Tomorrow / 17.20 Epsom

17.20

Good To Soft

HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 1m 4f 6y
  • Class 2
  • 17 runners
RTV
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HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: -68215 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap (good) in April; got a 2lb nudge after that and received a further 3lb rise after finishing fifth in 2m Group 2 in Germany four weeks ago; while that's not ideal, he's won off higher marks and won't mind how the ground is riding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Prydwen

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Last five outings on AW, posting his most encouraging effort when second of 12 in a 2m Newcastle Good Friday handicap; nudged back up 2lb for that but he's still 3lb lower than when runner-up at Chester (2m, good to soft) last September; should go well.

3/1

Form: 1021-2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unraced as a juvenile but now boasts 3-6 record, winning his first two and back on the scoresheet when making all at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft) in October; bumped into a quite well-regarded sort when second at Goodwood (1m6f, good) a fortnight ago and this unexposed 4yo looks a big contender to build on that encouraging return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Spinning Wheel

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (good to firm; 25-1) was the only blemish in his five-race 3yo career, which he ended with a narrow but game front-running win in handicap at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft); raised 6lb but worth another go at this trip.

8/1

1st

6

(2)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 3

17:02 Leicester

Spinning Wheel

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well beaten in the Queen's Vase after winning his first two races; hammered by the winner on recent handicap debut at Ayr (1m5f, good to soft) but that was after three months away and he might strip fitter now.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 723055 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
1m4f AW Listed winner (also acts on good to soft and softer) for the Gosdens but he left that yard under a cloud in the autumn; rediscovered some form at 1m2f on AW this winter but he's been below par on his last three starts; soft ground would enhance his cause but others are more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Military Academy

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

AW Listed winner for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been near that form since a Listed second last June; second and third places early this year came in small fields and other options look more solid.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Military Academy

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Latest win came in a Listed race over 1m4f here for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been at his best in five starts for this yard; needs a major revival.

12/1

Form: -61647

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won on soft (1m) as a 2yo; gelded after just two starts last year (included 1m2f win) and he scored off 5lb lower on AW in February; various excuses in three subsequent outings when he frequently looked as though this step back up in trip is well worth another go; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Regal Ulixes

9st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Two novice wins on turf and he made it 3-6 when scoring at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in February on his second handicap start; solid fourth to The Glen Rovers at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last month and, while improvement is necessary today, this is just his ninth run and he may have more left in the tank.

9/1

4th

5

(3)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Regal Ulixes

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Very lightly raced 4yo who made it 2-3 in this hood when winning readily at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) in February; kept on from the rear for close sixth of 12 in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton (8.6f, Tapeta) last month and he's firmly in calculations with the return to 1m2f a major plus.

9/4

Form: 16-509 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won 23-runner November Handicap (1m4f, soft) in 2024 and he's 2-3 here (1m2f and 1m4f) including a win on good to soft last September; those are the clear positives but he's been poor in three starts at 1m2f (snow/AW/good) this year; has a tempting mark if he can stage a revival, so needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Lord Melbourne

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ralph Beckett

A very useful 1m2f/1m4f winner at his best but lightly raced in recent seasons and came in last of 11 in 1m2f AW Lingfield handicap in February; needs to take a big step forward after a break.

25/1

11th

2

(7)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Lord Melbourne

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

2024 November Handicap winner who reappeared with an easy win over 1m2f at Epsom last September; respectable sixth of 22 when bidding to defend his November Handicap crown on sole subsequent start last year; well-beaten fifth on the snow at St Moritz on return last weekend; entitled to come on for that outing but this test might be sharp enough for him.

10/1

Form: 28240- D

Last run: 273 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
He hasn't won since August 2024 but ran some fine races in defeat last season, including when second of 14 at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) in August; those efforts have ensured his mark is holding up, however, and he makes his comeback over a trip probably short of his best these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Dancing In Paris

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Consistent sort who was third in this last year (good) and has gone close three times this season, including at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) last month; another good run when fourth of 13 at York (2m, good to firm) last time and he's a solid each-way contender.

