August 15 / 15.05 Newbury

15.05

Good To Firm

Daily Bet Boosts At BetVictor Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Daily Bet Boosts At BetVictor Nursery Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 496

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Mid-division on his first three starts (5f/6f, good to firm/good); gelded since; cost £135,000 last August and he's a possible improver now handicapping after a two-month break; one to watch in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:15 Epsom

French Affair

9st 12lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Jennie Candlish

Record of 1-13 for Richard Hannon but he won on his stable debut at Glorious Goodwood before following up with a last-gasp success at Redcar (both 6f on good to firm); up another 3lb but he's on a roll and is effective on slow ground including heavy; big player again back up in trip.

5/4

1st

1

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

17:31 Redcar

French Affair

9st 13lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Jennie Candlish

Record of 1-13 for Richard Hannon but he made a bright start for his new yard when beating 25 rivals at Goodwood (6f, good to firm) last Wednesday; up 4lb for that narrow success but he did well to overcome trouble and is a major player again on this drop back in grade.

13/8

1st

26

(15)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

French Affair

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jennie Candlish

Has drawn a blank since his 6f nursery debut success at Newbury last year but he did go close in 20-runner York handicap (7f, good) in May; bit below that level in two 7f outings last month but new connections went to 55,000gns to acquire him recently and Billy Loughnane has been booked.

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2717 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good to firm) last month on third start; mid-division on nursery debut at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) but his dam was a Listed winner and he could prove to be on a good mark now back on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

22nd Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:18 Newmarket

Penhallam

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Brian Meehan

Held over 7f the last twice and seems set for another supporting role, unless first-time headgear makes a difference; best form remains over 6f at Newbury.

10/1

2

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Epsom

Penhallam

9st 8lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Brian Meehan

Has shown best form over 6f at Newbury and proved a non-stayer over a testing 7f at Sandown most recently; this is a sharper scenario but he has something to prove.

7/1

1

(7)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Penhallam

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Brian Meehan

Gained his novice win over 6f at Newbury (good to firm) and went very close in nursery over that same C&D (good) last time; possibly not crying out for this return to a stiff 7f.

15/8

11/4

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 81 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Took a step forward at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) last month on her second start when dead-heating for first; her trainer's 2yos are going well and she has Group-race entries; could have a part to play in her first nursery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(13)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:30 York

Indy B

8st 12lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

Dead-heated for first in a novice at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) in June and has run well in defeat in 6f nurseries on next two starts (good/heavy); however, she's well down the pecking order on form this afternoon.

40/1

4

(6)

2nd Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:23 Goodwood

Indy B

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Group-race entries would appear optimistic but she was clear of the remainder when a competitive third on nursery debut at Newbury (6f, good); unlikely to be far away off 2lb higher.

11/2

3rd

3

(8)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Newbury

Indy B

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Took a step forward at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) last month on her second start when dead-heating for first; her trainer's 2yos are going well and she has Group-race entries; could have a part to play in her first nursery.

11/4

OUR TIP

100/30

Form: 351 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Gelded after his second start and showed improved form to win at Hamilton (6f, good) four weeks ago; this half-brother to US Grade 3 winner Chardy Party could continue to progress and is respected on nursery debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newmarket (July)

Sunny Smile

9st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

Made all for 6f maiden win as 2yo; best form of 2026 when second of six at Sandown (7f) last month but he didn't repeat it there next time on return from wind surgery and has had a few chances off similar marks now.

20/1

5th

3

(1)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:23 Sandown

Sunny Smile

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Matched the pick of his 2yo form when second over C&D (good to firm) last month but he was beaten 4.5l so needs to build on that; has subsequently had wind surgery; Oisin Murphy was on board last time but seemingly prefers Desert Shadow on this occasion.

11/1

2nd

6

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Sunny Smile

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

6f Hamilton winner on good ground under Oisin Murphy as a 2yo; however, never figured on Epsom reappearance (7f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) and subsequent Ffos Las second offers no proof that he's trained on given he was beaten 11l; Murphy is back on board now but it's not enough to tempt.

