July 26 / 16.55 Chester

16.55

Good

Layrd Design Handicap

  • Prize money: £9277.2
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Layrd Design Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 664136 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Progressed on AW over the winter and capitalised on good track position when winning at Lingfield last month (5f, good); respectable efforts in last two runs but he was beaten around 3l on both occasions and needs to find more to defy this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Master Of My Fate

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has won twice on the AW since finishing well held in this 12 months ago but hasn't offered all that much in his last three races.

20/1

8th

4

(8)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Master Of My Fate

9st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Added another two AW wins to his tally earlier in the year; unplaced in three runs back on turf but dropping back into a Class 4 should help; others preferred all the same.

8/1

7th

7

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

14:30 Doncaster

Master Of My Fate

9st 4lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Successful twice over 5f at Southwell this year; ran respectably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) in April but he was laboured in similar conditions at York two weeks ago; has bit to prove again after that and he's never won off a mark this high.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -22100 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Hold-up performer who gained his fourth win when scoring off 2lb lower at Haydock (5f, good to firm) in May; well held in valuable handicaps at York and the Curragh since but this is a big drop back in grade and he has possibilities if he can rediscover his spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(12)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Duran

9st 12lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Made a promising return to action at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in April but two runs since have been underwhelming; on a dangerous mark and there is encouragement for AW on pedigree.

14/1

Form: 8-4344 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been over 5f at Doncaster (good/good to firm) and latest was last August; still 4lb higher than for that success but he started this season with three creditable efforts and things didn't really go his way in small field at Doncaster three weeks ago; should get more cover this time and could make a serious impact if he gets the breaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(4)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Brave Nation

9st 10lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Michael Attwater

Well suited by 5f on quick ground; two runs for new stable, finishing third at Sandown last month before winning at Newmarket three weeks ago; 3lb rise still leaves him feasibly weighted.

5/1

1st

2

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Brave Nation

9st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Michael Attwater

6yo who is well handicapped on last season's best efforts for Michael Bell and made quite an encouraging start for his new yard when third of seven at Sandown (5f, good to firm) 16 days ago, particularly as he was tight for room against the rail; given a chance to build on that with Billy Loughnane taking the reins this time.

5/2

3rd

2

(6)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

13:55 Sandown

Brave Nation

9st 10lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Michael Attwater

6yo who is well handicapped on last season's best efforts for Michael Bell; however, it was a winless campaign and he failed to threaten at Yarmouth in April on his sole run this year; changed hands for 18,500gns last month and he needs to get back on track on this stable debut.

9/1

Form: -31433 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
4yo who has done well for new yard this season, with form figures of 31433 in sprint handicaps; got pestered for the lead at Pontefract (5f, good) last time but he was beaten less than 2l and is respected on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(14)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Kodiac Thriller

8st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Mark Walford

Fared best of the stands' side group when second in this race 12 months ago; races off 3lb higher this time around but he confirmed his liking for the track with a C&D win in April and he was better than ever when beating 16 rivals at York (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; high on the list.

10/1

1st

1

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Kodiac Thriller

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Returned to form when fourth in first-time visor at Ripon (5f, good) three weeks ago despite stumbling and nearly losing his rider at the start; possibilities off same mark if the headgear has the same effect.

8/1

4th

2

(8)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Ripon

Kodiac Thriller

10st 0lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Has mostly duck eggs in his form figures this term but won at Ripon (6f) in April and the return to this venue, combined with first-time visor, may have positive effect; scored over 5f last year.

7/1

Form: 244310 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Four wins during a busy spell this year and latest was at Chester (5.5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and he had an excuse when forced wide over C&D the following day; well drawn this time and has claims if he can bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Rosenpur

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all off 1lb lower at Chester (6f, good) in May and wasn't beaten far on any of four subsequent starts there, the latest over 5f from a tough draw; may not be seen to quite the same effect on this straight track, though.

11/2

9th

2

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Rosenpur

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

All six wins have been here and at Wolverhampton, including this race 12 months ago when 6lb lower; close fourth here last time when drawn wide but in a smaller field than today and now he's out in stall 12; cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

13/2

Form: -62175 CD

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Comfortably saw off six rivals at Lingfield (5f AW) in March but went up 7lb for that and then failed to figure at Wolverhampton and Chepstow; had some traffic issues on his stable debut last time but this is a deeper race and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Ecclesiastical

9st 11lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Lisa Williamson

Strong traveller with eight wins on his record, the latest off this mark in March (5f, AW); well beaten in three starts for his new stable though and enough to prove at present.

14/1

9

(11)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Ecclesiastical

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Lisa Williamson

Four-time turf winner who scored at Lingfield (5f, AW) in March; however, he was soundly beaten on his final run for Tristan Davidson and it's been the same story on both outings for this stable.

40/1

8

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:55 Chester

Ecclesiastical

9st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Lisa Williamson

Comfortably saw off six rivals at Lingfield (5f AW) in March but went up 7lb for that and then failed to figure at Wolverhampton and Chepstow; had some traffic issues on his stable debut last time but this is a deeper race and others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 7-7847 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Scored off 3lb higher over C&D (good) last August but he's not come close to that form in four runs this season; drops back in trip/grade but has difficult draw and others are more convincing; blinkers are removed and visor returns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Made all and prevailed narrowly over C&D last time, opening his AW account at the 14th attempt; back up 3lb but has defied higher marks on turf; likely to remain competitive.

7/2

1st

6

(1)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

3-37 with two of his wins coming at Chester; one of his better efforts since joining this yard when beaten just over 2l into fourth of ten over C&D a fortnight ago; worth considering from 7lb below his last winning mark.

11/2

4th

9

(9)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Step back in right direction when close fourth over 5f here but then trailed home last at Epsom; 3-36 overall and probably not the percentage call.

14/1

Form: 345-79

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won a Curragh handicap (7f, good) for Joseph O'Brien last autumn but he's not gone on from that and has been well held in both runs for current yard this season; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-9 and has plenty to prove on this drop to 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:12 Chester

Montpellier Green

9st 1lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Ian Williams

Useful 2yo for Joseph O'Brien but he struggled last season at trips ranging from 5f to 2m; has dropped a long way in the weights but he's now 1-16 and needs a major revival after 202 days off.

16/1

Non-runners

Curious Rover, Grandlad

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £16.67
Tricast £83.76
Trifecta £99.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kodiac Thriller

Telegraph:

Balon d'Or

TOPSPEED:

Ecclesiastical

SPOTLIGHT:

Brave Nation

POSTDATA:

Rosenpur

Daily Record:

Curious Rover

Daily Mirror:

Duran

The Guardian:

Kodiac Thriller

The Sun:

Kodiac Thriller

Daily Mail:

Balon d'Or

The Star:

Balon d'Or

NEWMARKET:

Brave Nation

The Times:

Ecclesiastical

D Express:

Ecclesiastical