September 20 / 15.05 Chester

15.05

Soft

Caa Stellar Selling Stakes

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 7f 127y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Caa Stellar Selling Stakes

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 903315

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old but still retains plenty of ability and won a Class 4 handicap at Ayr (1m, good; RPR 94) on penultimate run; looks interesting on this drop into a seller and he's very effective on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

Empirestateofmind

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins at Ayr (1m, soft/heavy) last month with a near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) in between, and he was a close second when unpenalised at Ayr (7f, heavy) last Thursday; 4lb higher this afternoon but this 8yo remains well treated on his old form and has to be respected.

13/2

1st

2

(2)

29th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Ayr

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form and capitalised on a reduced mark over C&D (soft) this month before near-miss at Hamilton (1m1f, heavy) two days later; 3lb higher than last time but this in-form 8yo is a leading contender.

11/4

2nd

4

(5)

20th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 5

16:30 Hamilton

Empirestateofmind

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Proved resurgent dropped back to Class 5 at Ayr (1m, soft) on Friday, beating Motawaared by 1l, pair clear; likely player under 4lb penalty kept to this level, provided he remains in form.

100/30

Form: 814485 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Slow-ground specialist who recorded his 11th win when landing the Carlisle Bell (1m, soft) in June; ran near his best with that strong-finishing success but he hasn't hit the same level since and this looks tough at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(4)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:17 Haydock

On The River

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

Down the field at Southwell last time but that was a rare AW start; prior to that he was an unlucky runner-up at Beverley (8.4f, heavy) and he won this race on heavy ground in 2024; finished fourth last year; key player.

10/1

7th

6

(3)

22nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

On The River

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Harriet Bethell

Losing run is up to 13 but he went close at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) in July and backed that up with a good second at Beverley (8.4f, heavy) last month; only 1lb higher back on AW and he should be in the thick of things again.

8/1

2nd

7

(7)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Beverley

On The River

9st 2lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Harriet Bethell

0-12 since winning off 2lb higher at Carlisle (7.7f, soft) in June last year, but has gone close a couple of times in that period as when beaten a head and a neck into third of 14 at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month (winner has gone in again twice since); goes very well on soft ground and has won twice here (7f/8.5f); a player.

9/2

Form: 531168

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Five-time AW winner who won two in a row at Chepstow (7f, good/soft) early this summer but he's taken two backward steps since his last win; bit to prove again and this is a tough task in this hot seller.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ultramarine

9st 9lb

J: Toby Moore

T: David Evans

Shaped well, amid traffic issues, over 6f at Kempton on reappearance; has gained most wins over 7f, including twice at Wolverhampton; interesting back up in trip with Toby Moore taking off a handy 7lb.

8/1

5th

4

(4)

14th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Ultramarine

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Evans

6f winner but majority of his wins at 7f; went back-to-back at Chepstow in May/June; not in same form since and returns to AW after a break with his mark still looking tricky; drop back down in trip also a slight query.

10/1

Form: 150737 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
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.
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: -39308 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a Listed event here (7f, good to soft) last July and a Group 3 in Germany (6f, soft) the following month; has mixed record in five runs for Marco Botti this year but he's had a couple of close calls on AW and wasn't disgraced off a mark of 109 over C&D last time; this looks a golden opportunity now dropped into a seller and he should be hard to beat on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(8)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:20 Doncaster

Al Shabab Storm

9st 11lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Coped well with the drop to 5f when winning the Gosforth Park Cup on Newcastle AW in June; respectable fifth in a Beverley Listed event (5f, heavy) 13 days ago, albeit without any excuses; this trip should be fine and he handles all ground; each-way shout back in a handicap.

18/1

5th

3

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Al Shabab Storm

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Group 3 win on soft ground in Germany in 2024; chequered history since but the drop to 5f and fitting of a tongue-tie sparked a transformation at Newcastle in June, winning the Gosforth Park Cup in game fashion; not certain to be in the same form again but he won't be far away if he is.

12/1

1st

1

(10)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Al Shabab Storm

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Smart on his day and his third at Wolverhampton (6f) last July saw him record an RPR of 115; down the field in two runs for Mick Appleby this year and he now drops to 5f for the first time in his career; tongue tied for the first time.

25/1

Form: 705444 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
All five wins have been on good or slower ground, but he hasn't been at his best this year and was beaten 7l in a Class 4 handicap here (7f, good) last Friday; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(10)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

15:10 Chester

Spirit Genie

9st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

Gained a first win since 2024 at Pontefract (1m) in August; backed it up with a good fifth of 17 in 1m2f Doncaster handicap eight days ago so he's a player in this grade.

7/1

5th

1

(3)

11th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

Spirit Genie

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Acts on most ground; capitalised on a career-low mark with a comfortable success at Pontefract (1m, good to firm; first-time blinkers) last month; back up 5lb and he's yet to prove himself over this longer trip.

12/1

1st

1

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

15:45 Pontefract

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Multiple winner at up to 8.5f on good or slower; on the slide in three starts this season but this combination of a drop in grade and new headgear may prompt a resurgence; return to shorter is also a plus; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: -70400 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Useful 2yo who won twice (6f, good to soft) last summer but he's been generally disappointing this season; showed signs of a revival with his fourth here in July but he's finished out the back in both subsequent runs and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

17th Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

15:25 Catterick

Brighton Boy

10st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Has added two wins this year, at 7f and 6f (both on good), the latest when coming clear in good style at Pontefract 12 days ago; back up 6lb but he's never been better and this easy 7f shouldn't be a problem.

3/1

11

(7)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Pontefract

Brighton Boy

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Form has an uneven look to it but he is capable on his day and his third at Chester (6f, good to soft) in August has been franked by the winner since; couldn't rule out.

12/1

5th

8

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Brighton Boy

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Another good run last time at Chester where he was closing down the leaders over 6f (good to soft); returning to 7f looks a good move and he can give his running on all sorts of ground; just 2lb above last winning mark.

7/1

Form: 978458 C

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Modest mare who was tailed off on her hurdling debut last month and this is an impossible task back on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

13:40 Leicester

Lockdown Lass

8st 13lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Gary Hanmer

Showed some ability remained when fifth at Chester in June (7.6f, good) but well held Flat and hurdles since; tailed off in the faces of a stiff task at Chester on Saturday.

16/1

9

(6)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:05 Chester

Lockdown Lass

9st 2lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Gary Hanmer

Modest mare who was tailed off on her hurdling debut last month and this is an impossible task back on the Flat.

200/1

12

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

16:45 Stratford

Lockdown Lass

10st 11lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Four-time winner on the Flat but not since September 2023 and she has a lowly mark nowadays; best watched on hurdling debut.

100/1

Non-runners

Bellarchi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.60
Straight Forecast £71.60
Trifecta £274.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Mirror:

Empirestateofmind

Telegraph:

Brighton Boy

D Express:

Spirit Genie

The Star:

Lockdown Lass

RP RATINGS:

Al Shabab Storm

TOPSPEED:

Al Shabab Storm

POSTDATA:

Al Shabab Storm

The Times:

Al Shabab Storm

The Guardian:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Mail:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Record:

Al Shabab Storm