September 20 / 16.25 Newbury

16.25

Good To Soft

Conundrum Consulting Handicap

  • Prize money: £16200
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 000427 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Showed very useful form on the continent; 0-7 in Britain but recent form is encouraging, notably close second at Sandown (7f, soft) on penultimate start; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

8

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Tarkhan

9st 4lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Listed win in Germany in October 2024 and went close at Sandown and Newbury last term; however, after a disappointing October he made it 0-10 for the season and this is a tough race in which to try to break his British duck.

50/1

1

(10)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Tarkhan

10st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent, including on testing ground; 0-9 for Jamie Osborne but he has run some good races, including a near miss over C&D last month; not so good at Ascot since but returning to Class 3 will be in his favour.

12/1

9

(10)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Tarkhan

8st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent; some notable form in eight defeats for this yard, last time going down narrowly in a Class 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft; second-time cheekpieces); however, he was behind four of these here the time before.

16/1

Form: 129093 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise; won at Doncaster then ran well at Royal Ascot (7f) in June; unlucky third (might have won with clearer run) returned to Doncaster last Sunday; major contender off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

18:27 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Dual course winner (both 7f, good) who turned in a solid effort when second to a progressive rival on his C&D comeback (nudged up 2lb) in March; happiest coming from off a strong pace and the question is whether this will be run to suit on good to firm ground.

2/1

2nd

5

(1)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His last two wins have come at this track (7f); returns from a 141-day absence on a good mark, 6lb lower than when second at Royal Ascot last June (7f, good to firm); unplaced in each of his three seasonal debuts but he would have gone close at Leicester on last spring's return had he seen any daylight; the owners also run Sixtygeesbaby, while this 6yo is also one of three runners for David O'Meara.

11/1

5

(4)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

13:33 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Solid record at Doncaster comprises two wins over 7f and two placed efforts, including over 6.5f when a shade unlucky; return to this location looks a plus but the drop back to bare 6f may prove a negative.

16/1

Form: 5-3503 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Suited by ground softer than good; has form figures of 1153 (and progressive RPRs) over 7f, most recently running well in competitive handicap at Ascot dropped back to this trip last time; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Mirabeau

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Narrowly regained the winning thread in big field over C&D (good) last time when dropped back to 6f for first time since debut; unexposed at this trip and still looks favourably treated back up just 3lb; respected.

5/1

1st

6

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Mirabeau

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Campaigned over as far as 10.3f and this will be his first 6f run since his 2yo debut; well beaten in the Lincoln on his reappearance (1m, good to soft); dangerous mark judged on best 2025 effort (7f, good to soft); trip is a query but Oisin Murphy a notable booking.

16/1

19th

14

(22)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Mirabeau

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Trainer won this in 2024; ran well when third of 20 off 1lb higher at Ascot (7f, good to soft) in September but unable to match that level on final four starts last season; returns having been gelded; needs something extra.

33/1

12/1

Form: 3-7930

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Suited by softer than good; best effort in Class 2 handicaps over 7f this season when third at Chester in June; ran well in the Mill Reef and Horris Hill at Newbury last autumn; interesting back here and dropped in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27th

18

(8)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Star Anthem

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Clive Cox

Record is only 1-10, the success in 2yo maiden; has bits of useful form, including at Group level, but his handicap record is rather unconvincing; chance of doubling his tally partly depends on the effects of two physical tweaks (had gelding/wind operations since last run).

33/1

4

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Star Anthem

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Clive Cox

Suited by softer than good; best effort in Class 2 handicaps over 7f this season when third at Chester in June; ran well in the Mill Reef and Horris Hill at Newbury last autumn; interesting back here and dropped in grade.

12/1

Form: 490336 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; won the Hungerford Stakes over C&D in 2022 but failed to take advantage of a reduced mark in handicap back here most recently; losing sequence is mounting up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

8th

4

(12)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Jumby

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

C&D winner who could only beat one home in this race when it was staged as a Class 2 last year; managed a handful of creditable efforts subsequently but it's hard to ignore his last win came back in June 2023 (7f Group 3); returns on reduced mark.

20/1

18

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Jumby

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

He didn't get much luck last time at Newbury (7f, good to soft) off this much reduced mark; the type who could go well with Oliver Carmichael taking off 7lb, but confidence would be greater on faster ground.

25/1

Form: 115-33 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; couple of solid handicap efforts at Goodwood (1m1f/1m) since belated return to action, taking record to 411533; gained one of his 2yo wins over C&D; has progressive RPRs; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(20)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Has a progressive profile and made it three wins from eight attempts when easily making all at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) last November; subsequently gelded; a 10lb rise means he'll need another personal best but he's a low-mileage 4yo who may have more in the tank.

12/1

1st

3

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Low-mileage 3yo who returned with cracking thirds in 1m1f/1m Goodwood handicaps in August; didn't find much after moving up looking a threat at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last month but the Goodwood efforts are solid and he's given another chance.

