May 31 / 15.55 Chester

15.55

Good To Soft

Seat Unique Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Seat Unique Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: -08857 C BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Faded into seventh of 14 over the extended 1m2f here earlier in the month but he did have to use up energy to obtain a prominent position from a wide stall; has a very good overall Chester record (four wins and three seconds from nine visits) and capable of bouncing back in what looks a slightly easier race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(2)

5th Oct 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

16:05 Yarmouth

Box To Box

10st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hugo Palmer

Four of his six wins have been at Chester, where he weakened into fifth last time out (reportedly lost a shoe); has a bit to prove right now.

13/2

5th

3

(2)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:50 Chester

Box To Box

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Hugo Palmer

Four of his six wins have been at Chester, including this race in 2023 in which he was also second last year to Spioradalta; dropped out on last month's comeback run at Windsor but entitled to have needed that, perhaps with this race in mind.

10/1

6th

4

(7)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

Box To Box

9st 10lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Hugo Palmer

Four of his six wins have been at Chester where he nearly won again when last seen 11 months ago; trip/ground fine and on a fair mark, but market confidence would be welcomed after so long out.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 786-65 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won three of his first four starts over 7f-1m4f on turf/AW for Ollie Sangster but out of the frame in his last five, including both runs for new yard; could still be building up his fitness but a watching brief is the call for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(7)

19th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

16:25 Pontefract

Per Contra

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Came up short in big field at York nine days ago; can't be totally dismissed on September form, namely a win at Redcar and placed effort over C&D; however, strike-rate for current yard is modest compared to how his career started.

7/1

3rd

6

(4)

24th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

15:52 Pontefract

Per Contra

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Landed the third turf win of his career when seeing off ten rivals at Redcar (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago; raised 4lb but his AW success last September was attained off 1lb higher.

9/2

1st

7

(6)

9th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:51 Redcar

Per Contra

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Dual turf winner who last scored when bagging a 1m2f AW handicap just under a year ago; now 5lb lower but that's still the same mark he was beaten just over 4l at Beverley 10 days ago; likely needs to find a bit extra.

7/1

Form: -63308 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Some creditable efforts on AW this winter; never involved when eighth of 14 over the extended 1m2f here (good) 23 days ago but it was no bad run and he's dropped to 2lb below the mark he defied over C&D (soft) in summer 2023; no surprise were he to bounce back to form with a bang.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

26th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Dream Harder

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Mark Loughnane

Regressive and inconsistent in recent times, finishing well held a couple of times since a surprise Epsom win off 1lb lower in July; the return to the AW won't hurt, as a four-time Tapeta winner, but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

7th

1

(3)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Dream Harder

10st 2lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

A tongue-tie was added to cheekpieces when off the mark for this yard, getting up late at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) in July; weak in the market under a penalty when beaten 5l in amateur riders' event over C&D (good) the following week; combination of this trip and slow ground will be new to him.

8/1

Form: 353-01

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who was all the sharper for his reappearance when resuming his progression with a 2l win at Ayr (1m2f, good); the runner-up was 6l clear of the third so the handicapper could have put him up by more than 4lb; could be more to come from him now stepping up to 1m4f for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(12)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:01 Ayr

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

All four wins have been on good or slower ground and latest was at Hamilton (1m5f) in July; creditable in-frame efforts twice since (1m2f here first occasion) and this course scorer is capable of having a big say.

9/2

3rd

1

(6)

5th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:25 Thirsk

Spirit Of Acklam

10st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

All four wins have been on good or slower ground and latest was at Hamilton (1m5f) in July; that was a narrow success but he's only 1lb higher here and was creditable fourth over 1m2f at Ayr last time; respected back up in trip.

7/1

4th

2

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Spirit Of Acklam

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Resumed winning ways in 1m5f handicap at Hamilton last month; this C&D scorer needs considering in refitted cheekpieces (won in them here) nudged up 1lb.

6/1

Form: 42-811 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Found it too much in a valuable Lingfield event early in the year but otherwise has progressed nicely since handicapping, winning on AW at Southwell (1m3f) and Kempton (1m4f) on her last two starts; well-held fourth in a 1m novice on previous turf start but much too soon to suggest she won't prove fully effective on the grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Charmaine

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: James Fanshawe

Two-time course winner; off the mark on turf at Chester (12.3f, good) in August and the track may not have suited at Epsom last time; career best needed to defy this mark though.

5/1

6th

1

(5)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:42 Epsom

Charmaine

9st 13lb

J: Arron D’Arcy

T: James Fanshawe

Three wins on the AW and her first on turf at Chester (1m4f, good) last time when readily accounting for a subsequent winner; consistent mare and, allthough up 4lb, Arron D'Arcy (has ridden a winner) takes off 7lb.

7/4

1st

2

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

Charmaine

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

All three wins have been on the AW (1m/1m4f) but she's a consistent mare with comparable form on turf and should give her running once more (second on previous visit here); chance.

