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
View Course
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

6th

5

(9)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:38 Ayr

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Two wins earlier this year and he's been running well in defeat across the past few months, including over C&D and on soft ground here; there is every chance that he will be thereabouts once more.

7/1

3rd

5

(3)

21st Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

16:30 Hamilton

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

Has won and finished close up in all three C&D handicaps; on his latest winning mark for last five starts but he's been involved in tight finishes in the most recent two (7f and this C&D) so is entitled to figure.

6/1

4th

8

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

19:15 Hamilton

Abduction

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Jim Goldie

A dual 7f winner early in 2026 and he's holding his form well, beaten a nose when second of five in 7f Ayr handicap 25 days ago; this C&D scorer can make his presence felt.

13/2

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

16th

4

(20)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:05 Doncaster

Bellarchi

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Made it four wins for the year (good to soft/good) with 7f Listed success at Chester in June; however, a career best is needed this afternoon and she may have gone off the boil judged on her last two starts.

20/1

12th

1

(4)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:20 York

Bellarchi

10st 0lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Grant Tuer

Acts on most ground; has won three handicaps at Musselburgh this season and gained her first Listed success when scoring at Chester (7f, good) in June, but she was below that level at Pontefract (1m) last month; has a better draw than she did when down the field in this contest last year but is now 11lb higher than when last seen in handicap company.

22/1

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

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

3rd

10

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empirestateofmind

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins at Ayr (1m, soft/heavy) last month with a near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) in between, and he was a close second when unpenalised at Ayr (7f, heavy) last Thursday; 4lb higher this afternoon but this 8yo remains well treated on his old form and has to be respected.

13/2

1st

2

(2)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Ayr

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form and capitalised on a reduced mark over C&D (soft) this month before near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) two days later; 3lb higher than last time but this in-form 8yo is a leading contender.

11/4

2nd

4

(5)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:30 Hamilton

Empirestateofmind

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Proved resurgent dropped back to Class 5 at Ayr (1m, soft) on Friday, beating Motawaared by 1l, pair clear; likely player under 4lb penalty kept to this level, provided he remains in form.

100/30

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

7th

6

(10)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

15:10 Chester

Spirit Genie

9st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

Gained a first win since 2024 at Pontefract (1m) in August; backed it up with a good fifth of 17 in 1m2f Doncaster handicap eight days ago so he's a player in this grade.

7/1

5th

1

(3)

11th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

Spirit Genie

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Acts on most ground; capitalised on a career-low mark with a comfortable success at Pontefract (1m, good to firm; first-time blinkers) last month; back up 5lb and he's yet to prove himself over this longer trip.

12/1

1st

1

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:45 Pontefract

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Multiple winner at up to 8.5f on good or slower; on the slide in three starts this season but this combination of a drop in grade and new headgear may prompt a resurgence; return to shorter is also a plus; shortlisted.

7/2

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

10th

7

(8)

17th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:08 Pontefract

Capital Guarantee

9st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: David O’Meara

Exposed seven-time winner; last win in July was off 3lb lower and when partnered by a 5lb claimer; good third last time at Thirsk when not helped by the drop back to 7f, but others are more tempting.

8/1

3rd

3

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: David O’Meara

Only six ran when he won over 1m here in August (Class 5) and he has come up short in Class 4 events twice since; others may have his measure back at 7f.

10/1

6th

4

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Ripon

Capital Guarantee

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) last month; only sixth off this mark at Redcar last Saturday but the fact he won this race off 2lb higher last year provides hope; draw could have been kinder.

16/1

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

5th

3

(2)

27th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:44 Ffos Las

Revich

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

Without a win since 2023; plenty of competitive runs during his losing streak and getting back on slow ground won't inconvenience.

14/1

6th

3

(9)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

13:20 Bath

Revich

10st 8lb

J: Miss Georgia King

T: Adrian Wintle

His last win was in 2023 but he's generally reliable and the form of his latest third at Ffos Las (1m2f, good) has been boosted by the runner-up since; this is his first attempt beyond 1m2f but he's on a dangerous mark and has been a strong finisher in most of his runs this season; respected.

13/2

3rd

4

(7)

27th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:07 Ffos Las

Revich

9st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Adrian Wintle

10yo who is without a win since September 2023; has posted some solid efforts this year, including when third of five at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) last month, and makes each-way appeal.

10/1

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

8th

9

(7)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Chalk Mountain

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Zoe Hawkins

Has recorded seven AW wins, the last three over C&D; made the frame at Kempton in last two starts; in form and has possibilities off 2lb below last winning mark.

6/1

4th

5

(1)

30th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Chalk Mountain

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Zoe Hawkins

His last three wins have been at this track over 7f and he was unlucky not to go closer here last week, having been caught in traffic up the straight before finishing strongly for third; yet to win over 1m but has to be considered.

10/1

3rd

8

(14)

23rd Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Chalk Mountain

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Zoe Hawkins

His last three wins have been over C&D, the most recent coming on his stable debut in May off a 1lb higher mark than today's; didn't get home over 8.5f at Wolverhampton two weeks ago (caught wide early) but makes appeal back over this shorter trip (all seven wins over 7f).

8/1

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

11th

6

(10)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cephalus

9st 8lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

11-time AW winner, the latest a Newcastle seller for the Moores (1m, Tapeta) last October; regressive for this yard in the meantime despite plummeting in the weights; best watched unless the market suggests otherwise.

11/1

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

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