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

11th

2

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Witch Hunter

9st 7lb

J: John Fahy

T: Richard Hannon

Now 5lb lower than for his 1m win here in January and there have been excuses for several of his defeats since; plausible outsider.

20/1

19th

30

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Defied a 5lb higher mark in the 7f handicap at this meeting three years ago and scored over 1m on AW in January; has lost his form, most recently finishing last in the Newbury event won by Classic; further Royal Ascot glory looks unlikely.

50/1

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

2nd

3

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart performer; completed a notable hat-trick (on good to firm ground) last summer, culminating in Group 1 honours over C&D; avoids a penalty for that success and holds a leading chance assuming he's back in similar form; best to forgive Epsom Group 3 effort last time (unsuited by the way the race unfolded).

4/5

5th

5

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Never So Brave

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Merely mid-division in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (1m, good) last October and again below his best on reappearance at Sandown (1m, good) in April; however, he pulled hard last time and holds leading claims if rediscovering the form of his Group 1 City Of York win (7f, good to firm) last August; mixed messages in his form regarding the suitability of slow ground.

5/4

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

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

3rd

1

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Holguin

9st 7lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won this race in 2023 and 2025, posting a personal best when narrowly beating Witness Stand in the latter; didn't shine back from a lengthy absence at Haydock in May, but he shaped as though he needed that run and has leading claims if he can get back near his best here; key player in his bid to make it 3-4 at Chester.

9/2

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

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

8th

2

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Cerulean Bay

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Two wins at Goodwood last autumn and admirably consistent in defeat this season, going close in a big field over C&D (good) then finishing fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; second of 20 in group); there is every chance that he will be bang there.

3/1

5th

7

(22)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Cerulean Bay

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Completed a Goodwood double during his 2025 campaign; good second in notable handicap at the York Dante festival (1m, good) most recently, going down by only a neck; he's paying the price for his consistency, however, with the assessor failing to relent.

25/1

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

5th

2

(1)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:25 Hamilton

Rhoscolyn

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

A superstar down the years and he's quite well treated again now but all his handicap wins at 7f and 1m have been on downhill tracks on good to soft or slower ground; better days ahead once the rains come.

16/1

11th

2

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Rhoscolyn

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Down the field in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month but promising reappearance there (7f, good) previously; won this race in 2021 (good to soft) and 2024 (good to soft) and was third last year (good to soft); this week's rain has been in his favour and he's on a dangerous mark.

9/2

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

2nd

7

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Bobby Bennu

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Winless last season but ran some promising races and did likewise when fourth on his reappearance at Chester (7f, good; Supido third), having been dropped in from a wide draw; continues to drop down the weights; chance.

6/1

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

9th

10

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Purest Time

9st 6lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Ian Williams

First win for nearly two years when he picked up a Windsor handicap (6f, good to firm) off 3lb lower in May and his subsequent effort at Chester, when never competitive, was a puzzling one a fortnight ago; same mark but it would not be a big surprise if he bounced back.

20/1

7th

6

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:03 Chester

Purest Time

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Prevailed at Windsor (6f, good to firm) last month, proving suited by the return to turf and belatedly registering a first win since joining Ian Williams; a 3lb rise still leaves him feasibly handicapped on the best of last year's form.

13/2

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

7th

2

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Myal

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Likeable 5yo who has a strike-rate of 7-19 and was runner-up behind an impressive winner in a Listed race at Haydock (7f, good) in May; should be in the mix again and his only previous visit to Chester resulted in a C&D win.

13/2

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

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

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

14th

3

(11)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Yanifer

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Prominent racer; just 1lb higher than for last August's win at Chester (7.6f, good to firm); effective over C&D and last month's reappearance should have sharpened him up; suspicion he will prove vulnerable to younger rivals here though.

16/1

12th

1

(11)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Yanifer

10st 2lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

This is his first run since last October but he is capable of running well after an absence and he's been runner-up in the last two editions of this race (good to soft/good to firm); interesting candidate on return to action.

20/1

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

+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