Donald McCain Racing

12/09/2026

Saturday 12th September 2026
Chester
17:42 KUREDU KING - Theo Gillard
Timeform Comment
Early starts for this yard weren't devoid of encouragement but not so good at this course the last twice, turning in a lacklustre display in 2m event here 3 weeks ago. Hard to make a case for him.

18:50 DINO BELLAGIO - Pierre-Louis Jamin
Timeform Comment
Fairly useful stayer. Now 1 lb lower than when doubling his Flat tally with an all-the-way success at Chester (14.5f, heavy) last autumn. Best effort of this year when fourth at Southwell on penultimate start, and he isn't best judged on his subsequent effort (sat too close to a strong early pace).

11/09/2026

Friday 11th September 2026
Chester
15:53 PAWS FOR THOUGHT Pierre-Louis Jamin
Timeform Comment
Three-time C&D winner who added to his tally over 5.5f here 12 months ago. However, essentially out of sorts this season, albeit not helped by racing wide when last of 9 over extended 7f here 2 months ago. Had breathing operation ahead of this and cheekpieces back on in place of blinkers.

16:28 MOONLIGHT MELODY David Allan
Timeform Comment
Handicap debut for this lightly-raced filly who was fourth of 7 over C&D in July then third of 8 to Lady Gormire in a maiden at Catterick 16 days ago. Bred for middle distances and will likely find this too sharp.

07/09/2026

Tuesday 8th September 2026
Bangor-on-Dee
16:38 JIAIR MADRIK - Theo Gillard
Timeform Comment
Landed a hat-trick of 2½m wins at Uttoxeter and Worcester, beating Ice Jet by a short head at former track in July on latest. Has gone up a total of 17 lb for those 3 successes but could still take some pe***ng back if allowed to dominate.

17:42(1) SECRET BEACH - Theo Gillard
Timeform Comment
Fair winner on Flat for Ben Brookhouse, bagging 1m4f handicap at Newmarket in September. Fairly low-key hurdles debut 3 months later but he's fit from the level and he should do much better this time.

17:42(2) EVENLY - Brian Hughes
Timeform Comment
Mountain High mare. Dam, ran once in bumper, half-sister to fair hurdle winner/fairly useful chaser (stayed 25f) Bobs Law. Bred to need a trip over obstacles and looks a long-term project.

18:12(1) ZAMOND - Theo Gillard
Timeform Comment
Veteran who resumed winning ways at Cartmel (17.2f) in July and confirmed himself better than ever when finding only one too good back there (17f) 10 days ago. Likely to remain competitive.

18:12(2) ROCK HURLEY - Harry Brown
Timeform Comment
Had the run of the race when registering a second success at this venue (23f) in June, despite typically jumping less than fluently. Well held in a more competitive race at Uttoxeter last time, though. 10 lb claimer now takes over in the saddle.

18:12(3) WHO'S GLEN - Brian Hughes
Timeform Comment
Useful handicapper on Flat for Andrew Balding and placed on 4 of his 5 starts over hurdles for this yard last season. However, ran poorly back on the Flat at Chester in May and did do again returned to this sphere at Southwell the following month. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces after a break.

18:42 ROARIN' SUCCESS - Theo Gillard
Timeform Comment
Fairly useful Flat form and, with a tongue tie added, came good at the second time of asking in handicap hurdles when seeing off 13 rivals at Stratford (2m) in June. Overcame a series of mistakes to follow up over a 4f longer trip there last time and merits respect in hat-trick bid.

18:42 EREMENKO -Brian Hughes
Timeform Comment
Well-bred mare who won a bumper and a mares maiden hurdle for Nicky Henderson last season. Bought by new connections for £8,000 and was ridden too aggressively when fourth of 9 in a novice hurdle at Cartmel (17f, good to soft) on yard debut in June. Had breathing operation since.

19:12 PRESENT FAIR - Harry Brown
Timeform Comment
C&D winner last summer who looked and shaped as though in need of the run after 11 months off at Cartmel in July. Should strip fitter here.

