July 24 / 16.40 Ascot

16.40

Good To Firm

Chapel Down Handicap

  • Prize money: £13425.2
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Chapel Down Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1st
13 (3)
Tex

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.90
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 33-230

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden but he's normally reliable and has been placed on six occasions, including in two 7f Class 5 handicaps in May; bombed out on AW later that month and subsequently absent, while this is a notch above his usual hunting ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Ascot

Tex

10st 1lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: George Baker

Beat ten rivals to get off the mark over 7f here in July and remains in form, as wasn't beaten all that far at Glorious Goodwood before coming home strongly for a near miss at Brighton (1m, good to firm); firmly in the mix.

4/1

2nd

5

(6)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:30 Brighton

Tex

9st 7lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Belatedly came good with clearcut Ascot win (7f, good to firm) last month, his 12th start, and was not discredited when ninth in big-field sprint at Glorious Goodwood a week ago; will be suited by this return to 1m and may still have a bit more to offer.

7/2

9th

19

(10)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Goodwood

Tex

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Placed six times (7f-1m2f) before making it 12th time lucky in 7f Ascot handicap (good to firm) last Friday; has a 5lb penalty and a new trip to contend with now.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 4-6542 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
He recorded the last of his three victories back in August 2024 but his mark had reflected that when very good neck second of 17 over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago; up 3lb but another good show can be expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(12)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Havana Blue

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

He had finished second on three consecutive occasions (twice here over 7f) prior to his Newmarket win (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; a 5lb rise against stronger opposition may find him out.

8/1

1st

1

(8)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Havana Blue

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Campaigned mostly over 7f; on a two-year losing spell but he's finished runner-up on his last three outings, including when dropped back to 6f here (good to firm) last Friday; races from the same mark and this previous course winner looks sure to be involved.

3/1

2nd

1

(10)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:12 Newmarket (July)

Havana Blue

10st 0lb

J: James Doyle

T: Julie Camacho

Campaigned mostly over 7f; on a two-year losing spell but his turn looks near, having finished second at Ascot (good to firm) the last twice; successful on both Newmarket tracks and the way he races suggests this drop back to 6f is worth exploring; respected.

11/4

OUR TIP
3rd
3 (5)
Gallant

12/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 260757

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner for Andrew Balding, latterly last June, who hasn't truly threatened on his last four turf starts for this yard; cannot be completely dismissed from this declining mark, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Gallant

10st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Oli Rix

Dual AW winner who finished well to snatch third in a Class 4 handicap at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago; looks interesting off 1lb lower here and he is tactically versatile.

5/1

3rd

3

(5)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Gallant

10st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Oli Rix

Dual AW winner for Andrew Balding, latterly last June, who hasn't truly threatened on his last four turf starts for this yard; cannot be completely dismissed from this declining mark, though.

12/1

7th

2

(11)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Newbury

Gallant

10st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Oli Rix

Won two AW races for Andrew Balding whom he left for 60,000gns; he's not always looked entirely straightforward but he was less than 2l away last time at Newmarket (7f, good) after being in rear at one point; Tom Marquand takes over now; respected.

10/1

Form: 16-300 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won twice last summer (1m/7f, good to firm) and it was an encouraging reappearance when third here (6f) in May; saw little daylight at Goodwood a fortnight later but he weakened when last of 11 at Doncaster (again 7f) seven weeks ago; hard to predict what he'll come up with this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(4)

26th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Newbury

Walsons Law

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Last summer he won handicaps at Windsor (1m) and here (7f; both on good to firm); remains on a realistic mark and last two runs weren't at all shoddy; should feature.

9/1

4th

2

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:58 Newbury

Walsons Law

10st 0lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

His cosy C&D win last summer came off 2lb lower; two good runs and two lesser efforts this season; should give it a good go.

8/1

4th

1

(7)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Walsons Law

10st 3lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Won twice last summer (1m/7f, good to firm) and it was an encouraging reappearance when third here (6f) in May; saw little daylight at Goodwood a fortnight later but he weakened when last of 11 at Doncaster (again 7f) seven weeks ago; hard to predict what he'll come up with this time.

