Today / 14.30 Lingfield (AW)

14.30

Standard

Smarter Gambling Starts At gambling.com Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3977.84
  • 1m 0f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Smarter Gambling Starts At gambling.com Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Rain

Form: 437613 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Visored for the first time when making a winning stable debut at Nottingham (8.5f, good to firm) last month and, although a beaten short-price favourite, posted another solid effort under a penalty at Sandown (1m); now 2lb higher but remains fairly treated on older form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:58 Sandown

Great Blasket

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Owen

Changed hands for 9,000gns last month and comfortably exploited a reduced mark on last Thursday's stable debut at Nottingham (1m, good to firm), where he was odds-on in a first-time visor (retained); this C&D winner is ahead of the handicapper under a penalty and should be tough to beat.

8/13

1st

3

(1)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:35 Nottingham

Great Blasket

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Nine-time winner whose best effort this year came when a close-up third over C&D in May, taking his form figures at this track to 213; below his best in two starts since and has left the Newland-Insole stable (bought for 9,000gns); visor replaces blinkers for his yard debut and he's interesting.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 085125 C

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Course winner over 7f three starts back off 9lb lower; went close at Southwell (7f, AW) when ridden by Jude Fernandes next time but blew his chance by hanging right over this C&D three days ago; visor is removed and he needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

19:15 Lingfield (AW)

Dannick

9st 8lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Took advantage of a career-low mark when scoring here (7f) last month; a shade unlucky when beaten a short head at Southwell (7f, AW) since and should not be far away.

7/4

2nd

1

(4)

23rd Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:53 Southwell (AW)

Dannick

9st 12lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Took his time about getting off the mark but he did so in good style on Lingfield AW (7f) ten days ago and, although back up 9lb, he went close off this mark at Ascot last September; also has form over this C&D (one attempt); solid claims.

11/4

Form: 325118 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f course winner; 7f wins at Doncaster and Yarmouth last month, the latter off 7lb lower, but he wasn't suited by a modestly run race at the former track ten days ago; left the impression he's still in form and he holds claims returned to 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(12)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:37 Doncaster

Thapa Vc

9st 6lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Mark Rimell

Ended a losing run over C&D in July and quickly followed up with comfortable success in 7f Yarmouth handicap 18 days ago; up another 7lb now but very much one to consider in his hat-trick bid.

4/1

1st

2

(5)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:25 Yarmouth

Thapa Vc

10st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Mark Rimell

Had his ideal combination of fast ground and a strong pace when back to winning form at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) ten days ago; only 2lb higher and much respected if this pans out in a similar way, which looks a possibility.

3/1

Form: 921261 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
All four wins have been on the AW, the last three at Kempton, most recently over 1m in June when last seen off a 4lb lower mark; went close here over 7f in April and can be competitive on his return from a 76-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Havana Touch

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

Justified favouritism in a C&D handicap in April off 5lb lower; beaten a nose at Lingfield later that month and then met trouble in running at Ripon last week; should remain competitive.

8/1

6th

4

(2)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Havana Touch

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Butler

5yo who was in top form on AW in the spring, with a win at Kempton (1m) being sandwiched by two seconds; showed some promise in May 2024 when he last raced on turf; key player if transferring good form back to grass.

7/1

Form: 526065 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner; ran well when second of 15 at Chester (1m4f, good) in May but she's been below her best in the four starts since; on a workable mark but others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Renesmee

10st 2lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Michael Keady

Versatile sort who was runner-up at Chester (12.3f, good) in May but she's not easy to predict and was tailed off in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) in June; beaten over 12l when 50-1 here (7f) a fortnight ago and younger legs are likely to prevail.

16/1

6th

7

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:32 Newmarket (July)

Renesmee

9st 0lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Michael Keady

Versatile sort who was runner-up at Chester (12.3f, good) in May but she's not easy to predict and was tailed off in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last time; back in calmer waters now but she looks weighted near best off this mark and others are preferred.

