July 26 / 16.20 Chester

16.20

Good

Halliwell Jones Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Halliwell Jones Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1-2073 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ended his 2yo campaign with a win in small-field maiden at Brighton (5.3f, good to firm); mixed results in four handicaps this season but he had a near-miss at Doncaster in April and was a creditable third behind Maharajas Express over C&D two weeks ago; has a 5lb swing in the weights with that rival and he could have a big role to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

16

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Acrisius

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: Michael & David Easterby

Won off 4lb lower at Chester (5f, good) last July and perhaps unsuited by softer going in two starts since; only had 12 races and couldn't dismiss.

33/1

9th

10

(10)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Beverley

Acrisius

8st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Successful over 5f at Chester (5f, good) last July; also went close on his 2025 reappearance which provides hope that he may be ready to roll after seven months off; drawn widest.

12/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 511262 D BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Coaxed back to form by new trainer, winning at Chepstow (5f, good) in May and following up at Lingfield (5f, good to firm) eight days later; has come up short in her last three runs but she gave it a good shot from the front when runner-up at Chepstow last week; 1lb lower here and she's not ruled out from stall one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Over Spiced

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Grace Harris

Regularly performed well since her Bath win in May; not got much in hand of this mark but still likely to be on the premises.

10/1

5th

1

(6)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 5

17:01 Lingfield (AW)

Over Spiced

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Grace Harris

Four 5f turf wins for this yard in 2025 and in good form this summer, doing well to get as close as she did from the widest draw at Chester two starts ago; however, she's 0-5 on the AW and it may be significant that she hasn't run on sand since March 2025.

7/2

3rd

5

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Chepstow

Over Spiced

9st 6lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Grace Harris

In a good run of form and did well to threaten from the widest stall at Chester last time (5f, good); player.

5/1

100/30

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 492231 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter who has form figures of 1122492231 since February and that latest win was from a wide draw over C&D (good) two weeks ago; up 4lb but this 5yo seems as good as ever and he's a major player again on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has a patchy profile and was quiet at Wolverhampton last week, but he came from rear to snatch victory at Chester (5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

8/1

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Maharajas Express

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Not hit top gear this year but signs of a return to form when keeping on from off the pace here 14 days ago in a race he won the previous year; always dangerous if getting a strong pace to chase.

11/2

7/1

Form: 712127 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Back in good form this summer with 5f wins at Chepstow (good to soft) and Leicester (good to firm) last month; still looks on a workable mark but he was disappointing at Doncaster last Saturday and needs to bounce back after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 16y

Class 5

17:10 Chepstow

Level Up

9st 12lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: David Evans

All ground seems to come alike to him and he gained his second C&D success (good to firm) last month, but a 4lb rise appeared to anchor him in his two outings since; may need the returning visor to perk him up a bit.

5/1

7th

6

(9)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Level Up

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David Evans

Prominent racer who was well held at Chepstow last time, but that was a Class 4 event and he won that track (5f, good to firm) on his penultimate run; remains well treated on his old form and has claims if he can bounce back on this drop back in grade; acts on fast and soft ground.

5/1

6th

6

(3)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Chepstow

Level Up

9st 3lb

J: Miss Amy Tucker

T: David Evans

Exposed but very consistent and deserved to snap a losing streak over C&D recently when racing prominently and keeping on; back up 4lb.

8/1

Form: 1227-4 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 5f nursery at Chelmsford last summer; runner-up in next two runs but he's been below par in his last two starts; may have needed the run at Kempton three weeks ago but he still has something to prove on turf and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(8)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:37 Fairyhouse

Son Of Wind

9st 0lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

A 5f AW winner when trained in UK; well beaten in four runs for this yard and has to do much better.

25/1

13th

10

(21)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 25y

15:47 Fairyhouse

Son Of Wind

9st 6lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

5f AW winner in Britain in August 2024; failed to fire in 2025 and hasn't looked a winner in waiting in three runs for this stable; dropped 6lb for heavy defeat at Gowran latest (1m, gd-yld); can only watch down in trip.

25/1

13th

6

(18)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:50 Gowran Park

Son Of Wind

9st 11lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

Achieved a peak rating of 70 in 2024 based on consistent form over sprint trips at Chelmsford; regressive last season; has failed to beat a single rival in two Dundalk races; tackles this trio for the first time with a lot to prove.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6-5733 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Triple 5f winner who rallied well to finish third of seven in an amateur jockeys' handicap at Ayr (5f, good to soft) three weeks ago; has claims if he can find a bit extra but his wins have been on good to soft or slower and drying ground would be a concern; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

14:55 Southwell (AW)

Stash The Cash

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Martin Dunne

Can lead; on a tempting mark relative to past turf form but he's 0-7 on the AW and has been well beaten since only just failing against Arlington over C&D in January; couldn't count on refitted blinkers, replacing a visor, returning him to form.

5/1

6th

5

(4)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

13:44 Southwell (AW)

Stash The Cash

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Martin Dunne

Triple turf winner who is 0-6 on AW surfaces; went close over C&D on his penultimate start (first-time tongue-tie and visor combination) but was well beaten without the visor back here latest; visor now returns but hard to be confident of another better effort.

6/1

6th

6

(3)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Stash The Cash

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Martin Dunne

Three turf wins for previous yard; 0-4 for current stable but went very close in visor over C&D most recently; possibilities, provided he's in similar form with the headgear removed.

11/2

4/1

Form: -68804 CD BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Overall record of 3-38 but one of his wins was over C&D; struggled in first four runs this season but he perked up with a front-running fourth behind Maharajas Express here (good; blinkers added) two weeks ago; set strong pace in that race and could take some catching if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

140

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Dickieburd

8st 3lb

T: Ivan Furtado

1

(3)

9th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Dickieburd

9st 13lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Ivan Furtado

On a lengthy losing sequence and he came in last of six in 5f handicap at Thirsk 25 days ago; others appeal more.

6/1

6

(5)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Thirsk

Dickieburd

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Regressive 5yo who has been unplaced all six starts for new stable this year; seemed to respond well to first-time blinkers when fourth at Chester (5f, good) last month, having set a brisk pace, but was well below that form (albeit from a wider draw) there three weeks ago.

11/2

20/1

Form: 134548 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Battled well for narrow win at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in March but diminishing returns since and he was beaten 11l at Newbury last time; now 2lb lower than for his last success but he's not won on turf since 2019 and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(1)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

8st 9lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Not the force of old and, although he retains some ability, others in this field have more pressing claims.

10/1

4th

3

(5)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

15:08 Lingfield (AW)

The Defiant

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Multiple 5f winner down the years, including over C&D, but his powers appear to be on the wane; a couple of respectable efforts last month but more will be needed to win.

8/1

Non-runners

Micks Spirit

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.00
Straight Forecast £52.03
Tricast £156.13
Trifecta £182.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Over Spiced

SPOTLIGHT:

Maharajas Express

Daily Mail:

Dickieburd

NEWMARKET:

Son Of Wind

The Guardian:

Stash The Cash

Daily Mirror:

Level Up

The Times:

Over Spiced

Telegraph:

Over Spiced

Daily Record:

Over Spiced

D Express:

Dickieburd

POSTDATA:

Maharajas Express

The Star:

Maharajas Express