October 25 / 12.50 Newbury

12.50

Good To Soft

Grundon Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £5463.7
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Grundon Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: 729341

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
No joy this term until he came from last to first in a seven-runner race at Nottingham (1m6f, good to soft) latest; back up 2lb; won twice on soft in 2023; has a bit more to prove on heavy but he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(14)

1st Oct 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:18 Nottingham

Expressionless

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Dylan Cunha

Unable to pose a threat on his last six starts but the last time he tackled a trip as short as 1m2f he was third at Newmarket (1m2f, good) in May and is now fully 9lb lower; he's not discounted.

11/1

8th

5

(7)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Expressionless

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Dylan Cunha

Seems to act on most ground; recorded the latest of his six wins when scoring at Leicester (1m4f, good; stays further) in April but he's been below par over the summer and beat a total of one rival across his last three starts; now handicapped accordingly but revival still required.

20/1

5th

2

(1)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:51 Newmarket (July)

Expressionless

9st 11lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Dylan Cunha

Not at his best lately (well-held last of three latest) but is 2lb lower than when scoring over this trip on good in the spring so a revival wouldn't surprise with Dylan Cunha among the winners.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 74-892

Last run: 108 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
0-5 in Ireland and 0-5 for this yard; the positives are that going down by a neck at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in July last time was the closest he's come to winning, he's also been second in a soft-ground maiden hurdle and the booking of Simon Walker catches the eye.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:05 Fontwell

Dr Waksman

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Has finished runner-up on the Flat and over hurdles but has been struggling under both codes since returning from more than three months off; the new cheekpieces will need to make a difference.

10/1

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

Dr Waksman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

14-race maiden; went close on the Flat at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last July, but he's struggled under both codes in four subsequent runs; now makes his handicap hurdle debut but he needs improvement back in this sphere.

10/1

6th

8

(2)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Dr Waksman

9st 4lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Chris Gordon

13-race maiden who was well beaten in two 1m4f handicaps before another disappointing run back over hurdles last month; has placed form on AW but a bit to prove now.

12/1

Form: 143823 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
3-13 for this yard (the wins at 1m4f) with four seconds as well and several other big runs when coming from off the pace in a manner suggesting he might have won a few more; acts on soft; went close on both starts for Eireann Cagney; a telling late bid may well be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

17th Oct 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:25 Stratford

Made All

11st 11lb

J: Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

He's won twice under Rebecca Hitchen, most recently when reverting to hurdles and defying a first-flight blunder at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) last month; just 3lb higher today and in the mix if producing another good run.

4/1

1st

5

29th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:15 Sedgefield

Made All

11st 3lb

J: Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Modest fifth over hurdles at Cartmel in July and a similar story back on the Flat twice since; Rebecca Hitchen's 10lb claim is helpful from a handicapping perspective.

7/1

5th

6

(5)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

16:53 Haydock

Made All

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Scored at Wolverhampton (1m4f) in March; mainly in good form subsequently but not at his best when sixth of seven in 1m6f handicap here last month; the sort to bounce back.

25/1

Form: 56-626

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Has never lived up to his debut win (1m2f, AW in 2023); second at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft; unraced on worse) last month on stable debut and not disgraced at Yarmouth last time, but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:53 Salisbury

Prince Rasam

9st 12lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Winless since 2yo debut but he goes well fresh, returning from a break to finish second of 11 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last September and runner-up on Kempton AW (1m) on reappearance in May, despite bleeding from the nose; major contender.

15/8

2nd

8

(10)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Kempton (AW)

Prince Rasam

9st 10lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Promise to begin with for former and current yard; might find things happening too quickly running over a trip this short for the first time; back from a break.

20/1

Form: 271417

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
The last six of his seven wins have been at Ffos Las and four of the last five were on heavy going, including two over 1m2f last month; latest win was under Jessica Llewellyn and by 16l, but an 11lb higher mark has now kicked in; that, and the way he's drawn a blank at other tracks and over 1m3f/1m4f, pours some cold water on his chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

21st Sep 2026

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:52 Ffos Las

Zambezi Magic

9st 12lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Bernard Llewellyn & Robert Williams

Seven-time course winner, five times on heavy ground; back in good form lately, winning at Chepstow before respectable sixth in higher-grade company at Chester (also 1m2f, good to soft); ought to be hard to beat in these conditions.

Evs

6th

5

(6)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 5

14:47 Chester

Zambezi Magic

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Bernard Llewellyn & Robert Williams

Goes well on slow ground and was winning for the ninth time when getting the better of Meet Me In Meraki at Chepstow (1m2f, good to soft) 11 days ago; 4lb worse off for a neck but does have a talented claimer booked.

6/1

1st

5

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Chepstow

Zambezi Magic

9st 2lb

J: William Cox

T: Bernard Llewellyn & Robert Williams

Seven of his eight wins have come at Ffos Las and the ground can't be too soft for him, with five of those successes coming on heavy; back off last winning mark and although unplaced in four visits here, he can't be dismissed.

8/1

Form: -36725

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
0-8; competitive in two 1m3f/1m6f handicaps last month, the latter on good to soft (unraced on worse); however, his hurdling debut three weeks ago saw a heavy defeat and he is now tongue tied for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield (AW)

Roland Garros

11st 0lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Hayley Burton

Was attempting this far for the first time on the Flat when third of eight at Kempton (2m, Polytrack) at the start of the month, but only fourth of seven back there (1m4f) six days ago; worth another go at the trip and holds each-way claims.

