April 30 / 15.23 Ascot

15.23

Good

eventmasters.co.uk 40th Anniversary Handicap

  • Prize money: £7851
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
eventmasters.co.uk 40th Anniversary Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3206-0

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Not seen to best effect on his return to action at Kempton two weeks ago (6f); a strongly-run 5f could suit this free-going sort and he's on a fair mark on his best efforts; still has low mileage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(3)

2nd Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Salisbury

Blue Day

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Harry Charlton

Won at Ascot (5f, good to firm) in April and kept on for close second at Haydock (5f, good to firm) next time; feasibly treated on that form but he hasn't shone on his last two outings and needs to get back on track.

8/1

3

(9)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:30 Windsor

Blue Day

9st 8lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

Looked good dropped to 5f at Ascot in April and ran creditably on his next two starts; low draw excuses a lesser run back at Ascot last month; returns to 6f and shouldn't be passed over lightly.

9/2

13

(6)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Blue Day

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Harry Charlton

Impressed over C&D in April, his first attempt at 5f; ran well at Haydock next time and the ground shouldn't have been an issue when only fifth at Hamilton last time; still possible he's happiest on good to firm though and could yet rate higher at the trip.

7/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1718-2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Progressive 3yo, winning three times (5f to 6f); ran right up to his best at Beverley on his seasonal return (5f, good) two weeks ago, challenging in the final furlong but unable to repel the late thrust of a progressive sprinter; mark left unchanged and there could well be more to come this year; Tom Marquand 3-14 for the stable with a further five placed; big run expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Duran

9st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Second in this race last year before running out the ready winner of a 5f AW handicap at Haydock last May (good to firm) off a 1lb lower mark; made an encouraging return to action at Beverley 16 days ago; each-way shout.

10/1

5th

5

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Beverley

Duran

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Pushed the reopposing Smart Vision close at Doncaster last autumn; started last season well (including second in this race on reappearance) and should be on the premises if resuming in similar form.

8/1

12

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Duran

8st 10lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Ran well when second over C&D (soft) last month; respectable efforts twice since but this first experience of heavy going needs to prompt some further progress.

12/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 8095-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Promising 2yo, notably when running out the easy winner of a big nursery at York's Ebor meeting (6f, good to firm); well beaten on his return from a 399-day break at Newbury 19 days ago but he raced too freely early on; should be quick enough for 5f and this is a drop in class; better expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(5)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:17 Windsor

Zoulu Chief

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Heather Main

Shaped okay at Lingfield in January; down the field at Leicester last month but he was harried up front and weakened in the final furlong; dropped 2lb and this easier track will help; one to consider.

9/2

10th

10

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Zoulu Chief

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Heather Main

Ran creditably at Lingfield in January when bidding for a 6f AW double; 8lb higher than when second at Newmarket (7f) on last turf attempt but he's proved consistent since being gelded and his first two handicap wins were on good to firm; in the mix.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 2-3459 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Fluffed his lines at Wolverhampton last month but he had turned in a string of good AW runs beforehand; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today (first use since January 2023); handicapped to go well but others might be better suited by the drying ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

Has won just once since April 2024, at Sandown (5f, good; from 6lb higher) last July; joined this trainer soon after for 15,000gns, and runner-up on stable debut; nowhere near his best in three starts this year, including when twelfth of 20 at York (6f; 50-1) latest.

25/1

12th

21

(4)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Blind Beggar

9st 4lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Jessica Macey

Record of 240500 for current yard reflects that he hasn't been able to hold his form; others are much more obvious.

40/1

11th

6

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Record of 24050 for new yard reflects that he hasn't been able to hold his form; failed to beat a rival in sole outing this year; others have better claims.

50/1

12/1

Form: 1-6103

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
His form has taken off since fitted with a tongue tie, winning three 6f AW handicaps around the turn of the year; ran to a similar level when third of four at Newcastle seven weeks ago; will need to pull out a bit more to defy this mark but he looks quick enough for the return to 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Rebel Empire

9st 12lb

J: John Fahy

T: Richard Hannon

All three wins have been on AW and latest was at Chelmsford (6f) in January; now 4lb lower than for that success but he's been tailed off in last two runs (turf/Tapeta) and needs a major revival.

10/1

13th

7

(8)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rebel Empire

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Better on AW than turf and wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Ascot run (reportedly unsuited by the fast ground); 2lb lower than for his Chelmsford win in January (6f); not discounted.

