August 09 / 13.55 Newmarket (July)

13.55

Good

Aston Martin Nursery Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Nursery Series)

  • Prize money: £5154
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Aston Martin Nursery Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Nursery Series)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 023

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Given every chance when beaten 4.5l in a 6f maiden here and that was another step forward; should have races in her off this sort of mark and it would be a surprise if she didn't stay this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Harlequin Angel

9st 5lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Comfortably held over 1m at Royal Ascot last time; 2-2 in 7f handicaps, both Class 4 events from the front, including over C&D; may have more to offer back at this trip and back in calmer waters.

20/1

18th

18

(22)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Harlequin Angel

8st 9lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Outclassed in a sales race in October but progressive otherwise and had plenty in hand when winning a Class 4 7f handicap under Alexandra Egan at Yarmouth in April (good to firm; 6lb lower); should win further races but opposable in this one.

33/1

1st

6

(7)

30th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:57 Yarmouth

Harlequin Angel

9st 7lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Outclassed in a valuable sales race in October but progressive going into that, culminating in a front-running win on handicap debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm); 5lb higher for this return and 7lb claimer is recruited.

14/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 10

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
260,000euros yearling; won at York (5f, good to firm) where he was niggled at from some way out but came home with purpose; well behind in the Coventry (6f) but has since had wind surgery and retains potential (has a Group 2 entry amongst other high-profile engagements); potentially well in off 85; dam won at 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

8th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Ballistic Missile

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Winning 5f debut; had wind surgery after abortive Royal Ascot run and only just failed to make a successful handicap debut at Newmarket (7f; form worked out) in August; challenge petered out on a quickish return at York (7f) but he still has something to offer at this level now back at 6f.

7/2

3

(5)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Ballistic Missile

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Richard Hannon

Made a winning debut in spite of the 5f trip here in May; down the field in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, after which he underwent wind surgery; well backed on his recent nursery debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) where he couldn't quite peg back a rival who enjoyed the run of the race; raised 2lb but it's unlikely we have seen the best of him just yet; stable won this race last year.

10/1

2nd

1

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Newmarket (July)

Ballistic Missile

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

260,000euros yearling; won at York (5f, good to firm) where he was niggled at from some way out but came home with purpose; well behind in the Coventry (6f) but has since had wind surgery and retains potential (has a Group 2 entry amongst other high-profile engagements); potentially well in off 85; dam won at 1m.

11/4

Form: 553

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
First two runs were over 6f, and 5f looked too sharp when a staying-on third at Doncaster (good to soft); could have improvement lurking now sent over further on nursery debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:44 Newmarket (July)

Royal Bodyguard

9st 7lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Michael Bell

Sometimes races a bit too freely but ran well before fading into fourth over C&D (good) in June and returns here after keeping on well for second in tactical race at Ffos Las (1m, good) ten days ago; still on a workable mark; might be the answer.

9/2

2nd

4

(2)

12th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Ffos Las

Royal Bodyguard

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Bell

Sometimes races a bit too freely but ran well before fading into fourth of ten at Newmarket (1m, good) in June and is now 3lb lower than when placed at Windsor (1m, good to firm) in May; good chance.

100/30

4th

2

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Newmarket (July)

Royal Bodyguard

9st 8lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Michael Bell

Nursery winner at 1m; another good effort when third at Windsor (1m, good to firm) before perhaps unsuited by soft ground at Lingfield; enters the equation.

10/1

8/1

Form: 1444

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Hasn't kicked on from his debut win on the AW but made some late headway to be fourth on nursery debut at Hamilton; he's by Blue Point but there's stamina on the dam side and this far is worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(9)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

19:00 Hamilton

Blue To Blue

8st 13lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Jefferson

Three-time winner for Karl Burke (5f/7f); ran well at Haydock (1m, good) on his stable debut in May but he was below that level on his next two starts, and was safely held when third of four at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) last month.

