May 17 / 19.15 Doncaster

19.15

Good To Firm

Chris Garwood Retirement Party Handicap

  • Prize money: £5652.72
  • 0m 6f 2y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Chris Garwood Retirement Party Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: -22172 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
In good form on AW over the winter and he has carried it on to turf, second of ten at Thirsk two weeks ago (6f, good); another 2lb higher but likely to make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Pals Battalion

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Mixed results in higher grades on turf of late; has a better strike-rate (4-10) on AW and looks interesting returned to this sphere off 1lb below last winning mark.

10/1

5

(6)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Pals Battalion

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: David O’Meara

Never in contention in the Ayr Silver Cup last week; mark not beyond him judged on this year's best but he has few secrets now.

20/1

18th

21

(17)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Ayr

Pals Battalion

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Has a useful strike-rate on the AW but just 1-18 on turf; suffered some interference over C&D on his latest 6f start in July but he looks to have his share of weight relative to the company he keeps today.

40/1

Form: -65591 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
He had been threatening something bigger earlier in the year and things finally clicked when the well-backed winner of a Leicester handicap three weeks ago (6f, good); hasn't been missed with a 6lb rise but there aren't many pace influences in the field and he should go very well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Twilight Romance

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John & Sean Quinn

He had been threatening something bigger earlier in the year and things finally clicked when the well-backed winner of a Leicester handicap three weeks ago (6f, good); hasn't been missed with a 6lb rise but there aren't many pace influences in the field and he should go very well again.

9/4

2

(2)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Twilight Romance

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John & Sean Quinn

He had been threatening something bigger earlier in the year and things finally clicked when the well-backed winner of a Leicester handicap three weeks ago (6f, good); hasn't been missed with a 6lb rise but there aren't many pace influences in the field and he should go very well again.

9/4

1st

4

(1)

26th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Leicester

Twilight Romance

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Sean Quinn

Hadn't been enjoying the rub of the green on AW and a change of tactics was employed at Newmarket 11 days ago (hood left off); unable to sustain the strong pace on that occasion but this is weaker and he has the assistance of Oisin Murphy in the saddle for the first time; faster ground in his favour too so there are grounds for optimism.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 2515-0 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Benefitted from blinkers and a drop to 6f when winning a Redcar handicap last September; less good twice since and his reappearance last month was underwhelming, even allowing for the draw; needs the new headgear to give him a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(9)

25th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

Gressington

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Has dropped to Class 6 the last twice, showing signs of a revival at Ayr then never figuring at Catterick; current mark reflects a broad decline in his form this year.

14/1

7th

1

(5)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Gressington

10st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Katie Scott

Last turf win was at Redcar in September 2024 (6f, good to firm; blinkers on for the first time); ran one of his best races this season when fourth over 1m at Ayr last week (1m, good to firm; visor on); same headgear; each-way chance.

9/1

Form: 0319-7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Only 1lb higher than for his last-gasp success at Wolverhampton in December; gelded later that month; unable to land a blow over C&D on his stable debut three weeks ago but better is expected today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:13 Ripon

Almarada Prince

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Winless since 2024 but he's holding his form well this summer, posting a good second of 21 in 6f York handicap in July; very much one to consider despite 2lb weights rise.

11/4

2nd

5

(14)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Almarada Prince

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Made the frame in big-field C&D handicaps on his last two runs; would have finished much closer 13 days ago but for being hampered in the closing stages; mark left unchanged and he should be in the thick of the action once again.

6/1

4th

5

(12)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Almarada Prince

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Ran his best race for new connections when third of 21 in a 0-85 over C&D four weeks ago; mark left unchanged but he does need to prove himself on ground firmer than good.

7/1

Form: 402-56 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Saw off 13 rivals when winning at Sandown last summer (5f, good); generally held his form since and he ran a cracker on his only visit here in 2023; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

27th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to score this season but largely running well, posting a solid fourth of eight in 6f Carlisle handicap 16 days ago; this C&D winner can't be ruled out.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Jenever

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jessica Macey

Yet to win this season but has dropped to a good mark and was close third in refitted visor at Nottingham (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; blinkers are the headgear of choice today; might be the answer.

11/2

3rd

4

(1)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Jenever

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Like many from the yard he has had a quiet year but he has dropped down the weights and is now 6lb lower than for his C&D win last October; quite possible the winners will start flowing for Jessica Macey now and he's of some interest.

8/1

Form: 320-72 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
C&D win last summer came off just 1lb lower; well suited by coming from off a strong pace and that isn't guaranteed here; more promise at Pontefract last month though and he appeals as one who'll be winning soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

20:10 Southwell (AW)

Rock Opera

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won off reduced mark at Pontefract (6f, good) in June and also has a C&D success on his CV but needs to up his game after three down-the-field turf runs this summer (6f-7f).

16/1

11th

1

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Rock Opera

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Resumed winning ways at Pontefract (6f) in June but below par in big-field 6f handicaps at York on his last two runs; this course scorer needs to bounce back on a rare run over 7f.

9/1

13th

22

(14)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rock Opera

8st 2lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Run of in-frame efforts came to an end here two weeks ago but he still ran with more promise than his finishing position suggests; still likely vulnerable at this level.

25/1

20/1

Form: 501-30 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
6f win at Southwell on final run for Roger Fell (visored first time); headgear absent for new yard, showing fair form at Wolverhampton before a lesser effort at Musselburgh five weeks ago; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(5)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Hectic

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Inconsistent and hard to win with; better over C&D early in the month but typically failed to build on it at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago (said to have been unsuited by racing wide throughout from stall 9); Dicko The Legend looks his yard's best shot.

16/1

9th

6

(9)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hectic

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Liam Bailey

Just 3-34 but ran better when third of ten at Southwell (6f, AW) 11 days ago; place possibilities.

13/2

3rd

4

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

19:16 Southwell (AW)

Hectic

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

C&D winner in October 2024 and 5lb lower than when last successful, but hasn't lately shaped like a winner waiting to happen (underwent wind surgery before penultimate outing); stable also runs Ottawa.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.60
Straight Forecast £20.19
Trifecta £88.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Pals Battalion

SPOTLIGHT:

Twilight Romance

Daily Mail:

Gressington

D Express:

Rock Opera

Telegraph:

Jenever

POSTDATA:

Pals Battalion

The Times:

Pals Battalion

The Sun:

Pals Battalion

Daily Record:

Pals Battalion

RP RATINGS:

Twilight Romance

The Guardian:

Twilight Romance

Daily Mirror:

Twilight Romance

The Star:

Twilight Romance