April 04 / 16.27 Leicester

16.27

Good

Hardyman & Co Ltd Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 3f 179y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Hardyman & Co Ltd Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 223-23

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Failed to win for the Gosden yard (raced exclusively in novice company) prior to being sold in January for 38,000gns; the blinkers are removed, back from ten weeks off, and the market should give some clues under James Doyle (first ride for the yard).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Fireblade

10st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Dylan Cunha

Made good strides last season and scored twice at up to 2m, latterly at this track (good to firm); shaped encouragingly on 2026 return (1m2f); failed to build on that at Windsor (11.4f) nearly ten weeks later but takes another step back up in trip today; well handicapped if he returns to his best.

9/2

4th

5

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Fireblade

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Dylan Cunha

Brother to the top-class Cracksman; made good strides for Dylan Cunha last season (scored twice at up to 2m) and he shaped encouragingly over an inadequate 1m2f when fourth of eight in handicap at Pontefract in April; appeals as the sort to do well in 2026 and interesting now back up in trip.

7/2

9

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Fireblade

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well last season, including a win over 1m4f in April but he was best later on at about 2m (including at York); reappearance this term was pretty encouraging, considering it was over just 1m2f, and he looks a serious each-way contender.

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 6830-4

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Three-time 1m2f winner for Sir Mark Todd who's only been this far once, when well beaten; made a pleasing comeback for her new yard on Tapeta four weeks ago but needs to build on it and stamina is a live concern round here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 4

15:50 Goodwood

Expert Witness

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Patrick Chamings

Encouraging start for new stable culminated in Windsor success in April; has failed to back up that form in two starts since, last of three runners latest; rebound required.

9/1

4

(1)

22nd Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 3

15:10 Pontefract

Expert Witness

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Patrick Chamings

Low-key effort at Windsor four weeks ago but she'd begun her life with this yard with three good efforts, notably a 1m2f Windsor success on fast turf; considered.

11/2

5th

10

(11)

26th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Windsor

Expert Witness

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Patrick Chamings

Has shown steadily progressive form (421) this term for new yard, gaining a narrow win over C&D (good to firm) most recently; however, she's been campaigned largely in lower grades and now goes into deeper waters; got upset in stalls and was withdrawn at Newbury ten days ago.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 21423-

Last run: 198 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Bumped into one at Newmarket last August and the race didn't fall her way when last seen; remains relatively unexposed in that case and is open to improvement over this trip (from a good middle-distance family).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(8)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Bath

Orchard Keeper

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Kept on well to win Class 4 Goodwood handicap (good ground) when upped to this trip in June and has remained in good form since, but may have been flattered by her proximity when fourth of six in tactical Listed race at Chester (14.3f, good) in August and needs a bigger run here.

20/1

7

(1)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

14:40 Chester

Orchard Keeper

9st 3lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Unraced here or on softer than good; progressive in handicaps, including over 1m6f on two of her last three outings, but today's company should require a fair bit better.

14/1

2nd

1

(2)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Orchard Keeper

9st 11lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Course winner who showed improved form to win when upped to 1m6f at Goodwood (good) in June; kept on for third of six at Newbury (13.2f, good to firm) since and today's extra yardage is in her favour; not ruled out.

9/2

Form: 21632- BF

Last run: 200 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Has undergone a third round of wind surgery since said to have stopped quickly over hurdles last autumn (jumped left, pulled up before the last); this mark is within range on last summer's evidence if ready to go again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Mighty Bandit

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat and hurdles winner but already a far superior chaser; jumped well in front (although sometimes to the right) when completing a handicap hat-trick at Doncaster (2m, soft) six weeks ago by 17l; firmly on the up and deserves his chance in this higher grade.

9/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdle winner but he's looking a far superior chaser; bumped into a very smart novice on his chase debut and has since won two handicaps, the latest over C&D by some 8l (soft); an 8lb rise could have been worse for one firmly on the upgrade.

7/4

1st

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:13 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdles winner; very solid form at Newbury (2m, good to soft) since switched to fences, finishing a good second (behind subsequent Grade 2 scorer) prior to going one better in a race that is working out nicely; may well have more to offer in this sphere and warrants major respect.

10/11

Form: 3/333-

Last run: 232 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Still to run badly and remains relatively unexposed on her return from eight months off; she's only run once over this sort of trip too and is on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

20:19 Goodwood

Zayina

9st 13lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Competitive off this sort of mark during a limited campaign last year without looking to have anything in hand; similar story over this trip on her comeback in early April and she took a step backwards at Brighton (1m2f, also good to firm) 25 days later; handicapper's not really budging but cheekpieces are enlisted and this is winnable.

