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

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

6th

3

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:10 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

A three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; mainly well below par this season though, only 14th in 1m1f York handicap last month; has it to prove at present.

25/1

14th

8

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Capital Guarantee

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; good second at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) in April but well beaten behind some of today's rivals on his two outings since.

33/1

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

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

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

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

3rd

2

(1)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:25 Yarmouth

Knights Gold

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Had a fine year in 2025 and he spent the spring in the handicapper's claws; offered more encouragement when tried in cheekpieces at Newbury (1m, good to firm) 17 days ago; should have a big run in him.

9/2

3rd

6

(6)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newbury

Knights Gold

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

A 2025 campaign that featured five wins was always going to be a hard act to follow and he has found it tough going so far this year; has slipped back to a winning mark though and cheekpieces are now given a go.

12/1

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

6th

8

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Chester

Be Frank

10st 9lb

J: Mr Bradley Furniss

T: Ian Williams

A fair and largely reliable 7f winner in 2025; has his first run for nine months here but he has won off a break so is no forlorn hope.

20/1

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

3rd

10

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:45 Chester

Giant

8st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

All three wins have been on AW (7f/1m); good second over 6f at Windsor (good to firm) last month and he had a near-miss over C&D (good) on Friday night; hard to rule out another big run but this is a quick turnaround and he's 6lb out of the weights.

8/1

2nd

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Giant

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

Three-time AW winner; 0-10 on turf but has made the frame off today's mark twice in recent weeks (6f/7f, good to firm) and has good draw here; probably won't be far away.

6/1

4th

1

(7)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:25 Yarmouth

Giant

10st 0lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

All three wins have been on the AW (7f/1m), the most recent at Chelmsford last August, but he returned to form at Windsor (6f, good to firm) ten days ago, finishing well to be second of 11; won't mind the step back up in trip and he's shortlisted.

13/2

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