25/1

Form: 020022

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 15 starts came at Vichy (7f, very soft) when trained in France; has returned to form since having the headgear removed, finishing runner-up at Sandown (1m, good to firm) on two occasions, including when narrowly ahead of Great Blasket last time; makes the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(5)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:58 Sandown

Amused

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jim Boyle

Inconsistent and he blew the start here two runs ago, but with the visor left off (same today) he returned to form with a good second over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago; can be in the mix if backing up that latest run.

6/1

2nd

6

(8)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:17 Sandown

Amused

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jim Boyle

Back on song when runner-up at Lingfield (7f, good) last month, but he's struggled on both runs since; very awkward at the start and soon tailed off when 40-1 over C&D (good) three weeks ago; risky.

33/1

Form: 090880

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner on turf but 0-12 on the AW; has struggled since winning at Bellewstown (5f, soft) last October and well beaten in his two starts since joining this stable; back up to 1m; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(6)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Nezeeh

8st 6lb

J: William Cox

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Five-time winner on turf but 0-11 on the AW; has struggled since winning at Bellewstown (5f, soft) last October and was always behind on his stable debut at Lingfield (5f, AW) last month; steps back up in trip; best watched.

33/1

8th

8

(3)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:50 Lingfield (AW)

Nezeeh

9st 2lb

J: William Cox

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Irish wins came on turf and his record on Polytrack at Dundalk wasn't great; poor this spring and goes without the usual blinkers for his new yard; would want to see support before factoring him in.

16/1

Form: 255847 C

Last run: 148 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Seven of his eight wins have been on the AW, the most recent coming at Wolverhampton (8.5f) last November off a 3lb higher mark; shaped as if in form when seventh of 12 there in a 0-80 in March but he's been absent since; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(9)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

8st 10lb

J: Phoebe Edwards

T: Ross Burdon

Seven wins on the AW; consistent in the main and ran okay over the 8.6f here ten days ago, leaving the impression that this longer trip is worth another go.

14/1

4th

3

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ernies Valentine

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ross Burdon

Seven times an AW winner, twice over C&D; back to his last winning mark and Jack Mitchell takes over from a 7lb claimer; one to take seriously.

4/1

Form: 9-9728

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
1-19; has tumbled in the weights since joining this stable from Ireland and ran a solid race when runner-up behind Dannick here over 7f last time; latest effort can be forgiven (raced wide) but he isn't certain to appreciate the step back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(7)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Wave

9st 4lb

J: James Glennon

T: Simon Dow

Tumbled down the weights since coming over from Ireland and has found his level now, finishing best of the rest behind a well-handicapped winner over C&D last time; 7lb claimer James Glennon has ridden a couple of winners this summer.

8/1

2nd

5

(11)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

18:40 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Wave

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Won 6f maiden at Navan as 2yo; promising stable debut over 6f on this track in February 2025 but he's mostly struggled since; now 27lb below his peak mark but he was laboured over C&D last time and others are preferred.

16/1

Betting Forcast

5/2 Great Blasket, 4/1 Dannick, 8/1 Thapa Vc, 11/4 Havana Touch, 14/1 Renesmee, 6/1 Amused, 33/1 Nezeeh, 10/1 Ernies Valentine, 25/1 Majestic Wave

Verdict

The removal of headgear has seemingly helped Amused (second choice) but THAPA VC wasn’t suited by the modest gallop at Doncaster last time and is selected to make it three wins from his last four starts. Great Blasket was turned over at a short price at Sandown but also makes the shortlist, along with Havana Touch who has been off since winning at Kempton in June. [Harry March]

Selections

POSTDATA:

Great Blasket

The Guardian:

Havana Touch

SPOTLIGHT:

Thapa Vc

The Times:

Amused

The Star:

Dannick

Daily Record:

Havana Touch

Telegraph:

Great Blasket

D Express:

Great Blasket

Daily Mirror:

Great Blasket

The Sun:

Great Blasket

Daily Mail:

Thapa Vc