7/2

4th

2

(3)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 3

16:05 Brighton

Zayina

10st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

prominent, weakened from 2f out

5/1

4th

2

(3)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 3

16:05 Brighton

Zayina

10st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

prominent, weakened from 2f out

5/1

10/1

Form: 23128- D

Last run: 160 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Likes Yarmouth and was in good form there for Rae Guest last autumn before changing hands; could have done without the dry spell ahead of her first start in five months; goes in a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Afloat

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Multiple turf winner at up to 11.5f; less effective on AW surfaces but her best such effort was when last tried at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in May; if able to repeat that form she would have claims from this 5lb lower mark but she's not easy to predict.

12/1

10th

2

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Afloat

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

1m2f win here in April in a consistent season, bar one blip; raced freely in the lead when she last tried this sort of trip (penultimate start) but she did well over 11.4f on soft when held up last October; each-way player.

10/1

6th

4

(3)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Windsor

Afloat

9st 10lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: George Scott

Bar one blip she's been running well for George Scott and won over this trip at Haydock in April off the very same mark; last two runs weren't bad at all, having not got the run of things at Ripon and she raced freely when third at Catterick (1m4f).

16/1

7th
4 (2)
Appier

16/1

Form: 55338- D

Last run: 156 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Serial slow starter who's tended to improve for a run in previous seasons; resumes on his last successful mark but his last four wins have come on the AW and others make greater appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:39 Goodwood

Appier

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Mainly seen on the AW these days, but he did win three times on turf as a 3yo; interesting to see how he fares in the market on debut for Tony Carroll (same owner).

10/1

6th

5

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Appier

9st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Richard J Bandey

Recorded his tenth win when scoring at Wolverhampton (2m, Tapeta) in January; held his form with creditable efforts in next three starts but his good spell came to a halt at Lingfield last month; has bit to prove again after that heavy defeat and his last turf win was in 2022.

10/1

13th

10

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Appier

9st 5lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Richard J Bandey

Three course wins have come over 1m4f, but he has won over this sort of trip elsewhere; finished half a length behind St Faz when third of four at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) and now 11lb better off; each-way claims.

18/1

Form: 11441- D

Last run: 153 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Got his act together last backend, winning three times following a string of defeats at short prices; however, he returns from five months off and this is tougher than he's used to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(1)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Sugarloaf Lenny

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: William Knight

Three wins last year, including over C&D last November; 0-7 this season but has run some good races and was a 1l third of seven at Brighton (1m4f) three weeks ago; in with an each-way shout now back here.

11/1

3rd

3

(7)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

15:40 Brighton

Sugarloaf Lenny

9st 6lb

J: Luke Catton

T: William Knight

Four-time winner at up to 1m4f; not badly handicapped but could have run better last time and he's unraced here.

10/1

5th

5

(7)

11th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:40 York

Sugarloaf Lenny

9st 5lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Four-time winner at up to 1m4f; on a dangerous mark and might be running into form after his second over 1m2f at Salisbury; considered.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23615-

Last run: 146 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won five handicaps last year (including on comeback), four against her own sex, and climbed 23lb up the weights; will find life tougher off this mark but she's fine on any ground and it wouldn't be a shock to see her progress again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Ciara Pearl

10st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Won a Nottingham handicap over 1m2f on third start last season (good to firm); several good runs without winning after that; lacks a recent run and seems high enough in the ratings at present.

16/1

1

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

16:35 Nottingham

Ciara Pearl

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Narrowly made all over C&D in May off 3lb lower; inconsistent since, wearing cheekpieces on last four outings, but she appeared to run very well from off the pace when 66-1 in a Listed race on latest outing; back up 3lb but considered for a place.

11/1

5th

3

(9)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Ciara Pearl

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Made all to win a Nottingham handicap (1m2f, good to firm) in May; came up short in two previous attempts at Listed level, though; inconsistent in cheekpieces on last three starts; soft ground no bother but plenty to find.

50/1

Form: 57-536

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Climbed the ranks on the AW last year, winning five times in lesser company; pulled hard upped to 1m6f last time but had looked to have hit his ceiling prior to that and this is tough enough on his belated turf debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

1st Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Con Te Partiro

8st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Richard Spencer

Successful five times on AW in 2024; far less productive this year, latterly on turf, albeit wasn't disgraced last time; attractively treated back in this sphere, being 2lb below last winning mark.

10/1

3

(8)

22nd May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

14:55 Yarmouth

Con Te Partiro

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Spencer

Five-time AW scorer at up to 1m2f; seemingly a non-stayer over 1m4f/1m6f since switched to turf; this drop back in trip is a plus and he's competitively treated off 1lb below last winning mark.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £96.80
Straight Forecast £88.36
Tricast £349.22
Trifecta £433.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Orchard Keeper

TOPSPEED:

Expert Witness

Daily Mail:

Mighty Bandit

Daily Mirror:

Sugarloaf Lenny

RP RATINGS:

Orchard Keeper

The Times:

Orchard Keeper

Telegraph:

Orchard Keeper

The Guardian:

Orchard Keeper

The Sun:

Orchard Keeper

Daily Record:

Orchard Keeper

D Express:

Mighty Bandit

POSTDATA:

Expert Witness

The Star:

Expert Witness