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

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

3rd

1

(1)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

14:35 Yarmouth

Expressionless

9st 5lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Dylan Cunha

Not at his best lately, but is back off the same mark as when winning at Leicester (1m4f, good) in April; has won three times over this trip including here and has a solid chance if producing anything like his best.

7/2

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

6th

5

(7)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:18 Haydock

Made All

10st 11lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Set plenty to do in a muddling race for amateurs when third at 8-15 at Catterick on latest Flat start (1m4f, good to firm); bit below-par over hurdles last time; first try at 1m6f.

6/1

5th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Made All

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Four-time Flat winner who finished third in both his handicap hurdles, the latter at Market Rasen (2m, good) in May; seemed to give the leaders far too much rope when beaten at skinny odds on the Flat on Wednesday but that run was still good enough to confirm his wellbeing; shortlisted.

5/2

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

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

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

5th

8

(7)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:48 Newbury

Zambezi Magic

10st 2lb

J: Miss Jessica Llewellyn

T: Bernard Llewellyn & Robert Williams

Gained his last four wins on heavy ground at Ffos Las (1m-1m2f); handles fast ground but is yet to strike form after three runs this season and might still be too high in the weights.

25/1

6th

6

(6)

23rd Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Ffos Las

Zambezi Magic

9st 1lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Loves it here and loves the mud, so this dry spell has done him no favours; probably one for another day.

14/1

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

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

3rd

4

(4)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

20:30 Windsor

Seeking Charles

9st 7lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Usher

Maiden who is far from solid on Flat/hurdles form for current yard but whose record suggests this return to a Flat turf race is a plus.

25/1

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

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

8th

8

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:17 York

Damascus Steel

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Gihan Arnolda

Represents a new trainer in excellent form and has won at Goodwood (1m4f, good) and Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) on his last two outings, proving himself better than ever; edging up the weights only gradually and in the mix again.

10/1

1st

4

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Epsom

Damascus Steel

10st 6lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Gihan Arnolda

Did well on AW last winter and even better form when the cheekpieces replaced a visor at Goodwood (1m4f, good) four weeks ago, leading over 1f out to score with rather more authority than the half-length winning margin suggests; used to act on good to firm; up 3lb but firmly in the picture.

5/1

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

7th

3

(1)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Letmebetheboss

9st 10lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Tony Carroll

Won three times over 1m6f/2m on turf/AW for the Muir/Grassick yard last year and ran well when fourth of 11 on stable debut at Kempton (1m4f, Polytrack) in December; returns from 252 days off and worth a market check.

13/2

11

(13)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Letmebetheboss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

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.

6/1

1st

6

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Haydock

Letmebetheboss

9st 3lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Won at Bath (1m5f, soft) around a year ago but largely kept to AW since and went back-to-back in that sphere (1m6f/2m) across May and June; lesser effort at Kempton three weeks ago but he's not ruled out on this return to turf.

13/2

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

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

5th

3

(3)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 17y

Class 6

16:18 Yarmouth

Beggarman

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

Both wins on turf have been at Ffos Las (1m6f/2m; good to soft/good); now 2lb lower than that latest success and returned from a break with a solid effort at Southwell (2m, AW) 34 days ago; claims.

4/1

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