June 13 / 16.00 Chester

16.00

Good To Soft

John Smith’s Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 574-31 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
The only 3yo in the line-up; began career with two course wins (5.5f/6f, good) last spring and built upon his pleasing seasonal reappearance when scoring at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) last month; well drawn today and could still have more to offer if suited by this trip-and-ground combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(10)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

15:17 Chester

Tricky Tel

9st 4lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

Wins at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) and C&D (good to soft) this summer; lacklustre run at York last month and while his course record reads 11312, stall 10 might complicate matters.

10/1

19th

9

(19)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Tricky Tel

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Won two in a row at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) and Chester (5f, good to soft) before midfield finish at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) and runner-up to an odds-on winner at Chester (6f, good) last time; he's particularly effective at Chester but is not ruled out each-way on his first run here.

16/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: -71103 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
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.
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

11/4

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -00702 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Gained two of his ten wins over this C&D and returns here after bouncing back to form with commendable second in last week's Epsom Dash (5f, good to soft); still well handicapped after 3lb rise; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(1)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

15:17 Chester

Vintage Clarets

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won this race in 2024 when rated 8lb higher; well handicapped on even this year's best, 3lb lower than when second in the Dash at Epsom (5f, good to soft); stall 1 not ideal for one that comes from off the pace and he will need luck in running; big chance if the gaps appear though.

5/1

6th

10

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

All ten wins at 5f; last scored just over a year ago on good to firm but he's got plenty of form on a softer surface and ran well when runner-up in Epsom's "Dash" in June; also performed with credit at Glorious Goodwood and could be the type to bounce back from a lesser effort at Pontefract a fortnight ago; having just his second outing here since winning a C&D novice back in 2021.

5/1

6th

6

(8)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

17:45 Pontefract

Vintage Clarets

9st 0lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Twice went close in June (5f, good to soft) and he ran well once more when close seventh of 23 at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last time; could be in the shake-up.

7/1

25/1

Form: 52-800 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Yet to strike form after two starts this season but now 5lb lower than when placed in Epsom's Dash (5f, good) just over a year ago and has won on good to soft ground; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Blinky

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Antony Brittain

On a losing run but was only beaten 4l last time at Southwell (5f) in a race won by Naana's Sparkle who was second at Goodwood on Tuesday; hasn't had many chances over this longer trip and he has been running on at the minimum.

5/1

4th

9

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Blinky

8st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Beaten 13 times since his last win in March 2025 but he returned to form with close fourth at Chester three weeks ago and he has a good record over this C&D in the main; each-way claims.

8/1

4th

9

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Blinky

9st 2lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Yet to strike form after two starts this season but now 5lb lower than when placed in Epsom's Dash (5f, good) just over a year ago and has won on good to soft ground; can't be ruled out.

25/1

13/2

Form: 20-261 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
6yo who posted career-best performance when dominating from the front over 6f here (good) last month; 5f on ground slower than good also suits but he's not ideally drawn and recent 4lb rise demands even more from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Rosenpur

9st 0lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all off 1lb lower at Chester (6f, good) in May and wasn't beaten far on any of four subsequent starts there, the latest over 5f from a tough draw; may not be seen to quite the same effect on this straight track, though.

11/2

9th

2

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Rosenpur

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

All six wins have been here and at Wolverhampton, including this race 12 months ago when 6lb lower; close fourth here last time when drawn wide but in a smaller field than today and now he's out in stall 12; cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

13/2

Form: 343251 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Yet to run a bad race after six starts this season, and kept on for last-gasp success in 17-runner Thirsk handicap (5f, good) a fortnight ago; also suited by this C&D and slow ground; stall 9 makes things awkward, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Beat a big field at Thirsk in May and ran pretty well here next time from stall 9 in a Class 3; backed that up with another competitive show and he got himself too far back at York last time; considered.

11/2

7th

6

(13)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

He has turned in a string of good runs this year, winning a 17-runner event at Thirsk in May; while he should give his running it would be a surprise if one or two weren't better handicapped.

