August 07 / 18.30 Chepstow

18.30

Good

Racing League 17 Handicap (For horses In The Care Of Trainers Registered To Racing League)

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 0m 7f 16y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Racing League 17 Handicap (For horses In The Care Of Trainers Registered To Racing League)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 084271 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Easy to pigeonhole him as a miler at the end of a 3yo year that included four wins (good and good to firm); however, he's been spreading his wings over 7f of late, unfortunate to get nudged out of a Newmarket success and then always going well before finding plenty to win at Goodwood (first-time blinkers, retained); 1lb badly in under penalty but remains with some scope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Great Acclaim

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

7f specialist, not beaten far in Ascot's Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm) in first half of this year; never able to challenge over same C&D last time; this is less competitive and he should be thereabouts.

9/2

9th

3

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Merely mid-division behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago but this C&D brings out the best in him, as evidenced by this season's close-up finishes in the Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm); could be bang there now back at Ascot.

16/1

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Great Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -35121 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Has won on good and good to firm but last three wins on soft, pulling out plenty when winning a Racing League race from El Bodon at Yarmouth (7f) recently; back up 4lb but this quicker surface shouldn't be a problem and he has another big effort in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Sandown

Mister Bluebird

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Heather Main

Best with positive tactics, as when leading until well inside final 1f at Goodwood in May; only tenth at Epsom on Oaks day but that was a warm race and he's had a break since; goes well on soft ground; possibilities.

14/1

10th

8

(6)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Mister Bluebird

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Heather Main

8yo who has been as good as ever this spring, short-headed at Musselburgh (7f, good) then second of 14 to Crimson Spirit at Goodwood (7f, good); last season's two wins came on soft ground; effective here; respected.

12/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 686316 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
A classy sprinter on his day, though that isn't truly reflected in his win record; proved he can do it over 7f when ending a losing run at Haydock (good) in July but the combination of the trip and soft ground counted against him when sixth of 12 to Mister Bluebird at Yarmouth recently; needs to pull out more off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Kings Lynn

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

0-9 on the AW, but has gone very close on Tapeta on three occasions; 2lb lower than when beaten a head in a 0-110 contest over C&D in August and if able to reproduce that sort of form he would have a good chance.

7/1

6

(4)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Kings Lynn

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Ended his lengthy losing run when winning a 7f handicap at Haydock in July; similar form on a couple of occasions since and he ran creditably in a hot 6f handicap at York two weeks ago; one to consider back down into Class 3 company.

9/1

17

(11)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Kings Lynn

8st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Not the force of old (won the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2022) but he ended a long losing run at Haydock (7f, good) in July and went down only narrowly at Newcastle in August; however, he should have fared better at Ascot last time and he's been unplaced on both his previous outings at York.

25/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 3-9000 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins on the continent include a Listed race (extended 6f, soft; has won at 1m) last October; has started at 33-1 and bigger in four British starts, not looking a natural candidate for a return to 7f when keeping on in 11th of 17 at Ascot (1m, good) 12 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

8

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Tarkhan

9st 4lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Listed win in Germany in October 2024 and went close at Sandown and Newbury last term; however, after a disappointing October he made it 0-10 for the season and this is a tough race in which to try to break his British duck.

50/1

1

(10)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Tarkhan

10st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent, including on testing ground; 0-9 for Jamie Osborne but he has run some good races, including a near miss over C&D last month; not so good at Ascot since but returning to Class 3 will be in his favour.

12/1

9

(10)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Tarkhan

8st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent; some notable form in eight defeats for this yard, last time going down narrowly in a Class 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft; second-time cheekpieces); however, he was behind four of these here the time before.

16/1

Form: 66320- D

Last run: 292 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
The long-delayed return asks a pointed question but he has often won and gone well after shorter breaks than today and his 7f career includes wins in a top Ascot handicap and two Listed races (all on good); his claims can't be entirely waved away but he needs to be as good as ever to win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

2nd Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Galway

Vafortino

9st 12lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Charlie Fellowes

Well-travelled and well-exposed 8yo is a long time winless; was running in stakes races in Dubai during the winter; held in handicap company in Britain last twice.

20/1

9th

8

(20)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Vafortino

9st 8lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Fellowes

Landed the Victoria Cup over C&D in 2022 and hasn't had the smoothest of passages in two attempts in this contest (finished 11th that year and tenth in 2023); losing run is mounting up, however, and he doesn't look particularly solid on his form for current stable.

