August 31 / 15.52 Brighton

15.52

Good To Firm

It Takes A Village Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 7f 216y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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It Takes A Village Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 641229

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly (hung badly right home turn) on Lingfield AW five days ago; 0-8 on turf but has form figures of 23322 over 1m in this sphere, giving him clear place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Flag Carrier

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

Both wins have been on AW, latest over C&D off 4lb higher in March; ran best race since when 3l second to a well-backed subsequent winner at Kempton last week (7f; blinkers on for second time); headgear retained; chance.

4/1

2nd

2

(7)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Flag Carrier

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Brian Toomey

4lb higher than for his Chelmsford win in March; his other success came over C&D in January 2024; has the ability to feature but he's disappointed at Lingfield (AW) and Brighton on last two starts; headgear now returns.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 543503 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Yet to encounter ground softer than good; placed at Yarmouth last Sunday; registered his most recent success off this mark over C&D in April; interesting back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Kracking

9st 5lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Stuart Williams

Prominent racer; made all in a small field at Brighton in April when rated 3lb higher; patchy since and has stamina to prove.

10/1

6th

4

(12)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Kracking

9st 11lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Stuart Williams

Prominent racer; the pick of his form in the first half of the year brings him right into the reckoning but more recent efforts haven't quite been at that level; dropping into a Class 6 will help.

7/1

3

(10)

31st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:52 Brighton

Kracking

9st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Stuart Williams

Yet to encounter ground softer than good; placed at Yarmouth last Sunday; registered his most recent success off this mark over C&D in April; interesting back here.

10/1

Form: 156383 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly on good/firmer but is 1-1 on soft; 3-8 at Brighton, the most recent win off this mark in April; ran well in first-time cheekpieces here latest start; likely player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(3)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Blenheim Star

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Knight

Four-time turf winner but 0-6 on AW; never threatened when fifth at Kempton on Monday (1m) and has to prove this trip is in range.

10/1

10

(6)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Kempton (AW)

Blenheim Star

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Knight

Four turf wins to her name, the latest at Brighton in April (1m, good to firm) when rated 2lb higher; needs to bounce back from a lacklustre run at Epsom last month.

10/1

7

(9)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:25 Epsom

Blenheim Star

8st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: William Knight

Can be in and out but fairly solid in cheekpieces when third at Brighton (1m) on her last two starts and it was a creditable second on her only start here (C&D, good) last July; has dropped below her last winning mark.

10/1

Form: 211826 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on good/faster; 3-9 at Brighton, the most recent success in May; came up short in better race here last time and this drop back in grade looks suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

19:15 Doncaster

Havana Mojito

9st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: John Gallagher

All three wins have been over 7f/1m on good/good to firm at Brighton; has finished second over 7f/1m there in blinkers on last three runs; each-way chance.

7/2

2nd

2

(2)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:43 Brighton

Havana Mojito

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Gallagher

Three wins over 7f/1m here; runner-up in his last two starts back at this venue including when beaten half a length by Dion Baker eight days ago; a 4lb pull plus Jack Callan's 3lb claim gives him every chance of reversing the form.

3/1

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

20:40 Brighton

Havana Mojito

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Straightforward three-time course winner who looked like making it four (first-time blinkers, switched from cheekpieces) until nabbed late by Aim For The Bull late last month; in off the same mark and his claims are obvious back down in trip.

5/1

Form: 78-823 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden; placed at Yarmouth (1m2f) and Kempton (1m, AW) since switched to handicaps, starting favourite both times; may have a contest of this nature in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:05 Haydock

Dragonflame

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Nine-race maiden who ended last term with two poor shows, with blinkers given a go on final outing; subsequently left Brian Meehan for 15,000gns in October; has a piece of 1m2f form, but below form on his only start on softer than good and non-runner for old yard when the ground was testing.

20/1

3

(7)

8th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Dragonflame

9st 7lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Brian Meehan

0-8 and didn't run very well at Bath (1m2f, good to firm) eight days ago, but placed in his first four handicaps including in both starts over C&D; shortlisted back here with blinkers given a go.

8/1

5

(6)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

14:22 Bath

Dragonflame

9st 11lb

J: George Bass

T: Brian Meehan

No wins in seven but consistent in handicaps and finished his race out well for second at Kempton (1m); return to 1m2f is worth exploring.

7/2

Form: 69616- D BF

Last run: 327 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Absent since doing too much up front when favourite for C&D event last October; made all at Chepstow (1m, good; handicap debut) the time before and may do better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(9)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Desert Footsteps

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Marcus Tregoning

Moderate in just three starts since her successful handicap debut at Chepstow (1m, good) in September last year; being a half-sister to two AW winners the main positive.

14/1

10th

4

(5)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:52 Bath

Desert Footsteps

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marcus Tregoning

Made all at Chepstow (1m, good; handicap debut) last September; absent after flopping at Brighton the following month until she reappeared with big defeat back there one month ago; quite possibly needed that and she's not fully exposed, however; heed any market signals.

