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

3rd

3

(5)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

11:30 Nottingham

Mariner

9st 11lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Jennie Candlish

Won three times last year, the most recent coming at Ripon (1m2f, good) off a 4lb higher mark than today's; went close at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) in April but he's been below his best in two starts since; tongue-tie is added to cheekpieces.

9/1

9th

11

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

17:28 Chester

Mariner

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Inconsistent sort who followed up a neck second at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) in April with a mediocre effort when eighth of 12 at Redcar (1m, good) last month; cannot discount but needs to put his best foot forward.

16/1

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

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

2nd

1

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Fast Fred

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Phillip Makin

Drops back in trip/grade having never landed a blow in the Northumberland Vase last time; broadly consistent otherwise this term and won at Musselburgh (12.5f) in April; 4lb higher now, though.

13/2

13th

15

(15)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Fast Fred

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Phillip Makin

Disappointing on penultimate start but in good form over 1m4f otherwise this year, with the first of those runs at this track; tried 2m twice last summer and ran well on first occasion despite racing freely; needs to raise his game again, though.

22/1

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

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

5th

3

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

LEagle Aid

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Well suited by about 1m4f; form over C&D features a success (off current mark) in this race last year and resurgent effort, doing well to finish third having been slowly away then come from a difficult position, in latest start; respected.

7/2

3rd

1

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Chester

LEagle Aid

10st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Charlie Johnston

Has won three races, the latest over C&D off this mark last July (good); just fair form this term, last time finishing 5l sixth to Patagonia Girl (runs in the 4.45) over C&D (good).

10/1

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

5

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

17:08 Stratford

Ocean Heights

10st 11lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: David Pipe

Ended winter AW campaign with respectable fourth in February and kept on for third when back over hurdles at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) three weeks ago; also suited by this track and can go well again; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

7/2

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

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

5th

5

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

19:39 Carlisle

V Twelve

10st 4lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Martin Todhunter

Landed a third Flat win when taking Hamilton amateur riders' handicap (1m5f, good) around a year ago; now 2lb lower but he's been soundly beaten on both starts this year (1m4f Catterick handicap, 1m7f Hexham handicap chase) and needs to stage a revival.

10/1

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

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