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

3rd

2

(2)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 6

18:48 Windsor

Berkshire Boom

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

A fair 7f juvenile winner; largely running with credit this season and not seen to ideal effect when 12th in 1m Kempton handicap two weeks ago, racing wide; a likely player from a slipping mark for yard among the winners.

100/30

12th

10

(11)

10th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Kempton (AW)

Berkshire Boom

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

7f maiden winner at Chester; 0-5 in handicaps and when second there last month he was beaten 8l; beat one home at Sandown subsequently; not wildly appealing.

10/1

5th

4

(5)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:05 Sandown

Berkshire Boom

9st 3lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

No closer than 5.5l in four handicaps since winning a 7f maiden at Chester last summer; second last time back there but was hammered by the winner; hard to call him well treated at the minute.

3/1

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

10th

8

(4)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Beverley

Oratorical

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Won a heavy-ground novice at Nottingham last October but comfortably beaten in this year's handicaps (effective on good ground); bit to prove now.

20/1

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

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

4th

5

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Port Darwin

9st 1lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Has a patchy profile but he's won two of his last four starts including a last-gasp success at Brighton (1m2f, good to firm) two weeks ago; only 2lb higher here and he's a big player again if he can back that up.

15/8

1st

5

(6)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

16:00 Brighton

Port Darwin

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Johnston

Slightly disappointing on both starts since emphatic success at Hamilton (1m1f, good to soft) in June and still needs to prove he's effective on fast ground but his current mark is workable and he can't be ruled out.

9/2

5th

6

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

20:50 Hamilton

Port Darwin

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Resumed winning ways over 1m1f here in June but only fifth of six in 1m1f Musselburgh handicap 19 days ago; needs to bounce back.

9/2

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

9

(12)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:45 Beverley

Tarmonbarry Kid

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Off the mark on second handicap start when landing moderately run race at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in May; a little below that form when 6l third at Hamilton (favourite) in June but freshened up since and no surprise were this unexposed sort to resume his progression.

7/1

3rd

4

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

17:20 Hamilton

Tarmonbarry Kid

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Off the mark on second handicap start when landing moderately-run race at Doncaster last time (1m, good to soft; form fair); stiffer task off this 6lb higher mark but may well progress further.

3/1

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

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

4th

2

(8)

24th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

The Resdev Scholar

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Completed a hat-trick on final three starts last term, the first in a 7f seller here (good), the last two in handicaps on heavy ground; mainly in good form this season and could go well on return from a break.

6/1

2nd

2

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:47 Chester

The Resdev Scholar

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Completed a hat-trick at Doncaster (6f) in November and continued in very good form when placed in four handicaps this season, including when third of 14 at York (7f) in May. Came in well held there (7f) last time but he's the sort to bounce back.

7/1

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