16.00
Good To SoftJohn Smith’s Handicap
- Prize money: £12885
- 0m 5f 15y
- Class 3
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly sunny
Form: -71103 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 10st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| 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 |
9st 6lb |
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 |
9st 3lb |
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 |
Form: -00702 CD
Last run: 7 days
W: 9st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 19 (18) |
6th Jun 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 10lb |
Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today. |
16/1 |
|
11th 11 (11) |
23rd May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims. |
12/1 |
Form: 4-0464 D BF
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (2) |
31st May 2026 Good 0m 5f 8y Class 4 |
10st 4lb |
In good form for most of 2025, winning two 5f handicaps last spring; not quite hit those heights this time around, including from a good draw at Chester 24 days ago (met some trouble in the home straight); today's drop into a Class 4 will help and she is back against her own sex; should go well. |
11/4 |
|
6th 11 (2) |
7th May 2026 Good 0m 5f 15y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Has gained all wins in spring, the most recent off current mark at Goodwood (5f, good) last May; finished nicely for close fourth at Bath (wore hood) on Monday with reappearance under her belt; fighting chance from a handy draw. |
5/1 |
Form: 20-261 CD
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (5) |
8th May 2026 Good 0m 6f 17y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Well suited by a left-hand turn, winning twice here over 5f last summer; promising seasonal return at Catterick (6f, good) but he wasn't in the same form at Musselburgh (5f, good) nine days ago; handy draw and he can't be discounted. |
11/2 |
|
6th 1 (4) |
29th Apr 2026 Good 0m 5f 1y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Five wins, all around a left-hand bend (5f-5.5f), in a productive 2025 campaign; his near miss on 6f Catterick reappearance (good) last Wednesday suggests he's unlikely to be long in opening his account for 2026; same mark today. |
2/1 |
Form: 343251 CD
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 6lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 8 (11) |
31st May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Running well over 5f before another respectable show over 6f at York last week; little margin for error off this mark but remains in good nick. |
10/1 |
|
5th 2 (17) |
23rd May 2026 Good 0m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Raced around 5f; creditable in-frame efforts on all four outings this year, notably when neck second of 17 at Thirsk (good) last Saturday; nudged up another 3lb but it shouldn't prevent a prominent showing if proving as effective at the new trip. |
7/1 |
Form: 95-018 CD
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 4lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 (9) |
31st May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
Up in grade after winning a Class 5 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) but had dropped to a tempting mark; wouldn't count the 6lb rise against him. |
9/1 |
|
1st 1 (7) |
22nd May 2026 Good To Soft 0m 5f 3y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Won his first two starts but beaten 17 times since; down the field at Thirsk on last week's reappearance but drops in grade today and the slower ground should suit. |
10/1 |
Form: 00-540 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 9 (9) |
30th May 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 182y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
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 |
8st 6lb |
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 |
Form: 0-2106 CD
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 3lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 6 (2) |
31st May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
Grand old veteran who can be forgiven his defeat in a Class 2 at York last time, having won at this level the time before at Beverley (2lb lower); had 119 races and yet this is his first visit here. |
16/1 |
|
18th 18 (4) |
14th May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 6lb |
Hugely admirable 12yo whose seven York wins include this race in 2019 and 2021, and he built upon last month's reappearance second at Ripon (5f, good) to win at Beverley (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; however, there's a suspicion he may find a big-field Class 2 such as this too hot nowadays. |
20/1 |
Form: 52-800 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 79
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 19 (8) |
14th May 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 4lb |
Won two 5f AW handicaps early last year and good fourth of 16 in the 3yo Dash at Epsom (5f, good) last June, when 3lb higher; however, he's 0-11 since his last win and others arrive with more pressing claims. |
40/1 |
Form: 574-31 C
Last run: 17 days
W: 9st 0lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (7) |
27th May 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 6y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Began his career with a pair of 5f wins at Chester last May; progress stalled last summer but he returned from a 223-day absence with a good run back at Chester three weeks ago, third of 12 in a 6f handicap on good ground (wide draw); looks on a good mark but can he deliver away from Chester? |
11/4 |
|
3rd 13 (10) |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 0m 6f 17y Class 3 |
8st 13lb |
Career commenced with two wins at Chester (5.5f/6f, good) last May; not in the same form elsewhere subsequently but the return to this venue, combined with a gelding operation, may prompt a resurgence; one of three runners for his local stable. |
11/1 |
Betting Forcast
11/2 Atomic Force, 11/4 Vintage Clarets, 8/1 Rubys Profit, 13/2 Rosenpur, 8/1 Al Hussar, 10/1 Changeofmind, 25/1 Marty Hopkirk, 14/1 Copper Knight, 25/1 Blinky, 4/1 Tricky Tel
Verdict
A few of these have possibilities but top of the list is VINTAGE CLARETS, who won this race in 2023 and returned to form with a good effort in a valuable contest at Epsom a week ago. Atomic Force is well drawn and feared most, while Tricky Tel may still have some potential and admirable veteran Copper Knight could have a say as he attempts to win this race for a fourth time.[Chris Wilson]
Selections
The Guardian:
Ruby's ProfitDaily Mail:
Ruby's ProfitThe Times:
Vintage ClaretsDaily Mirror:
Vintage ClaretsThe Star:
Vintage Clarets