January 28 / 20.30 Kempton (AW)

20.30

Standard To Slow

Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Handicap (London Middle Distance Qualifier) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £13608.4
  • 1m 2f 219y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Handicap (London Middle Distance Qualifier) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Partly sunny

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.20
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 6364-5 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Somewhat interesting off an attractive mark back at Kempton, being 5-10 here, but all of that course form is over 1m; has a mixed record beyond that distance so carries risk back up in trip; however, certainly holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(10)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Added to his excellent Kempton record with wins over 1m3f and 1m4f this year; another cracking effort there when chasing home the progressive Gamrai over 1m3f in March; probably worth ignoring a recent run on turf but his peak AW form (including all wins) has been achieved on Polytrack.

16/1

13th

9

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

Fine from 1m to 1m4f; has won on turf but the AW looks more his scene and especially Kempton where he beat all bar a handicap snip the last time; back on grass others look safer.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

OUR TIP

100/30

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4231-3

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Couple of notable performances since wearing a hood, namely a success in the Cesarewitch (2m2f) and eyecatching third to King's Code at Newcastle dropped back a mile in trip; by no means just a stayer, he enters calculations in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

(21)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Beylerbeyi

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ian Williams

Acts on good to soft but soft would be a worry; tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f; 10lb higher today) last October and he's looked just as good on most starts since, without winning but late traffic woes seemingly prevented him from going close last time; without his usual jockey Billy Loughnane today but he was a close second last term under Clifford Lee; probably involved if he can get the breaks.

10/1

11

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Beylerbeyi

10st 3lb

T: Ian Williams

100/30

4th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Beylerbeyi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; back to near his best when eighth of 20 at Royal Ascot (2m4f) but he needs to hit a new high if he's to win this.

16/1

3rd
2 (4)
Paradias

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 15442- CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Building up a consistent AW record that features a narrow success in this race (off just 1lb lower) last year and creditable effort at Newcastle on finals day; ran well, going down by only a neck, at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day when back from a layoff; very solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Paradias

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Alan King

Probably acts on good to soft, much more to prove on soft; reliable 7yo who's never been better than this season (1m2f-2m); also seems to have found his limits but perhaps a handicap such as this will suit him better than the much smaller-field Group/Listed race's he's contested on last three starts.

40/1

3rd

4

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Paradias

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Six-time winner on the Flat over shorter trips than this (1m1f-1m4f), including at this track in 2023; beaten about 5l when fifth of seven in a Group 3 over this C&D in May (behind Lazy Griff and ahead of Furthur and Duke Of Oxford) but that was steadily run and he didn't fully prove his stamina; stable won this with Trueshan in 2024 but this 7yo has a bit to find to reverse placings with Lazy Griff.

5/1

5th

6

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Paradias

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

7yo who has a good record here and has been better than ever in AW handicaps this year, and he wasn't beaten far when fifth of six in Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; however, his form needs to go to a new level and he's unraced beyond 1m4f on the Flat.

33/1

4th
10 (8)
Assail

8/1

Form: 2926-6 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Creditable second at Southwell (1m4f) in September but has failed to repeat the form in two outings over the same C&D since; defied a 2lb higher mark at Kempton in 2024 and receives weight all round in this field, so has possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

15:30 Sandown

Assail

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Simcock

Returned from a break with good third at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last month; his peak efforts have come on AW but he's lightly raced on turf, on which he's shown promise, and he could have a part to play.

6/1

3rd

3

(11)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Assail

9st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: David Simcock

3lb lower than when winning here (1m4f) in September 2024 and ran well to finish fourth of ten in a 0-105 contest over C&D (first-time blinkers, now removed) in January but a five-month break and high draw do pose questions.

9/1

4th

10

(8)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Assail

8st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Creditable second at Southwell (1m4f) in September but has failed to repeat the form in two outings over the same C&D since; defied a 2lb higher mark at Kempton in 2024 and receives weight all round in this field, so has possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear.

8/1

9/2

Form: 1135-1 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who registered a ready win on trials day at Newcastle (1m2f) most recently, looking better than ever and taking AW strike-rate to 10-26; record of 3-5 at Kempton features a success in the final of this series last year; respected, even though he's on a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(1)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

Kings Code

10st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

Five turf wins but has done most of his winning on the AW; surprising to see blinkers back on having won in a visor at Chester last month and then beaten only 4l in a Class 2 handicap at Goodwood; if that doesn't backfire then has possibilities.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Kings Code

8st 12lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

Took form to a new level on AW early this year, which he's not repeated but winning at Chester (1m2f, good) 18 days ago was a return to his best turf form; back up 3lb today, well held in this race two years ago (his only handicap here) and he also has more to prove on ground firmer than good.

