August 28 / 19.30 Newbury

19.30

Good To Firm

Highclere Castle Gin Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7327.6
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Highclere Castle Gin Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1st
9 (4)
King Al

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.20
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1-05

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won a heavy-ground novice over 1m at Haydock last autumn on debut; well beaten on reappearance and gelded; while his fifth of 11 on handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good; 18-1) five weeks ago was creditable on form, he needs to build on that; very lightly raced, so it could happen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

(12)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

King Al

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

2-6 on Flat, with the second win registered over C&D (good) last August; two wins among his five hurdle races this season, including latest start, so he should be primed to run well again today.

6/1

1st

4

29th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 157y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

King Al

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Dual Flat winner who progressed again to edge out Talakan at Ludlow in February and, although it was a rather sobering defeat at Warwick, that was against older opposition; good ground won't bother him but others might be on kinder marks.

16/1

5th

8

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

King Al

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Acts on any ground; dual Flat winner who has shown steady progress in juvenile hurdles, most recently making all at Ludlow (2m) where held on by a neck from Talakan (declared 2:10); one of the main players.

7/2

15/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 734331 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Pretty consistent in his 1m2f-1m4f handicaps, wandering but off the mark at tenth attempt when 6-4 favourite in a small field at Windsor (1m2f) on latest outing; back up 4lb but probably on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

13:45 Beverley

Sir William

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Won at Windsor (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August; struggled on first two runs for new yard but returned to form when second of seven back at Windsor (11.5f, good) 12 days ago; first-time cheekpieces go on now.

3/1

2nd

7

(6)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Sir William

9st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Won here (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August but that was off 4lb lower and he's struggled in two runs for new yard this season; has plenty to prove and overall record is now 1-15.

14/1

10th

9

(2)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:16 Ripon

Sir William

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Underwhelming fifth of six on last month's stable and seasonal debut at Southwell (1m3f, AW), but he was wide early and may have needed the run; progressive on turf last season for William Haggas and he could tap back into that promise and play a leading role today.

13/2

14/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: -41263

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made all in a small-field maiden at Bath (1m, firm) in May and best form when second on handicap debut at Sandown (1m, good to firm) next time; while third over 1m2f at Sandown latest was respectable, she looked a bit stretched by the trip; left Andrew Balding for 35,000gns two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(8)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 4

17:22 Goodwood

Star Of Dubai

8st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Denis Coakley

3yo who was third on her stable debut at Newbury (1m2f, good) in August and has an each-way shout on that form; however, she failed to settle when well beaten there (1m2f, good to soft) last time and has to bounce back.

14/1

8th

11

(10)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newbury

Star Of Dubai

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Denis Coakley

Made all in a small-field maiden at Bath (1m, firm) in May and best form when second on handicap debut at Sandown (1m, good to firm) the following month; left Andrew Balding for 35,000gns after two lesser efforts in July and it was a promising start for this yard when 33-1 but third of nine over C&D (good) three weeks ago; considered.

16/1

3rd

7

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Newbury

Star Of Dubai

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Denis Coakley

Made all in a small-field maiden at Bath (1m, firm) in May and best form when second on handicap debut at Sandown (1m, good to firm) next time; while third over 1m2f at Sandown latest was respectable, she looked a bit stretched by the trip; left Andrew Balding for 35,000gns two weeks ago.

14/1

12/1

Form: 35188

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won Newmarket novice (1m4f, good to firm) in May, before tailed off in 1m4f Group 2 at Royal Ascot; while handicap debut in Racing League race at Yarmouth (11.4f, soft; 14-1) five weeks ago was creditable on form, he clearly needs improvement as that was good enough for only eighth of 12; visor goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Minhad

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Ismail Mohammed

Ran poorly on final start last term but gelded soon afterwards and, with visor/blinkers dispensed with, he returned with a narrow win in 12-runner race at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month, gradually working his way to the front in final strides under 7lb claimer Kyle McHugh; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer in what's only his second campaign.

8/1

1st

1

(4)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:32 Thirsk

Minhad

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Ismail Mohammed

Got off the mark at Newmarket (1m4f) last April and in good form in handicaps after until coming in last of 12 back at Newmarket (1m4f) in October; since gelded and goes without usual headgear on his return.

14/1

12th

7

(8)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Newmarket

Minhad

8st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ismail Mohammed

Won a 1m4f Newbury novice in May; ran in handicaps on last three starts, visored on second occasion and blinkered when good second of six under Mason Paetel at Chester (1m6f, good) latest; this race presents a stiffer task.

16/1

Form: -36221 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Second in 1m4f handicaps at Goodwood and Epsom before he scored in tidy fashion at Haydock (10.4f, good) 19 days ago, getting off the mark at eighth attempt; up 4lb but may well have more up his sleeve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

20:45 Salisbury

Masterinthewoods

9st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

He had been knocking on the door prior to his 10.4f win at Haydock last summer; not so good since but he should be sharper with his reappearance behind him and he is only 2lb higher than for the win; unexposed at 1m4f and respected back on turf.

