July 12 / 16.55 Chester

16.55

Good

Cupiolo Handicap

  • Prize money: £7756.76
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Cupiolo Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 53-907 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Most wins have come later in the year and he's been happiest on soft ground; 2lb lower than when last successful, for a yard going well, but he'll need to improve on this second run back from wind surgery, having faded into fifth behind Rosenpur here last night; stall 8 is not good for a front-runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(13)

27th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Carlisle

Never Dark

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Can lead; recorded the latest of his nine wins when taking Hamilton handicap (5f, soft) in September 2024; now 23lb lower but was only sixth of ten back at that track last Friday; career-low mark and any rain would be welcome.

12/1

6th

9

(12)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

20:15 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Iain Jardine

Has won nine races, two over C&D (good to soft/soft); 3.5l second to Tanjen over C&D last time but meets her on the same terms, so may struggle to turn that form around.

8/1

2nd

5

(3)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:30 Hamilton

Never Dark

9st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Iain Jardine

Without a success since September 2024 but that did come over this C&D off a 22lb higher mark; faded into seventh of 11 here ten days ago but it would be no surprise to see him go well.

8/1

Form: 1-2375 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Better than ever in defeat this season and stall 5 is fine for one happiest up front; having the experienced Conor Orr take off 3lb won't hurt and a bold showing is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

25th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:45 Musselburgh

South Parade

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

C&D winner who has returned to form on her last two starts, finishing third over C&D (good) then winning at Ayr (5f, good); remains well treated on her old form and she's respected.

9/4

1st

7

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Ayr

South Parade

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Thrown in on last summer's best form and there were clear signs of a revival with her third of six at Musselburgh (5f, good) eight days ago; Ethan Tindall takes off a handy 5lb and she is one to be interested in.

10/1

3rd

5

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

20:55 Musselburgh

South Parade

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Should be making a big impact off her lowly mark but her 2026 campaign has been underwhelming thus far; has won over C&D and dropping into a Class 6 will help; still not entirely convincing.

8/1

Form: 212443 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Has run well on all three visits here this season, including last night (5.5f; by a neck) when he registered his first turf win by making virtually all from stall 2; today's 5lb penalty seems to demand a career best, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Rosenpur

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all off 1lb lower at Chester (6f, good) in May and wasn't beaten far on any of four subsequent starts there, the latest over 5f from a tough draw; may not be seen to quite the same effect on this straight track, though.

11/2

9th

2

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Rosenpur

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

All six wins have been here and at Wolverhampton, including this race 12 months ago when 6lb lower; close fourth here last time when drawn wide but in a smaller field than today and now he's out in stall 12; cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

13/2

Form: -36067 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three wins came on soft/heavy ground and he's gone backwards from a pleasing comeback, including on his preferred going over C&D last month; much will hinge on how he responds to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(10)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Vince LAmour

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Soft-ground C&D winner in 2024; finished down the field in the Silver Cup at Ripon (6f, good) 11 days ago but he ran well at Thirsk (5f, good) the time before and should be happier back at 5f; others preferred, however.

16/1

15th

17

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Vince LAmour

9st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

5f win here off 2lb higher in May; quiet afterwards until reviving with a second of six at Thirsk last week; has a C&D win on his record but rarely seen over 6f in recent times.

16/1

2nd

4

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Vince LAmour

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Recorded his fifth turf win when scoring at Ripon (5f, good) in May but he's struggled since and has failed to beat a rival in his last three starts; now 3lb lower than for his last success but he needs a big turnaround.

16/1

Form: 9-6880 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Poor strike-rate and has struggled this season; has the toe to utilise a handy draw in first-time blinkers (worn cheekpieces twice before) off a career-low mark, though, and a better showing round a course he likes would be no surprise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

140

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Dickieburd

8st 3lb

T: Ivan Furtado

1

(3)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Dickieburd

9st 13lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Ivan Furtado

On a lengthy losing sequence and he came in last of six in 5f handicap at Thirsk 25 days ago; others appeal more.

6/1

6

(5)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Thirsk

Dickieburd

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Regressive 5yo who has been unplaced all six starts for new stable this year; seemed to respond well to first-time blinkers when fourth at Chester (5f, good) last month, having set a brisk pace, but was well below that form (albeit from a wider draw) there three weeks ago.

