September 12 / 15.50 Chester

15.50

Good

Matthew Clark Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Matthew Clark Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 122275 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Below form when last in action but has generally performed well this season, including when second over C&D in May; well drawn today and current mark is workable; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Marbuzet

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won twice in blinkers last season (1m7f/2m); back on a workable mark but made a low-key reappearance in cheekpieces (retained) last month and needs that run to have brought him on.

16/1

5th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Marbuzet

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Had a good 2025, winning over 1m7f at Ayr (good to firm) and 2m at Chester (good); also runner-up on five other occasions, including his reappearance.

4/1

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £7.50

Form: 4/9760

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly in a low-grade handicap hurdle a fortnight ago but this summer's Flat form for his new stable has been very disappointing, and he still has quite a bit to prove under this code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Market Rasen

No More Bolero

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Race-fit off the Flat when a battling winner over a little shorter at Worcester a month ago (visor back on) and looks a good thing to give his running once more off 4lb higher; respected.

5/4

1st

2

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:47 Worcester

No More Bolero

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

Easy winner over hurdles at Ludlow (2m, good) last November and he recorded his fourth Flat win when scoring at Bath (2m1f, good to firm) in April; wasn't beaten far back there 12 days ago and he still has potential for further progress in this sphere; interesting contender back over hurdles.

5/2

6th

1

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Bath

No More Bolero

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: James Owen

Scored over hurdles last November and recorded his first win on the Flat in Britain, at this track (2m1f, good to firm) in April off 4lb lower; good second at Ripon subsequently but finished last of six back there (2m, good) after slipping on the bend on the first circuit last month; swaps a visor for blinkers and may be worth forgiving latest run.

4/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 27872

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo who bumped into a big improver when remote second at Southwell (1m6f, AW) last month; drawn on the outside for this first attempt at 2m but probably still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Action Pact

8st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Stout stayer who was placed over C&D (good) in September and opened his account at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) the following month; made a low-key reappearance last month but has possibilities if that run brought him on.

10/1

4th

6

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Action Pact

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.

4/1

25/1

Form: -07653 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season (1m6f-2m1f) but has been out of form this year; well held when third of four on latest outing and needs a good boost from the first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Merrijig

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: John Berry

Adaptable regarding ground and tactics; this looks less competitive than the Ffos Las 0-65 in which he finished second last time (hampered; two of these behind) and his claims are obvious.

7/4

2nd

2

(2)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Merrijig

9st 8lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Done a lot of his winning later in the year but offered more in the returning blinkers last time, back from a couple of months off; boasts a decent record when dipping below 0-70 company and won't mind any rain.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Merrijig

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Was 2-3 on the AW until disappointing at Kempton two months ago but he had been running well in the blinkers (reapplied) and he's a three-time turf winner on a competitive mark.

8/1

Form: 553735

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Consistent this season (six runs), with best effort arguably his close third in first-time visor at Newbury (1m4f, good to firm) two starts ago; not yet proven over 2m but still considered each-way; blinkers refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Nottingham

Saratoga Gold

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Winless in three years and has regressed for this yard; consisent run came to an end when below-par at Kempton a few weeks ago but he won't mind the return to turf off a career-low mark.

6/1

6th

4

(6)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:08 Kempton (AW)

Saratoga Gold

9st 8lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Multiple winner at up to 1m6f, including here but hasn't won for almost three years; even so, has been placed on five successive occasions and is capable of going close from this mark now back on this surface.

3/1

2nd

5

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Saratoga Gold

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

Losing run stretches back to July 2023 but he ended 2025 in good form and his reappearance at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) 18 days ago was a positive one; stepping back up in distance is a positive but he could do with the ground drying out.

5/1

6th
11 (9)
Chillhi

5/1

Form: 552310 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Three wins for new stable since the spring, the latest by 17l in selling handicap hurdle on Saturday; faces tougher task on this Flat return but Ashley Lewis claims a useful 7lb; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

Chillhi

11st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Barry John Murphy

Had plenty of racing under both codes and has been regressing for a while now; chase debut.

33/1

7th

6

(10)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Chillhi

9st 2lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Barry John Murphy

Been around a bit and has regressed sharply for this yard, mainly over hurdles; Sapphire Sirocco looks the more likkely of the stable pair.

25/1

4

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Chillhi

10st 10lb

J: Mr Louis Burke

T: Barry John Murphy

Out of form over a range of trips for new stable this spring (five runs; including one on the Flat); drops back to 2m after 42l defeat over 2m7f in refitted cheekpieces (retained) ten days ago; revival needed.

33/1

6/1

Form: 184441 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Two wins this season, latterly when too strong for odds-on favourite in small field at Ffos Las (2m, good) last month; not ideally drawn here but recent 2lb nudge ought to be manageable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Simiyann

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Better expected last time, after two poor efforts and back to the visor from cheekpieces, but ran below market expectations in finishing behind Merrijig; 2lb better off today but has work to do if he's to turn things round.