16/1

12

(5)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Rebel Empire

9st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won three times on AW over the winter and now back to the last winning mark; more to prove on turf though and others have greater potential.

25/1

10/1

Form: 2402-5 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Wouldn't look to have a lot of wiggle room off his current mark but this month's reappearance should have sharpened him up and dropping back to 5f in his favour too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

17

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Jenever

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Still to find top form this term but he is well handicapped if a change of headgear (first-time visor for cheekpieces) gives him a lift.

20/1

5th

3

(11)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

16:08 Windsor

Jenever

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jessica Macey

Still to find top form this term but he's attractively handicapped and may prove resurgent with Tom Marquand up for first time; gained last three wins off current mark or thereabouts.

8/1

6th

1

(5)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Jenever

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Unraced on this course but some of his best form has come over Sandown's similarly stiff 5f and he's back on the same mark as his latest win there last June (good; a race he'd won 12 months earlier); every chance of being seen to good effect back on turf.

8/1

Form: 200-83 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner down the years; stepped up on his reappearance effort (5f, AW) when finishing third at Beverley two weeks ago; might find some of his younger rivals better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Good Earth

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Herrington

Has been a superb servant, winning 16 of his 99 starts, including three this year; comfortable scorer at Haydock (6f, good to firm) latest, for which he has gone up 6lb; has won over C&D and looks a player again.

2/1

1st

5

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Haydock

Good Earth

9st 7lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Michael Herrington

The winner of two of his six starts this year, both over 6f at Southwell; he could only manage fourth of the nine runners back at Southwell 20 days ago and he will need to raise his game to defy this mark.

6/1

4th

1

(3)

5th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

13:55 Southwell (AW)

Good Earth

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Made it 4-15 under Connor Planas when gaining his second C&D success ten days ago; did it comfortably enough and despite a 5lb higher mark, is a major player if in the same form; stable also runs Melissa Honey.

13/2

Form: 5977-4 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
7lb lower than when winning the corresponding race 12 months ago (good to soft); came into last year's race off the back of a good run at the Craven meeting and it is the same this time round as he wasn't beaten far into fourth at Newmarket 13 days ago; more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Isle Of Lismore

8st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Robert Cowell

8yo who is running for the first time since last July and his losing sequence goes back ten races to May 2024; however, he went close when last seen and he's right at home on slow ground; capable of having a say.

15/2

3rd

6

(3)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 4

17:00 Lingfield

Isle Of Lismore

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Robert Cowell

Well suited by a stiff 5f (three-time winner on the July course at Newmarket); signs he may be in decline this season, for a yard who may hold stronger claims with Cloud King, and the first-time visor (three ordinary efforts in cheekpieces previously) needs to help.

9/1

Form: 3115-3 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved for the drop to 5f last season, winning at Yarmouth (good to firm) and Leicester (soft); promising reappearance at Yarmouth 25 days ago (6f, good) and better is expected back at this trip with the run behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(11)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 4f 217y

Class 6

17:55 Lingfield

Fletchers Flight

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Charlie Wallis

All four wins when trained by Philip McBride, the last of which was in September 2024; sold for 6,000gns to join new yard in February; unseated when rearing at the start on stable debut; first-time cheekpieces go on and he's best watched.

33/1

5

(12)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Fletchers Flight

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Wallis

Four-time turf winner but he's 0-6 on AW and finished down the field at Chelmsford (6f) and Southwell (5f) in final two runs for Charlie McBride; changed hands for 6,000gns and he has something to prove for new yard after 166 days off; blinkers removed.

16/1

3

(2)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Fletchers Flight

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Philip McBride

Proving expensive to follow of late and his effectiveness on AW is still to be proven; stepping back up to 6f could help though and his rider takes off a handy 5lb.

5/1

Non-runners

Sir Les Patterson

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.00
Straight Forecast £16.49
Tricast £133.29
Trifecta £233.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Duran

POSTDATA:

Isle Of Lismore

Telegraph:

Fletcher's Flight

TOPSPEED:

Good Earth

The Guardian:

Fletcher's Flight

RP RATINGS:

Duran

Daily Mirror:

Duran

The Star:

Duran

Daily Record:

Duran

The Times:

Isle Of Lismore

Daily Mail:

Isle Of Lismore

D Express:

Isle Of Lismore

The Sun:

Isle Of Lismore