July 12 / 19.10 Chester

19.10

Good

Absolut Vodka Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 1m 6f 87y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
SKY
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Absolut Vodka Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 9060-1

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Displayed considerable improvement when hiked up in trip for seasonal/handicap debut at Ayr (1m5f, good to soft) on Monday, making all; makes quick reappearance under 6lb penalty here; probably still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Whatsgoingonmarvin

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Mickey Bowen

A useful 1m5f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott last year; only fair form at best in four hurdle outings for this yard since, including when well-held sixth on Stratford handicap debut in that sphere four weeks ago; returns to the Flat with something to prove; first-time cheekpieces go on.

40/1

6th

9

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:08 Stratford

Whatsgoingonmarvin

10st 11lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

A useful 1m5f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott; changed hands for 115,000gns and shaped well when runner-up in 2m Catterick juvenile hurdle in January; faced a stiff task in Haydock's Victor Ludorum last time and remains with potential now handicapping.

9/2

6th

7

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

12:55 Haydock

Whatsgoingonmarvin

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

A fairly useful and three-time Flat scorer (at up to 1m6f) for Sir Mark Prescott in 2025; beat only one on his hurdling debut at Kempton but vastly improved when a clear second of nine in 2m Catterick juvenile 15 days ago; open to further progress but this demands plenty more.

25/1

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -73632

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
No match for easy winner when second at York (1m6f, good) a fortnight ago but has now been placed off today's mark on his last two appearances; no surprise if he's on the premises again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Percy Shelley

11st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Three Flat wins and he's 2-5 over hurdles; competitive in both disciplines since returning from a break and this scenario is ideal for him.

10/1

4th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Percy Shelley

9st 12lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Made good start to hurdling career in the autumn, including when going close in a Cheltenham novice (2m4f, good to soft; has won on good ground); reappeared with a creditable third at Plumpton last month and he's feasibly treated on his best Flat form last year, including a sequence of runner-up efforts over staying trips; respected back in this sphere.

9/2

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Percy Shelley

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Useful Flat performer who made good start to hurdling career in the autumn, including when going close in a Cheltenham novice (2m4f, good to soft; has won on good ground); flopped at Ascot (2m5f, good) in November but has had a break since and retains potential now in his first handicap hurdle.

10/1

Form: -47414 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Seemingly back in prime form when winning at Bath (1m6f, good) last month but this race looks more competitive, and he ran poorly when last in action (reportedly unsuited by good to firm ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Francesco Baracca

9st 10lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Best form on AW but has won on turf and it was his best effort on grass when third of six at Newbury (2m, good; plugged on) three weeks ago; each-way shout.

10/1

3rd

8

(8)

17th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:20 Newbury

Francesco Baracca

8st 5lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Has done best on AW, including three wins at Wolverhampton (1m6f/2m) in the last six months; well held at Lingfield two weeks ago but has a modest record there; has won twice on turf, latterly on good ground at Bath (1m6f) last June but none of his turf form matches today's mark.

25/1

8th

4

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Francesco Baracca

9st 8lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Something of a Wolverhampton specialist (3-5) though he has won on Polytrack at Kempton; the drop to 1m4f didn't help last time so the return to a longer distance should help, but his high draw may not be ideal even over this trip.

18/1

Form: 197142 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won twice for new stable in the spring (1m3f/1m6f) and is still in good form; moves back up in trip after going close over 1m4f here (good; front pair clear) a fortnight ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Nottingham

Bulldog Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Scored over C&D last May for Brian Ellison; yet to fire for his new yard in handicaps at Wolverhampton (1m4f) and Lingfield (2m) this spring though.

14/1

5th

4

(1)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Bulldog Spirit

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Bernard Llewellyn

A fair 1m6f scorer for Brian Ellison in 2025; beat only one for his new handler after seven months off in 1m4f handicap at Wolverhampton last month; needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

6th

7

(3)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bulldog Spirit

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Debuts for a fourth yard having been picked up from Brian Ellison last autumn for 7,500gns; won first time out as a 2yo and on his comeback last spring, which gives hope, but there's not much room for manoeuvre off this mark.

20/1

9/2

Form: -36721 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Bang-in-form 5yo who posted a career-best performance when scoring here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; today's drop back in trip won't be a problem; likely contender again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Tailorman

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Won over 2m (good) here in June and the saddle slipped on his return visit the following month; can probably forgive him his Ascot run as well as that was a Class 3; could find this trip on the tight side, though.

16/1

6th

5

(5)

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

15:00 Ascot

Tailorman

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Had an excuse (saddle slipped, eased) last time when bidding for a Chester double; well suited by 2m but remains on career-high mark and this is a better grade than he usually runs in; difficult task.

10/1

5th

4

(5)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

19:10 Chester

Tailorman

9st 13lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Bang-in-form 5yo who posted a career-best performance when scoring here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; today's drop back in trip won't be a problem; likely contender again.

9/2

Form: 53-361 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Came good for Bernard Llewellyn at fourth attempt, keeping on well to cause 33-1 surprise here (1m4f, soft) four weeks ago; subsequent 5lb rise might be enough to leave him vulnerable but today's trip-and-ground combination should also suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:15 Lingfield (AW)

Polling Day

10st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Looked rusty after seven months off when last of seven in 1m4f Wolverhampton handicap last month; this course winner can build on that now.

10/1

7th

6

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Polling Day

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Soft-ground win last summer came off a 4lb lower mark and he's entitled to need this at his age back from seven months off; trainer also saddles Bulldog Spirit.

25/1

3

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Polling Day

11st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won over 1m4f here in June (soft) and got upset in the preliminaries before finishing tailed off on his return visit; was running well when falling back over hurdles; entitled to be involved.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £8.35
Trifecta £112.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

RP RATINGS:

Percy Shelley

D Express:

Tailorman

The Guardian:

Bulldog Spirit

The Times:

Polling Day

NEWMARKET:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Telegraph:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Daily Mail:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Daily Mirror:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

The Star:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

Daily Record:

Whatsgoingonmarvin

TOPSPEED:

Percy Shelley

POSTDATA:

Percy Shelley