3/1

4th

5

(4)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Simiyann

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

C&D win last August came off an 8lb higher mark; the booking of Billy Loughnane will draw some in, back to the visor worn for his two AW victories, but two poor efforts on turf lately will need overlooking.

12/1

10th

4

(5)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Simiyann

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

Two 2m wins last year on good and faster ground; a return to hurdling stalled his progress and hasn't been at his best back on the Flat in his last two races, though 1m4f was on the short side after a break at Newbury; could stage a revival.

14/1

Form: 9-1362 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won by wide margin on Flat return at Pontefract (2m2f, good) in April but was no threat to winner when second of five over that C&D on latest outing 12 weeks ago and may remain a shade vulnerable off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Diamand De Vindecy

8st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Robert Bevis

Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.

14/1

5th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Diamand De Vindecy

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Bevis

Arrives fit from hurdling and some of his best Flat form last year came in April, winning at Pontefract before second over C&D (both good).

7/1

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamand De Vindecy

11st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robert Bevis

Nine-race maiden over hurdles but has placed form and he won six on the Flat; made a bright start over fences in January but didn't fancy it at Huntingdon and refused early; the cheekpieces are off but wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well.

8/1

33/1

Form: 288654 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped on some of her winter AW form for Ed Walker but has not shown much in four turf handicaps (1m4f-2m) for new stable this summer; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 6

20:20 Ffos Las

Hedonista

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Dual winner but 0-11 for current yard and essentially regressive; off since January.

9/1

6th

3

(8)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Hedonista

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Bernard Llewellyn

She has dropped a long way in the weights since joining this yard and hasn't made a major impact; latest Chelmsford third (beaten over 7l) was a bit better but she will need to step forward again to take this.

11/2

3

(5)

15th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Hedonista

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Bernard Llewellyn

On a losing run of 13 but ran better when fourth of ten at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) last month, even though a slow pace probably didn't suit; last visit here resulted in a win over this trip just over two years ago and he's 12lb lower now; interesting.

7/1

Form: 421241 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
In-form mare who led close home at Ripon (2m, good to firm) last month and has now won two of her last four; moves up from Class 6 today but is well drawn to seize a good position and ought to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Regally Blonde

8st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ben Case

Made all off 3lb higher here (1m6f) last July; not in the same form this season, including in that same race a fortnight ago, when a long way off the front pair; needs more.

7/1

3rd

6

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Nottingham

Regally Blonde

8st 11lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Ben Case

Made all in a six-runner renewal of this race last year off a 1lb higher mark (good to firm); not in the same form this time, but this may well have been the target and she ought to fare much better.

10/1

12/1

Form: 542215 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Sophar Sogood

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Convincing winner at Catterick (2m, good) in August and following effort was respectable; ran no race last time at Chester but wouldn't be without hope if back on song.

20/1

11th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Sophar Sogood

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Butler

Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.

12/1

1

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Sophar Sogood

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Butler

Five-time AW winner whose success at Catterick (2m, good) three weeks ago was a first win on turf for nearly four years; might need a fraction more up 4lb but that was a pretty convincing success; Colin Keane's first ride for the yard; respected.

7/2

12th
14 (5)
Our Lil

9/2

Form: 67228- BF

Last run: 375 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish filly who is 2-6 over hurdles since joining Dan Skelton last autumn, the latter win gained over 2m4f; completely unexposed beyond 1m4f on the Flat; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(5)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Our Lil

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Dan Skelton

Ex-Irish filly who is 2-6 over hurdles since joining Dan Skelton last autumn, the latter win gained over 2m4f; completely unexposed beyond 1m4f on the Flat; interesting.

9/2

3

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Worcester

Our Lil

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Thereabouts in middle-distance Flat handicaps in Ireland and has won two of three hurdles (out of depth in the other) since wind surgery, proving suited by the step up to 2m4f when winning over C&D (good) in May; raised 5lb but has major claims.

3/1

1st

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Our Lil

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won a novice hurdle at Doncaster (2m1f, good; first start since wind surgery) in March, but faced a stiff task from 9lb out of the weights on handicap debut at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) last month; wouldn't want the ground to ease too much, but respected otherwise.

7/2

Non-runners

Capone, Cosmic Soul

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £169.20
Straight Forecast £129.21
Tricast £1231.28
Trifecta £1564.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Our Lil

Daily Mirror:

Diamand De Vindecy

RP RATINGS:

Regally Blonde

The Times:

Action Pact

NEWMARKET:

No More Bolero

Telegraph:

Simiyann

Daily Mail:

Chillhi

POSTDATA:

Marbuzet

The Star:

Sophar Sogood

The Guardian:

Our Lil

D Express:

Our Lil

Daily Record:

Regally Blonde