July 11 / 14.10 Chester

14.10

Good

John Smith’s Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 5f 15y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
John Smith’s Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2238-2 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner; effective at this track and she arrives on the back of a good second under Myla Coppins at Nottingham (5f, good) three weeks ago; has a low draw and looks set for another big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:23 Chester

Secret Mistral

9st 11lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Made all from stall 2 here a fortnight ago under Myla Coppins; she's up in class and the weights (raised 6lb), while stall 7 isn't absolutely ideal.

7/1

1st

1

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Secret Mistral

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Six-time winner; effective at this track and she arrives on the back of a good second under Myla Coppins at Nottingham (5f, good) three weeks ago; has a low draw and looks set for another big run.

9/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 675364 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Went close in a C&D handicap last July when rated 8lb higher; he has run some fair races in defeat this summer and shouldn't be too far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Knicks

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael & David Easterby

8lb lower than when beaten a head in a division of this last year; missed the kick here two weeks ago but nothing finished better and he looks ready to win again.

6/1

2nd

13

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Knicks

9st 1lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Michael & David Easterby

Went close in a C&D handicap last July when rated 8lb higher; he has run some fair races in defeat this summer and shouldn't be too far away.

5/1

4th

5

(5)

29th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:30 Pontefract

Knicks

9st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Latest effort suggests he remains in form; still on a long losing sequence but looked an unlucky third, having been forced to switch, over C&D on penultimate start; possibilities off same mark.

5/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 113166 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three handicap wins this year, the latest at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; solid efforts twice since and she is well drawn to attack; should put up a bold show back down in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 4

16:25 Chester

Alfa Duplicate

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ivan Furtado

Prominent racer; three wins earlier in the season and she ran as well as she ever has when second of eight at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) last month; well drawn to attack; handles good to soft but unraced on slower.

9/4

2nd

6

(3)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

15:45 Doncaster

Alfa Duplicate

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ivan Furtado

Three handicap wins this year, the latest at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; creditable efforts in defeat in a trio of handicaps over this minimum trip since; just as effective at 6f and enters calculations with the Ivan Furtado stable among the winners.

11/2

3rd

7

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Alfa Duplicate

9st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ivan Furtado

Three handicap wins this year, the latest at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in May; solid efforts twice since and she is well drawn to attack; should put up a bold show back down in class.

3/1

Form: -62250 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
In good order on AW this winter; two turf runs this summer well short of that level though and others bring more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

General Assembly

9st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Clare Hobson

In good order on AW this winter; two turf runs this summer well short of that level though and others bring more pressing claims.

20/1

10th

9

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

18:40 Windsor

General Assembly

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Clare Hobson

Front-runner; two AW wins (5f) last autumn but he returned after a short break with a well-held fifth of eight at Pontefract (5f, good) last month; may have needed that run but his sole turf win was two years ago and others are more persuasive.

14/1

5th

3

(7)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

14:48 Pontefract

General Assembly

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Clare Hobson

Front-runner; two AW wins (5f) last autumn and he was in good form when last seen in February; not much wiggle room off this mark though and a lower draw would have been preferable too.

4/1

7/1

Form: 147432 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Zipped around Wolverhampton when recording a couple of impressive 5f wins this winter so this track should suit; two solid placed efforts since returned to turf; might find a few better treated though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(6)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Beaumadier

9st 12lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

Goes well around a left-hand bend; unlikely to have things his own way up front but he has the abiliity to win races off this mark.

10/1

5th

4

(9)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:15 Windsor

Beaumadier

9st 11lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

Kept busy through the winter (won over 5f at Wolverhampton) but holding his form well, challenging wide when fifth of 11 in 5f Chester handicap nine days ago; considered.

11/1

5th

3

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Beaumadier

9st 10lb

J: Hope Regan

T: Mark Loughnane

Zipped around Wolverhampton when recording a couple of impressive 5f wins this winter so this track should suit; two solid placed efforts since returned to turf; might find a few better treated though.

7/1

Form: 36-479 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Drawn wide when winning this race 12 months ago off a 1lb higher mark; not hit top gear yet in 2026 but this should be run to suit him and a revival would come as no surprise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

19:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maharajas Express

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Has three course wins over 5f but has winning form over 6f; hold-up tactics worked to a tee at Chester (5f, good) last month when he weaved through the pack to win by a neck; such tactics do not always pay off so will do well to repeat those here.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Maharajas Express

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Not hit top gear this year but signs of a return to form when keeping on from off the pace here 14 days ago in a race he won the previous year; always dangerous if getting a strong pace to chase.

11/2

6th

9

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Maharajas Express

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Drawn wide when winning this race 12 months ago off a 1lb higher mark; not hit top gear yet in 2026 but this should be run to suit him and a revival would come as no surprise.

