May 31 / 14.10 Chester

14.10

Good To Soft

Ladbrokes Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
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Ladbrokes Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: -62607 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Respectable seventh of 17 in the Victoria Cup three weeks ago (good to firm); former Group 2 winner so deserves this high a mark and last season ended with a third of 20 off 4lb higher at Ascot (1m, soft); goes on all ground and has form here, so one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Witch Hunter

9st 9lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

His only turf wins came in a Royal Ascot handicap and Newbury Group 3, but they were in 2023 and he needs the cards to drop right for his late bids; scored on AW in January but subsequent form, including when 40-1 in the Victoria Cup last Saturday, isn't good enough.

40/1

20th

1

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Very useful but rather needs the cards to drop right and gained his only turf wins, namely in Royal Ascot handicap and Newbury Group 3, in 2023; peak AW form this year when scoring in January; finished seventh (off 4lb higher) in this contest 12 months ago.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 33120- CD BF

Last run: 223 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won her maiden over C&D and added a 1m soft-ground handicap at Ascot in the autumn; now 17lb higher having since gone close in a small-field Listed race at Newmarket; possibly on a tough mark but may improve again at four.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Fair Point

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ralph Beckett

Listed runner-up at Newmarket (1m, heavy) last September and Chelmsford (7f, AW) this July; however, she now needs to shrug off poor runs in Group 3s at Sandown and Goodwood in recent months; blinkered for the first time.

20/1

14th

7

(19)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

16:10 Doncaster

Fair Point

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ralph Beckett

Listed runner-up at Newmarket (1m, heavy) last September and Chelmsford (7f, AW) this July; however, well beaten in Group 3 at Sandown (1m, soft) recently and her claims aren't compelling on the back of that.

25/1

3

(7)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Fair Point

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Chelmsford (7f, AW) at the beginning of July on latest outing saw her fill the runner-up spot at Listed level for a second time, but there's more on her plate in this competitive Group 3.

20/1

Form: 16720- C BF

Last run: 239 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Disappointed on final run for Sir Michael Stoute and since gelded; strong form otherwise last season, including a course win over slightly further; returns on a competitive mark and conditions will be fine; much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Never So Brave

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Did very well (3-5) last season for new stable, completing a notable summer hat-trick (7f/1m, good to firm) that culminated in Group 1 success at York; not disgraced from unfavourable draw in the QEII on final outing; may rate higher still and looks likely to go well.

13/2

6

(13)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Never So Brave

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won 7f handicap (good to firm) at the Royal meeting here and followed up in the Group 2 Summer Mile on the round course here (good to firm), before landing the hat-trick in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes (7f, good to firm); they finished in a heap at York and a bigger performance is needed in this hotter Group 1, but he's highly progressive and warrants respect.

13/2

4

(7)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

4yo for whom things have clicked in a big way this season; impressive in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) and followed up in Group 2 Summer Mile there last month; did well in the latter to overhaul one who had built a clear lead; respected now in a Group 1.

5/2

Form: 1749-9 CD

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has been on his travels since last run in Britain when close up in the Group 2 Celebration Mile in August 2023 for Andrew Balding; one win from seven subsequent starts for another yard, a 1m race on very soft ground in France last summer; drawn wide here debut for Hamad Al Jehani and jockey has no experience of Chester.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Holguin

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won the same Listed event at Chester in 2023 (soft) and 2025 (good), posting a personal best in latter; not seen since but he has plenty of form when fresh and cannot be ruled out.

4/1

1st

3

(8)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

17:30 Chester

Holguin

9st 7lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won this in 2023 for Andrew Balding; useful handicap efforts for new trainer when third over C&D in May and in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last month but they are short of level he achieved when winning this.

7/1

3rd

10

(32)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Holguin

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Smart for Andrew Balding in 2023 when a Listed winner at 7f and in the frame in Group 2s; did well for latest trainer at Chester (7f, good) in May when, racing wide throughout from high draw, he still managed a close third to Myal and Never So Brave; back up 2lb but past form makes him worth a look.

