September 20 / 15.40 Chester

15.40

Soft

Racing Welfare Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 5f 110y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Racing Welfare Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

100/30 (Won)

Form: 989273 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Five-time course winner on good or slower; has been generally disappointing this season but he's on a reduced mark and ran well to finish third here (7.6f, good to soft) last Saturday; has claims if he can build on that and his penultimate win was over 5f.
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

13/2

Form: 621306

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Recorded her sixth win when making all at Haydock (5f, good) in July but she's not gone on from that in three runs since; ran respectably at Haydock last time but she looks weighted near her best off this mark and could be vulnerable again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Course regular who landed her third race here when making all over C&D (good) in July; similar form when second at Chester (5.5f, soft) last time; player.

9/2

2nd

5

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Secret Mistral

9st 6lb

J: Molly Gunn

T: Tony Carroll

Recorded her sixth win when making all at Haydock (5f, good) in July but she's not gone on from that in three runs since; ran respectably at Haydock last time but she looks weighted near her best off this mark and could be vulnerable again.

13/2

7

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Secret Mistral

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Tony Carroll

Well beaten over C&D last month but that was a rare start on fast ground; has won here three times, the latest over C&D (good) in July, and she's also won on soft ground; could bounce back with a bold show.

8/1

4/1

Form: 766084 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Prolific winner who scored three times on slow ground last autumn including in this race; has had his struggles this season but he showed signs of a revival with his late headway over 6f here (fourth of ten) last Friday; looks interesting if he can build on that and his last win was off 11lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

2

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Count Dorsay

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Tim Easterby

Record of 0-12 this term but has frame possibilities on recent form and win possibilities provided his game is raised a touch; still 13lb below last winning mark.

11/2

16

(11)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

14:30 Nottingham

Count Dorsay

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Ended 2024 with a pair of soft-ground 6f wins at Catterick, the second of them off 13lb higher; handicapper has held the upper hand this year but conditions will suit and he helps form a strong hand for Tim Easterby.

12/1

4th
3 (7)
Ran Amok

9/1

Form: 0-7917

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
3yo who hit a personal best when scoring at Doncaster (6f, good) on penultimate run, but he never got involved off this revised mark at Windsor 12 days ago; still has low mileage but he's not easy to predict and needs to kick on again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

15:00 Carlisle

Ran Amok

9st 7lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

Both wins over 6f (good to soft and good), latterly at Doncaster last July when fending off one who won his next two, the pair clear; winless since but he had some excuses and is weighted to go well at this realistic level.

8/1

14

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:28 Doncaster

Ran Amok

8st 12lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Hugo Palmer

C&D win (good) in July; respectable efforts in defeat since but he missed an intended run due to heavy going last October and conditions could be an issue.

20/1

9

(13)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Ran Amok

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Won a 6f Chepstow maiden on good to soft last season; fair form this term, winning off 5lb lower at Doncaster in July (6f, good) and creditable fourth over 5.5f at Chester last time (soft); return to 6f will suit; chance.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 400223

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
In-form 8yo who had a near-miss at Pontefract (5f, good) on his penultimate run and was a fair third there last time; remains well treated on old form and he's respected on this drop back in grade; all wins have come on good/good to firm but he's effective on good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Four of his six wins have come over C&D, including the corresponding race in 2024; drew a blank in 2025 but retains ability and he has run some solid races in defeat this year too, keeping on for fourth at Beverley 18 days ago; drops in class but he has the widest stall to contend with.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

9yo who is on an 18-race losing run; good second over C&D last July (good to firm) and is now 3lb lower.

10/1

5th

4

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has won two of three C&D starts (good and good to firm), the latest in July 2024; went very close to breaking the losing run when involved in a tight finish on Southwell AW in March; convincing claims.

9/2

10/1

Form: 527287

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times but he's been well below form in his last two handicaps (6f, good to firm) and record now stands 0-8; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ay Gee Ell

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Blitzed his rivals at Southwell in December (5f) when a visor was first used; generally run well in defeat since but he will need to pull out more to take this prize.

8/1

4th

5

(15)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Ay Gee Ell

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Disappointing at Doncaster on his return to turf last month (5f, good to soft); in good form on AW beforehand and this mark should be well within his range; not sure what to expect.

12/1

10th

8

(17)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Ay Gee Ell

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Transformed by the addition of a visor when running away with a 5f handicap at Southwell in December; he has run creditably in defeat since but he will need to raise his game now back on turf.

9/1

20/1

Form: -80000 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

Form: 677060 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner (5f) on slow ground last year but he's struggled this season and has finished ahead of only rival in his last three runs; now 10lb lower than for his last success but he needs a major revival back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(3)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fuji Mountain

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Decent 2yo who proved hard to place last year and has again lacked consistency this spring; the blinkers come off as he makes his AW debut off a career-low mark and it's hard to know what to expect in truth.

14/1

7th

6

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Fuji Mountain

9st 4lb

J: Harry Smith

T: Declan Carroll

Won twice at Chester as a 2yo; just missed out over C&D last month (blinkers first time) when finding only Betweenthesticks too strong; ran okay at Beverley next time and he was drawn wide when disappointing back there ten days ago; stable also run Changeofmind.

10/1

8th

1

(10)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Beverley

Fuji Mountain

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Close second at Pontefract and respectable fourth over C&D since wearing blinkers; losing run is mounting up but he again has frame possibilities in the retained headgear.

8/1

Form: -84435

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Some creditable efforts over 6f and 7f this season but he didn't find much when fifth of eight at Ayr (7f, good) last time; that took his losing run to 14 and he's still above his highest winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

7th

13

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Keep Warm

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

All three wins over 6f at Pontefract on good and good to soft, most recently when awarded a race last month, but he was never involved in a higher grade there since and recent 7f attempts suggest others will have the legs of him late on.

20/1

Non-runners

Star Chorus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £20.12
Tricast £37.30

Selections

The Times:

Paws For Thought

SPOTLIGHT:

Count d'Orsay

TOPSPEED:

Fuji Mountain

Daily Mirror:

Secret Mistral

RP RATINGS:

Ventura Express

Telegraph:

Fuji Mountain

The Guardian:

Paws For Thought

Daily Mail:

Paws For Thought

The Sun:

Paws For Thought

Daily Record:

Paws For Thought

POSTDATA:

Count d'Orsay

D Express:

Count d'Orsay

The Star:

Count d'Orsay