July 26 / 14.10 Chester

14.10

Good

John Smith’s Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

  • Prize money: £9277.2
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 8

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Represents a top yard but didn't show much when eighth of ten at Salisbury (6f, good to firm; 28-1) six weeks ago; improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 135y

Class 5

20:12 Lingfield

Berkshire Boom

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Absent 289 days after winning Chester maiden (7f, good) last summer and made no more than a respectable seasonal/handicap debut when midfield at Windsor (1m, good to firm) this month; needs that recent outing to have brought him on.

6/1

7th

13

(10)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:47 Windsor

Berkshire Boom

9st 3lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Down the field on his Salisbury debut last June (6f, good to firm); big step forward when winning at Chester one month later (7f, good) and that form has been handsomely franked; gelded in August; 289-day absence to overcome but almost inconceivable that he's not much better than this mark (the placed horses at Chester are now BHA-rated 78, 90 and 93).

5/1

Form: 2

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Friendless in the market but shaped fairly well when second of ten in maiden at Chepstow (7f, good to firm; 50-1) two weeks ago, doing his best work late on; should improve and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Oratorical

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

Substantial improvement to win novice at Nottingham in October, followed by creditable sixth of seven in French Listed race (both 1m on heavy); however, eased right down from 4f out on handicap/seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m2f, good; 22-1) three weeks ago, after which it's hard to approach him with confidence.

20/1

8th

2

(1)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:17 Newmarket

Oratorical

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: David Loughnane

Three months off before showing substantial improvement to win 12-runner novice at Nottingham (1m, heavy) in October; creditable sixth of seven in French Listed race on final outing; better is needed on this handicap/seasonal debut but it looks like he'll surely stay.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to be useful; weak in the market and gave the impression the run was needed when last of five at Haydock (7f, good to firm; 20-1) in May; the winner that day has since finished third in a Group 2; plenty of improvement required but he's had two months off and could take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:24 Wolverhampton (AW)

Port Darwin

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Johnston

A fair 1m juvenile winner but not proving the easiest to catch right this season and he beat only one home in 1m2f Ripon handicap 25 days ago; others appeal more.

5/1

7th

1

(2)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

20:15 Ripon

Port Darwin

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Charlie Johnston

Record of 1-10 but his win was off 4lb higher at Musselburgh (1m, good) last August; mixed record since but he returned to form with a clear second in first-time blinkers at Kempton (1m4f) last week; has claims if he can back that up and he's in the mix back in trip.

3/1

2nd

3

(2)

30th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Port Darwin

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Johnston

Made a winning handicap debut in 1m turf contest last August; far from solid on subsequent form, latterly over 1m2f, and doesn't appear to be crying out for this further step up in distance; blinkers replace the cheekpieces worn last time.

12/1

Form: 69

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field at long odds both starts; needs first-time headgear to have a transformative effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

Super Sagitta

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: David Evans

Down the field at long odds both starts; needs first-time headgear to have a transformative effect.

33/1

9th

8

(6)

3rd Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:42 Haydock

Super Sagitta

9st 7lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

50-1 when down the field on debut at Newbury (6.5f, good) three weeks ago and he's probably best watched for now.

66/1

9

(5)

12th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Super Sagitta

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: David Evans

£42,000 yearling; first foal; dam 7f AW 2yo winner (RPR 76) from talented family; gelded; others are more compelling than this Mehmas newcomer.

25/1

Form: 6

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hung left and met some trouble when sixth of 14 at 40-1 on debut at Ascot (7f, good to firm); fared pretty well in the circumstances and should progress; has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 2

15:45 Carlisle

Suspended Sentence

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Bell

Progressive once upped to 1m as 2yo, winning twice (good to firm/soft) before his Listed fourth in France (soft); may have needed last month's comeback run in the race won by Laureate Crown at Sandown (1m, good to firm; 14-1 from 20-1) but he's not obviously well treated.

25/1

5th

4

(3)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Suspended Sentence

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Won Ripon novice (1m, good to firm) last August on third start then followed up in four-runner nursery over this C&D (soft); creditable Listed fourth in France (1m, soft) in September but returns to a handicap off a mark 13lb higher than for his course win; further improvement needed.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
80,000euros yearling; Sioux Nation half-brother to Italian 8.7f winner Otello; dam placed 5f/6f (RPR 76), half-sister to winners Jan Van Hoof (5f/6f) and Zain Princess (9.4f); would not have to be any great shakes to make an impact in this company on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

19:40 Doncaster

Tarmonbarry Kid

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Didn't go on last season and was gelded; only beat one home on his C&D comeback three weeks ago but shaped well for a long way and is entitled to have come on for that; worth a second look down 2lb.

12/1

6th

6

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

15:25 Doncaster

Tarmonbarry Kid

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Promising debut at Chester last July (7f, good; form worked out); no progress in two 7f runs at Newcastle afterwards but he has been gelded prior to his handicap/seasonal debut and stepping up to 1m should suit; one to be interested in.

10/1

5

(6)

30th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tarmonbarry Kid

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Not that far away when fifth of eight at Chester (7f, good) on debut in July and that place is never easy for a newcomer; should improve.

13/2

Form: 763

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Some promise all three starts in May/June, making some of the running when third of five at Beverley (extended 7f, good to firm) on last of them; now returns to the fray having been gelded; wouldn't have to find much to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 York

The Resdev Scholar

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Reliable type who again gave his running when third of 14 over C&D at the Dante meeting (good); nudged up 1lb but that should not prevent another bold bid.

8/1

3rd

15

(6)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:40 York

The Resdev Scholar

8st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael & David Easterby

Ended his 2yo season with a hat-trick; consistent efforts this term, good third at Beverley (7.5f) most recently; getting no respite from the assessor but is reasonably solid and likely to give his running.

8/1

3rd

8

(8)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:25 Beverley

The Resdev Scholar

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Completed a hat-trick at Doncaster (6f) in November to end 2025 and he's continued in very good form this spring when in the frame in 7f handicaps at Southwell and Newbury; ought to be in the shake-up again.

10/1

Form: 533

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Ran her best race when third of eight at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) on second start, and she was badly hampered when finishing a place behind Oratorical at Chepstow last time; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

15th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:40 Nottingham

Blooming Legend

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Clover

Won two in a row in August (7f/1m, good/AW; including nursery debut) and has run okay on her next two outings, but she needs to better those last two performances if she's to make a serious impact here.

9/1

3

(6)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Blooming Legend

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Clover

Cosy winner of a Musselburgh maiden (7f, good) in August and she did well to reel in the favourite on nursery debut at Lingfield (1m, AW) later that month; held behind Grimese's Special in seller at Salisbury (7f) last time but that was in the mud and she could kick on again on this step back up in trip.

5/1

2

(2)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:10 Salisbury

Blooming Legend

9st 7lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Clover

Did well to reel in the favourite at Lingfield (1m nursery, AW), that her second straight success following a cosy Musselburgh maiden win (7f) from Ten Sixty Six - who also shares a form line with Castrillo; dam won on soft, so no reason why an easier surface will hinder.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.70
Straight Forecast £31.86
Trifecta £129.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Oratorical

NEWMARKET:

Suspended Sentence

SPOTLIGHT:

Port Darwin

The Times:

Suspended Sentence

Telegraph:

Suspended Sentence

The Star:

Suspended Sentence

POSTDATA:

Oratorical

The Guardian:

Oratorical

Daily Mail:

Oratorical

D Express:

Oratorical

Daily Mirror:

Oratorical

The Sun:

Oratorical

Daily Record:

Oratorical