25/1

3rd

3

(2)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:08 Redcar

Blue To Blue

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Jefferson

Scored three times (5f/7f) last term for previous yard; inconsistent over 1m this season and failed to beat a rival last time but best form gives him a fighting chance off current mark; continues to steadily rise in distance and now has a crack at 1m2f.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0651 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 1lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has a tendency to start slowly but he picked up well for a winning nursery debut at Leicester (good to firm; second-time tongue-tie); up in grade off a 5lb higher mark but cheekpieces could be a notable addition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(1)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

14:58 Nottingham

Renovatio Angel

9st 5lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Tom Dascombe

A 16-1 winner on nursery debut at Leicester in July (7f, good to firm); back to form upped to 1m on last two starts, with an excellent second at Ripon (1m, good; probably acts on soft) on latest; by a sprinter out of 1m6f winner; others perhaps are a little less exposed.

5/1

1

(4)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Ripon

Renovatio Angel

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Tom Dascombe

A 16-1 winner on nursery debut at Leicester in July (7f, good to firm); back to that form when a close third at Sandown, finishing just behind Assaranca (1m, soft); down another 2lb so hard to dismiss.

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Sandown

Renovatio Angel

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tom Dascombe

Sprung a 16-1 surprise on his nursery debut at Leicester in July (7f, good to firm); two lesser efforts have followed but he faced a stiff task back at 6f at York's Ebor meeting three weeks ago; some encouragement for 1m on dam's side of pedigree but he's by a sprinter and it remains to be seen if he'll see it out, especially were the ground to deteriorate markedly.

12/1

Form: 455

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Dictated a steady pace at Haydock (7f) but was still only fifth of seven, albeit not beaten too far; enters nurseries with his yard on a high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:55 Newbury

You Sexy Thing

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

Showed promise against talented rivals before winning a 7f Sandown handicap (soft) last August, relishing that stiff finish; creditable show in a higher grade at Doncaster after before well held in a valuable sales race last October; gelded since and he should stay 1m; of interest.

12/1

25th

4

(10)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Newmarket

You Sexy Thing

9st 1lb

J: William Buick

T: Richard Spencer

Softening ground wouldn't harm having won his 7f Sandown nursery on soft and run perfectly well off his 4lb higher mark at Doncaster (good to soft); this is a different kettle of fish altogether and he probably lacks the scope for the improvement that he'll need.

50/1

Form: 0472

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Didn't look progressive in his qualifying races over 6f but was only a length away on nursery debut at Newbury (7f) and he was keen enough in that race; only 1lb higher and there's every chance he'll settle better this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Haydock

John Barleycorn

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Second of seven on his nursery debut last July (7f, good to firm) but that was followed by two lacklustre efforts (gelded before latest); back down in trip for his reappearance and goes in blinkers for the first time.

12/1

11

(8)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Newbury

John Barleycorn

8st 8lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Patchy form in qualifying runs and two nurseries, but it may be encouraging that his best form in the latter sphere came when second over C&D (good to firm) in July; has been racing freely so a gelding operation may have helped too.

16/1

7th

5

(1)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Newmarket (July)

John Barleycorn

8st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Didn't look progressive in his qualifying races over 6f but was only a length away on nursery debut at Newbury (7f) and he was keen enough in that race; only 1lb higher and there's every chance he'll settle better this afternoon.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.60
Straight Forecast £16.48
Trifecta £153.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Renovatio Angel

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballistic Missile

TOPSPEED:

Royal Bodyguard

The Times:

John Barleycorn

Daily Mirror:

Blue To Blue

NEWMARKET:

Harlequin Angel

D Express:

You Sexy Thing

POSTDATA:

Renovatio Angel

LAMBOURN:

Renovatio Angel

The Sun:

Renovatio Angel

Daily Mail:

Ballistic Missile

Daily Record:

Ballistic Missile

Telegraph:

Royal Bodyguard

The Star:

Royal Bodyguard

The Guardian:

John Barleycorn