11/1

5/1

Form: 387771 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three wins at this trip and he was down to his previous winning mark when popping up at 25-1 in 11-runner handicap over 1m at York (good to firm) a fortnight ago; that was a comfortable career best and he might need to better it back down to 7f from 6lb higher; still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(4)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

17:00 York

Illys Roo

9st 3lb

J: Molly Keegan-Price

T: Gemma Tutty

Won over C&D (good to firm) in July and unlucky in running at Ascot (7f, good to firm) a fortnight later; unproven on slow ground and not at the top of her game at Redcar (1m, good to firm) last month, but this 3yo remains of interest in view of her progressive efforts in July.

16/1

4th

10

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:12 Redcar

Illys Roo

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Gemma Tutty

Showed career-best form when scoring at York (1m, good to firm) last month and was denied clear run in closing stages when very respectable fifth at Ascot (7f, good to firm) a fortnight later; still unexposed over 1m and remains very much of interest.

6/1

5th

9

(12)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Illys Roo

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Gemma Tutty

Three wins at this trip and he was down to his previous winning mark when popping up at 25-1 in 11-runner handicap over 1m at York (good to firm) a fortnight ago; that was a comfortable career best and he might need to better it back down to 7f from 6lb higher; still respected.

5/1

Form: -42151 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made the breakthrough when scrambling home in Catterick maiden in May and he broke his handicap duck with another neck success at Leicester (also 7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he might be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(6)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newmarket (July)

Mr Writer

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Two narrow wins over 7f (good to firm) either side of apparently failing to stay 1m at Goodwood in June but he found just the one pace when sixth of 11 at Ascot last month and it remains to be seen whether he's still on a winning mark.

3/1

6th

6

(10)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Mr Writer

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Made the breakthrough when scrambling home in Catterick maiden in May and he broke his handicap duck with another neck success at Leicester (also 7f, good to firm) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he might be capable of better.

3/1

1st

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Mr Writer

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Didn't have to improve to reward odds-on backers in a 7f maiden at Catterick in May; creditable fifth in a 1m handicap at Goodwood two weeks ago and the return to 7f in a slightly weaker race should see him on the premises.

5/2

Form: -23317 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner (7f/1m) at a lower level, including when he comfortably made all at Lingfield (7f, good) at the start of last month; 50-1 when he made no impact in this grade at Sandown three weeks ago, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(8)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

16:40 Epsom

H Key Lails

10st 0lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Michael Attwater

Career-best effort when making all up the rail at Lingfield (7f, good) in June; not so good since and his five runs on ground slower than good have seen him finish unplaced.

10/1

4th

3

(1)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:58 Sandown

H Key Lails

9st 8lb

J: James Glennon

T: Michael Attwater

Returned from a break with an all-the-way win under James Glennon at Lingfield (7f, good) in June and he's fine at 1m; however, he's finished merely seventh on his last two starts and has to raise his game.

20/1

7th

7

(11)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

H Key Lails

9st 11lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Michael Attwater

Eight-time winner (7f/1m) at a lower level, including when he comfortably made all at Lingfield (7f, good) at the start of last month; 50-1 when he made no impact in this grade at Sandown three weeks ago, however.

20/1

Form: -08640 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
He had been getting his act together this term and his penultimate fourth of ten at Newmarket (7f, good) last month suggested his turn was nearing; it didn't come in the Bunbury Cup a fortnight ago but that can be forgiven and he's not without interest back in calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:15 Epsom

Dapper Guest

9st 11lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: George Margarson

Just 1-18 on turf and is hard to predict but he finished a fair third over this trip at Brighton (good to firm) last Sunday; could be dangerous if he can back that up but he still has something to prove on slow ground.

13/2

3rd

4

(4)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Brighton

Dapper Guest

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: George Margarson

Won three 7f handicaps last season; generally underperformed in 2026 but his Newmarket fourth in June came off a 4lb higher mark; change of headgear today.