6/1

4th

4

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Roland Garros

10st 0lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Hayley Burton

Made all at Cattrick (1m4f, good) in April off a mark 3lb lower than today's and he caught the eye finishing strongly into third here over 2m a week ago; the drop back in trip doesn't look an obvious plus on that evidence but has to be respected.

12/1

Form: 7826-0

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden; fair form last year on last two starts for Joe Tickle and the first was over 1m4f on heavy; tailed off at 40-1, however, on AW debut 15 days ago when returning for new yard after 387 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(11)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Seeking Charles

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Mark Usher

Went very close at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month then got off the mark at the 12th attempt in the Amateurs' Derby over C&D (good to soft), winning by 6l on his first visit to Epsom; needs to back up that effort but an 8lb rise may not stop him if he can repeat the form.

5/1

1st

14

(6)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Seeking Charles

10st 5lb

J: Mr Henry Main

T: Mark Usher

Yet to win after 11 attempts under both codes; arrives in form but this is a step up in class and others are preferred for win purposes.

12/1

2nd

4

(1)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Newmarket (July)

Seeking Charles

9st 6lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Usher

Quite lightly raced 5yo maiden; creditable third, one place behind Educator, at Windsor (11.5f) in sole Flat start this year; a possible danger provided that form is backed up.

7/1

Form: 492868 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
His three 2024 wins were at 1m4f but on AW; beaten a neck in another AW race in June but tailed off in two of his three starts since and has now left Ed Dunlop (same owner); won on heavy in 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(9)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Damascus Steel

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Gihan Arnolda

Won in first-time cheekpieces at Goodwood in June and followed up in the Ladies' Derby over C&D (good to firm); however, he seems to have gone off the boil on his three runs since; reapplied visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

6th

4

(5)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:42 Chester

Damascus Steel

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Gihan Arnolda

New cheekpieces when he went back-to-back over 1m4f at Goodwood and Epsom but his form has dipped; effect of the headgear might be wearing thin.

10/1

5th

9

(12)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Damascus Steel

11st 3lb

J: Mr Fletcher Yarham

T: Gihan Arnolda

2-4 for new stable, winning at Goodwood (1m4f, good; cheekpieces first time) before getting the better Epictetus over C&D last month; came unstuck at York in his hat-trick bid and this looks a competitive race in which to get back on track.

20/1

Form: 131432 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
6yo who's never been better, with two ready 1m4f wins for new yard this year and good efforts to be placed on last two outings; has had just one race on soft (none on heavy) but won it, in 2023; needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

16:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Nivelles Magic

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Dan Horsford

Has form figures of 513143222 for her current yard and she hit a personal best when going close at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) last month; only 1lb higher here and she's a big player again back on Tapeta.

3/1

9

(6)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Nivelles Magic

10st 12lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Dan Horsford

6yo who's never been better, with two ready 1m4f wins for new yard this year and good efforts to be placed on last two outings; has had just one race on soft (none on heavy) but won it, in 2023; needs a second look.

6/1

8

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:47 Kempton (AW)

Nivelles Magic

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Dan Horsford

Ready 1m4f wins at Southwell and Ffos Las for new yard this year and her C&D third on latest outing was another good effort; in the mix.

7/2

Form: 114251

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won on soft last October, twice on AW in May/June and, although two of his four starts since were pretty disappointing, he reached new heights when scoring tidily at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) four weeks ago; just 2lb higher than last time and when he's won he's done it in some style.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(10)

5th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Letmebetheboss

9st 8lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Scored at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) last September but he's had only two runs this season and has been tailed off in both of them; now back on last winning mark but has plenty to prove and he's drawn out wide; tongue-tie reapplied.

33/1

9th

4

(3)

14th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Letmebetheboss

9st 11lb

J: George Downing

T: Tony Carroll

Won off 1lb lower at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) last September, but he's had only three runs since and was tailed off on his Wolverhampton reappearance last month; has some questions to answer and his tactical speed will be tested back at this trip.

33/1

Form: 646019 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form off this 7lb higher mark at Haydock (1m6f, which he stays) 13 days later, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

12

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Alpine Stroll

10st 11lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form off this 7lb higher mark at Haydock (1m6f, which he stays) 13 days later, however.

12/1

Form: 114574

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won twice in small fields at Ffos Las (1m6f/2m) this summer and creditable fourth at Goodwood 13 days ago; placed twice on soft but has a poor record on heavy, including penultimate start, which clouds his each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(9)

29th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 11y

Class 5

14:32 Bath

Beggarman

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Hughie Morrison

A dual scorer (at up to 2m) at Ffos Las in 2025; back in good form this summer, fourth of nine in 1m5f AW handicap at Lingfield last month; possibilities.

14/1

4th

2

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:13 Lingfield (AW)

Beggarman

9st 8lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Hughie Morrison

Four-time Polytrack winner who came back to form last time and is 2lb lower than when last successful (turf) last summer; often fluffs the start and is usually held up, so the bigger field won't hurt; one to consider.

8/1

2nd

4

(4)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Nottingham

Beggarman

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hughie Morrison

Turf wins at 1m6f (good to soft) and 2m (good); quite well treated now and his AW reappearance was encouraging but he didn't fare so well back on turf in June and it's two years since he was risked on good to firm ground.

8/1

Non-runners

One Million Dreams, Arkendale

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Letmebetheboss

POSTDATA:

Made All

Telegraph:

Expressionless

The Times:

Made All

The Guardian:

Made All

Daily Mail:

Made All

RP RATINGS:

Letmebetheboss

LAMBOURN:

Letmebetheboss

D Express:

Letmebetheboss

The Sun:

Letmebetheboss

The Star:

Letmebetheboss

Daily Record:

Letmebetheboss

Daily Mirror:

Expressionless