9/1

Form: 605

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
100,000gns yearling whose well-bred dam was useful; soundly beaten on his three starts (6f, good to firm) and not obviously well treated off his opening mark, but improvement is possible and a market check is advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

16:30 Lingfield (AW)

Dark Mandate

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran his best race for Charles Hills when third of 12 in a 6f Kempton nursery 302 days ago; gelded during his absence and returns off a 2lb lower mark and with a hood fitted; interesting on stable debut (same owner).

6/1

10

(10)

22nd Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:38 Kempton (AW)

Dark Mandate

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charles Hills

He isn't progressing but there was money for him at Wolverhampton 16 days ago (5f), only for him to be hampered leaving the stalls and then short of room soon after the start, ending up poorly positioned; didn't look straightforward in the home straight though and a wide stall isn't ideal for this free-going colt.

7/1

9

(11)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Newbury

Dark Mandate

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charles Hills

Finished closer when fifth of eight on nursery debut here (6f, good; 22-1) 13 days ago and he shaped as if moving up in trip would suit; needs markedly better but worth a second look.

12/1

Form: 021

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Windsor (5f, good to firm) in June on second start then comfortably went one better at Bath (5.7f, firm) where he was odds-on; has a progressive profile and could be a contender on nursery debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(5)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Goodwood

Dark Alley

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Bath maiden win as a 2yo; recorded his best finish of the season when second of 11 at Windsor (6f, good to firm) two weeks ago; needs more to come out on top here.

10/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

17:36 Windsor

Dark Alley

9st 8lb

J: Thomas Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Bath maiden winner last July (5.5f); lightly raced since and pretty poor in his last two starts.

20/1

9th

10

(12)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:15 Windsor

Dark Alley

9st 7lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Warren Greatrex

Gained a first win at the third attempt in 5.5f Bath maiden last July; lightly raced since and came in last of seven over C&D 30 days ago; cheekpieces are reached for.

16/1

15/2

Form: 5426 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved with each of his first three starts, finishing second at Chepstow (6f, good to firm) on the third occasion; disappointing favourite on nursery debut at Leicester since (7f, good to firm; stamina not to blame) and has to bounce back but this £170,000 colt shouldn't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(9)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

18:15 Down Royal

This Guy

9st 7lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Daniel James Murphy

Maiden after 15 starts but has been placed several times; ran well enough behind Cashel Blue over C&D last time but seemed to find this test a bit sharp; has to do more.

6/1

4th

2

(9)

29th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:30 Down Royal

This Guy

9st 11lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Daniel James Murphy

Maiden was runner-up three times in a row at Dundalk during the winter; not as good in recent months; midfield in 6f Curragh handicap on latest but this is an ease in grade; Colin Keane takes over; high draw not ideal.

11/1

8th

14

(9)

4th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:20 Curragh

This Guy

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Daniel James Murphy

Maiden was runner-up three times in a row at Dundalk during December/January; not as good in recent months; 20-1 chance when unplaced at Naas last Monday.

14/1

Form: 726433

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
First past the post at Kempton in May but demoted due to interference; this consistent sort can give another good account but he's now 0-6 and needs something extra on nursery debut; wears a first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(4)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Ahead Of Fashion

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Reasonably exposed over shorter distances and remains a maiden; attractively treated on best efforts but chance of finally winning partly depends on the effects of new trip.

8/1

6th

9

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Ahead Of Fashion

9st 8lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Regressive maiden who continues to race freely, so dropping back from 7f might be no bad thing; wouldn't be the percentage play, though.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.50
Straight Forecast £17.32
Tricast £83.04
Trifecta £104.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Sunny Smile

LAMBOURN:

Dark Alley

SPOTLIGHT:

Indy B

TOPSPEED:

Dark Mandate

POSTDATA:

Penhallam

Daily Mail:

French Affair

Telegraph:

Ahead Of Fashion

D Express:

Dark Alley

The Star:

Dark Alley

Daily Record:

Dark Alley

The Times:

Sunny Smile

The Guardian:

Sunny Smile

Daily Mirror:

Sunny Smile

The Sun:

Sunny Smile