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

9th

8

(1)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Three-time 7f/1m winner in 2025; good C&D runner-up in April but beat only one in 1m Thirsk handicap two weeks ago; needs to bounce back.

16/1

12th

10

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Capital Guarantee

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Had excuses for the fizzling out of his season in 2025 but he'd been a ready winner of his sole C&D start, last May, and later won off this mark in August; appreciated the return to good to firm ground when only narrowly failing to get up at Beverley (about 7f) last month; on the premises.

8/1

2nd

6

(5)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

15:22 Beverley

Capital Guarantee

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Has failed to show his form in last four appearances but ground softer than good wasn't ideal on seasonal debut latest; 2lb below last winning mark and holds a fighting chance provided he rebounds.

16/1

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

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

4th

7

(4)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Miami Matrix

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Patrick Morris

Record of 3-9 (all last year) for Hugo Palmer; final effort took his Chester record (7.5f) to 7112; subsequently sold for 60,000gns; likely player, provided he remains in similar form on stable/seasonal debut.

12/1

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

4th

5

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Thirsk

Itsneverjustone

9st 5lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Back-to-back wins at Ffos Las and Galway in June/July proved the highlight of his 2025 campaign; promising seasonal return when fourth of 16 at Doncaster three weeks ago; needs to take a step forward.

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

4th

6

(1)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Ivan Furtado

Soft-ground win for Richard Fahey last November (1m); tongue tied for the first time when making a winning stable debut over C&D three weeks ago (good to soft); 3lb higher in a better race and going without cheekpieces today; handles good ground but perhaps wouldn't want it any faster.

7/2

1st

1

(8)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:27 Pontefract

Sailthisshipalone

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ivan Furtado

Record of 2-21 for Richard Fahey; successful in most recent turf attempt but the market may prove best guide on stable debut; tongue-tie added; still in same ownership.

12/1

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

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

9th

5

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Knights Gold

9st 7lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Five wins during last season's progressive 3yo campaign (7f-1m); he's edging back down the weights but has failed to shine on his three runs this term and needs to raise his game.

12/1

5th

2

(7)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:58 Epsom

Knights Gold

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Five handicap wins (7f to 1m; four in a hood) in a productive 2025, including on a fast surface, and he looked unlucky when third of 15 at Glorious Goodwood (1m, heavy; Kaleido ninth) in July; probably needed reappearance in March and likely didn't stay 1m2f when never competitive three weeks later; this mark demands a return to his best, though.

20/1

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

9

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:35 Chester

Be Frank

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

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.

11/1

9

(1)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Be Frank

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Still 5lb higher than when making a successful reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; latest fifth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) 27 days ago was respectable but underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.

8/1

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

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

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

10th

3

(4)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Lingfield

Giant

9st 8lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

All three wins on AW; decent third at Southwell (1m, AW) last month but unable to back that up returning to turf when 14th of 16 at Doncaster (7f, good to firm); seems better on AW.

9/1

14th

13

(10)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:15 Doncaster

Giant

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ian Williams

Three wins (7f/1m, all AW) and it was a good effort when third in Southwell series final (1m, AW) 17 days ago; having a rare foray on grass but did finish second in good-ground Chester handicap (6f) in September; not dismissed from his lower turf mark.

6/1

3rd

11

(3)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Giant

8st 11lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

2lb lower than for his latest win at Chelmsford (1m, Polytrack) last August, but hasn't been firing of late; first visit here.

16/1

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