May 09 / 16.10 Chester

16.10

Good

Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £11466
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1122-3 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Flourished last July-October with three wins and three seconds in space of six races, with the third win over 1m6f here; more to prove on good or good to firm but he made a satisfactory return to the Flat under Ashley Lewis at Epsom (1m4f, good) 17 days ago and that may bring him back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 100y

14:41 Listowel

Small Fry

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Five Flat wins in UK and ran respectably in two autumn Flat starts for this yard after 100,000gns purchase; previous efforts over hurdles were modest but there was promise in his run at Down Royal (2m2f, good) earlier this month when staying on for fourth; entitled to improve over that return; contender.

9/4

4th

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Small Fry

11st 12lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Five Flat wins in UK and ran respectably both starts for this yard last autumn after 100,000gns purchase; just modest form both hurdle runs in UK, but could do better now that he is more mature; check for market strength.

4/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 369-11 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
0-18 in Ireland (close second on good to firm) but he's won both his starts for James Owen in handicaps at Southwell (1m3f, AW) and Musselburgh (1m4f, good); up another 5lb but 7lb claimer is recruited and it's hard to back against further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

13:45 Beverley

Sportingsilvermine

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: James Owen

Did well last spring and was placed five consecutive times last summer/autumn; now well handicapped on those exploits but beaten upwards of 8l on all four outings this year; can't rule out a revival but hard to be confident.

8/1

7th

6

(16)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: James Owen

Did well last spring and placed five consecutive times last summer/autumn; now well handicapped on those exploits but down the field in his three appearances this year; latest was in a 1m4f race at Chester last week, where he'd been runner-up the year before, so there are doubts currently.

22/1

10th

2

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Sportingsilvermine

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Placed five consecutive times on turf/AW last summer/autumn and now well handicapped on those exploits but finished well down the field on first two appearances this year (1m6f/1m2f); hood removed after one use.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 5670-7

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Three wins last May-July (1m2f; twice claimer ridden) and he's now 1lb below his last winning mark, having been out of form since; recent last of seven at Haydock may have helped his fitness after a layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 158y

16:32 Sligo

Giselles Defence

10st 2lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Sean Davis

Won four times for Ian Williams on a variety of ground, all at 1m2f; nothing for this yard at big odds until mildly encouraging run at Bellewstown last time; drops in class now and has his ground, worth a market check.

9/1

5th

9

(13)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

17:23 Bellewstown

Giselles Defence

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Sean Davis

Won four times for Ian Williams on a variety of ground, all at 1m2f; well treated on that form but he's failed to beat a rival home in four runs for this stable; hard to fancy.

50/1

23th

9

(13)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Giselles Defence

9st 8lb

J: Shane B Kelly

T: Sean Davis

Won four on turf for Ian Williams at 1m2f on varying ground; has failed to beat a single rival in three Dundalk starts for this stable.

50/1

Form: 1655-7

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Creditable third at this meeting last year but went downhill in two further runs at this track; back to form off this mark under Andrew Breslin at Ripon (1m2f, good to firm) last August, his only British win, and has a run under his belt this term; more to prove, however, over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Woodstock City

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Won a 1m3f Class 5 handicap at Southwell in October and slightly better form when collared late over 1m2f at Lingfield 11 days ago; 1lb higher in a better race but current wellbeing will count for plenty here.

9/2

1

(3)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Woodstock City

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

3-36 and has suffered heavy defeats on turf in two his last three starts, but he went down by just a head at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in between; perhaps not the most reliable, but would be a player on that form.

4/1

1

(3)

30th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Woodstock City

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

3-36 and has suffered heavy defeats on turf in two his last three starts, but he went down by just a head at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in between; perhaps not the most reliable, but would be a player on that form.

4/1

11/1

Form: 1467-8 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Ripon (1m4f, heavy) in April on 2024 return but has lost his form in handicaps; remains lightly raced and has had only one race since February wind operation but he was eighth to Sportingsilvermine that day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 5

15:22 Musselburgh

Tokyo Bay

10st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f scorer for previous yard; faded late over 1m6f last time for new stable but was returning from a break; check the market signals with that outing under his belt.

10/1

6th

4

(11)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Haydock

Tokyo Bay

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Philip Kirby

1m4f heavy-ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and cheekpieces (discarded) failed to reignite the spark at Hamilton in June, after which he left Karl Burke; market support would aid his cause on this stable debut.

14/1

7th

4

(2)

5th Jun 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

15:12 Hamilton

Tokyo Bay

9st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

1m4f heavy ground maiden winner last spring; hasn't progressed in handicaps and, although cheekpieces are added, he'll have to raise his game if he's to bag a first handicap.

10/1

6th
9 (3)
Oman

8/1

Form: 37717- CD

Last run: 171 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won a division of this race (good to firm) last year under Zac Wheatley on stable/seasonal debut and returned to form with a win at Yarmouth (1m2f, soft) in October; 9lb higher than last year but needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield

Oman

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Tony Carroll

Held off his revised mark since an AW win late last year; not a bad effort back from a break returned to turf at Chester (1m4f; good record first time out in his younger years) last time and this is less competitive.

8/1

8th

15

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Oman

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Tony Carroll

Ended 2025 with emphatic AW win at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) and came second on both AW starts in January (1m2f/9.4f); absent since lesser effort in February and not ideally drawn today but has two course wins (including a division of this race in 2024) on his CV; could have a say.

14/1

Form: -92611 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
0-11 on turf and his 2024 turf record does not inspire; however, he's been going well on Lingfield AW recently as now bids for a hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Obsidian Knight

10st 0lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: T J Kent

7-25 on the AW, with one of the wins coming on his only Chelmsford start; creditable third of ten at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) 19 days ago and the second from that race has won since; stamina not assured over the longest he's tackled but can be very competitive from his mark.

