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

2nd

1

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Atomic Force

10st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice on AW in early part of this year and kept on well from the rear for creditable third in quite valuable C&D (good) contest last month; also suited by good to soft ground and has the early speed to race much closer to the pace from his favourable draw if that's the plan.

11/2

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

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

1

(6)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Catterick

Fidelius

9st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

All six of his wins have been on the AW for Robert Cowell, but he was narrowly defeated in a bunched finish on his stable at Redcar (5f, good to firm) 18 days ago; on the same mark today and drops in grade with good claims.

4/1

2nd

3

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Fidelius

9st 3lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

6-18 on AW but 0-10 on turf when trained by Robert Cowell; sold for 27,000gns after disappointing AW run in June; makes stable debut from a workable mark but others in this field have more pressing claims.

10/1

13th

11

(14)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Fidelius

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Robert Cowell

Six wins and five seconds from 17 AW runs; unplaced on turf on his last two starts and although this scenario will suit better, a few others look better handicapped.

14/1

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

2nd

7

(7)

14th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

17:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Twilight Fun

9st 9lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Five AW wins, the latest from the front off 2lb lower at Newcastle (6f) in February; well below that form on turf lately but still worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

14/1

8th

3

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:11 Newmarket (July)

Twilight Fun

9st 13lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Only turf win came off a much lower mark more than two years ago and he remains weighted to his AW best after a couple of no-shows at Yarmouth last month; some way down the pecking order.

16/1

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

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

5th

1

(9)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:43 Thirsk

Moulin Booj

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

Right behind Accrual here before justifying favouritism at Nottingham (5f) three days ago despite an awkward start; the penalty might just find him out.

3/1

1st

2

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Moulin Booj

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: George Scott

Ultra-consistent and arrives following a solid effort at Thirsk (same mark as tonight; his last winning rating); boasts a good record at this time of year and this is less competitive, so his claims are obvious.

7/4

2nd

2

(11)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Moulin Booj

10st 1lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: George Scott

Successful off this mark at Wolverhampton in March; solid efforts on his last three starts and he should make a bold bid to win this race for the second season in succession.

13/2

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

4th

1

(6)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

10st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Always tended to be hot and cold in the past, so disappointing he didn't fare better at Lingfield (AW) latest given a decent record there; not a lot of wiggle room off this mark and is now tried in first-time cheekpieces (wore blinkers twice as a 2yo).

6/1

8th

1

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Michaelas Boy

10st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Two wins and a close second to his name in four runs over C&D; tended to be hot and cold in the past, twice winning back-to-back, which bodes well after bouncing back off 4lb lower at Yarmouth last time; goes well for Luke Morris too.

7/2

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

12th

12

(11)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 34y

Class 3

13:55 Newbury

The Thames Boatman

8st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Hughes

Won at Goodwood (5f, good) in the spring and has remained in form, second of seven at Lingfield last time; no obvious reason why he won't be thereabouts again but he's fully exposed after 52 starts.

16/1

2nd

1

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

20:30 Lingfield

The Thames Boatman

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Record of 1-20 on turf but that win was off 1lb lower at Goodwood in May; hasn't matched that form in three subsequent runs but he ran into a well-handicapped rival when a 4l second at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) last time; now drops back into a Class 5 event and he's not ruled out.

9/4

2nd

2

(2)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:37 Salisbury

The Thames Boatman

9st 12lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Recent form includes a turf success but he's only 1-19 in this sphere and still has a much better strike-rate on AW; below par at Brighton last time.

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

2

(7)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:43 Thirsk

Accrual

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ruth Carr

His career win number six when making all and repelling Moulin Booj on recent stable debut over C&D; likely to win more races; up 4lb.

5/1

1st

7

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Thirsk

Accrual

9st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Ruth Carr

Well handicapped on this winter's AW form but he has gone off the boil more recently; given a chance by the handicapper as a consequence and he needs a market check starting out for Ruth Carr (sold out of David Loughnane's stable for 22,000gns last month).

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