04/09/2026

Friday 4th September 2026
Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse
13:40 IAMYOUARE (Harry Brown)
Timeform Comment
Benefited no end from the step back up in trip when bolting up in 8-runner handicap at Hereford (2½m, good) in April. Got no further than the first at Worcester in July but right back on her game when second at Uttoxeter. Obvious threat to Hoe Joly Smoke back in a novice.

14:15 SOLDIER IN MAYO (Theo Gillard)
Timeform Comment
Point winner who took a step forward on his handicap debut over hurdles when landing 9-runner contest here (2½m) when last seen in May 2025, showing a good attitude. Long absence to overcome but type to take to chasing.

14:50 PRESENTANDCOUNTING (Theo Gillard)
Timeform Comment
Useful chaser at best and back below his last winning mark. Below form at Newton Abbot (3¼m) 7 weeks ago and probably vulnerable kept to this sort of trip in this grade.

15:25 SPEED DAVIS (Theo Gillard)
Timeform Comment
Beat a progressive one when successful at Musselburgh last November and produced a career best to follow up over C&D in mid-April. Couple of tame efforts this summer raise questions, though.
16:35 RIDIN SOLO (Theo Gillard)
Timeform Comment
Gained reward for consistency when taking Sedgefield maiden hurdle in February 2025. Lightly raced and in the frame all 3 starts over fences since, off 7 months prior to finishing second at Uttoxeter (2½m) in June. Looks worth a try at this longer trip on that evidence and one to consider.

28/08/2026

Saturday 29th August 2026
Cartmel Racecourse
14:05
ZAMOND
Harry Brown

Timeform Comment
Veteran bumped into one at Newcastle last winter and again here on penultimate start. Deservedly went one better in a C&D handicap last time, having won the race 4 years prior. He's building up a solid course record and looks as good as when successful off this mark earlier in his career.

14:40
FAITHFUL GUARDIAN
Theo Gillard

Timeform Comment
Runner-up in a bumper for Alan King last season. Showed more than on hurdling debut when rallying to finish 15½ lengths third of 9 at Worcester last time, running a race in contrast with his speedy pedigree. That form still some way off what's likely to be required, though.

28/08/2026

Saturday 28th August 2026
Sedgefield Racecourse
18:40
JO ARENGEOT BEY AA
Gavin Sheenan

Timeform Comment
Maiden hurdler but this point winner was greatly improved on his third run over fences when scoring at Uttoxeter in May. Went off too hard the following month and then quickly back to form when second there 5 weeks ago, beaten only by one who was gambled on. Shapes as if he'll stay this far.

19:15
AMERICAN EMPIRE
Theo Gillard

Timeform Comment
Fair bumper winner who ran to a similar level over hurdles when third in a Hereford maiden in April. Well beaten in 2 handicaps this summer, though, so makes little appeal upped in trip and in first-time cheekpieces.

26/08/2026

Catterick Racecourse
14:45 (3rd) Moonlight Melody (David Allan)
Ran Prominently, untill weakened final furlong.

15:45 (5th) Animato (David Nolan)
Prominent, outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final 110yds.

25/08/2026

Wednesday 26th August 2026

Catterick Racecourse
14:45
MOONLIGHT MELODY
David Allan

Timeform
Mohaather filly who left previous 2 efforts well behind when fourth of 7 upped to 7f at Chester last month. Should be more to come over this trip and beyond.

15:45
ANIMATO
David Nolan

Timeform
Beaten a long way all 3 Flat outings this season and it was a similar story back hurdling at Cartmel last month. Visor goes back on.

25/08/2026

Tuesday 25th September 2026

19:45
BOMBUS PASCUORUM
Harry Brown

Timeform
Make Believe gelding. Half-brother to 2 winners on Flat, including 1m winner Absolutely Buzzing. Dam 1¼m winner, half-sister to smart US 1m/1¼m performer Ferneley. From a good Flat family and one to note on debut.

20/08/2026