5/1

7th

1

(10)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Masterinthewoods

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Emma Lavelle

Haydock winner (10.5f, good) last August and ended the campaign with a fine third of 14 over this C&D; off 222 days since, but he ran well on his reappearance last year; shortlisted.

11/2

3rd

12

(7)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Masterinthewoods

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

First two starts here but kept to turf subsequently; made the breakthrough at Haydock (10.5f) in August; lesser effort followed up to this grade at Newbury (1m2f, also good) three weeks later; still not ruled out.

10/1

7/1

Form: 55-165 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won quite takingly at Beverley (1m2f, good) in April; good to firm ground may have been against him next time and he caught the eye with his late progress when creditable fifth of nine at Sandown (1m2f, good) 11 weeks ago; any recent rain is probably a help and there's a strong feeling that he can still prove capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

18:15 Nottingham

Kokanee

9st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

Winner over 1m2f at Beverley (good) last spring and went agonisingly close to a second career success on Pontefract reappearance (1m, good to soft) 11 days ago; a 2lb nudge shouldn't prevent another prominent showing if in similar form.

4/1

2nd

3

(4)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

14:57 Pontefract

Kokanee

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

Record is 1-10, the success off current mark at Beverley (1m2f, good) on reappearance last year; ran creditably over C&D (soft) in October; respected on seasonal debut.

11/4

Form: 43350

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; plenty of ability in his qualifying runs (1m/1m2f) but disappointing in his two handicaps (1m4f/1m2f) despite being prominent in the betting; it will be interesting to see if his backers return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(6)

15th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Hinchinbrooke

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

0-10 but he's been runner-up on his last three starts, most recently when bumping into a subsequent winner over this C&D 28 days ago; solid claims with the cheekpieces retained.

5/1

7

(12)

21st Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

16:55 Yarmouth

Hinchinbrooke

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Handy sort who is 0-7, but after a few disappointing efforts he bounced back when fourth of 13 at Kempton (1m3f, AW) last month (winner has gone in again since); could go well.

10/1

16/1

Form: 713-79

Last run: 64 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ploughed through heavy ground when making all in a Haydock nursery (7f) last autumn; backward steps in his only two starts this year, with very little response from the handicapper, so others are preferred; new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:11 Worcester

Pivotal Days

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Syd Hosie

Won over 7f on the Flat for Ed Walker in 2024; has shown only modest form in two runs over hurdles for current yard.

100/1

9th

10

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

18:12 Fontwell

Pivotal Days

10st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

7f winner who joined this yard for 7,500gns; finished 22l behind La Cadalora on hurdle debut at Wincanton.

50/1

4th

6

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:55 Wincanton

Pivotal Days

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Syd Hosie

7f winner on heavy ground for Ed Walker, his only win in 11 runs for that yard; joined this one for 7,500gns and finished last in a 1m Class 5 handicap at Chelmsford a month ago; not bred for hurdles and might not stay.

20/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: 2-810

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won a Thirsk novice (1m, good) in July; gelded afterwards and only tenth of 11 when second favourite for handicap debut at Haydock (1m) 18 days ago, albeit not beaten far; that sees cheekpieces installed today but there's also the chance that good to firm ground was not ideal that day and that stepping up to 1m2f will suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(3)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Wolfpack

9st 3lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Formerly owned by Qatar Racing and, having been placed on Tapeta at two, won over 1m at Thirsk last summer; showed a bit on hurdling debut, tailed off thrice over flights since; hard to gauge.

10/1

13th

14

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:15 Cork

Wolfpack

11st 7lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Flat winner for James Ferguson last year; was running okay on hurdles debut when unseating at Leopardstown but tailed off twice since; tongue tie now tried.

33/1

9th

1

(5)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Newbury

Wolfpack

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Ferguson

Won a Thirsk novice (1m, good) in July; gelded afterwards and only tenth of 11 when second favourite for handicap debut at Haydock (1m) 18 days ago, albeit not beaten far; that sees cheekpieces installed today but there's also the chance that good to firm ground was not ideal that day and that stepping up to 1m2f will suit him.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.00
Straight Forecast £34.74
Tricast £801.00
Trifecta £452.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Masterinthewoods

POSTDATA:

Sir William

D Express:

King Al

NEWMARKET:

Wolfpack

The Times:

Hinchinbrooke

TOPSPEED:

Star Of Dubai

SPOTLIGHT:

Kokanee

The Star:

King Al

Telegraph:

Masterinthewoods

The Guardian:

Masterinthewoods

Daily Mirror:

Masterinthewoods

The Sun:

Sir William

Daily Record:

Sir William

Daily Mail:

Wolfpack