4/1

1st

3

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Low-mileage 3yo who returned with cracking thirds in 1m1f/1m Goodwood handicaps in August; didn't find much after moving up looking a threat at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last month but the Goodwood efforts are solid and he's given another chance.

4/1

Form: 03144- D

Last run: 268 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Scored at Goodwood (1m, good) during a generally consistent 2024 campaign; however, remains on career-high mark and badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since last December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(5)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 135y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield

Christian David

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Novice and handicap (7f) winner on AW here, latterly in December when sporting first-time blinkers (retained); respectable ninth of 21 when 66-1 for the Lincoln in March and it was another solid effort when third in Class 2 handicap (1m, good) at Newmarket's Craven meeting; can't be ruled out.

8/1

3rd

6

(6)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Christian David

9st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Four-time winner including of a good-ground 1m handicap in June 2024; first-time blinkers when doing well to win 7f AW handicap (now just 1lb higher) narrowly in December; low-key AW return in March but it was a fair effort when ninth in the Lincoln (1m, good to soft) three weeks later; fitness guaranteed.

14/1

9th

20

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Christian David

9st 0lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Won at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last September and at Lingfield (7f, AW) in December, and he scored over 1m in 2024; however, he has an up-and-down profile and was well beaten on his reappearance three weeks ago (8.6f, AW); this is tougher than he's used to and he may be best watched.

50/1

Form: P29704 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Two wins last year for previous yard; 0-6 for current stable but was an eyecatching fourth, amid major traffic issues, when favourite at Haydock (7f, good) most recently; clear possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Arctic Thunder

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Record of 0-9 for current stable but he has made the frame in last three attempts over 7f; could go well returned to this distance with Newbury reappearance (6f) under his belt.

8/1

12th

11

(16)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Arctic Thunder

9st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

String of runs last summer (6f-7f) suggested he was ahead of his mark but he often ran into trouble and/or got going too late; no surprise at all were he to take this back from a break but he is not one for the faint of heart.

8/1

Form: -22246 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who has raced mainly on AW; unable to sustain his progressive RPRs the last twice but gives the impression he's still in form; went close in sole turf attempt and is unexposed in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Believe The Storm

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Charlie Fellowes

Made a winning debut in December 2024 and ran well in defeat on several occasions last year; signed off with a poor effort when ninth of 11 at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last September but handicapper has given him a chance if he can hit the boards running.

7/1

9

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Believe The Storm

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Charlie Fellowes

Low-mileage 4yo who has raced mainly on AW; unable to sustain his progressive RPRs the last twice but gives the impression he's still in form; went close in sole turf attempt and is unexposed in this sphere.

12/1

Form: 243128

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Punished by the assessor for a Listed effort (7f, soft) that may flatter her; failed to make much impact returned to handicap level last time and again looks unfavourably treated; gained last win off a stone lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Fleetwater

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: J S Moore

Ran well when second of seven on her Southwell reappearance (6f, Tapeta) last month and wasn't disgraced when sixth of 11 in a 0-95 contest over C&D nine days ago; considered down in grade back against her own sex.

10/1

6th

9

(1)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Kempton (AW)

Fleetwater

8st 10lb

J: David Egan

T: J S Moore

Both her wins have come at Windsor in midsummer; she made an encouraging seasonal return when second of seven in a fillies' handicap at Southwell two weeks ago but another step forward will be required to trouble the principals today.

20/1

2nd

2

(4)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:20 Southwell (AW)

Fleetwater

9st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: J S Moore

Not seen in 140 days and although she has gone well fresh in the past, remains 9lb above her last winning mark; others more convincing.

14/1

Form: 320079 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Defied a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood last season and placed a few times on AW this year (up to April); not in top form since returning from a break and needs to stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(9)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Evans

Only won one of his last 25 starts and regressed last year; now 11lb lower than when beaten a nose over C&D last spring but there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh; others have more pressing claims.

16/1

1

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 13lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Struggled on his last four starts but he has dropped 9lb as a result; fully effective around here and he's likely to bounce back soon; 7f perhaps his optimum trip though.

16/1

11

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Blue Prince

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: David Evans

Defied a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood last season and placed a few times on AW this year (up to April); not in top form since returning from a break and needs to stage a revival.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £327.80
Straight Forecast £309.70
Tricast £1717.95
Trifecta £1785.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Linwood

Daily Mirror:

Akkadian Thunder

NEWMARKET:

Believe The Storm

LAMBOURN:

Mirabeau

TOPSPEED:

Arctic Thunder

The Star:

Tarkhan

D Express:

Blue Prince

POSTDATA:

Jumby

RP RATINGS:

Linwood

The Times:

Linwood

Telegraph:

Linwood

The Guardian:

Linwood

Daily Mail:

Linwood

Daily Record:

Linwood

The Sun:

Akkadian Thunder