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
View Course
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

2nd

2

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Box To Box

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

Has record of 4-10 at Chester and he won this race in 2023; no joy in Bahrain last winter and has mixed record since returned to Britain but he won at Haydock (1m2f, good) in June and was only just caught at Chelmsford last time; remains feasibly treated on his best form and he's respected back at this track.

4/1

8

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Box To Box

8st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Hugo Palmer

Ended a long losing run when scoring off a reduced mark at Haydock (1m2f, good) in June but he dropped right out in his follow-up bid there two weeks later; now drops back in trip but he's not easy to predict and has had only three AW runs in his 42-race career; others preferred.

13/2

12th

9

(16)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Box To Box

8st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Hugo Palmer

Snapped a long losing run and capitalised on a reduced mark over 10.4f here (good) a fortnight ago; enjoyed the run of the race in front and it might be the case this longer trip stretches him nowadays, but he did it nicely last time and remains well treated on old form back up 6lb; not discounted.

20/1

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

4th

7

(7)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 3

15:15 Ripon

Per Contra

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

He's won just one of his last 23 starts and has failed to fire on his last two outings; however, he had a tough assignment in the John Smith's Cup at York last Saturday and he's dropped to a handy mark; runner-up to the 4-7 favourite in this race last year and he's not ruled out.

9/1

20th

21

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Per Contra

8st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Some good C&D form, beaten just a neck in a big field last August (good to firm) and fourth of 16 two starts ago (good); he has an each-way squeak if he's on song but that wasn't the case at Newcastle last time (slowly away) and he's won just one of his last 22 starts.

66/1

8th

12

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

Per Contra

8st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

His 2-3 AW record includes a comfortable C&D win off only 1lb lower last September; arrives on the back of two good efforts in strong turf handicaps and a bold bid looks assured now back on AW.

9/2

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

8th

4

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Dream Harder

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Mark Loughnane

Finished last of six at Ripon on stable/seasonal debut but is interesting assuming he's back in better form with the outing under his belt; dual winner off higher marks at Chester; check the betting,

14/1

6th

5

(5)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 4

19:00 Ripon

Dream Harder

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Mark Loughnane

Well handicapped on his Chester win (1m4f, good) last May but he's 0-10 since and was well held in his final five runs for Ian Williams; returns after 200 days off and he needs to get back on track for new yard.

14/1

2

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Epsom

Dream Harder

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Good second off this mark in better race over C&D on Derby day, having scored at Chester the time before; not in the same form since and suffered a heavy defeat last Sunday.

16/1

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

1st

3

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:20 Hamilton

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored at Ayr (1m2f) last April in a light campaign in 2025; back from 12 months off with an encouraging Ripon fifth but beat only one at Chester (1m4f) since; needs to bounce back.

8/1

7th

1

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:12 Chester

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won at Ayr wearing cheekpieces in April and it wasn't a bad effort when fifth at Ripon (again 1m2f, good) 16 days ago; concerning that the run in between came over this C&D when beaten 24l and said not to have been suited by the track, however.

12/1

5th

7

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored with a fair degree of authority at Ayr (1m2f, good; from 2lb lower) in April 2025; absent since toiling at Chester 362 days ago, which raises concerns, but he did win over C&D on his 2024 reappearance; the betting should help to guide expectations.

11/1

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

4

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Charmaine

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Consistent mare whose three wins on the AW include two here (1m/1m4f); still on a fair mark and should again run her race.

6/1

4th

5

(1)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 3

15:42 Goodwood

Charmaine

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Three-time AW scorer; turf form features two good efforts but she's 0-4 in this sphere and was below par at Doncaster most recently; not the percentage call in this warmer contest.

12/1

4th

2

(2)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Charmaine

9st 10lb

J: Arron D’Arcy

T: James Fanshawe

A two-time AW scorer (around 1m4f) last spring and she resumed from six months off with a solid second of seven in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap three weeks ago; she can make her presence felt back on turf.

11/4

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

6th

9

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:16 Perth

Struth

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Former smart Flat horse who is 0-6 over hurdles and was beaten a little under 10l on handicap debut here a month ago; he was boxing on over 2m and this longer trip could bring him on (stayed well on the Flat).

8/1

6th

1

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:42 Perth

Struth

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but well held when fifth on handicap hurdle debut at Kelso (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and showed no significant improvement in a subsequent C&D maiden; needs to up his game.

20/1

6th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Struth

11st 5lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but has yet to better fair form over hurdles, weakening into a well-held fifth on 2m2f Kelso handicap debut in this sphere 24 days ago; might have needed that after a break but he's still hard to make a good case for.

20/1

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

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

3rd

9

(2)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Miss Alpilles

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Won 1m6f handicap at Goodwood (good to firm) last August and a first crack at 2m suited her even better when she led over 1f out to score at 20-1 in a Listed race at Newmarket (good) in September; today's Group 3 should demand plenty more but she could still have untapped potential at 2m+.

12/1

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

13th

14

(16)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

8st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: George Baker

The second runner for local trainer George Baker and this one has an enviable 3-4 record here, having picked up two Ladies' Derbys (2024 and 2025) in addition to the Amateurs' Derby last year when trained by Ben Brookhouse; not discounted on that score but this is a good bit hotter than those events; refitted tongue-tie could be a plus.

16/1

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

+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