11/2

Form: 652134 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Consistent and is ideally drawn for one happiest up front; went with a strong pace over a stiffer 5f last time, so there was nothing wrong with that, and he knows how to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(10)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:55 Nottingham

Bang On The Bell

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

His last win was at Windsor 13 months ago but that was off 13lb higher and he finished a close third over C&D (good to firm) on his penultimate run; has possibilities if he can recapture that form and he won't mind what the weather does.

15/2

8th

4

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:57 Southwell (AW)

Bang On The Bell

9st 7lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Won at Windsor last April off a mark 12lb higher than today's and he took a step back in the right direction when a close-up third at Nottingham (5f) a week ago; claims if building on that now returned to the AW.

9/2

Form: 224922 D BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter who's barely put a foot wrong all season and should get this run to suit; needs to get the breaks if dropped in as expected from stall 12; those breaks did not come in time when he finished on the heels of Rosenpur in the 8.25 here last night, but that showed again that he looks capable of a win off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has a patchy profile and was quiet at Wolverhampton last week, but he came from rear to snatch victory at Chester (5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

8/1

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Maharajas Express

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Not hit top gear this year but signs of a return to form when keeping on from off the pace here 14 days ago in a race he won the previous year; always dangerous if getting a strong pace to chase.

11/2

Form: 31-207 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Went close over 5f at Doncaster on his seasonal/handicap debut in April; not seen things out so well in two runs since but this is a drop in class and he still has time to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

16

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Acrisius

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won off 4lb lower at Chester (5f, good) last July and perhaps unsuited by softer going in two starts since; only had 12 races and couldn't dismiss.

33/1

9th

10

(10)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Beverley

Acrisius

8st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Successful over 5f at Chester (5f, good) last July; also went close on his 2025 reappearance which provides hope that he may be ready to roll after seven months off; drawn widest.

12/1

Form: 586169 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Wildly inconsistent gelding who's drawn wide back down from 6f; little room for manoeuvre off this mark and it's hard to know what to expect as usual.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(10)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:55 Chester

Rock N Roll Rocket

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: David Loughnane

Wildly inconsistent gelding who's drawn wide back down from 6f; little room for manoeuvre off this mark and it's hard to know what to expect as usual.

25/1

2

(9)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

15:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Rock N Roll Rocket

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: David Loughnane

Can blow hot and cold but he popped up in a 5f handicap here last month and ran creditably from stall 1 at Chester ten days ago (6f, good); not sure he's got much in hand of his mark though.

9/1

Form: 42-586 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Won five last year and is now 3lb lower than when last successful after a few ordinary efforts this time; needs much more if she's to overcome stall 9.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(6)

18th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smooth Silesie

10st 2lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Lisa Williamson

Won off this mark at Yarmouth (5f, good to soft) last October but hasn't got going in four runs this year, beating only one rival; needs to show more.

16/1

5th

4

(1)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Bath

Smooth Silesie

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lisa Williamson

C&D winner; had a good time of things in 2025, winning four times; she has finished last in her three AW runs this year and has only dropped 3lb; may need some more help from the handicapper.

20/1

7th

4

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Smooth Silesie

9st 9lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Lisa Williamson

Won at her beloved Yarmouth (5f, good to soft; from 4lb lower) last October; hasn't been at her best since returning to AW recently; this is a fraction easier and she could strip fitter but others are more appealing.

25/1

Form: 311225 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in May, including for Jack Nicholls; has continued in form off his revised mark since, latterly when paying late for going with a strong pace at Haydock; holds each-way claims from a handy draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Street Life

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Won twice on AW this winter, including C&D, and he is now 2lb lower than for the second win; has gone quiet more recently though and could prove vulnerable for win purposes once again.

12/1

6th

7

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Patrick Morris

Veteran who was recording the 14th win of his career when scoring off this mark over C&D in January; short of his best on his last four starts but the ability is there if his new rider can coax it out of him.

16/1

11th

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Street Life

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Five-time course winner but finished behind Irish Dancer and Woodhay Whisper here last time, with no obvious excuses.

14/1

Non-runners

Grace Angel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.70
Straight Forecast £46.06
Tricast £587.48
Trifecta £982.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

South Parade

The Guardian:

Rosenpur

Telegraph:

Bang On The Bell

SPOTLIGHT:

Dickieburd

RP RATINGS:

Maharajas Express

D Express:

Rosenpur

Daily Record:

Rosenpur

POSTDATA:

South Parade

The Times:

South Parade

The Star:

South Parade

Daily Mail:

Dickieburd

Daily Mirror:

Bang On The Bell

The Sun:

Bang On The Bell