May 17 / 17.35 Doncaster

17.35

Good To Firm

Proudly Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4396.56
  • 1m 3f 197y
  • Class 5
  • 6 runners
SKY
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Proudly Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 312611 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Took 17 runs before finally getting off the mark but has now developed the winning habit, with victories here (1m) and at Ripon (9.8f) lately; often been inclined to pull hard, including in one previous try over C&D, and stamina is the question up another 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 5

14:40 Redcar

Mariner

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Needed a couple of runs before hitting top gear this season but his close second at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) last month was a good effort and he's still on a workable mark after recent 2lb nudge.

5/1

2nd

2

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

19:45 Doncaster

Mariner

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Jennie Candlish

Took this 12 months ago; not seen after June in 2025 but hinted at a revival on his second run back when seventh of 13 in 1m Thirsk handicap 15 days ago; he's one to be interested in off a 2lb lower mark here.

9/1

7th

6

(6)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Mariner

9st 5lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Winner over 1m at Doncaster (good to firm) and 1m2f at Ripon (good) last spring; minor late headway on his recent AW reappearance and he's dipped to 1lb below the mark he defied at Ripon.

14/1

Form: 13-424 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Wins last autumn came on soft ground/Tapeta and he could surely have used some rain going back to turf after a short break; remains 4lb above his highest successful mark, so will need a career-best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Fast Fred

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Disappointing behind Letsbefrank at Hamilton a fortnight ago but in good form otherwise this year, with two close seconds sandwiching a win at Musselburgh (1m4f, good); no surprise if he bounces back with a big performance.

10/1

8th

1

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Fast Fred

10st 0lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Phillip Makin

Dependable sort who's been in career-best form with a win and two seconds this season; raised another 2lb but can show up well again after his two big runs at Musselburgh (pipped by Letsbefrank latest); highly respected.

11/4

2nd

4

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:15 Musselburgh

Fast Fred

8st 13lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Phillip Makin

Second at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) on reappearance and better than ever when taking a 14-runner handicap over C&D (good) two weeks ago; 4lb higher this time but firmly in the mix.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 57556-

Last run: 177 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner in France (soft ground/AW) who goes for another new yard back from six months off; regressive since undergoing wind surgery and would want to see some market interest before considering him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Selwan

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Three-time Flat winner and twice competitive in that scene during the summer; made an okay return to hurdling when an 18l third at Market Rasen and now tackles his first handicap.

10/1

3rd

4

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

17:50 Market Rasen

Selwan

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Christopher Kellett

Exposed as a fair Flat performer at best these days; pulled up twice and tailed off on the other occasion when tried over hurdles two seasons ago when with Alan King; best watched for now.

25/1

Form: 84512- D

Last run: 239 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Just a small-field novice win to his name last year but was generally consistent in handicaps and resumes on a workable mark having bumped into one when last seen; high on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

LEagle Aid

9st 8lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually races prominently but came from the rear, having fluffed the start, to dead-heat over C&D (good; subsequently awarded outright win) last summer; now only 1lb above that mark and returns here after respectable run in quite valuable Musselburgh race last month; one to consider.

8/1

6th

4

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

LEagle Aid

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

238 days off before his Newcastle run three weeks ago when he may well have been in need of the race and interference exacerbated his margin of defeat; possibilities if that has brought him back to his best.

14/1

Form: -96558 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Dual Polytrack winner who's regressed in recent times, including back on turf late last month; seems the years are catching up and he's some way down the pecking order.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Ocean Heights

11st 6lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Bumper and four-time Flat (1m2f/1m4f) winner who is ideally suited by fast ground; respectable fourth on AW when last seen in February and he's on a workable mark back over hurdles; needs close look for in-form yard.

7/1

4th

2

(4)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:18 Lingfield (AW)

Ocean Heights

9st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Pipe

Out of the frame in all four starts since returned to the AW, but his fifth of ten over 1m2f here in December suggested that all may not be lost; now 6lb lower than for that effort and 8lb lower than when last successful; interesting.

11/1

7th

2

(1)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

11:58 Lingfield (AW)

Ocean Heights

9st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David Pipe

Now 6lb lower than for his two turf wins last May, but he's finished down the field in last six starts and last three have been at this track (1m2f/1m4f); others preferred.

16/1

Form: 54133-

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Often made the running under both codes and may again, having been below par under a more patient ride over hurdles latterly; softer ground would perhaps have been optimal but he handles these conditions and is on a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

V Twelve

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Hurdle/Flat winner; wasn't at his best on the Flat following a break at Catterick last month but should come on for the run; conditions fine; quite interesting on chase debut.

13/2

9th

2

(4)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

15:58 Catterick

V Twelve

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Martin Todhunter

Pulled up over hurdles in October but he won off today's mark at Hamilton (1m5f, good) last summer and can go well fresh; a possible.

6/1

5

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

16:05 Wetherby

V Twelve

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Martin Todhunter

Exposed under both codes these days and wasn't at his best on the Flat before a 16l defeat back jumping at Carlisle.

8/1

Non-runners

Enthused

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.90
Straight Forecast £21.84
Trifecta £64.10

Selections

Daily Mail:

Mariner

SPOTLIGHT:

L'Eagle Aid

RP RATINGS:

Enthused

D Express:

Fast Fred

The Guardian:

Ocean Heights

Telegraph:

L'Eagle Aid

Daily Record:

L'Eagle Aid

Daily Mirror:

Mariner

The Sun:

Mariner

The Star:

Mariner

POSTDATA:

Enthused

The Times:

Enthused