August 03 / 16.22 Chester

16.22

Good

Oktoberfest Season Finale On 20th September Classified Claiming Stakes

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 7f 127y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Oktoberfest Season Finale On 20th September Classified Claiming Stakes

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1st
9 (12)
Abduction

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 244174

Last run: 6 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread at Hamilton (6f) in June and caught the eye under Shay Farmer at Ayr (7f) last Monday; could go well, with rider again taking off a handy 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(10)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:30 Ayr

Abduction

10st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Multiple wins include three over C&D earlier in his career; has run well on occasions since a narrow Musselburgh win (7f, good) in April off this mark and a recent never-nearer third of eight there under Jake Dickson puts him in this picture; yard runs three.

5/1

3rd

2

(5)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Abduction

9st 3lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

C&D win off this mark in April; mixed since but his latest third at Ayr (6f, soft) was a sound effort and today he has the assistance of an apprentice who is good value for his 7lb claim; high on the list.

5/1

3rd

8

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Ayr

Abduction

9st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins this year, the latest off this mark at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April; penultimate Hamilton seventh suggested he was still in good form; no surprise to see him in the thick of it.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 836415

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably in big field at York last weekend when bidding to follow up his Catterick win (7f, good to soft); remains in form but this looks a tough assignment on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

14:48 Pontefract

Bellarchi

9st 5lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Could hardly be coming into this in better form, winning four of her last five starts including another Listed event at Chester (7f, good) ten days ago; still favoured on these terms despite her 3lb penalty and although the stiffer mile is one small question mark, she is a major player nonetheless.

5/2

1st

3

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:33 Chester

Bellarchi

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Grant Tuer

This 5yo is in the form of her life at present, gaining a third Musselburgh handicap win of the season when easily seeing off seven rivals 37 days ago; had a wide stall as a an excuse for a slightly below-par effort over the extended 7f here prior to that and she went close here last season; on the shortlist.

9/2

1st

1

(1)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 3

16:25 Musselburgh

Bellarchi

9st 10lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Her last four wins have come at this track, with two of them (7f/1m) last month; drawn wide when down the field at Chester two weeks ago but she has fared better on that front today; big run on the cards.

4/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 269903

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper on his day; acts on soft going; below peak form when placed at Hamilton (1m, good) most recently but even current rating gives him a leading chance at these weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Empirestateofmind

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: John & Sean Quinn

A dual winner (around 1m) in 2025 but he's yet to fire this season, only ninth of 11 in 1m Redcar handicap four weeks ago; others appeal more.

20/1

9th

11

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

Empirestateofmind

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Has dropped 8lb lower than when last winning a handicap for good reason; his last two starts didn't suggest a return to winning ways was imminent.

14/1

9th

6

(1)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

Empirestateofmind

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Prolific winner at 1m-1m1f on good or slower; inconsistent this season but has slipped to a workable mark and, if in the same form as at Ripon on penultimate start, he could have a say.

10/1

Form: -05705 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Successful three times, including at Chester, last season but has lacked consistency and dipped slightly on ratings this term; chance depends on how well he responds to new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Spirit Genie

10st 13lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

Five-time winner on a handy mark but it's been a quiet start to this season and, even if back on song, looks vulnerable to stronger stayers over this far; the return of a visor might be no bad thing.

14/1

8th

2

(10)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Chester

Spirit Genie

11st 1lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

C&D scorer who made a promising return from a poor draw when seventh of 22 in 7f York handicap four weeks ago; figures on a handy-looking mark now and he's interesting.

10/1

7th

5

(21)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ended winless 2025 campaign with a placed effort in an above-average seller; starts his 2026 season off 8lb below his last winning mark but chance partly depends on the weather as he's best on ground softer than good.

20/1

Form: 615543

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful handicapper who registered a couple of comfortable wins (7f/1m) in the spring; soft ground provides an excuse for latest effort; one of the stronger contenders at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025, including over this C&D; mainly below his best this season but he didn't run too badly when sixth at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) 12 days ago; on a handy mark and now drops in grade.

5/1

6th

3

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:10 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; mainly well below par this season though, only 14th in 1m1f York handicap last month; has it to prove at present.

25/1

14th

8

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Capital Guarantee

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; good second at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) in April but well beaten behind some of today's rivals on his two outings since.

33/1

7/1

Form: 66-893 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground; resurgent effort at Ripon (third start for new yard) last time; the 9yo is past his peak but warrants respect on favourable terms back at Chester, being a four-time course winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:10 Nottingham

Revich

9st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Adrian Wintle

10yo who's the sole winner (seven times) in this, if not since autumn 2023, but last two outings at Bath have advertised the need to give him a longer run over 1m2f now; no ground or track issues, and he's among the likeliest.

