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

1

(7)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Gressington

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Katie Scott

Dual turf winner in 2024 (6f/7.5f); has also won twice on the AW, most recently last December (7f), but rather out of form since and others are stronger.

10/1

7th

7

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Gressington

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Ended 2025 with a 7f AW win at Newcastle; not in much form since returning from a three-month break and too much to prove for now.

25/1

10th

9

(2)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Thirsk

Gressington

9st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Katie Scott

Ended 2025 with 7f win at Newcastle but he's been below par this season, too free when eighth of 14 in 6f Carlisle handicap 17 days ago; more is required despite a falling mark.

25/1

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

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

3rd

16

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Almarada Prince

9st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Hasn't won since 2024 but he's starting to look well handicapped; heavily backed when sixth of 20 behind Lord Roxby and Yes I'm Mali over C&D three weeks ago; bit more needed but he could be building up to something.

14/1

6th

6

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Almarada Prince

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Paul Midgley

Split James's Delight and Elmonjed in top 3yo handicap over C&D (good to soft) in 2024; failed to win in 2025 but he has edged down the weights and his three runs for Paul Midgley have been quite encouraging, faring best of those in the far-side group when sixth of 16 back on turf at Ripon (6f, good to soft) 37 days ago; considered.

25/1

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

8th

2

(8)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:05 Doncaster

Jenever

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Multiple sprint winner, the latest off a 3lb higher mark last October (6f, good to soft); not at his best so far this year and 7f is a query.

20/1

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

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

9th

14

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Rock Opera

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Hold-up sprinter who ended a near two-year losing run at Pontefract (6f, good) last month; better form when second there three weeks ago; has plenty of C&D form in big fields and he has each-way claims.

17/2

2nd

6

(4)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Belatedly regained the winning thread in C&D event (good) last time, perhaps benefiting from the removal of visor and beating a subsequent scorer (pair clear); still favourably treated even though he's gone back up 5lb; strong contender.

3/1

1st

9

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Rock Opera

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

In reasonably good form having made the frame in last two starts, rallying both times; on a two-year losing spell but remain 7lb below last winning mark; enters calculations.

6/1

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

5th

10

(7)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Chester

Hectic

10st 5lb

J: Miss Pippa Brown

T: Liam Bailey

Scored at Ripon (6f) last June but yet to hit top form this season, undergoing wind surgery before coming in seventh of ten in 6f Pontefract handicap four days ago; others appeal more.

33/1

7th

6

(9)

8th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Pontefract

Hectic

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Ripon winner off a 3lb higher mark last June (6f, good); not in top form this season but should fare better on first run after having wind surgery

20/1

14th

13

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Hectic

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Liam Bailey

Back to his last winning mark and his first two runs in 2026 were respectable; eligible for weaker races than this and easy enough to look elsewhere.

33/1

+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