12/1

Form: 004167

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Far from consistent this term and chance of getting involved depends on whether the form of his Nottingham success (1m, good) in July is recaptured; not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:48 Uttoxeter

Louie The Legend

11st 3lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Dylan Cunha

Dual Flat winner whose best hurdling effort came with the switch to handicaps when third at Southwell (2m, good) in May, but he failed to match that form when well backed at Warwick nine days later; latest Flat run is best overlooked and he has claims if reproducing the Southwell effort.

8/1

9th

2

(8)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

13:50 Chepstow

Louie The Legend

11st 0lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Dylan Cunha

Well below market expectations over hurdles last time (potential stamina issues but has never been the most consistent) and returns to the Flat on a handy mark; course winner as a 2yo (good to soft) and he's considered under Fletcher Yarham.

6/1

6th

3

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Louie The Legend

11st 4lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Dylan Cunha

Dual Flat winner; ran his best race in this sphere when third of ten finishers at Southwell (2m, good) nine days ago on his handicap debut; has scope to improve further and should run well.

4/1

Form: 5-8292 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; went very close to opening his account when favourite for Brighton contest (7f, good) most recently, collared on the line; has 1m form; his turn looks near.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

12:55 Lingfield

Towerlands

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Tony Carroll

Improved once returned to AW and bagged a hat-trick across October and December (1m); on the scoresheet again upped to 9.5f at Wolverhampton (career-best form) in February; form took a slight dip on last two starts, while his earlier turf form isn't comparable so interesting to see how he fares back on grass.

16/1

10th

9

(6)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Towerlands

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Tony Carroll

Record in AW handicaps reads 11124135; pulled his chance away at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) last month, but may settle better in this bigger field; one for the shortlist.

5/1

Form: 632654 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-10 at Brighton, the most recent win last October; largely consistent in defeat this year (AW/turf) and made the frame here latest start; dropped another 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

19:20 Brighton

Kondratiev Wave

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Tony Carroll

Continues to run with credit and recorded his eighth career win at Lingfield in February; has made the frame on all four starts since and shouldn't be far away.

13/2

4th

5

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:23 Brighton

Kondratiev Wave

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Tony Carroll

In the veteran stage now but the old man's been giving younger legs plenty of trouble this year, dead-heating at Lingfield (7f, AW) in February and placed on another five occasions; still in good heart judged on latest second at Bath (1m, firm) and this dual C&D winner can go well again.

5/2

Form: 696254 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ran well at Bath in June but has lacked consistency this year; 7yo who's far from guaranteed to take advantage of being 2lb below last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(4)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

17:29 Lingfield (AW)

Roscioli

9st 5lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Brett Johnson

Four-time winner, split between turf and AW; last success was off 2lb higher at Salisbury (1m) last August but he's been out of sorts in last three runs and needs a major revival; reapplied cheekpieces replace a visor.

10/1

11

(6)

31st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:52 Brighton

Roscioli

9st 3lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Brett Johnson

Ran well at Bath in June but has lacked consistency this year; 7yo who's far from guaranteed to take advantage of being 2lb below last winning mark.

14/1

4th

5

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Lingfield

Roscioli

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Brett Johnson

Recent form a bit patchy, but his second of 11 at Bath (1m, good; first-time visor) on his penultimate start took his record off today's mark to 313212; does most of his racing over shorter these days, but shouldn't have a problem with this trip.

4/1

Form: 786113 CD BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Recent improvement features two wins over C&D (good/good to firm; handicap/classified); badly hindered by poor start (blindfold was removed late) when beaten favourite in Ffos Las handicap since; may still have more to offer; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(11)

30th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:43 Brighton

Lunanova

9st 7lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Luke Dace

Won three times over 1m here last summer and 5lb lower than for the most recent; hasn't threatened in her last five starts, though, and another furlong would be preferable.

20/1

6th

13

(6)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:57 Salisbury

Lunanova

8st 9lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Luke Dace

Won three times for two different stables at Brighton last year (1m, good to firm-good) but was soundly beaten on first three starts for current stable this spring (all 7f); considered only if lively in the betting.

33/1

7th

6

(2)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Lingfield

Lunanova

9st 4lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

Won three times over 1m at Brighton last summer but has lost her way; finished last on her two starts this term, for new yard.

33/1

Non-runners

H Key Lails

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.20
Straight Forecast £16.05
Tricast £102.83
Trifecta £75.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Blenheim Star

SPOTLIGHT:

Lunanova

POSTDATA:

Kondratiev Wave

Daily Record:

Towerlands

The Times:

Dragonflame

The Sun:

Louie The Legend

The Star:

Lunanova

NEWMARKET:

Blenheim Star

Telegraph:

Blenheim Star

Daily Mirror:

Blenheim Star

D Express:

Kondratiev Wave