20/1

Form: 0818-7 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Last season he won 7f handicaps on good to soft and soft, the latest by a narrow margin off 4lb higher; returned from quite an absence at Newcastle 20 days ago where he found some bother in running over an inadequate 6f; can do better this time, for all that he finished well behind on his previous visit here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Telemark

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well suited by slow ground; attractively handicapped and his last two runs have both been promising, meeting trouble before finishing off strongly at Newcastle last month; high on the list.

4/1

4th

9

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Telemark

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

1lb lower than for his Doncaster win 12 months ago (7f, soft); several creditable runs in handicaps this season but he will need to pull out a bit more if he's to come out on top.

12/1

8

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Telemark

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Not troubled the judge this season but hasn't been running badly, last time behind Native Warrior on the AW in late June; a triple winner on ground softer than good so connections have no doubt been waiting for some rain; worth considering.

14/1

Form: 2-3408 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Stats of 4-12 on the AW and 0-9 on turf are a fair reflection of his preferences and he's finished well behind on grass the last twice, albeit in strong 1m handicaps; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kingdom Come

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Smart performer on AW, winning this race in 2024 and third 12 months ago; cheekpieces have given him a lift of late, winning a 7f handicap at Kempton ten days ago; still on a handy mark and he is sure to be popular.

7/1

1st

3

(4)

25th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Kingdom Come

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Goes well fresh and should cope if it gets tactical given all three of his C&D wins were achieved in single-figure fields; pushing two years since he last got his head in front but the handicapper is giving him a chance and he responded well to first-time cheekpieces (retained here) when fifth over track and trip last time; of significant interest.

7/2

1

(10)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Kempton (AW)

Kingdom Come

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Record of 4-13 on AW and 3-4 at Kempton; below par returned to this sphere ten weeks ago and losing run is mounting up but a revival would put him in the picture; 1lb below last winning mark.

14/1

Form: 117-70 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Probably found good to firm against him at York as last summer's hat-trick was on soft or good ground; may have needed his comeback race behind Myal and from stall 1 has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Cerulean Bay

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Progressive last term, winning two in a row at Goodwood (1m, good to soft/good) in the autumn, and kept on well for a close fourth on last month's reappearance at Haydock (7f, good to firm); solid claims back up to 1m.

13/2

4th

3

(10)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Cerulean Bay

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Had strong handicap form over 1m in the second half of 2025, finishing second at York's Ebor meeting (good to firm) before recording back-to-back wins at Goodwood (good to soft and good); ran well for third in a Nottingham Listed race when last seen 178 days ago; only seventh in this race 12 months ago and he's 4lb higher today.

9/1

3rd

2

(7)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Cerulean Bay

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won on soft last year; Goodwood double (1m, good to soft/good) in handicaps this autumn; however, only mid-division in valuable event at Ascot 11 days ago, comfortably held by Ebt's Guard, and needs to resume improvement.

14/1

Form: 925-68 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner but now thoroughly exposed and hasn't shown a lot in either run this season, both over 7f on good ground; two defeats here include a sixth in this 12 months ago off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Rhoscolyn

9st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Last year's Golden Mile win at Goodwood (strong record there) shows he's still smart on his day; respectable return to action when fifth in good conditions race over 7f here three weeks ago but he's gained the vast majority of his ten career wins on slower ground than he's likely to encounter this afternoon.

14/1

Form: 5521-3 C

Last run: 145 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Made all for his first two wins (including a C&D novice) and raced prominently when successful in the first-time hood (off since) at Lingfield in November; missing the break did for him at Wolverhampton (raced freely in rear) but he still ran well in the circumstances; has won on good to soft; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Course winner; only eighth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; 4lb lower today but he is drawn wide and this may not be his day.