10/1

4th

5

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:30 Hamilton

Al Hussar

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Running well in defeat this season prior to narrow win in a big field at Thirsk (5f, good) last month; caught wide at Chester (5f, good to soft) 12 days ago when a respectable sixth of 12; could have a big say.

15/2

Form: 95-018 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Left disappointing seasonal debut behind when scoring at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) last month; not discredited in big field at Thirsk soon afterwards and has the inside draw here but others look better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Haydock

Changeofmind

10st 0lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Ended a losing run at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in May and he came right back to form when claimed near the line at Newcastle (5f, AW) a fortnight ago; handles testing conditions and promises to do much better than when ninth (well-backed favourite) in a division of this last year.

6/1

2nd

3

(5)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Changeofmind

9st 13lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Ended a losing run at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in May; not so good since and others are more persuasive ahead of his AW debut.

16/1

Form: 4-0464 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable sixth when well drawn over C&D last month and again a beaten favourite when fourth of seven at Nottingham (5f, good) a fortnight ago; well suited by ground slower than good but probably needs some help from the new cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(8)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Rubys Profit

10st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Tom Ward

Did well as a 3yo, including over C&D, but she hasn't added to her tally in six runs this year; recent third at Epsom (6f, good to firm) on her stable debut was a good run and she's a key player back down in trip.

9/2

3rd

1

(2)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Rubys Profit

10st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Tom Ward

Developed into useful 5f performer for Newland-Insole stable last year but is yet to hit top gear after five runs this season; makes stable debut debut from a tempting mark and should be okay back at 6f but needs to have been reinvigorated by her new regime; cheekpieces removed after one use.

7/1

8th

3

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Rubys Profit

9st 8lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Just a respectable sixth when well drawn over C&D last month and again a beaten favourite when fourth of seven at Nottingham (5f, good) a fortnight ago; well suited by ground slower than good but probably needs some help from the new cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: 0-2106 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Veteran with 19 wins on his CV, including three editions of this race and a narrow success at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month; drawn on the outside today and doesn't have much margin for error off this mark but it won't be a surprise if he gives this a good shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(1)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 89y

Class 4

14:05 York

Copper Knight

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Recorded the 19th win of his career when scoring at Beverley in May; recent efforts need bettering if he is to take this though.

20/1

9th

7

(2)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Newcastle (AW)

Copper Knight

9st 11lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Tim Easterby

Grand servant to connections and he was recording the 19th win of his long career when successful at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; four subsequent defeats have seen him slip to a mark 2lb lower than for that win; has won over C&D but likely vulnerable to younger rivals.

20/1

Form: 00-540 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Kept on to snatch fourth at Windsor (5f, good) last month but ran poorly over 6f a fortnight ago and has basically become disappointing; needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Marty Hopkirk

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: David Loughnane

Kept on to snatch fourth at Windsor (5f, good) last month but ran poorly over 6f a fortnight ago and has basically become disappointing; needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

25/1

13th

9

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Marty Hopkirk

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Unplaced in last four handicaps but there was more encouragement in his fourth to Redorange (runs in the Listed race at 2.33) at Windsor 12 days ago; has raced mainly at 5f but should stay further; not without hope.

18/1

4th

11

(6)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Marty Hopkirk

8st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Has good chance on last summer's Doncaster second but he was well held in his next three runs; still lightly raced but he's been up and down so far and others are more solid.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.80
Straight Forecast £19.70
Tricast £67.90
Trifecta £58.80

Selections

Telegraph:

Tricky Tel

SPOTLIGHT:

Vintage Clarets

RP RATINGS:

Ruby's Profit

TOPSPEED:

Al Hussar

POSTDATA:

Rosenpur

D Express:

Tricky Tel

The Sun:

Tricky Tel

Daily Record:

Tricky Tel

The Guardian:

Ruby's Profit

Daily Mail:

Ruby's Profit

The Times:

Vintage Clarets

Daily Mirror:

Vintage Clarets

The Star:

Vintage Clarets