8/1

Form: 040087

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
On a good mark, fully 14lb lower than when winning last season's Great St Wilfrid, but 0-14 at 5f and he is drawn out wide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(8)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Intervention

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

Hurtling down the weights but for good reason as this multiple winner is looking very regressive.

33/1

15th

17

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Intervention

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Fully 15lb lower than when winning at Lingfield (6f, AW) last December but this 9yo has regressed in recent months; has to turn things around.

40/1

7th

6

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Intervention

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

On a good mark, fully 14lb lower than when winning last season's Great St Wilfrid, but 0-14 at 5f and he is drawn out wide.

25/1

25/1

Form: 1-4786 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Ran out the impressive winner of a 5f fillies' novice at Lingfield (AW) on her debut last August; not come close to repeating it in four runs this year; tumbling down the weights but not a solid option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(10)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Arlos Girl

9st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Joseph Parr

Ran out the impressive winner of a 5f fillies' novice at Lingfield (AW) on her debut last August; not come close to repeating it in four runs this year; tumbling down the weights but not a solid option.

25/1

6th

1

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:50 Thirsk

Arlos Girl

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Joseph Parr

Landed 5f AW Lingfield novice on her debut in August but she's failed to go on in three subsequent runs, racing too freely when beating just one in 5f Goodwood handicap 24 days ago; others appeal more.

14/1

8th

3

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Goodwood

Arlos Girl

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Joseph Parr

Thrice-raced filly who has failed to back up the form of her debut success (AW); never landed a blow at Chester switched to turf most recently; something to prove.

20/1

Form: 330489 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Only run to form once in four runs back on turf this summer and that was over 6f; still 1lb higher than for his AW win in December; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 5

18:00 Doncaster

Ay Gee Ell

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

1-21; close fourth at Thirsk (6f, good; from 7lb higher) in April; has lost his way since, failing to beat many in 5f contests at Pontefract, Beverley, and Chester; questions to be answered for the time being.

20/1

9th

10

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Ay Gee Ell

9st 6lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Only run to form once in four runs back on turf this summer and that was over 6f; still 1lb higher than for his AW win in December; others appeal more.

14/1

9th

5

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Beverley

Ay Gee Ell

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Blitzed his rivals at Southwell in December (5f) when a visor was first used; mostly creditable efforts since until down the field at Pontefract on latest; needs to bounce back from that.

9/1

Form: -46403 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f maiden here in June of his 2yo season but that remains his only win; unlikely to be breaking his handicap duck from stall 12.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(12)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

The Flying Seagull

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Hugo Palmer

Won a 6f maiden here in June of his 2yo season but that remains his only win; unlikely to be breaking his handicap duck from stall 12.

12/1

3rd

5

(1)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 4

16:56 Brighton

The Flying Seagull

9st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Hugo Palmer

None too consistent but he ran well on his return to turf at Windsor last month and then lost his chance at the start at Bath 16 days ago (blindfold off late); on a good mark and his rider takes off a handy 5lb; interesting with new blinkers replacing a visor.

9/1

10th

3

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

18:40 Bath

The Flying Seagull

9st 8lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Hugo Palmer

Sole success came in a Chester maiden in June 2024; often attracts support but flatters to deceive on many occasions; visor returns after being left off last time, and he's down to a career-low mark, but 1-16 win record is off-putting.

6/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 111116 D

Last run: 117 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Expertly placed to reel off a seven-timer on AW earlier in the year; winning spree came to an end at Wolverhampton in March and he returns to turf (1-13) off a tough mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:04 Newmarket (July)

Beauzon

8st 12lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Ian Williams

Won seven in a row over 6f on AW at start of this year but has returned from a break with three down-the-field turf runs, the latest here (6f, good to firm) eight days ago.

33/1

11th

6

(12)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Newmarket (July)

Beauzon

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Rattled off a seven-timer on the AW earlier this year; rated lower on turf but he's failed to beat a rival at Chester (5f, good) in his last two starts and is now 1-15 on grass; opposable.

40/1

11th

5

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

17:33 Chester

Beauzon

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Rattled off a seven-timer on the AW earlier this year; rated lower on turf but went off 40-1 here recently on his return from a break and trailed in last.

25/1

Non-runners

Miraculous, Coyy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.30
Straight Forecast £15.02
Tricast £28.30
Trifecta £60.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Secret Mistral

RP RATINGS:

Knicks

NEWMARKET:

Arlo's Girl

The Times:

Alfa Duplicate

Daily Mail:

The Flying Seagull

Daily Mirror:

Beaumadier

The Star:

Beauzon

D Express:

Knicks

TOPSPEED:

Secret Mistral

POSTDATA:

Secret Mistral

Telegraph:

Secret Mistral

The Guardian:

Secret Mistral

The Sun:

Secret Mistral

Daily Record:

Secret Mistral