)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Meisterzinger

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Mark Usher

midfield, headway and prominent after 5f

20/1

10th

12

(12)

18th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:10 Kempton (AW)

Meisterzinger

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Mark Usher

Three course wins in 2023 ended with a spreadeagling success over this trip that June; down the field in two comeback runs here in recent weeks, although he was prominent until approaching the final 1f last time and might come on again.

13/2

33/1

Form: 2090-7 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Runs this track well and is well handicapped on old form but has not fired on any of his four starts for Olly Williams, and the refitted cheekpieces (retained) did not appear to make much difference last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(2)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Oscar Doodle

9st 4lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Olly Williams

towards rear

33/1

10th

6

(2)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Oscar Doodle

9st 4lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Olly Williams

towards rear

33/1

7th

6

(3)

2nd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

14:27 Newcastle (AW)

Oscar Doodle

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Olly Williams

Four-time AW winner including in this race in 2023; went close over 1m2f here in April but he's lost his way since and has been beaten 15l or more in three runs for current yard; cheekpieces are now reapplied and he needs a major revival.

12/1

Form: 98673-

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Looked suited by the step up in trip and was placed for first time in seven-race career when close third behind Carlton and Lumberjack over C&D three week ago; could plausibly have more to offer as a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

25th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Leon Trotsky

9st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

1-13; won at Southwell (2m, AW) off 3lb lower in February and he ran a fine race when third behind Balgowan over that same C&D in April; below form at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) 37 days ago but he was caught quite wide for a part of the race; yard won this last year.

7/1

6th

7

(7)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Leon Trotsky

9st 4lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Had little trouble in shaking off his rivals when upped to 2m at Southwell in February and he ran a sound race in defeat when third over that C&D in April; looks one of the better options if proving suited by this track on first run here.

11/4

6th

7

(7)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Leon Trotsky

9st 4lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Had little trouble in shaking off his rivals when upped to 2m at Southwell in February and he ran a sound race in defeat when third over that C&D in April; looks one of the better options if proving suited by this track on first run here.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.20
Straight Forecast £6.16
Tricast £93.18
Trifecta £107.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Carlton

POSTDATA:

Alex The Great

NEWMARKET:

Leon Trotsky

RP RATINGS:

Mamdoh

Telegraph:

Carlton

The Guardian:

Carlton

Daily Mail:

Carlton

D Express:

Carlton

Daily Mirror:

Carlton

The Sun:

Carlton

The Star:

Carlton

Daily Record:

Carlton

The Times:

Alex The Great