2.00 Why Bet Elsewhere, David Lucas Bookmakers Apprentice Handicap (Class 5)

• Excellent Echo (TimeWise Rank: 257):
  • Details: This 3-year-old horse is trained by D Ffrench Davis, who has a 40% win-rate. Excellent Echo will be ridden by Ben Ffrench Davis (3). The horse is rated 72 OR (Official Rating) and has a latest Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 61, with a master RPR of 77. Its current odds are 3-1.
  • Assessment: Excellent Echo is described as a progressive 3yo who secured a win at Leicester (7f, good) in July. Despite carrying 1lb more, the sources suggest there might be further improvement in the horse following that victory. The spotlight verdict identifies Excellent Echo as the most progressive horse in this race and anticipates another win.
• Marlay Park (TimeWise Rank: 237):
  • Details: This 7-year-old horse is trained by D J Boyle, who boasts a 71% win-rate. Alec Voikhansky is listed as the jockey. Marlay Park has an OR of 71 and RPRs of 60 (latest) and 77 (master). Its odds are 11-2.
  • Assessment: Marlay Park’s most recent win was two years ago, but the horse has shown good form recently, placing in two races last month, including a fourth-place finish at Epsom (7f, good). The sources suggest it “should not be far away” in this race. The spotlight verdict also includes Marlay Park on the shortlist, noting its consistent good performance.

2.35 Guaranteed Odds At David Lucas Bookmakers EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 5)

• Quiescent (TimeWise Rank: 268):
  • Details: A 2-year-old filly trained by H Al Jehani (60% win-rate). Faleh Bughenaim is the jockey. The horse’s latest RPR is 69 and its master RPR is 80. The odds are 3-1.
  • Assessment: Quiescent made an encouraging debut, finishing second at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) in July. However, she did not perform as well on a more demanding heavy surface at Goodwood, placing seventh. This race is considered easier, and she is expected to deliver a good performance. The spotlight identifies her as the primary threat to Zabeel Flower.
• Zabeel Flower (TimeWise Rank: 253):
  • Details: This 2-year-old filly is trained by R Hughes (61% win-rate) and will be ridden by Finley Marsh. Her latest RPR is 76, and her master RPR is 102. She is the favourite with odds of 4-7.
  • Assessment: Zabeel Flower had a very promising debut, finishing second at Lingfield (7f, good) to a more experienced filly. This race is highlighted as a “decent opportunity to get off the mark”. The spotlight verdict strongly tips Zabeel Flower to win.

3.10 Cruising Around With Steve & Mary Nursery Handicap (Class 6)

• Torbay (TimeWise Rank: 208):
  • Details: A 2-year-old horse trained by E Lavelle (67% win-rate), with Charles Bishop as the jockey. Torbay has an OR of 56, a latest RPR of 41, and a master RPR of 61. Its odds are 9-4.
  • Assessment: Torbay won on its nursery debut at Ffos Las (7.4f, good) in July. After being gelded, it finished third at Kempton (1m, AW), struggling with the home bend. The sources indicate this track will be more suitable, and it “should go well”. The spotlight places Torbay high on the list if it adapts better to this track compared to Kempton.
• Demetris Mouflon (TimeWise Rank: 184):
  • Details: A 2-year-old horse, trained by B Millman (65% win-rate). Lewis Edmunds is the jockey. Demetris Mouflon holds an OR of 49, with RPRs of 44 (latest) and 59 (master). Its odds are 6-1.
  • Assessment: This horse has been well beaten in its three novice starts, including a last-place finish at Ffos Las (7.4f, good). While improvement is needed, its nursery debut is seen as a “more realistic” opportunity. The spotlight suggests it “could improve for the switch to nurseries”.

3.45 Treble Odds L15s At David Lucas Maiden Stakes (Class 5)

• Pickering Castle (TimeWise Rank: 270):
  • Details: A 3-year-old horse trained by D SimcOck (57% win-rate), ridden by Jack Dace (5). Its OR is 72, latest RPR is 50, and master RPR is 82. The odds are 7-4.
  • Assessment: Pickering Castle performs well on soft ground. It has been a beaten favourite in three of its six starts. Its recent form includes chasing a promising newcomer at Lingfield (7f, good) in August. Its best form is over 6f, giving it claims in this race. The spotlight identifies it as a main contender against Peter The Wolf.
• Peter The Wolf (TimeWise Rank: 250):
  • Details: A 3-year-old horse trained by W Greatrex (33% win-rate), with Edward Greatrex as the jockey. It has an OR of 80, a latest RPR of 73, and a master RPR of 87. It is the favourite at Evs.
  • Assessment: Peter The Wolf handles soft ground well and has shown fair form over 6f without winning. It was beaten by a promising horse at Ffos Las. Despite a high draw at Wolverhampton AW, it has a “solid form chance”. The spotlight verdict expresses confidence that Peter The Wolf “ought to find a race” and gives it the vote.

