August 21 / 17.00 Newton Abbot

17.00

Good

Royal Air Force Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 2f 105y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Royal Air Force Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 481-41

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Not one to rely upon heavily nowadays but was too good for Fine By Me at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month and has now won twice this year; should be fine over today's trip; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Faded Fantasy

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Ran creditably at Hereford (3m1f) last time, bouncing back from two poor efforts, but this looks a tougher assignment; still seeking first handicap success above Class 5.

20/1

9th

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.

20/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: PP-221 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Came good under rules at 23rd attempt, beating in-form rival in four-runner chase here (3m2f, good) last month; effectively 5lb lower for this switch back to hurdling; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Testflight

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

1-28 under rules, his win coming over fences off this mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last July; has been off since October and needs to hit the ground running.

8/1

7

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Testflight

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Usually gives his running, over hurdles and fences; close third in the latter discipline at the weekend.

6/1

4

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:54 Newton Abbot

Testflight

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Rallied well to win small-field C&D (good) chase off today's mark in July and reverts to fences after perfectly respectable hurdle run from out of the weights here last month; likely contender.

11/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: U7/34P CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won this race on good ground two years ago but lightly raced and generally disappointing since; reverts to hurdling after running poorly in a chase last month; not an easy one to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Lelantos

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Now only 1lb higher than when winning at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft; also suited by good) in November but has become inconsistent and was pulled up on latest outing seven weeks ago; not easy to predict.

8/1

6

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Lelantos

11st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

5-27 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Huntingdon (extended 3m1f, good to soft; 2lb higher today) in November; has a shout on that showing but there have been backward steps in his two starts since.

5/1

4th

3

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Lelantos

11st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

5-26 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) in November; not in same form when third of four at Fakenham (2m7f, good to soft) last month and may not have much margin for error off current mark but still enters calculations.

5/1

Form: F8-227 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Needs to rebound from a below-par performance four weeks ago but returned from a layoff with two good seconds (one behind Faded Fantasy) this season (3m2f/2m7f, good) and has claims if judged on those efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Fine By Me

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

2lb lower than when runner-up on good ground at Warwick (3m2f) and Worcester (2m7f) in the summer, but not at his best since including when sixth of 11 behind The Wise Traveller at Plumpton (3m1f, good) six weeks ago; more needed.

14/1

9th

6

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Fine By Me

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

2lb lower than when runner-up on good ground at Warwick (3m2f) and Worcester (2m7f) in the summer, but not at his best since including when sixth of 11 behind The Wise Traveller at Plumpton (3m1f, good) six weeks ago; more needed.

14/1

9th

6

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Fine By Me

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

2lb lower than when runner-up on good ground at Warwick (3m2f) and Worcester (2m7f) in the summer, but not at his best since including when sixth of 11 behind The Wise Traveller at Plumpton (3m1f, good) six weeks ago; more needed.

14/1

Form: 42P/43 C

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Developed into fairly useful chaser in 2023 (two course wins) but very lightly raced in the meantime; safely held on both hurdling starts for new stable in June (2m5f/2m2f); revival needed on first venture beyond 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Difficult times since back from absence last June but he's dropped a long way in the weights and there have been some signs of life; non-stayer over the extended 3m3f at Stratford recently (Carpe Diem runner-up) but he didn't run badly and better is expected.

4/1

3rd

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Chief Black Robe

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back with his former trainer on his last five starts; landed a four-timer for this yard in 2023; hasn't won since and has failed to complete on his last two starts; visor worn last time is left off; well handicapped if able to return to anywhere near his best form.

5/1

2

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Chief Black Robe

11st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Needs to rebound quickly from a poor hurdle run 16 days ago but last month's second over fences at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) was a pretty good effort and the forecast faster ground here ought to suit him better; big player if first-time visor has desired effect.

9/2

Form: 12/445 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable fifth over fences in first-time blinkers last month, his third run after a long layoff, but won off this mark over hurdles in 2023 and might be happier now back in this discipline; could be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:37 Fakenham

Karavomylos

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Two solid efforts in staying chases in June and July (RPRs of 98 and 101), form that would give him leading claims; below that level in two runs over hurdles since but has had wind surgery since and returns to fences off 4lb lower since his latest run over fences; looks a major player.

2/1

2nd

2

29th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:37 Fakenham

Karavomylos

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Two solid efforts in staying chases in June and July (RPRs of 98 and 101), form that would give him leading claims; below that level in two runs over hurdles since but has had wind surgery since and returns to fences off 4lb lower since his latest run over fences; looks a major player.

2/1

5

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

19:05 Uttoxeter

Karavomylos

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Launched chasing career with two very respectable runs in June and again ran okay when sixth of ten on last month's hurdling return at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good); continues to edge down the weights and won't mind if the ground softens; could have a say.

8/1

12/1

Form: 9353-9 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Safely held over C&D in June but that was her first start for seven months and she's now back on the same mark as when winning at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last spring; contender if she comes on from that reappearance run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Danzini

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Has won good-ground handicaps at 3m and 3m2f; hard to dismiss off this mark despite being below par the last twice.

10/1

7th

9

21st Aug 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Danzini

10st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Safely held over C&D in June but that was her first start for seven months and she's now back on the same mark as when winning at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last spring; contender if she comes on from that reappearance run.

12/1

Form: 673-44

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Lacked the speed to land a significant blow when fourth behind Faded Fantasy at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time visor) last month and is yet to bulld upon her surprise win just under a year ago; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

16:28 Kempton (AW)

Shibuya Song

8st 13lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

No impact in two runs for her new stable last month; should be well treated and interesting to see if she's stronger in the betting today.

16/1

10

8th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 0lb

T: James Owen

7th

6

(7)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 5lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Won a 1m4f Flat handicap for Ed Walker in July 2022 and over hurdles in September 2024 for Richard Phillips; well beaten at Southwell (1m6f, AW; 20-1) on stable debut nine days ago and needs to leave that effort well behind.

12/1

Form: 686/3/

Last run: 1204 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on old form for Philip Hobbs but not seen under rules since 2022, and this year's point form isn't anything to get excited about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

21st Aug 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Canastero

10st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Well handicapped on old form for Philip Hobbs but not seen under rules since 2022, and this year's point form isn't anything to get excited about.

25/1

Form: /0/9-4

Last run: 78 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Belied 40-1 odds when very respectable fourth over C&D (good) on rules return in June but is effectively 3lb higher today and, on balance, others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Share A Moment

11st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Ryan Chapman

Only 1-14 in points; six-race maiden over hurdles and with a basement handicap mark.

20/1

10th

11

21st Aug 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Share A Moment

10st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Ryan Chapman

Belied 40-1 odds when very respectable fourth over C&D (good) on rules return in June but is effectively 3lb higher today and, on balance, others look stronger.

16/1

9

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Share A Moment

10st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Ryan Chapman

Fast-ground point winner whose two attempts over hurdles have offered little encouragement.

25/1

Non-runners

Rubys Legacy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.60
Straight Forecast £23.63
Tricast £133.57
Trifecta £238.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Karavomylos

RP RATINGS:

Shibuya Song

The Guardian:

Faded Fantasy

WEST COUNTRY:

Fine By Me

POSTDATA:

Karavomylos

Daily Mail:

Karavomylos

The Sun:

Karavomylos

The Star:

Karavomylos

Daily Mirror:

Faded Fantasy

Daily Record:

Faded Fantasy

The Times:

Shibuya Song

Telegraph:

Shibuya Song

D Express:

Shibuya Song