February 21 / 18.30 Chelmsford (AW)

18.30

Standard

Easter Festival Handicap

  • Prize money: £13085
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Easter Festival Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 053-71 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Below par at Southwell last month but scored under less aggressive tactics at Lingfield three weeks ago, picking up well in the straight to collar Michaela's Boy; a 2lb rise may well not prevent him from following up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Atomic Force

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Edward Bethell

Successful in last two AW attempts but wasn't in anything like the same form returned to turf last time (effective in this sphere in the past); remains on career-high mark and can be opposed kept to grass.

16/1

11th

4

(12)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

15:57 Pontefract

Atomic Force

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Edward Bethell

Had a long spell in Hong Kong; gradually back in business since returning to Britain and gained 5f AW wins the last twice; still attractively treated, considering he was a dual Group scorer on turf as a 2yo.

8/1

1st

3

(8)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Atomic Force

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Edward Bethell

Below par at Southwell last month but scored under less aggressive tactics at Lingfield three weeks ago, picking up well in the straight to collar Michaela's Boy; a 2lb rise may well not prevent him from following up.

9/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 153-21 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Recorded his fifth AW success when making all in a small field at Lingfield 11 days ago; hit with only a 1lb rise but it's unlikely this race will pan out quite so perfectly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Fidelius

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Record of 6-17 on AW includes two wins in a consistent 2026 campaign; not disgraced back on turf last time but finished only fifth of six and took record in this sphere to 0-9; others preferred.

9/1

5th

2

(7)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 3

14:50 Bath

Fidelius

9st 8lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Robert Cowell

6-17 on AW and better than ever this spring, following his Lingfield win in March with a narrow defeat at Southwell; 0-8 on turf but has run well on fast ground in the past; perhaps a shade high in the weights now.

7/2

2nd

2

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

15:17 Southwell (AW)

Fidelius

9st 11lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Three AW wins since November, the latest a comfortable success at Lingfileld; held by Spring Is Sprung on C&D form from January but he should give his running again.

11/4

9/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 854-21 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Course record reads 11142 and he arrives on the back of an impressive win at Newcastle (6f) two weeks ago; up 6lb in a stronger race but he looks one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:23 Yarmouth

Twilight Fun

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Tends to lead; started the year well on AW but it all went wrong at Newcastle in March and he could only beat one home in seven-runner 5f course handicap a fortnight ago; easy ground probably no help that day and it's not impossible this C&D winner can stage a revival.

16/1

6th

8

(12)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Twilight Fun

9st 2lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Front-runner whose last four wins have been on the AW, the most recent over 6f at Newcastle in February, but he did win here (6f) in 2024; failed to beat a rival home having unseated his rider on the way to the start at Newcastle in March and now drops back to 5f on first start since; looks likely to face competition for the lead.

20/1

14th

10

(3)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Twilight Fun

9st 2lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

His good 5-15 AW record includes a comfortable C&D win from the front last month; creditable third of nine at Chelmsford (5f) since and the form of that race has been boosted; a must for the shortlist.

5/1

14/1

Form: 51354- D

Last run: 158 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
No problem with conditions and he isn't handicapped out of things; can go well fresh but he returns in a warm race; others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

17:05 Windsor

Moulin Booj

9st 6lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

C&D scorer; not seen to best effect on his last three runs since scoring at Wolverhampton (5f) in March, going too freely from an outside draw when last of six at Bath (5f) last time; interesting from an easing mark.

7/1

6th

8

(8)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 3

14:50 Bath

Moulin Booj

9st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

C&D winner; stayed on well to land a 5f handicap at Wolverhampton in March and two defeats since have come over 6f; latest Lingfield effort was much better than the distance beaten suggests; 5f on quick ground suits ideally and more patient tactics in a well-run race could pay dividends.

5/1

6th

6

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Moulin Booj

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Won at Wolverhampton (5f, Tapeta) last month and he failed to settle when well beaten from a wide draw over 6f there next time; however, all of his wins have come at 5f and he has something to prove kept to 6f.

16/1

Form: 676-12 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Back to winning ways when landing a 5f handicap at Lingfield last month; good second to Atomic Force back at Lingfield three weeks ago but a 1lb turnaround in the weights may be insufficient.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer; won at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January on second start since returning to this stable and he went close over that same C&D next time; ran creditably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 17 days ago but he has a better strike-rate on the AW (1-24 on turf).

