July 12 / 14.00 York

14.00

Good

John Smith’s Racing Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 0m 7f 192y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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John Smith’s Racing Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 95-419 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Flopped at Epsom last month (first visit) but was perhaps unsuited by the tricky track; prior to that he made all in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good) and is just 3lb higher today; could bounce back with a bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Flight Plan

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Failed to build on a decent fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) in February when behind Blue Rc at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday but the fact he made all in this race off 8lb lower last year means a revival can't be discounted, particularly as he's well drawn to attack again; tongue-tied first time.

13/2

8th

9

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Flight Plan

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Quiet in Dubai in January but he returned to Britain with a good fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) five weeks ago; now 6lb lower than when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup last May and he has the ability to feature.

25/1

4th

4

(5)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Flight Plan

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Often front runs; below par in three outings at Meydan last month (including dirt) but well treated if a return to Britain sparks a revival having landed last year's Thirsk Hunt Cup off 6lb higher; Tapeta winner at the start of his career.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -11570

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row in Qatar (1m2f/10.5f) earlier this year; however, well beaten in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard (1m2f) and the Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f) since returning to Britain, and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aafoor

9st 13lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: M Al Attiya

Won two in a row in Qatar (1m2f/10.5f) earlier this year; however, well beaten in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard (1m2f) and the Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f) since returning to Britain, and others are preferred.

50/1

24th

4

(11)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Aafoor

9st 12lb

J: Szczepan Mazur

T: M Al Attiya

Hampered when a never-nearer eighth of 18 in his sole 7f handicap in Britain, at Goodwood (good to firm) last July; much higher in the weights now following three 1m2f wins in Qatar over the winter and a remote finish in a Group 3 at Sandown (1m2f) recently left questions hanging.

66/1

7th

3

(6)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:35 Sandown

Aafoor

9st 2lb

J: Szczepan Mazur

T: M Al Attiya

Beaten off handicap marks in the low 90s in Britain last summer; three wins in Qatar this winter and not beaten far when bidding for a big handicap prize in Saudi Arabia in February on latest outing, but stiff task in this.

66/1

Form: 936-55 C

Last run: 121 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Short-headed in 3yo Listed race at Epsom (7f) last May and he ran some good races in defeat in Qatar and UAE between last November and this March; however, there's a suspicion he's vulnerable off his current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:47 Goodwood

Native American

9st 10lb

J: George Wood

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Kept on for third at Epsom (7f, good) in August and 6l second at Sandown (7f, soft) last time behind an improved winner; the step back up in trip could be a plus (he ran well over 1m1f at Meydan in February); chance.

12/1

2

(9)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Native American

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Useful at two and three when trained by Richard Fahey; unable to win in the Middle East last winter but he ran his best race for a while when third of nine in a 7f handicap (good) at Epsom 18 days ago, plugging on having been outpaced in the straight; today's more conventional track should suit and he'll be fine on good to soft (unraced on slower).

4/1

3rd

1

(6)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

Native American

10st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Short-headed in 3yo Listed race over C&D last May and he ran some good races in defeat in Qatar and UAE between last November and this March; however, he returned to Britain with a 9l defeat at York last month and needs to leave that form well behind; cheekpieces reapplied.

7/1

Form: -62263 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
9yo whose losing sequence goes back 22 races to August 2023; however, he often runs well and was third of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month; there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

10yo who won this in 2023; frequently runs well in quality handicaps and he's 5lb lower than when a cracking third in the Royal Hunt Cup last June; scratched from the Lincoln when running a temperature on his intended comeback last month and he tends to improve for a run these days; also winless since 2023.

15/2

11th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who has drawn a blank since winning on the July Course in summer 2023 and needs everything to drop right but he often runs extremely well in defeat, including when third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June; another respectable effort when sixth of 20 in Balmoral at Ascot (1m, good) a fortnight ago; not discounted in this slightly easier race.

6/1

Form: 00-330 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
8yo who won this in 2021 and scored twice last year; looked as good as ever when third of 14 to Old Cock over C&D (good to firm) in May and didn't run badly in the Royal Hunt Cup subsequently; back in calmer water this afternoon and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

22

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

La Trinidad

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Roger Fell

9yo who went 0-10 last year but he's well handicapped on the pick of last season's efforts, which came in the spring, and his Doncaster form-figures of 1413 catch the eye on his first visit here since 2023; interesting.

50/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

La Trinidad

10st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell

Won twice last season, the second one over this C&D; sound efforts on first two starts this term but not so good recently; on a good mark (6lb lower than last win).

