Today / 16.22 Chester

16.22

Good

J20 Classified Claiming Stakes

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 7f 127y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
SKY
View Course
J20 Classified Claiming Stakes

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -33133

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
The last run wasn't his best (four ran) but he was bang there in his four previous races, all handicaps at 7f/1m; drops into a claimer on favourable terms and must have every chance; has run well here before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Blue Prince

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David Evans

The last run wasn't his best (four ran) but he was bang there in his four previous races, all handicaps at 7f/1m; drops into a claimer on favourable terms and must have every chance; has run well here before.

5/4

3rd

2

(3)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:51 Salisbury

Blue Prince

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Justified favouritism at Salisbury (7f, good) on penultimate start and consistent otherwise this season; creditable third at Kempton (1m, AW) last time; still well treated on peak form, which includes a win off 4lb higher at Glorious Goodwood two years ago; solid.

15/8

3rd

2

(4)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Dropped down the weights last summer and he has rediscovered his spark this time around, following third-placed efforts here and at Goodwood with a comfortable Salisbury success (all over 7f); probably stays this far but he has yet to be placed in his six 1m starts so it will be breaking new ground for him to win today.

3/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 362120 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Consistent since leaving Willie Mullins, performing well in handicaps from 6f to 1m; York last time wasn't necessarily a backward step as he wasn't beaten all that far in a big field after finding trouble in running; solid chance now into a claimer; first run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(5)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Alpha Capture

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Consistent since leaving Willie Mullins, performing well in handicaps from 6f to 1m; York last time wasn't necessarily a backward step as he wasn't beaten all that far in a big field after finding trouble in running; solid chance now into a claimer; first run here.

11/4

10th

1

(9)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Alpha Capture

9st 11lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Enjoying good campaign for new yard, winning at Doncaster (7f, good) last month and short-headed there (7f, good to firm) latest; still mileage in his mark on old form (2yo Listed win here in 2022); didn't run well in 2023 when he wore blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) but lots to like otherwise.

5/1

2nd

2

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:05 Doncaster

Alpha Capture

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Formerly with William Haggas and Willie Mullins; consistent for this yard and deserved his battling win over C&D latest; can run well again off just 3lb higher.

7/2

Form: 000815

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won on debut for Joseph O'Brien; his only effort of note in six starts for current yard (two here) was last month's selling win at Beverley (extended 1m) when odds-on in beating two rivals (in this first-time headgear); back in a handicap last time and was found wanting, albeit over 1m2f; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(1)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Midnight Strike

8st 13lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Jennie Candlish

Won on debut for Joseph O'Brien; his only effort of note in six starts for current yard (two here) was last month's selling win at Beverley (extended 1m) when odds-on in beating two rivals (in this first-time headgear); back in a handicap last time and was found wanting, albeit over 1m2f; others preferred.

10/1

5th

1

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:53 Ripon

Midnight Strike

10st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jennie Candlish

Capitalised on a golden opportunity for easy win at 8-13 in a seller at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) a fortnight ago; that may have given his confidence a boost and he's unexposed in the retained tongue-tie/cheekpieces, but he's opposable on what he's achieved in handicaps this season.

6/1

1st

3

(2)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

19:35 Beverley

Midnight Strike

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Jennie Candlish

Useful performer for Joseph O'Brien but struggling for new yard in 2026, albeit last week's York eighth was better; accessories now go on; favoured by the weights.

6/4

20/1

Form: 909730

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Third in a C&D handicap last month but that's been about it since joining this stable; now visored and doesn't have obvious claims on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Calyxoh

8st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Third in a C&D handicap last month but that's been about it since joining this stable; now visored and doesn't have obvious claims on these terms.

20/1

11th

10

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Calyxoh

9st 5lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

On a losing run but posted his best effort for new stable with third of nine in 7.5f Chester handicap two weeks ago; in the mix if taking another step forward.

20/1

3rd

7

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:18 Chester

Calyxoh

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Well handicapped on his best 2025 form but he's struggled in his last five starts including two runs for new yard this summer; overall record is now 1-18 and he has plenty to prove.

33/1

Form: 254065

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
All wins have been over further when hooded and he's 0-7 at about 7f (has placed form); hasn't really fired in any of his last three races but this is easier than he's accustomed to; unraced at Chester.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

I Still Have Faith

9st 2lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Stuart Williams

All wins have been over further when hooded and he's 0-7 at about 7f (has placed form); hasn't really fired in any of his last three races but this is easier than he's accustomed to; unraced at Chester.

9/2

5th

4

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

I Still Have Faith

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Stuart Williams

Threatened on AW and turf in the spring but his last two efforts have been below par (C&D latterly); feasibly handicapped but others are more persuasive.

6/1

6th

11

(11)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

I Still Have Faith

8st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

Not at his best two weeks ago but he had been threatening on both AW and turf beforehand; on a dangerous mark and he can't be discounted.

9/1

Form: 213687

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won races for two previous yards and was a close third on debut for current one (1m1f, good to firm); hasn't kicked on from there, including here two runs back when beating one home over 6f; drops into a claimer but these terms aren't easy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Candonomore

9st 6lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Won races for two previous yards and was a close third on debut for current one (1m1f, good to firm); hasn't kicked on from there, including here two runs back when beating one home over 6f; drops into a claimer but these terms aren't easy.

8/1

7th

1

(8)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:50 Windsor

Candonomore

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jennie Candlish

Successful for two previous yards and ran creditably at Ayr on debut for current stable; below par in two starts since but likely found 6f too sharp latest; returns to a more suitable distance.

10/1

8th

8

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:03 Chester

Candonomore

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jennie Candlish

A ready winner at Bath (1m, firm) in April (final start for Stuart Williams); good start for Jennie Candlish when third over 1m1f at Ayr (good to firm) but not in the same form when beaten favourite at Carlisle (1m) ten days later; quite a strong traveller over those trips but whether he has the speed for sprinting remains to be seen.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.70
Straight Forecast £5.64
Trifecta £18.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Blue Prince

SPOTLIGHT:

Alpha Capture

TOPSPEED:

Blue Prince

POSTDATA:

Blue Prince

WEST COUNTRY:

Blue Prince

The Times:

Blue Prince

Telegraph:

Blue Prince

The Star:

Blue Prince

Daily Record:

Blue Prince

D Express:

Alpha Capture

Daily Mirror:

Alpha Capture

The Sun:

Alpha Capture