16/1

Form: 94703-

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Three wins from 24 starts on the continent, the latest a 6f Deauville handicap (good to soft) last July; sold for 65,000euros and gelded since last seen in November; returns in a pretty hot handicap and can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(9)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:17 Windsor

Purest Time

9st 1lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Consistency an issue but he has plenty of ability and he is 5lb lower than when last in action on turf, a race where he chased home a promising sprinter at York (6f, good); below par on AW on last two starts but given a three-month break.

12/1

7th

2

(1)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Purest Time

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Ex-French 6yo who is 0-11 in Britain (placed four times over 6f); however, has a chance with this drop in class, with Ryan Kavanagh claiming a handy 5lb.

10/1

11th

13

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Purest Time

8st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ian Williams

Still seeking a first win for Ian Williams but he has run some fine races in defeat, including over C&D; didn't appear to have any excuses when behind three of today's rivals at Southwell on New Year's Day though.

20/1

9/1

Form: 11-318 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Lacks course experience but was progressing well until finishing just behind Witch Hunter in the Victoria Cup at Ascot (good to firm; may prefer it softer); could quite easily resume his progress but stall 11 is tricky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Myal

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Likeable 5yo with a good (7-18) strike-rate; shaped well in Listed event at Doncaster on reappearance and dug deep to win conditions race at Thirsk (7f, good) next time; may not have reached his ceiling and is high on the list.

6/1

1st

4

(7)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Myal

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Most progressive in the last couple of years, winning six 7f handicaps, with the first gained off of a rating of 67; another career-best effort when second in 7f Redcar Listed race (good to soft) on his final 4yo start; should be spot on for this after finishing fifth of 12 in a 6f Doncaster Listed event on his reappearance 13 days ago.

8/1

5th

10

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Myal

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Unplaced first four starts but most progressive since, winning six of his 12 races and running a cracker when second in Listed event at Redcar last autumn; may not have reached his limit just yet but all his successes have come at 7f and he doesn't have an obvious chance on the ratings.

28/1

Form: 3-5170 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Can probably go on turf (one of two runs was respectable) but all his best form and six wins have been on the AW; trainer experimenting with a further tweak in headgear after two disappointing runs at Newcastle; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:12 Cork

Brewing

9st 1lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk last winter, soft ground probably wasn't ideal on turf comeback (slowly away) over C&D early this month and fair bit to find with Gleneagle Bay on that run.

12/1

9th

14

(14)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:30 Cork

Brewing

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

All six wins have been gained on AW; in good form at Dundalk this winter before a below-par Newcastle run on latest; others have much stronger claims on turf form.

10/1

11th

6

(1)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Brewing

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time course scorer (6f/7f) for William Haggas; struggled on turf in Ireland for this yard last autumn but has found form again since returning to AW, placing three times at Dundalk (7f/1m) in recent months; has to enter calculations for a stable with a good record in Britain.

5/1

Form: 2158-7 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third in this 12 months ago and won over C&D in August when 3lb lower; endured wide trip when only seventh at the May meeting and has an even wider draw this time; first-time hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Yanifer

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Enhanced his fine Chester record when a length winner there in late August (extended 7f; good to firm; acts on soft); the 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark which could be troublesome in this deep a handicap.

40/1

1st

9

(8)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:15 Chester

Yanifer

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Harriet Bethell

Won over 7f here (good to soft) last August and runner-up in good 7f handicaps elsewhere on his last two starts (good to firm/good to soft); should be fine at today's distance and every chance he'll be thereabouts.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.40
Straight Forecast £24.10
Tricast £330.53
Trifecta £583.60

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Never So Brave

SPOTLIGHT:

Witch Hunter

NEWMARKET:

Bobby Bennu

POSTDATA:

Telemark

TOPSPEED:

Yanifer

The Star:

Fair Point

Daily Record:

Bobby Bennu

Daily Mirror:

Telemark

The Times:

Never So Brave

Telegraph:

Never So Brave

Daily Mail:

Never So Brave

D Express:

Never So Brave

RP RATINGS:

Witch Hunter

The Sun:

Witch Hunter

The Guardian:

Yanifer