September 13 / 16.35 Chester

16.35

Good

Oktoberfest Season Finale Saturday 20th September Handicap

  • Prize money: £11338.8
  • 0m 7f 127y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Oktoberfest Season Finale Saturday 20th September Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 615073 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Produced a strong finish for a last-gasp success off this mark here (7f, good) in May; hasn't hit the same level since but he had some serious traffic issues when a creditable third here last month; looks interesting on this step back up in trip and could be a big factor if he gets the breaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

16:29 Wolverhampton (AW)

Probe

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

C&D winner; flashed home to win a 7f handicap at Chester in May but it has been a mixed bag since, including dropped into a seller at Chester four weeks ago; dangerous mark if the addition of a tongue tie has a positive effect.

10/1

4

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:05 Chester

Probe

9st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jennie Candlish

Last-gasp winner of a Class 3 handicap here (7f, good) in May but he hasn't matched that form since and was well held over C&D (good to soft) last time; hood now returns but this is highly competitive for a seller and others are preferred.

8/1

1

(9)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:35 Chester

Probe

10st 1lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jennie Candlish

Produced a strong finish for a last-gasp success off this mark here (7f, good) in May; hasn't hit the same level since but he had some serious traffic issues when a creditable third here last month; looks interesting on this step back up in trip and could be a big factor if he gets the breaks.

14/1

Form: 140020

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Recorded his ninth win when scoring at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April but he's been hit and miss since and was beaten 12l at Thirsk last time; needs to bounce back again after that and this looks tough from stall 13.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cruyff Turn

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Front-runner who is 2lb lower then when winning at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in April, but his form since then has been patchy; ran with credit in two starts on Tapeta (at Southwell) a year ago, but will need to be at the top of his game and is likely to face competition for the lead.

33/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

9th

3

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Cruyff Turn

9st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two good runs here on fast ground this season, winning over 7f on first occasion; has rather lost his form recently; best form on faster ground.

14/1

Form: 543513

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Three wins this season and latest was at Ripon (1m, good to firm) on his penultimate run; held in third there last time but that was a Class 2 and he did well to hang around after being trapped out wide; still looks on a workable mark and he's respected on this big drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Ripon

Capital Guarantee

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) last month; only sixth off this mark at Redcar last Saturday but the fact he won this race off 2lb higher last year provides hope; draw could have been kinder.

16/1

6th

3

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:12 Redcar

Capital Guarantee

10st 1lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Not quite at best this season but exploited some help from the handicapper when winning narrowly at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) last month and ought to remain competitive after going back up 4lb.

7/1

1st

1

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

16:45 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 9lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025, including over this C&D; mainly below his best this season but he didn't run too badly when sixth at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) 12 days ago; on a handy mark and now drops in grade.

5/1

Form: 371100 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row over C&D (good/soft) in June/July; no impact at Goodwood and York in last two starts but those were valuable handicaps and this lightly raced 3yo could resume his progress on this drop back in grade; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(1)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Miami Matrix

8st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Promiment racer who is well drawn to attack; three creditable runs here for his new stable in 2026 but others appeal as being better treated.

8/1

4th

2

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Miami Matrix

10st 1lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Overall record of 3-11 but he's not been easy to predict; finished down the field here when last seen in May but he's now only 1lb higher than when completing a double in this race last year; cheekpieces are reapplied after a short break and he needs a close look on this drop back in grade.

9/2

9th

11

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Miami Matrix

8st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Patrick Morris

Two course wins (7.6f) for Hugo Palmer last summer; respectable fourth on this month's stable debut; should give his running but perhaps vulnerable for win purposes.

9/1

Form: -27511 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
3yo who made his breakthrough at Ffos Las (7.3f, soft) in June and he completed a double when beating 14 rivals at Galway (7f, yielding) the following month; up another 6lb but something has really clicked in his last two runs and he's open to more progress; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

(16)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Galway

Itsneverjustone

9st 12lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: David Loughnane

Only one pound higher than when winning at last year's festival; had the same high draw then, so should not be ruled out; has to bounce back from a below-par Salisbury run; previous fourth placings at Doncaster and Thirsk were respectable; had the same high draw last year.

8/1

6th

4

(7)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

14:44 Salisbury

Itsneverjustone

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Gained back-to-back wins, including on soft ground, last summer; couple of respectable fourth-place finishes this season, latest at Thirsk (7f, good); possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear.

5/1

Form: 034765

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Yet to win a handicap, and apart from a close third in the Carlisle Bell (1m, soft) in June he's been a bit disappointing this term; cheekpieces are now added and he needs to get back near his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

19:42 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

9st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ivan Furtado

Kickstarted 2026 with C&D win in April and posted another solid effort with third of nine over C&D ten days ago; considered off the same mark.