33/1

8th

4

(7)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Vafortino

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Fellowes

8yo who is without a win since December 2023 but he showed spark in Dubai this winter and ran big races on his two previous visits to York; returns to a handy on a fair mark and could have an each-way shout.

16/1

9/1

Form: 152634

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Handles most surfaces but all bar one of his runs have been over 6f and his fifth of 22 at York in May, on sole attempt at 7f, didn't suggest improvement for this stiffer test at the trip; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(19)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Musical Touch

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

The winner of two of his three starts in 2026, notably a big-field Class 4 over C&D six weeks ago; 4lb higher in a stronger race and his draw may not be advantageous.

12/1

Form: -82112

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Progressive sprinter at 6f since visored, racing clear at Ascot (good to firm) then overcame adversity to win with plenty in hand at Epsom (soft) before finishing well clear on his side back at Ascot in July; soundly beaten in sole 7f run at Musselburgh in April but that reappearance run can't be taken literally; still counts as an improver but needs to be as good at this trip as 6f if he's to beat the specialists.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sondad

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

His career has been one of steady but consistent progress; won at Epsom (6f, soft) and the Currragh (6.2f, good to firm) this season and ran a sound race in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, perhaps finding that sharp test on fast ground inadequate; can't call upon course form but the weather has turned in his favour and he has another major handicap in him.

12/1

7th

6

(21)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Sondad

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Climbed the ranks as a 4yo, ending that campaign with placed efforts in the Ayr Silver Cup and at Ascot; down the field on seasonal return but he hasn't looked back since, winning at Epsom (6f, soft) on Derby day for the second year in succession, doing best of the low numbers in the Wokingham (the others in his group have done well since) and then seeing off 19 rivals at the Curragh (6.3f, good to firm) two weeks ago; showed a fantastic attitude on that latest occasion and his 6lb penalty shouldn't prevent another big performance.

13/2

1st

5

(18)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

Sondad

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up in the Ayr Silver Cup (6f, soft) last September when first home on his side; repeated a 2025 Epsom win (6f, soft) early last month; first of his small group when ninth in the Wokingham; generally dependable sort; stable won this in 2016.

8/1

Form: 700-22

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Excelled himself when runner-up in a Group 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft) on reappearance as a 3yo but his season took an unpredictable turn after; has resumed in good heart with seconds over 6f and in a 7f Racing League race at Yarmouth (soft) two weeks ago, where the winner Mister Bluebird was the stronger finisher; needs to pull out more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

El Bodon

9st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Returned to his useful 2yo form when winning twice at Kempton (6f, AW) in the winter, but hasn't built on it and failed to beat a rival at Windsor (6f, good to firm) eight days ago; application of cheekpieces will need to bring about a resurgence.

14/1

10th

2

(2)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:00 Windsor

El Bodon

10st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Improved AW form over 6f last winter, but wasn't on his game when last seen on sand in April and he made it 0-11 on grass when beaten about 5l at Newmarket in May; may have his share of weight on balance of turf form.

14/1

5th

2

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:45 Newmarket

El Bodon

9st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

0-11 on turf with his best efforts coming on slower than good; back up in the weights after a productive AW campaign and he has enough to prove back on turf, all the more so after his tame effort at Newcastle on Good Friday.

33/1

7/1

Form: 135-40

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has done his winning over 6f, in a novice and an auction race (good to soft and soft), and although he's been highly tried in three 7f attempts it's still to be proved that this is his trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(11)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Brian

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: J S Moore

Soundly beaten on final two runs last year (1m, AW) and same story on his three outings this spring (6f, AW/good/good to firm); arrives with something to prove but he's 5lb lower than when runner-up over C&D (soft) last October and the return to slow ground could facilitate a major revival.

10/1

7th

8

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:45 Newmarket

Brian

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: J S Moore

Patchy overall record; didn't enjoy the smoothest of passages at Newbury two weeks ago but he was beaten over 5l at the finish; others are stronger.

25/1

Non-runners

Streets Of Gold

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.80
Straight Forecast £38.08
Tricast £240.94
Trifecta £200.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Sondad

SPOTLIGHT:

Great Acclaim

LAMBOURN:

Brian

NEWMARKET:

El Bodon

The Times:

Vafortino

TOPSPEED:

Sondad

THE NORTH:

Sondad

The Guardian:

Sondad

Daily Mail:

Sondad

D Express:

Sondad

Daily Mirror:

Sondad

POSTDATA:

Great Acclaim

Telegraph:

Great Acclaim

The Sun:

Great Acclaim

The Star:

Great Acclaim

Daily Record:

Great Acclaim