July 12 / 16.15 York

16.15

Good

John Smith’s Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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John Smith’s Nursery Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: 062

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Son of Soldier's Call who has advanced his RRR with each start, finishing second in 6f Chester novice (good) six weeks ago; subsequently gelded; respected nursery newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(6)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 York

Going Commando

8st 12lb

J: J F Egan

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Has shown ability but remains winless after seven attempts and it would be a shock if his first win is registered in this warm contest.

66/1

5th

1

(6)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

13:05 Chester

Going Commando

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Creditable second over C&D (good) in May but not in the same form again since, including when beaten in plating company two starts ago, and needs to up his game; refitted cheekpieces the headgear of choice today.

7/1

3

(3)

20th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:50 Kempton (AW)

Going Commando

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Second of eight at Chester (6f) in May but he's been below his best in two starts since being gelded, including in a seller at Musselburgh (7f; first-time cheekpieces) 12 days ago; blinkers now tried on his first attempt over 1m.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye when running on well in the straight to finish fourth on AW debut and built on that promise, despite still not looking the finished article, to get on top towards the finish in 6f Chepstow novice (good to firm) 19 days ago; appeals as one who should have more to offer now moving into a nursery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(9)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Amazing Journey

9st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Novice and nursery-winning juvenile (6f, good to firm) who often didn't have things go his way subsequently until he won going away at Kempton (6f, AW) last month; wasn't totally handling the track when narrow second at Epsom last Wednesday and he's an obvious contender off this mark (due a 2lb rise).

7/2

2nd

3

(4)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

18:22 Epsom

Amazing Journey

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Novice and nursery-winning juvenile (6f, good to firm) who often didn't have things go his way subsequently until he won going away at Kempton (6f, AW) three weeks ago; up 6lb but he's shaped like a smart horse waiting to happen on occasions and maybe that was the start of it.

9/4

1st

5

(6)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Amazing Journey

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Two 6f wins last summer but things haven't gone to plan since, often compromising his chance at the start; last month's return to action at Leicester was promising, though, and he's almost certainly better than this mark should the stars align.

9/2

Form: 1648

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed from her AW debut success in April but this is a much more realistic assignment than the Newmarket Listed race she contested last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(3)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:00 Nottingham

Miss Piggle

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

0-7 since winning on debut at Southwell (5f, AW) in April; didn't run badly when fourth in nursery at Leicester (6f, good to soft) last time but didn't pose a threat and needs to raise her game this afternoon.

14/1

1

(4)

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:18 Leicester

Miss Piggle

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hugo Palmer

Won a 5f novice on debut in April; has faced some stiff tasks since, including nurseries at the Ebor and St Leger meetings, and this looks more realistic; rider's claim useful too; cheekpieces return after being left off latest.

12/1

12th

11

(4)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Miss Piggle

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

AW success on debut; no progress on turf since but the combination of a physical tweak (wind surgery since last run) and Oisin Murphy (up for first time) may do the trick.

12/1

Form: 277

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Beaten only a nose in the 17-runner Brocklesby on Doncaster debut (5f, good to soft) in March; only seventh in two subsequent outings but his yard continues to go well overall and it would be no surprise were he to bounce back now switching to a nursery after being gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

14:30 Yarmouth

Son Of Sarabi

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Jonathan Portman

Effective on fast and soft ground; inconsistent seven-race maiden but he's had three close calls including when front-running in a maiden at Bath (5.6f) last month; on reduced mark now back in a nursery and he could make another bold bid.

6/1

6

(9)

3rd Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

14:50 Bath

Son Of Sarabi

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Just missed out in the Brocklesby (5f, good to soft) on his debut and ran well for second on his nursery debut at York in July (6f, good to firm; first run after a gelding operation); not so good on his last two starts but this is much weaker and he has to be high on the list.

2/1

10

(5)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Son Of Sarabi

8st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Beaten a nose in the Brocklesby in March (5f, good to soft) and tapped back into that promise when close second on nursery debut at York (6f, good to firm); however, this is a hotter contest and he failed to shine in the Super Sprint two weeks ago (5f, good) in first-time cheekpieces (retained).