5/1

3rd

1

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:18 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Back off the same mark as when making a successful stable debut/reappearance over C&D (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in April; possible to forgive his latest effort on the AW and holds good claims otherwise, albeit good to firm ground may pose a small question.

13/2

9th

3

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Sailthisshipalone

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ivan Furtado

Won on stable/seasonal debut at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) and he's remained in good heart on both starts since (1m, good/good to firm); each-way claims provided the return to AW isn't an issue.

8/1

Form: 611307

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Four wins over 7f and 1m this season but his form has cooled in last two runs and his latest seventh at Kempton was in a Class 4; only 1lb higher than for his last success but he needs to get back in the groove; regular hood is removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Brighton

Knights Gold

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Tom Ward

Last year's heroics were always going to be a tough act to follow but the addition of cheekpieces, allied to a reduced mark, have seen an upturn in his fortunes since June; latest Windsor second (1m, good to firm; stable debut) wasn't far off his best and he's high on the list with Billy Loughnane aboard for the first time.

5/2

2nd

4

(8)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

18:41 Windsor

Knights Gold

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Tom Ward

Four-time turf winner; cheekpieces applied for final three races and after two thirds (1m) he got no luck in running at Chester; now having first run for Tom Ward and wouldn't rule out.

6/1

5th

3

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:18 Chester

Knights Gold

9st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Four-time turf winner who scored off 1lb higher over C&D last autumn; took a while to get going this season but he's been placed at with cheekpieces added in his last two runs (1m, good to firm); usually comes from off the pace and has possibilities if he gets some luck.

9/2

Form: 093654

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won at Newmarket in May and he did well to finish third over C&D (good) in July, having taken a wide route into the straight; has remained in good form since and has claims if he responds well to first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 998927 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Five-time course winner (5f-7f) on good or slower; returned to form and ran a big race from the front when second at Haydock (7f, good) last month, and can be excused subsequent lesser effort (finished lame); respected back at Chester.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Donald McCain

Six-time course winner who is versatile trip-wise but all of his wins have been on good or slower and last two have been in the mud; on a dangerous mark but he didn't fire in his three runs this season; has often worn cheekpieces but is now blinkered first time; non-runner here (7.35) on Friday.

25/1

5th

2

(5)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

12:30 Nottingham

Paws For Thought

9st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Donald McCain

His nine wins have been on good ground or slower, with six of them coming at Chester; caught wide there on his reappearance and was well held in seventh there over 7f 13 days ago; drops back in trip with cheekpieces back on.

10/1

Form: 30-681

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the sixth attempt when overcoming trouble to score with hood added at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) last month; up 5lb but he found plenty of progress with that comfortable success and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(2)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Fire Flame

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Roger Varian

Responded well to the fitting of a hood when off the mark at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; best effort since when fourth of ten at Chelmsford (7f, Polytrack) 11 days ago; still 4lb higher than for his win so needs a bit more.

17/2

9

(2)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Fire Flame

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Roger Varian

Responded well to the fitting of a hood when off the mark at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; best effort since when fourth of ten at Chelmsford (7f, Polytrack) 11 days ago; still 4lb higher than for his win so needs a bit more.

17/2

4th

8

(9)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Fire Flame

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Off the mark at sixth attempt when scoring with hood added at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) in August; finished a 5l sixth in both runs since but he had some traffic issues on both occasions and still looks feasibly treated on his peak form; could be a big factor if he gets the breaks this time.

7/1

7/1

Form: 468951

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Joined this trainer for 21,000gns in July and immediately recouped some of that outlay when making all at Chelmsford (1m; 25-1) last month; hasn't had many opportunities on turf (0-5) but has a 6lb lower mark than on AW; always-prominent second over 6f here on Friday showed he is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(16)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 2

15:50 Brighton

Giant

8st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

On a good mark and this is weaker than the races he has contested on his last three starts; a well-run 6f shouldn't be a problem and he is a key player despite his wide stall.

14/1

7th

9

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:30 Brighton

Giant

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

Three-time AW winner who has made the frame four times on turf this summer (6f-7.6f); disappointed on latest outing, having been restless in the stalls, but his current mark is workable and he'll be fine over today's trip.

10/1

Non-runners

Blue Prince, Marquis Pompeo

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

It'sneverjustone

NEWMARKET:

Fire Flame

TOPSPEED:

Sailthisshipalone

The Guardian:

Giant

POSTDATA:

Paws For Thought

The Times:

Fire Flame

Telegraph:

Fire Flame

RP RATINGS:

It'sneverjustone

D Express:

It'sneverjustone

The Star:

It'sneverjustone

Daily Record:

It'sneverjustone

Daily Mail:

Sailthisshipalone

Daily Mirror:

Sailthisshipalone