8/1

Form: 2-5341 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well to win at York (good to firm) off just 1lb lower in August but only fourth of five in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom (also 1m4f, good, Topteam behind) 17 days ago; that was a shade underwhelming given he'd won the race in 2025 but was a little weak in the market so maybe better can be expected this time.

12/1

4th

3

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Asgards Captain

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Last year's winner (good) who ran well in two other appearances over C&D; did well to win at York (1m4f, good to firm) under John Egan in August and arrives here fit after three creditable efforts at Meydan; firm contender.

4/1

Form: 414983

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Often a front-runner; 3-7 on AW but he's 0-4 on turf and latest third to Elsass at Hamilton (1m3f, good) was no more than respectable; untested on good to soft or worse but his pedigree may given some encouragement, as his dam is closely related to outstanding performer Enable whose 15 wins included the 2017 Oaks over C&D and four of her Group 1 wins were on softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Antrim

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Often a front-runner; won at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in October and December and at Meydan (1m3f, dirt) in January; merely mid-division back in Britain at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) six weeks ago, but that was a hot race; turf form (first three starts) is nowhere near his handicap mark.

5/1

Form: 540341 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Finished fifth in this last year and it was just his second visit to Epsom when impressively landing the five-runner Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) in April; 4lb rise (arguably could have been worse) pushes him into uncharted territory but he has won on good to soft and is a player under Billy Loughnane.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(1)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Night Breeze

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Not disgraced in last year's Northern Dancer over C&D (good; likely softer) on sole start here; also won twice at Ascot (good to firm) last term; back to form on last two starts, latterly when beaten 2l at Musselburgh (also 1m4f, good) on Sunday; should make his presence felt.

9/2

4th

1

(3)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:15 Musselburgh

Night Breeze

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

Won off just 1lb lower at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last August, his second win there last year; 0-12 on AW but close third on latest start (first with tongue tied) was up with his best form; should go well.

9/2

Form: 7/11-3 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; can make the running; won six (four over hurdles, two on Flat) of seven starts in a golden spell last February-October, including over C&D in September in both the Jump Jockeys Derby (soft) and Apprentices' Derby (good); recent run over 2m at Goodwood should have teed him up nicely for what could be a plan from last year's winning yard; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

22nd May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:07 Goodwood

Give It To Me Oj

9st 10lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Acts on soft; can make the running; won six (four over hurdles, two on Flat) of seven starts in a golden spell last February-October; soundly beaten over hurdles on latest three outings (in tough races on last two) and unraced beyond 1m4f on Flat, but he can't be comfortably dismissed in this small field.

2/1

18th

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Give It To Me Oj

10st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Has set the pace in small fields; won six (four over hurdles, two on Flat) of seven starts in a golden spell last February-October, the final leg in a conditions event at this track; soundly beaten on both starts since (admittedly no chance in Grade 1 latest) and unraced beyond 2m1f, leaving him with plenty to prove in this search for a big career best.

33/1

Form: 69-007 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Locally trained runner who offered something to work on when seventh of 13 at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on his British return ten days ago; also has form on good to soft but latest effort still leaves him with work to do and he finished tailed off in the 2023 running of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Max Mayhem

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Three times down the field in Bahrain for this yard and can't support with confidence, for all moving back up in trip should help.

25/1

Form: 120-11

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Previously susceptible to the odd stinker but he's 2-2 since being gelded, scoring at Southwell (AW) in April and Hamilton (again 1m3f, good) three weeks ago; 8lb rise in a much tougher contest demands more but maybe he's putting it all together now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Elsass

8st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Inconsistent in his seven handicaps but he's won two of them; gelded before his successful return at Southwell (1m3f, AW) three weeks ago, when asserting by about 2l in six-runner race; 4lb higher today but probably okay on turf and has to be considered seriously.

11/4

1st

6

(3)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Elsass

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Johnston

Sole win came by a nose at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) last August and he ran well when second of nine at Kempton (1m3f, AW) next time; possibly didn't handle the undulations of Newmarket (1m4f) in the Old Rowley Cup when last seen and has since been gelded; could be capable of bouncing back returned to the AW.