4.20 Get Raceday Ready With Lucas Bookies Handicap (Class 5)

• Vape (TimeWise Rank: 237):
  • Details: An 8-year-old horse trained by J & R Flint (60% win-rate), ridden by Charlie Tucker (7). Vape has an OR of 63, a latest RPR of 53, and a master RPR of 77. Its odds are 9-2.
  • Assessment: Vape is highly regarded on this track, with three of its last four wins occurring here over this course and distance (good to soft and good), including a recent victory a fortnight ago. It has won off higher marks previously, and its jockey is noted for getting a “sweet tune” out of him. The sources anticipate a hat-trick for Vape, with the spotlight explicitly naming him as the “nap” (best bet).
• Papabella (TimeWise Rank: 235):
  • Details: A 5-year-old horse trained by W S Kittow (100% win-rate), with Callum Hutchinson as the jockey. Papabella’s OR is 65, latest RPR is 65, and master RPR is 76. The odds are 8-1.
  • Assessment: Papabella achieved a course and distance win in June, in addition to two other 6f wins in 2024 (good to firm and soft). Although her last run at Ffos Las four weeks ago was slightly below her best, she cannot be ruled out when returning to this course.

4.55 David Lucas Best Prices Welsh Sport Handicap (Class 6)

• Step Along (TimeWise Rank: 214):
  • Details: A 3-year-old horse trained by W Muir & C Grassick (70% win-rate), ridden by Lewis Edmunds. Step Along has an OR of 54, a latest RPR of 62, and a master RPR of 66. The odds are 7-4.
  • Assessment: Despite being a ten-race maiden, Step Along has consistently performed well in handicaps this year, placing in four of seven starts. She recently finished third off the same mark at Lingfield and Ffos Las, suggesting she “should be thereabouts”. The spotlight identifies her as the main contender to Aim For The Bull.
• Aim For The Bull (TimeWise Rank: 212):
  • Details: A 3-year-old horse trained by Mike Murphy (40% win-rate), with Darragh Keenan as the jockey. It has an OR of 48, a latest RPR of 58, and a master RPR of 65. Its odds are 9-4.
  • Assessment: Aim For The Bull is an 11-race maiden but has shown remarkable consistency, placing in all six of its starts this year. It ran an “honest race” when fourth at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) last month. The addition of a first-time visor and a declining mark gives it “obvious claims”. The spotlight verdict selects Aim For The Bull to achieve its first win due to its consistent efforts.

5.25 David Lucas, Wales Leading Independent Bookmaker Handicap (Class 6)

• Some Nightmare (TimeWise Rank: 237):
  • Details: An 8-year-old horse trained by John O’Shea (50% win-rate), with William Carson as the jockey. Some Nightmare has an OR of 59, a latest RPR of 48, and a master RPR of 64. Its odds are 4-1.
  • Assessment: This horse is a course specialist, having secured its sixth win here (5f, good) just eight days prior to this race. Despite a 4lb penalty, it has a history of winning off significantly higher weights (up to 15lb more), suggesting it “may have wiggle room left to give another good account”. The spotlight views him as a strong contender.
• Barnsnape Boy (TimeWise Rank: 235):
  • Details: A 4-year-old horse trained by J Boyle (71% win-rate), with Edward Greatrex as the jockey. Barnsnape Boy has an OR of 53, a latest RPR of 46, and a master RPR of 67. Its odds are 5-2.
  • Assessment: Barnsnape Boy recently broke its maiden status on its 16th attempt at Lingfield (5f, good) in first-time cheekpieces and promptly followed up with another win at Brighton. The sources consider him “sure to take plenty of beating in hat-trick bid”. The spotlight verdict selects Barnsnape Boy to win and complete his hat-trick.