4/1

Form: 474-97 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on soft in May 2023 but last season was disappointing and he hasn't fared better in two comeback outings this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:49 Perth

Struth

11st 8lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Given his useful Flat form for Charlie Johnston he's been disappointing over hurdles (0-9), and was again well held last week at Kelso; 3lb lower in future.

8/1

6th

3

16th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:25 Kelso

Struth

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Dual Flat winner for Charlie Johnston (8.5f-12.5f); yet to score over hurdles (0-8) but continues to fall in the weights.

7/1

6th

11

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:50 Perth

Struth

10st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Dual Flat winner for Charlie Johnston (8.5f-12.5f); yet to score over hurdles (0-7) but doesn't have a massive amount to find with Lets Mingle and Summergrounds based on their recent C&D clash; the task isn't an impossible one.

13/2

Form: 632-40

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Third wind operation before his creditable fourth of ten at Leicester (1m4f, good to firm) on reappearance in April; went backwards from that when down the field at Ascot three weeks ago; others are more obvious.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Mighty Bandit

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat and hurdles winner but already a far superior chaser; jumped well in front (although sometimes to the right) when completing a handicap hat-trick at Doncaster (2m, soft) six weeks ago by 17l; firmly on the up and deserves his chance in this higher grade.

9/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdle winner but he's looking a far superior chaser; bumped into a very smart novice on his chase debut and has since won two handicaps, the latest over C&D by some 8l (soft); an 8lb rise could have been worse for one firmly on the upgrade.

7/4

1st

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:13 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdles winner; very solid form at Newbury (2m, good to soft) since switched to fences, finishing a good second (behind subsequent Grade 2 scorer) prior to going one better in a race that is working out nicely; may well have more to offer in this sphere and warrants major respect.

10/11

Form: 112869 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Six AW wins since December, including a four-timer in February/March after the cheekpieces went on; four defeats have followed but he was staying on again when hampered in the closing stages over the extended 1m2f here last time, suggesting this return to a longer trip may suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(2)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

15:55 Chester

Paradoxical

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Six AW wins since December, including a four-timer in February/March after the cheekpieces went on; four defeats have followed but he was staying on again when hampered in the closing stages over the extended 1m2f here last time, suggesting this return to a longer trip may suit.

20/1

Form: 8154-8

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Came good over an extended 1m3f at Haydock (good) last July but hasn't progressed since and remains 6lb above that winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Miss Alpilles

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Suited by step up to 2m when Listed winner on final start last term and she's played creditable supporting roles in Group events this term; best form when 11l fifth at 80-1 behind Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the 2m4f Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last time; needs to find extra and headgear is given a go.

66/1

5th

11

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Miss Alpilles

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Suited by step up to 2m when winning a Listed event at Newmarket (good) on final start last term; 40-1 and perhaps in need of the race when she ran out of steam behind Sweet William and Caballo De Mar here (2m; beaten 8l) on reappearance, and staying-on second at York (1m6f) next time was better, but there is nothing in her form which suggests she is up to today's task.

100/1

2nd

4

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:15 York

Miss Alpilles

9st 2lb

J: George Downing

T: Ed Walker

Upwardly mobile 5yo who seemed suited by the step up to 2m when winning Listed race at Newmarket (good) last autumn; ran creditably against male rivals when 8l third of eight in Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot on return; today's drop back in distance isn't an obvious positive but she may have more in the tank and should give a good account of herself.

4/1

Form: 4-9170 D

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Two turf wins over this trip on good last summer and added to his tally on AW at Chelmsford (1m2f) in January; might be best to forgive him two heavy defeats on the snow at St Moritz in February but he'll need a career best to defy this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(5)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: George Baker

He hasn't been at the top of his game over C&D on his last three starts but was on slow ground each time, which may not have suited; has an excellent record here otherwise (three-time C&D winner on good/good to firm) and he's 1lb below his last winning mark; can't be discounted.

10/1

4th

2

(3)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:42 Epsom

Gordon Grey

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

With Ben Brookhouse when gaining two C&D wins last summer; best run for current yard was in Bahrain back in the spring; may have needed it here ten days after three months off but could have run better than he did (led early).

10/1

6th

2

(7)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 9lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: George Baker

Won twice over C&D for Ben Brookhouse last summer, including this race by a wide margin (cheekpieces first time) when rated just 1lb lower; only run to form once in four starts for George Baker this year and he was tailed off on soft ground here when last seen in June; Patrick Mullins has been booked this afternoon and not unreasonable to think this race has been on the agenda for a while; respected.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.60
Straight Forecast £21.47
Tricast £372.98
Trifecta £365.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spirit Of Acklam

NEWMARKET:

Charmaine

RP RATINGS:

Box To Box

POSTDATA:

Mighty Bandit

Telegraph:

Per Contra

The Guardian:

Spirit Of Acklam

D Express:

Spirit Of Acklam

Daily Mirror:

Spirit Of Acklam

The Sun:

Spirit Of Acklam

The Times:

Charmaine

The Star:

Charmaine

Daily Record:

Charmaine

TOPSPEED:

Box To Box

Daily Mail:

Box To Box