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
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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

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

22th

16

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Newmarket

Harlequin Angel

8st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

May have another nursery in her despite the 5lb rise for August's success on the July course (made all) but looks a bit outclassed here.

25/1

1st

3

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Newmarket (July)

Harlequin Angel

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

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.

11/2

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

3rd

2

(8)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

18:30 Windsor

Royal Bodyguard

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Michael Bell

Consistent once handicapping last season before finding 1m2f beyond him latterly; entitled to have come on for his recent comeback, having been gelded, and this is easier but he's vulnerable to improvers now.

8/1

8th

9

(8)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Newmarket

Royal Bodyguard

8st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Michael Bell

Ran seven times last year and sole win came in four-runner nursery at Kempton (1m, AW); also effective on turf and gelded since last seen; however, unless he finds improvement he's vulnerable to less-exposed types.

33/1

3

(3)

18th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:18 Chelmsford (AW)

Royal Bodyguard

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Bell

Steadily progressive colt who won small-field Kempton nursery (1m) last month, his fifth run, and was creditable third in quite valuable event at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last week; up in trip here; good chance.

Evs

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

5th

3

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:55 Carlisle

Blue To Blue

9st 8lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won three times for Karl Burke as a 2yo and ran a cracker when second at Haydock (1m, good) three weeks ago; hard to knock but he has had more goes than most of these and he was nudged up 2lb after Haydock.

9/1

2nd

6

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:05 Haydock

Blue To Blue

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Ruth Jefferson

Three wins (one 5f and two 7f, including here) for Karl Burke as a 2yo; 50-1 and never threatened in a Newmarket handicap on his seasonal/stable debut last month (1m, good); gelded since; others look stronger.

25/1

9th

6

(10)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Newmarket

Blue To Blue

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Ruth Jefferson

Record of 3-8 last year for Karl Burke and ran well in Newmarket contest (7f, good to firm) on final start; sold for 60,000gns since; the market signals may help to ascertain whether he'll return in the same form.

16/1

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

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

11

(3)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:10 Doncaster

You Sexy Thing

8st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

Bounced back with a bang from a disappointing nursery debut when responding well to see off a short-priced favourite over 7f at Sandown (soft) 12 days ago; a 4lb rise doesn't look too severe with the front two clear and he's one of few in the line-up who has proved he's effective on going softer than good.

16/1

6

(4)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

You Sexy Thing

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

Comfortably held switched to nursery level last time, failing by a long way to back up his maiden/novice form; however, bred to do better yet, being brother to a fairly useful sort for his connections.

10/1

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