40/1

Form: 3/907- BF

Last run: 138 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on turf for Roger Varian, often in notable handicaps (won one at York in 2024); failed to reproduce his peak figures in a light 2025 campaign and sold for 60,000gns since last run; the betting may prove best guide on AW/stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(9)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Shadow Dance

9st 1lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

No ground worries but his career highlights (1m4f/1m6f) were in 2024, including a win in this race; 6lb lower today but that's after a rather muted 2025 when still with Roger Varian and his form went badly the wrong way in three runs this January-April for new connections; tongue-tie and/or cheekpieces, both fitted for the first time, need to work the oracle.

20/1

13th

3

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Shadow Dance

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Career highlights (1m4f/1m6f) for Roger Varian were in 2024 and he managed only mid-division in his three handicaps (at top meetings) last July-September; rather worse in both runs (his first races on AW) for new connections early this year but he returns to turf 8lb below his career-high mark.

28/1

7th

2

(4)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Shadow Dance

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

On same mark as for his win at York (1m4f, good) in August 2024 but he's not seen much action since and has been well held in last four starts; may have needed the run on his stable/AW debut at Kempton (28-1) last month but others are more persuasive.

14/1

7th
5 (10)
Haku

10/1

Form: 14513- C

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Multiple AW winner who should give his running but may struggle to defy current mark (career-high one) and reverse placings with Paradias; finished about 2l behind that rival in this contest 12 months ago and at Wolverhampton latest start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Haku

9st 8lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Mark Loughnane

Multiple AW winner; belied his huge odds with close third at Newmarket on belated return to turf last time but this is a step back up in grade; 0-6 in this sphere and others look preferable.

20/1

3rd

1

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:58 Newmarket (July)

Haku

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Mark Loughnane

Ten-time AW winner who is 5lb lower than when winning at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last November; however, this is his first run since January and he was well beaten at Ascot in May 2024 on his last encounter with turf; 0-5 on grass and others have less to prove.

16/1

Form: 1/419- CD

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Absent since below-par effort in November when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; progressive otherwise on AW and still has a noteworthy strike-rate (5-9) in this sphere; close fourth when favourite for this race last year; likely player if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(10)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

14:15 Sandown

The Glen Rovers

9st 1lb

J: William Buick

T: Lucy Wadham

Lightly raced 7yo; has an impressive strike-rate but all six of his wins have come on the AW and he hasn't been placed in five runs on turf; bit more promise at York on latest but others still appeal more.

33/1

4th

3

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:17 York

The Glen Rovers

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Lucy Wadham

Lightly raced 7yo; has an impressive strike-rate but all six of his wins have come on the AW and he hasn't been placed in four runs on turf; below par last time and has a fair bit to prove.

20/1

9th

8

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:12 Newcastle (AW)

The Glen Rovers

9st 2lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

7yo who is lightly raced for his age and made it 6-12 on AW when winning a competitive C&D handicap over Easter; failed to get heavily involved back on turf at the York Dante meeting since but has to enter calculations now back on AW.

9/1

Form: 5321-0 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ended his 2025 campaign with a win on Shergar Cup day at Ascot but failed to transfer that form back to AW on reappearance, finishing last in the Newcastle event won by King's Code; something to prove off current mark kept to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Night Breeze

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ian Williams

Had three of these behind when winning this last year off 11lb lower (good to firm); looks even better now, probably not seen to best effect behind Sportingsilvermine at Newmarket before a sterling effort at Glorious Goodwood over an inadequate 1m2f; likes it here and he's hard to knock.

100/30

3rd

10

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Night Breeze

8st 12lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Runner-up in 2024 on his only appearance at this track; reliable sort who hit new heights over 1m4f on last three outings, so this drop back in trip asks a question but he needs respect.

16/1

3rd

7

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Night Breeze

9st 4lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Reliable and progressive on a variety of ground and courses, although has never raced at Newmarket; third in this race last year; hit new heights at Epsom (1m4f) on last two outings and makes each-way appeal.

14/1

50/1

Form: 2027-5

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Capable of very useful form on turf in France then Ireland; however, has failed to beat a rival in two starts (1m) since racing in Britain and switched to AW; best watched unless the market suggests a revival is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Bravais

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Successful in France and Ireland; impossible to make a case on his five runs for Ian Williams but he'll probably come good again at some point and any rain wouldn't harm his cause.

20/1

11th

10

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Bravais

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Winner in France and Ireland, but has beaten a total of one rival in four starts on the AW since joining this yard; down another 3lb, but hard to warm to unless the market suggests otherwise; stable also runs Echalar; non-runner 4.10 Chester Thursday.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.40
Straight Forecast £32.46
Tricast £73.05
Trifecta £180.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Paradias

Telegraph:

Beylerbeyi

POSTDATA:

King's Code

Daily Mail:

The Glen Rovers

The Guardian:

Whitcombe Rockstar

TOPSPEED:

Haku

Daily Mirror:

Beylerbeyi

The Sun:

Beylerbeyi

The Times:

King's Code

RP RATINGS:

Paradias

D Express:

Paradias

The Star:

Paradias

Daily Record:

Paradias