May 01 / 14.55 Newmarket

14.55

Good

Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 322-3

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on final two of his three 2yo starts (7f/1m, good to soft/good) and improved form on recent seasonal/handicap debut when close third over C&D (good); well regarded and open to further improvement; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(13)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:50 York

St Anton

9st 7lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Made it three wins from his last four starts when returning to winning ways at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last month; had just a nose to spare and is 6lb higher today, but all of his wins have been narrow ones and he keeps defying the handicapper; has run well on good to soft (unraced on softer).

16/1

1st

6

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:52 Newmarket (July)

St Anton

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Won handicaps in May on the other course here and at Carlisle (both 1m on good to firm) but the rise in the weights and grade proved a step too far behind Moonfall in the Britannia at Royal Ascot; another tall order here.

10/1

14th

21

(21)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

St Anton

8st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Reliable and progressive, but he's 6lb higher than when narrowly winning a Class 4 handicap at Carlisle 19 days ago and now 9lb higher than when his season began; he may have revealed his hand.

25/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 732-15 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Went close in two fast-ground novice races last summer and returned with a novice win at Kempton (7f, AW) in February; 15-8 favourite and denied a clear run when 2l fifth of six on handicap debut at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) four weeks ago; retains potential and is not ruled out but he lost places close home once in the clear at Musselburgh and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:10 Chester

Comic Hero

8st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Andrew Balding

Plenty of promise on his final two starts as a juvenile and he'd been gelded when reappearing with Kempton novice win (7f, AW) in February; suffered from a lack of daylight but still only beaten 2l on his handicap debut (good to soft) in April and he was just pegged at Newmarket (again 1m, good to firm) six weeks ago; likely capable of better again.

7/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 11-

Last run: 177 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won over 7f on Kempton AW last autumn on his first two starts; those were narrow victories and improvement is needed on this handicap debut if he's to remain unbeaten, but he could have plenty more to offer for his top trainer, especially over this extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

(14)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Fort Rock

9st 6lb

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Charlie Appleby

Won novice contests at Kempton (7f, AW) last autumn on first two starts; reappeared with encouraging third on handicap debut on the other Newmarket course (1m, good to firm) last month and this very lightly raced 3yo could have lots more to offer for his top yard; wears first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

3rd

4

(4)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Newmarket

Fort Rock

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Charlie Appleby

Won over 7f on Kempton AW last autumn on his first two starts; those were narrow victories and improvement is needed on this handicap debut if he's to remain unbeaten, but he could have plenty more to offer for his top trainer, especially over this extra furlong.

7/2

Form: 8211-3 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won Newcastle novice (7f, AW) in December on fourth start and followed up in four-runner nursery at Southwell (1m, AW); returned from break with 50-1 third in warm conditions race at Kempton (1m, AW) in March, when conceding weight all round, and on that evidence he looks well treated off an unchanged mark; down the field on sole turf start but that was his debut last June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Lake Como

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Won twice on the AW in December, including in a Southwell handicap off a 6lb lower mark than today's, and posted an improved effort when third of nine in a conditions event over this C&D in March; disappointed on turf at Epsom (1m2f, soft) when last seen 74 days ago but makes appeal back on the AW in first-time cheekpieces having been gelded.

7/2

6th

2

(11)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Lake Como

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Unraced on softer than good; found serious improvement over 7f/1m on AW but, although running respectably, he's not transferred the best of that form to 1m turf handicaps on last two outings; worth a go at this new trip.

8/1

14/1

Form: 02211- D

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the eighth attempt in Chelmsford nursery (7f, AW) last November on his second AW start, and he again had plenty in hand when following up at Kempton (1m, AW); needs to transfer that improvement back to turf but he did show promise on grass last season; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Elan dOr

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Ended 2025 with a pair of AW wins, the second coming over C&D off 5lb lower; the handicapper has been in command this year but he's not discounted back on AW.

8/1

3rd

1

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

18:48 Sandown

Elan dOr

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Nursery wins on final two starts last year (7f/1m, AW) and he returned to form when third of six at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last month; today's longer trip could be within range for this Without Parole colt and he might not be far away.

4/1

Form: 310-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) last July on second start then well beaten in Group 2 at Goodwood (7f, good) later that month; reappeared with close second of six in handicap at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) four weeks ago but it's likely he needs a much bigger run in this hot contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:14 Newmarket (July)

Vincenzo Peruggia

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Johnston

Has failed to back up a good reappearance effort and finished behind two of today's rivals, albeit having raced wide, at Glorious Goodwood most recently (first run since being gelded); something to prove.

12/1

16th

3

(11)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Goodwood

Vincenzo Peruggia

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Fast-ground 2yo novice winner who reappeared with good second in a handicap at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) in April; however, two lesser runs have followed; gelded since and has to get back on track.

50/1

25th

25

(12)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Vincenzo Peruggia

8st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Johnston

Last season's novice win came on good to firm (7.5f); this year's defeats at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft; ran well) and Newmarket (good to firm; not so well from the front) mark him down as an unlikely winner of this.

50/1

Form: 33132- D

Last run: 225 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ran seven times last year and sole win came in four-runner nursery at Kempton (1m, AW); also effective on turf and gelded since last seen; however, unless he finds improvement he's vulnerable to less-exposed types.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:44 Newmarket (July)

Royal Bodyguard

9st 7lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Michael Bell

Sometimes races a bit too freely but ran well before fading into fourth over C&D (good) in June and returns here after keeping on well for second in tactical race at Ffos Las (1m, good) ten days ago; still on a workable mark; might be the answer.

9/2

2nd

4

(2)

12th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Ffos Las

Royal Bodyguard

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Bell

Sometimes races a bit too freely but ran well before fading into fourth of ten at Newmarket (1m, good) in June and is now 3lb lower than when placed at Windsor (1m, good to firm) in May; good chance.

100/30

4th

2

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Newmarket (July)

Royal Bodyguard

9st 8lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Michael Bell

Nursery winner at 1m; another good effort when third at Windsor (1m, good to firm) before perhaps unsuited by soft ground at Lingfield; enters the equation.

10/1

Form: 11- D

Last run: 149 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Kempton (7f, AW) last October and followed up there (1m, AW) in December; his opening mark is no gift but it remains to be seen where his limitations lie and he's respected for his top yard on turf debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:50 York

Zennor Storm

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won both 2yo starts and he's improved with each of his four handicap runs this term, finishing strongly in first-time cheekpieces (retained) for 1l second of 19 to Exclusive Code at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; respected despite 5lb rise; unraced on slow ground.

7/2

2nd

7

(13)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Goodwood

Zennor Storm

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won both 2yo starts and, having been gelded, he returned to form when keeping on for fourth of 14 at York (1m, good) last month; retains potential for top yard and the first-time cheekpieces could elicit something extra.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1

Last run: 98 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.20
Straight Forecast £32.66
Tricast £132.75
Trifecta £171.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

St Anton

Telegraph:

Zennor Storm

The Guardian:

Fort Rock

SPOTLIGHT:

Lake Como

The Star:

Objector

Daily Record:

Vincenzo Peruggia

Daily Mail:

Zennor Storm

D Express:

Zennor Storm

The Sun:

Fort Rock

RP RATINGS:

Lake Como

POSTDATA:

St Anton

The Times:

St Anton

Daily Mirror:

St Anton