11/2

3rd

2

(5)

30th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Lingfield (AW)

Obsidian Knight

10st 0lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: T J Kent

7-24 on the AW with six of those wins coming at Lingfield (1m2f/1m4f); no joy in three turf runs in May/June but he didn't get much luck back on AW at Wolverhampton last month; now only 1lb higher than for his C&D win in April and he's in the mix back at this track.

15/2

11

(1)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

20:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Obsidian Knight

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: T J Kent

7-23 on the AW with all wins coming over 1m2f/1m4f on Polytrack, six of them at Lingfield; 0-7 on Tapeta, but runner-up on four occasions so he isn't easy to dismiss.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9326-

Last run: 318 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Fair form twice (1m3f/1m4f) last spring for Owen Burrows but tailed off when visored on handicap debut in June (1m4f, good to firm) and changed hands for 50,000gns in July; gelded since; questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Marhaba Million

10st 9lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Useful Flat winner so he's been disappointing over hurdles, though has finished within 10l of the winner in his last two handicaps (2m4f/3m); a visor replaces cheekpieces and this aid did nothing for him on the Flat.

20/1

4th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:07 Taunton

Marhaba Million

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Syd Hosie

A fair 1m4f Flat maiden for Owen Burrows; yet to show that level of form in this sphere but took a step forward when sixth of 12 in 2m4f Wincanton handicap 17 days ago; possibilities off a slipping mark.

8/1

6th

7

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

17:32 Wincanton

Marhaba Million

11st 4lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Became disappointing on the Flat last year and has not shown much since switched to hurdling; pulled up when 40-1 for last month's handicap hurdle debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

Form: 55924-

Last run: 315 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Fair maiden (0-5) in Ireland who scored twice over hurdles for new stable last October; however, he fell next time and has been well beaten on both starts since; perhaps the return to Flat will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Model Approach

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Beaten a combined 70l in two soft-ground starts over fences but he won his third hurdle race when picking up a 12-runner Ffos Las handicap (2m, good) off this mark nine days ago; 5lb well in on handicap marks if he can transfer that form to chasing and there should be no ground excuses this time.

3/1

1st

11

5th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:48 Ffos Las

Model Approach

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Well treated if going back far enough but achieved little for current yard, over hurdles and fences; finished last of three on final run.

25/1

3rd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:15 Southwell

Model Approach

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Well treated on best hurdles form but his record for current yard leaves a lot to be desired; switch to fences made no difference last time; the weakest contender.

8/1

Form: 96/26- C

Last run: 214 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
1m2f winner on heavy going in 2023 on sole run at this track, when trained by Hugo Palmer; 2lb lower today, having missed 312 days before a mixed Flat/hurdles campaign for new yard, which included one hurdles win; cheekpieces (absent over two years) return and she did win in them once in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

13:55 Wetherby

Reel Rosie

11st 5lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

On a reduced mark and she took a step back in the right direction at Sedgefield in November in this headgear combination, but she was still soundly beaten in third and needs to build on that effort today.

20/1

9th

3

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:37 Sedgefield

Reel Rosie

11st 13lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Not firing on all cylinders this year but her respectable fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) 19 days ago was a step back in the right direction and it's worth remembering that her only hurdle win was gained over this C&D.

11/2

2

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

18:35 Uttoxeter

Reel Rosie

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Out of form on the Flat/over hurdles in the spring and, following a three-month break, fell in early stages of a recent chase; should cope if there's rain about but needs to get career back on track.

12/1

25/1

Form: 31470-

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won twice (1m, soft) last May/July for David O'Meara but modest in four hurdle races for new connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

16th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Miaswell

11st 2lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Won twice over a mile on soft ground at Haydock for David O'Meara; placed on one of his five starts over hurdles for present yard but well beaten at Chester on latest Flat start; hard to fancy.

20/1

5

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Miaswell

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Fairly useful on the Flat for David O'Meara in 2024 (two wins) but last season's hurdling form for Donald McCain was underwhelming; ran better than eventual 13l defeat suggests when third of five on handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April but has been well beaten on the Flat since; improvement required.

7/1

25/1

Form: 88615- D

Last run: 172 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Out of form for all of 2024 except for when he won by 7l at Nottingham (1m6f, good) in August; 6lb higher today and first time out has not previously been the time to latch on to him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Lusaka

9st 2lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: John & Rhys Flint

Scored for the sixth time when making all at Newbury (13.5f, good to firm) off 1lb lower in July and gave it a fair go from the front when second at Bath (2m1f, good to firm; Educator third) three weeks ago; same mark and should make his presence felt.

16/1

2nd

5

(1)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Lusaka

9st 2lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: John & Rhys Flint

Often a front-runner but he's a tactically versatile; six wins on turf (1m4f-1m6f) but he's not easy to predict and has been quiet on AW this winter; now only 1lb higher than for his last success but he still has stamina to prove at this trip and others are preferred.

12/1

Non-runners

Shahbaz, The Dancing Poet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £4.46
Tricast £42.05
Trifecta £55.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sportingsilvermine

POSTDATA:

Small Fry

Daily Mail:

Oman

TOPSPEED:

Model Approach

The Times:

Small Fry

The Sun:

Small Fry

The Star:

Small Fry

Daily Record:

Small Fry

RP RATINGS:

Sportingsilvermine

NEWMARKET:

Sportingsilvermine

Telegraph:

Sportingsilvermine

The Guardian:

Sportingsilvermine

Daily Mirror:

Sportingsilvermine

D Express:

Oman