5/2

4th

2

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:37 Bath

Revich

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Adrian Wintle

No win since September 2023 but he is operating off a much-reduced mark now and he emerged from the pack to take a never-nearer third here eight days ago (1m2f, good); might need them to go too fast up front to win but he holds each-way claims all the same.

9/2

3rd

4

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

21:00 Bath

Revich

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

All seven wins have been on good ground or softer; latest was in 2023 and although he has plenty of form (this year even) to give him a chance, having a second stab at 1m2f on latest outing didn't go well enough.

9/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: -33234

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Five-time AW scorer; consistent this year and went close at Newbury (7f, good) in June, showing that he has a turf race in him; however, it's unlikely to be this one on difficult terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ascot

Chalk Mountain

9st 13lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Zoe Hawkins

Has seven AW wins to his name, the latest at Kempton (7f) in May, but he's 0-14 on turf; solid fourth in this race last year, however, and latest sixth of 14 (1m, AW; hampered) suggests he can play a part again.

8/1

6th

6

(4)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Chalk Mountain

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Zoe Hawkins

Seven AW wins, the latest on his seasonal return last month when getting the better of I'm Working On It (7f); midfield on turf latest; returning to AW is in his favour but all his wins have come at 7f (0-10 at 1m+) and he could prove vulnerable to stronger stayers today.

9/1

8th

11

(16)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Chalk Mountain

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Zoe Hawkins

Went very close in this last year (good) and, having ended 2025 with a win at Kempton (7f, AW), he reappeared with another there (7f) last month; he can be bang there if handling conditions (unproven on slow ground).

11/1

16/1

Form: /1/369

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two from two for previous yard; not entirely solid on his AW form since returning from very long absence but bare form of penultimate start (February) gives him a good chance on these terms returned to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Al Waqidi

10st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Won his first two starts when trained by Charlie Appleby; absent for 1,374 days prior to his stable debut in January; little to celebrate this year and opposable despite dropping into Class 6 company.

16/1

6th

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Al Waqidi

10st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Won his first two starts when trained by Charlie Appleby; absent for 1,374 days prior to his stable debut in January; little to celebrate this year and opposable despite dropping into Class 6 company.

16/1

6

(12)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Al Waqidi

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Jamie Osborne

Won his first two starts when trained by Charlie Appleby; absent for 1,374 days prior to his stable debut in January; little to celebrate this summer and opposable despite tumbling down the weights.

25/1

Form: -21063

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ten AW wins, the most recent in February; has an unconvincing record on turf and can be opposed; modest fifth on hurdles debut last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(12)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

11-time AW winner; quiet for Chelsea Banham this year but dropping down the weights and he is one of four runners on the card for connections that all require close market surveillance.

9/1

9th

13

(1)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 2lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

11-time AW winner but he's been out of sorts for new yard since December and was last of eight over C&D last time; mark is tumbling but he has lots to prove and needs a major revival.

66/1

8th

6

(8)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Kempton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

All 11 wins on the AW, including one over C&D, though his latest success for the Moores was in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta) in October; out of the frame in all four starts for this yard since then and may be best watched despite his declining mark.

12/1

Form: 378-37

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner down the years but this veteran has something to find on 2025 form; comfortably held last time, failing to back up his reappearance effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(1)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Little Boy Blue

8st 12lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner down the years but this veteran has something to find on 2025 form; comfortably held last time, failing to back up his reappearance effort.

25/1

7th

5

(9)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Little Boy Blue

9st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Multiple winner who goes particularly well at Brighton where he was only 2l away last month (7f, good to soft) on his return from a lengthy break; might be vulnerable to younger limbs but should give his running.

10/1

2

(1)

27th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:10 Brighton

Little Boy Blue

9st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Off since September but he's proven when fresh having won at Epsom (7f, good) off 1lb higher on his reappearance last July; has won here four times from nine starts, including this race in 2022 off 3lb higher and he holds sound claims on his return.

11/2

Non-runners

On The River, Look Back Smiling

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.60
Straight Forecast £41.75
Trifecta £166.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Empirestateofmind

Telegraph:

Spirit Genie

SPOTLIGHT:

Revich

Daily Record:

Look Back Smiling

The Times:

Cephalus

TOPSPEED:

Abduction

D Express:

Spirit Genie

POSTDATA:

Empirestateofmind

Daily Mirror:

Empirestateofmind

The Star:

Revich