10/1

6th

6

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:25 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and it's four years since his sole success in this sphere; not the percentage call in this first grass attempt since last August.

12/1

Form: 252-14 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Returned from wind surgery to win by a short head from Accrual in a Lingfield handicap last month; caught wide when fourth back at Lingfield three weeks ago (behind two of today's rivals); a career best will be required to win but he has run well in all three C&D runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

17:05 Windsor

The Thames Boatman

9st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Richard Hughes

Multiple AW winner; quirky sort who often starts slowly but he finally got off the mark (in a change of headgear) on turf in 5f Goodwood handicap last month; up 3lb but he can make his presence felt again.

4/1

1st

2

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Goodwood

The Thames Boatman

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

All seven wins have been on AW; record of 0-16 on turf but he was only beaten a nose off this mark at Bath (5f, firm) on Monday; has leading claims if he can repeat that form and he's versatile ground-wise; regular hood is removed and cheekpieces return.

11/4

2nd

1

(7)

27th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

16:00 Bath

The Thames Boatman

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Multiple AW winner; hindered by being hampered on Good Friday last time; 0-15 on turf but ran creditably (finished second) in this race last year; place claims off same mark.

3/1

Form: 0006-0 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Useful as 2yo, winning twice before finishing third in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood; went the wrong way in 2025 and made a low-key return at Newcastle two weeks ago; gelded one day later and now tries a visor; has a good mark but arrives with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:44 Leicester

Mr Lightside

9st 3lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Can lead; smart 2yo who began 3yo season on a mark of 102; has shown just humdrum form in three turf handicaps, despite a sliding mark, and was way back behind Justcallmepete at Bath last week; has it to prove now.

10/1

11th

5

(5)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 4

17:20 Bath

Mr Lightside

9st 8lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Michael Appleby

Both wins were on turf in 2024 but he's well treated on old form and has run respectably on Tapeta (5f/6f) in last two starts; can make the running and it wouldn't be a surprise if he made a bold bid back in this sphere.

6/1

4th

5

(8)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Mr Lightside

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Having tumbled down the weights there were signs of a possible revival when keeping on for third in a 5f handicap at Wolverhampton last week (attracted support); Rossa Ryan retains the ride and today's return to 6f won't be an issue; can't discount.

7/2

Form: 12-126 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Latest effort in a Listed race is easy to forgive and he had been firmly on the up beforehand; well drawn and likely to go well, even with other pace influences on show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(3)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Accrual

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

On a handy mark on his best AW form last winter and he's also effective on turf; however, he hasn't shone since being short-headed at Lingfield in January and needs to raise his game.

8/1

5th

2

(7)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 4

15:53 Wolverhampton (AW)

Accrual

9st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: David Loughnane

Two wins and two runner-up finishes from five visits here, but not at his best in his recent completed starts; others make greater appeal.

12/1

11/2

Form: 754/3- D

Last run: 416 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Horse

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Smart sprint handicapper; last seen finishing third at Newcastle on New Year's Day 2025 and he has been dropped 4lb during his 416-day absence; tackling weaker opposition than normal today and the betting will be revealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Albasheer

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Has moved in the right direction on AW since returning from lengthy layoff but the form suggests he doesn't retain peak ability; the 8yo is the oldest contender back on turf.

14/1

2nd

2

(7)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Albasheer

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Second run back from a long break (C&D) was better than the first; on a good mark if able to take another step forward.

7/1

4th

2

(3)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Albasheer

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Smart sprint handicapper but off for 13 months after finishing third over C&D on New Year's Day 2025 and always behind on his Chelmsford comeback 26 days ago; needs to have come on a lot.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £45.90
Straight Forecast £39.79
Tricast £112.63
Trifecta £185.50

Selections

The Times:

Fidelius

POSTDATA:

Michaela's Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Atomic Force

Telegraph:

Albasheer

D Express:

Fidelius

Daily Mirror:

Fidelius

The Sun:

Fidelius

Daily Record:

Fidelius

The Guardian:

Michaela's Boy

Daily Mail:

Michaela's Boy

RP RATINGS:

Atomic Force

TOPSPEED:

Atomic Force

The Star:

Albasheer