12/1

Form: 61 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Left AW debut behind when 33-1 winner of a 6f maiden at Pontefract (good) 33 days ago; that form is only ordinary so she'll need to improve again to follow up on nursery debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

14:45 Lingfield (AW)

No Spritz No Party

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Charlie Clover

Off the mark on her second start at Pontefract (6f, good) in June and third of nine under her penalty in a Windsor novice (6f, good) last month, but was reported to have run flat on nursery debut at Haydock six days later; something to prove.

10/1

7

(7)

10th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Haydock

No Spritz No Party

8st 11lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Charlie Clover

Ran creditably under a penalty in Windsor event (6f, good) last Monday when back from eight-week absence and carrying a penalty for Pontefract success; possibilities off bottom weight on nursery debut.

8/1

13/2

Form: 673225

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 1lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has finished in the frame three times in claiming/selling company, including a near miss in the Rous seller over C&D (good to firm); however, he was below that level when weakening to finish last of five in a 5f Haydock nursery last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:50 Thirsk

U Turn

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Gained a first win in 5f Beverley maiden last July and ended 2025 with good placed efforts in 5f nurseries over C&D and at Musselburgh in September; resumes from nine months off, having been gelded, but not out of things for his in-form yard.

6/1

1

(7)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

15:03 Redcar

U Turn

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Thoroughly exposed but he is a reliable sort and comes here on the back of two good nursery efforts (5f); returning to 6f in his favour; just held by Carnation Queen on their York run in June but still high on the list.

9/2

1

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Musselburgh

U Turn

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Record is only 1-10, the success in a maiden; however, creditable second in Thirsk nursery (5f) last Saturday and may remain competitive.

4/1

Form: 544

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 1lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye on 5f Pontefract debut; failed to build on that in two subsequent outings, despite being prominent in the betting, but that debut promise is still fresh in the memory and that fact his yard has a good record in this race (three wins since 2016) makes him interesting on this first outing for eight weeks (has been gelded).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(2)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

Dacres Cross

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Won a Carlisle nursery last August (6f, good); best run since when fourth of 20 at York last time (7f, good; third and fifth have won since) when Harswell Angel was eighth; chance.

7/2

4th

20

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 York

Dacres Cross

8st 13lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Rather fizzled out as a 2yo and he was tailed off on reappearance at Wetherby; difficult to recommend after that.

33/1

11th

10

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Dacres Cross

8st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Won five-runner Carlisle nursery (6f, good) last summer but his 2yo campaign fizzled out somewhat; moves up in trip for this reappearance; others have less to prove.

16/1

Form: 8864 BF

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Failed to improve for a switch to nursery company when a well-held fourth at Pontefract (6f, good) but he was joint-favourite and a quick turnaround with a visor added suggests connections think he possibly didn't apply himself in West Yorkshire.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Supreme Dancer

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

14-race maiden; ran well when second of 11 at Catterick (7f, good) on his seasonal return in May but he failed to back it up at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) five weeks ago; others look stronger.

12/1

8th

13

(8)

15th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:32 Wetherby

Supreme Dancer

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Fairly exposed, but comes into the reckoning after a good front-running second at Catterick on reappearance last month (7f, good); sound run when tried at 1m last term; interesting.

11/2

2nd

5

(9)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:15 Catterick

Supreme Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

12-race maiden; best effort came when headed close home at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) last September; ended last season on a downbeat note (AW); gelded and best watched off a six-month break; stablemate of Hear The Drums.

20/1

Non-runners

Believeinmenow

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £24.17
Tricast £161.52
Trifecta £123.40

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Amazing Journey

NEWMARKET:

No Spritz No Party

SPOTLIGHT:

Dacres Cross

Daily Mail:

Son Of Sarabi

RP RATINGS:

Going Commando

Telegraph:

Miss Piggle

POSTDATA:

U Turn

TOPSPEED:

Believeinmenow

The Times:

Amazing Journey

The Guardian:

Amazing Journey

The Sun:

Amazing Journey

Daily Record:

Amazing Journey

The Star:

No Spritz No Party

Daily Mirror:

Dacres Cross

D Express:

Son Of Sarabi