September 20 / 16.15 Chester

16.15

Soft

Deepbridge Capital Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Deepbridge Capital Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 358333 D BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
His last win was 13 months ago but that was off a similar mark; held at 7-2 or shorter in six starts this season but he's run some good races including a close third at Doncaster (5f, soft) last Sunday; has claims if he can back that up and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Not that easy to win with (2-27 on turf) but is a C&D winner (good to soft) and has run creditably when third over C&D on last two starts (closely matched with Montezuma on last week's run); a possible

3/1

3rd

1

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

19:25 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner; it has been a while since his latest success but he has slipped down the weights and both this year's C&D runs (in deeper races) were encouraging; can go well fresh and a big run is on the cards.

7/2

Form: 299031 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and soft; front-runner who has a record of 4-23 and his last win was at Beverley (5f) four weeks ago; up 3lb for that narrow success but he remains feasibly treated on his best form and he's well drawn to attack; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Smart Vision

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Stable's quiet year has seen him plummet down the weights and he is now on an extremely tempting mark; didn't run badly at Sandown four weeks ago and he has run well in all three visits to Newcastle; shortlisted.

8/1

4th

1

(7)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

13:55 Sandown

Smart Vision

10st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

He won three times over 5f last August-October and is 8lb below his last winning mark; drops back in trip today but he's finished down the field on all five starts this season and has plenty to prove.

9/1

9th

6

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

13:35 Chester

Smart Vision

8st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Six-time winner who went close here (5f, heavy) in September; yet to get going this term but there is the slightest suspicion he's potentially running into form; attractively handicapped and not completely dismissed at likely rewarding odds.

20/1

Form: 466275 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Three 2yo wins last year, including on good to firm and soft; up and down this season but he was second at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) last month and finished close up again at Doncaster (fifth of 16) last Sunday; now goes back up in grade but he could make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Beat a big field at Thirsk in May and ran pretty well here next time from stall 9 in a Class 3; backed that up with another competitive show and he got himself too far back at York last time; considered.

11/2

7th

6

(13)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

He has turned in a string of good runs this year, winning a 17-runner event at Thirsk in May; while he should give his running it would be a surprise if one or two weren't better handicapped.

10/1

4th

5

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Running well in defeat this season prior to narrow win in a big field at Thirsk (5f, good) last month; caught wide at Chester (5f, good to soft) 12 days ago when a respectable sixth of 12; could have a big say.

15/2

9/1

Form: -44033 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All about speed and consistent on the AW (11432443) but he's 1-13 on turf and the presence of other front-runners may be an issue on this big step back up in grade; some reservations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(8)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mc Loven

9st 2lb

J: Sean Davis

T: Sean Davis

Three wins in Britain at 5f (twice on AW); placed at Lingfield over the winter before being bought for 14,000gns in February; dropped out quickly after forcing pace on yard debut in Naas handicap last month on soft; probably best watched for now.

20/1

15th

5

(16)

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 205y

13:35 Naas

Mc Loven

9st 12lb

J: Sean Davis

T: Sean Davis

Three wins in Britain; placed 12 times, including on AW at Lingfield last month; could go well from a career-low mark (marginally) on Irish debut.

8/1

Form: 144398 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
11yo who rolled back the years with consecutive wins in June including over C&D (soft); has run some good races since, but he finished down the field in a Class 4 at Haydock two weeks ago and this looks tricky from a wide draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Copper Knight

9st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Grand servant to connections and he was recording the 19th win of his long career when successful at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; four subsequent defeats have seen him slip to a mark 2lb lower than for that win; has won over C&D but likely vulnerable to younger rivals.

20/1

10th

8

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Admirable veteran who had a wicked draw in a C&D handicap last month that he'd won three times before; better boxed this time and there was much to like about his previous effort at Thirsk; considered.

8/1

9th

8

(10)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Copper Knight

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.

14/1

Form: 922313 CD BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Hold-up sprinter who has form figures of 11224922313 since February and that latest win was from a wide draw over C&D (good); still looks on a workable mark and could be a big factor if he gets some luck; turf wins have come on good and heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Maharajas Express

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has a patchy profile and was quiet at Wolverhampton last week, but he came from rear to snatch victory at Chester (5f, good) on his penultimate run; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

8/1

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Maharajas Express

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Not hit top gear this year but signs of a return to form when keeping on from off the pace here 14 days ago in a race he won the previous year; always dangerous if getting a strong pace to chase.

11/2

Form: 475651 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a reduced mark when making all for a clearcut success over 6f here (good) last Friday; back up 7lb but he remains well treated on his best form and should be unfazed by this drop back in trip; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Made all and prevailed narrowly over C&D last time, opening his AW account at the 14th attempt; back up 3lb but has defied higher marks on turf; likely to remain competitive.

7/2

1st

6

(1)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

3-37 with two of his wins coming at Chester; one of his better efforts since joining this yard when beaten just over 2l into fourth of ten over C&D a fortnight ago; worth considering from 7lb below his last winning mark.

11/2

4th

9

(9)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

18:48 Lingfield (AW)

Balon DOr

9st 4lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Step back in right direction when close fourth over 5f here but then trailed home last at Epsom; 3-36 overall and probably not the percentage call.

14/1

Non-runners

Lexington Blitz, Rosenpur

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £87.10
Straight Forecast £73.35
Tricast £158.98
Trifecta £255.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Balon d'Or

RP RATINGS:

Jer Batt

POSTDATA:

Rosenpur

SPOTLIGHT:

Maharajas Express

NEWMARKET:

Lexington Blitz

Daily Mail:

Copper Knight

The Sun:

Rosenpur

D Express:

Balon d'Or

Daily Mirror:

Balon d'Or

Daily Record:

Balon d'Or

TOPSPEED:

Jer Batt

The Times:

Jer Batt

The Guardian:

Jer Batt

The Star:

Maharajas Express