6/1

Form: 38-045 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Housed in a stable that rarely misidentifies its geese as swans, so the fact he's been highly tried on occasions is interesting; 1-14 record is therefore frustrating but the win did come here as a juvenile (8.5f, heavy) and he gets first-time cheekpieces today; suspicion he's capable of a big run with Warren Fentiman an unusual booking for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Too Soon

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

No win since 2yo, having come up short in Group races, Listed races and four handicaps; fourth of 14 off this mark at Ascot (1m4f) latest was his closest finish in that winless period and he kept on well, so some hope is revived.

14/1

4th

6

(10)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Too Soon

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Largely in good nick last season but winless since 2024 and well held on 1m2f Doncaster reappearance (good to soft) six weeks ago.

33/1

Form: 11-939 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
The second runner for local trainer George Baker and this one has an enviable 3-4 record here, having picked up two Ladies' Derbys (2024 and 2025) in addition to the Amateurs' Derby last year when trained by Ben Brookhouse; not discounted on that score but this is a good bit hotter than those events; refitted tongue-tie could be a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

Form: 43-324

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Extraordinarily consistent sort who is yet to finish out of the frame in 15 starts and his profile isn't short of improvement either; stays this trip, acts on good to soft (unraced on soft) and he also ran well on his only visit here; very likeable and should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(14)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Bulletin

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Yet to finish out of the frame and his last win was achieved here; stall 14 might not be terminal over this trip but the handicapper may now have his measure.

11/2

2nd

11

(6)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Bulletin

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Both wins on AW but very good third (Valedictory second) of 14 to Rathgar (won again since) on 1m2f Newbury reappearance proves he's equally as effective on turf; stays 1m4f and likely to be in the shake-up again if in similar form.

8/1

Form: -64111 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who has swiftly found his feet for this yard; built on a big run in novice here (8.5f, good) in April by going unbeaten in his three handicaps (1m2f and 11.5f, good/good to firm), penalised on the last two occasions; now bumped up markedly in grade (2lb wrong) and softer ground would pose a query but there's no telling where this improvement will end up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 412-05

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Heavy-ground romp at Salisbury (had been gelded) in September and second at Newbury (also 1m2f, soft) the following month give him a shot; however, he left Roger Teal after two runs over hurdles and will need to improve upon his two starts for new yard this spring; 5lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Northwest Passage

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ivan Furtado

Won by 15l at Salisbury (1m2f, heavy; 5-2 fav; first run as a gelding) last September, and posted another solid effort at Newbury (1m2f, soft) next time; now 14lb above that winning mark and seemed to need recent Musselburgh comeback run/stable debut (31,000gns buy from Roger Teal).

14/1

10th

1

(7)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Northwest Passage

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ivan Furtado

Considerable improvement over 1m2f in the mud once gelded last August, but well beaten in both his hurdle races this winter; this is first run since leaving Roger Teal for 31,000gns in February and given wind surgery; not as solid as some of these but stable is among the winners.

16/1

Betting Forcast

12/1 Prydwen, 7/1 Spinning Wheel, 33/1 Military Academy, 8/1 Regal Ulixes, 16/1 Lord Melbourne, 12/1 Dancing In Paris, 11/1 Asgards Captain, 16/1 Antrim, 8/1 Night Breeze, 7/1 Give It To Me Oj, 40/1 Max Mayhem, 5/1 Elsass, 12/1 Too Soon, 16/1 Gordon Grey, 12/1 Bulletin, 9/1 Hengest, 33/1 Northwest Passage

Verdict

It's a deeply competitive edition of this famous handicap and the winning course form of Asgard's Captain, Night Breeze and Give It To Me Oj (second choice) make them attractive propositions, while Elsass and Hengest come here on a roll and Bulletin is impossible to knock. However, it's hard to believe that SPINNING WHEEL isn't capable of better yet and this progressive sort gets the vote to land win number four. At potentially longer odds, don't rule out a big run from topweight Prydwen or the enigmatic Too Soon.[Richard Russell]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Spinning Wheel

POSTDATA:

Too Soon

TOPSPEED:

Dancing In Paris