7/1

Form: 914-01 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who made it 4-8 when a well-backed winner of the Hambleton Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in May; a 4lb rise isn't harsh and he could have plenty more left in the tank; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

15

(8)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Old Cock

8st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Won this off 1lb lower last year (good to firm); however, soundly beaten over C&D (good to firm) last August on final run for Ed Bethell and down the field on last month's stable/seasonal debut at Newbury (1m, good).

25/1

20th

19

(13)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Old Cock

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

4-10 for Edward Bethell, winning the Hambleton Handicap at York's Dante meeting (1m, good to firm) last spring; changed hands for 26,000gns last autumn; only 3lb higher than at York and doesn't have many miles on the clock.

33/1

14th

12

(13)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Old Cock

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Lightly raced 4yo who was a well-backed winner of the Hambleton Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in May with a late bid, from Sisyphean; respectable fourth of nine to Remmooz and Sisyphean back over C&D for his only start since, coming from last, and it would not be a surprise were he to resume improvement today; one for the shortlist.

8/1

Form: 9-3075 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
7yo whose form has been mixed this year but he kept on for a fair fifth over 7f here four weeks ago; has won the last two runnings of this race (good to soft) and was second in 2022 (good to firm); could have a major part to play now back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Blue For You

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

All British wins have been over 1m at York and he's unraced on the AW; some respectable shows in better handicaps this year but not the last twice; bit risky.

10/1

5

(6)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Blue For You

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

His three wins in Britain have all come over 1m at York but he is fully effective at other tracks and he wasn't beaten far in his one Sandown run back in June 2022 (1m, good to firm); rain won't bother him and he's slipped to a dangerous mark but he will need a good pace to aim at back at 7f; stable have won the last two runnings.

7/1

17th

14

(1)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Blue For You

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored just once in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but on the last three occasions it was over 1m in the summer at York and in 2022 it was in this race; 14th and 13th in the last two runnings of it, with reappearance the pick of his mixed record this season, but he's much too well handicapped to be ignored.

11/1

Form: 140-29 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced C&D winner who made the running when close second to Old Cock in the Hambleton Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in May; respectable ninth in the Royal Hunt Cup last month and could make a bold bid now back at this track, which should suit his style better than Ascot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(8)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Sisyphean

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Spencer

Down the field in Dubai on his stable debut in December (1m1f, good to firm); can go well fresh so a 106-day absence no bad thing; hasn't run over 7f since his debut but he lurks on a dangerous mark and new cheekpieces could give him a lift.

8/1

8

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Sisyphean

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Four starts at 1m this term have yielded good seconds in competitive York handicaps but his two goes over C&D don't match them; that's enough to put him down the pecking order.

10/1

11/4

Form: 114

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made debut in April and won 7f novice races at Doncaster on first two starts (7f, good to firm/good) before 7l fourth of 15 in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; appeared to be on the wrong end of a pace bias and made some late headway from the rear, indicating this first crack at 1m could suit; trainer won this with a 3yo in 2018.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Remmooz

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Group 3 Jersey at Royal Ascot last June was the only time he's failed to improve his rating in six-race career but even then he managed fourth of 15; close third in handicap at York Ebor meeting (1m, good to firm) preceded win number four in a 7f Listed race at Newbury; while better is needed in this Group 3, he looks the type to find it in this second season.

4/1

5

(3)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Newbury

Remmooz

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Unraced on softer than good; ran well at the Ebor festival when bidding for a York handicap (1m) double, taking form figures to 11413; ties in with Spy Chief on Jersey Stakes (7f) running; progressive contender.

9/4

3rd

7

(11)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Remmooz

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Owen Burrows

Fourth of 15 in the Group 3 Jersey at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm); unbeaten otherwise in two novice events before that and a nine-runner C&D handicap (good to firm) on latest outing; travelled well to challenge in the latter and although he scored by just a neck, from Sisyphean, and has gone up 4lb, there has to be every chance of further progress; big player.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.40
Straight Forecast £9.06
Tricast £84.39
Trifecta £88.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Remmooz

D Express:

Old Cock

RP RATINGS:

Blue For You

Daily Mail:

Sisyphean

NEWMARKET:

Native American

The Star:

La Trinidad

POSTDATA:

Bopedro

LAMBOURN:

Remmooz

The Times:

Remmooz

Telegraph:

Remmooz

The Guardian:

Remmooz

The Sun:

Remmooz

Daily Record:

Remmooz

Daily Mirror:

Old Cock

TOPSPEED:

Blue For You