14/1

11th

2

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Dapper Guest

9st 9lb

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

Three wins last year, two on the AW (2-4 on sand); good fourth of ten at Newmarket (7f, good) in June but he's been below his best in two starts since; may do better returned to this surface.

6/1

Form: 685568 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner in Ireland (7f/1m) who has yet to sparkle in two 6f starts for this yard, including when beaten 12l to finish last of eight at Windsor (good to firm) on Monday; this trip is more suitable so heed any market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 5

17:01 Lingfield (AW)

Independent Expert

9st 10lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Multiple wins at 7f-1m in Ireland, including on Polytrack, but she hasn't looked well treated on turf in Britain; has a lower AW mark but still has enough to prove in her first run over 5f.

10/1

4th

1

(4)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 5

19:30 Windsor

Independent Expert

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Eight-time winner in Ireland but all over 7f/1m, and three starts over 6f/7f for this yard have yielded little; takes another drop in class but best watched for now.

12/1

9th

4

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Independent Expert

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Eight-time winner in Ireland (7f/1m) who has yet to sparkle in two 6f starts for this yard, including when beaten 12l to finish last of eight at Windsor (good to firm) on Monday; this trip is more suitable so heed any market signals.

33/1

10th
11 (9)
Wield

25/1

Form: 4-325

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
All starts at 7f; showed ability in the last two of his three runs for Andrew Balding but was beaten 20l on his handicap/stable debut in May; subsequently rested and has been gelded in the interim; unexposed and he's worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:51 Southwell (AW)

Wield

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Joseph Parr

Showed clear promise in novice/maiden events for Andrew Balding in the spring but he's struggled at big prices in three handicaps for current yard; still unexposed but he needs a transformation with tongue-tie added.

25/1

7th

3

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Newmarket (July)

Wield

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Joseph Parr

All starts at 7f; showed clear promise in novice/maiden events for Andrew Balding in the spring but he's struggled at big prices in two handicaps for current yard; still unexposed but he needs a transformation at this new trip.

25/1

10th

11

(9)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Wield

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Joseph Parr

All starts at 7f; showed ability in the last two of his three runs for Andrew Balding but was beaten 20l on his handicap/stable debut in May; subsequently rested and has been gelded in the interim; unexposed and he's worth a market check.

25/1

16/1

Form: 4-3153 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Likes to get on with it and he registered the latest of his six wins when making all in five-runner Brighton handicap (7f, good to firm) last month; went off too quickly next time but his third at Chester was a solid effort two weeks ago; same mark and this is tougher, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Brighton

King Of War

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Four C&D wins to his name, the latest in June off 4lb lower; an easy lead would seem unlikely and this opposition may prove too demanding.

16/1

8th

3

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:48 Epsom

King Of War

10st 1lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Front-runner who is probably best known for his exploits at Brighton; won there (7f, good to firm) in June and was placed from favourable draw at Chester (7f, good) last month but finished well down the field when last in action and might find others better treated.

10/1

11th

12

(8)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

King Of War

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Likes to get on with it and he registered the latest of his six wins when making all in five-runner Brighton handicap (7f, good to firm) last month; went off too quickly next time but his third at Chester was a solid effort two weeks ago; same mark and this is tougher, though.

16/1

Non-runners

Be Frank, Mystic Moment

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.70
Straight Forecast £41.39
Tricast £223.38
Trifecta £367.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Mr Writer

The Guardian:

Illy's Roo

SPOTLIGHT:

Dapper Guest

RP RATINGS:

Be Frank

Daily Mirror:

Havana Blue

The Sun:

Illy's Roo

NEWMARKET:

Mr Writer

The Times:

Mr Writer

Telegraph:

Mr Writer

D Express:

Mr Writer

The Star:

Mr Writer

Daily Record:

Mr Writer

Daily Mail:

Dapper Guest

TOPSPEED:

Be Frank