July 11 / 17.20 Newmarket (July)

17.20

Soft

National Stud Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
National Stud Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -30610

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has an up-and-down profile and made no impact in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, but he won at Newbury (7f, good to firm) seven days earlier and is versatile ground-wise; has shaped as though this first crack at 1m is well worth a go and it will be no surprise if he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(10)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Sterling Knight

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ed Dunlop

Well beaten at Epsom on Oaks day and he still had work to do when his path was blocked late on over this C&D three weeks ago; however, before those he won in good style on the other Newmarket course (1m, good) and he won this race in 2024 (good to soft); capable of having a say.

16/1

13th

1

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Sterling Knight

10st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ed Dunlop

Disappointing at Epsom a fortnight ago but won on the other Newmarket course (1m, good) last month and he has a very solid record at this track, featuring a C&D win and 2l fourth in this last year; could bounce back.

14/1

17th

8

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Sterling Knight

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Versatile regarding ground and he was winning his 12th race when beating Jimmy Speaking and Final Night at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; that was a comfortable win and he has the assistance of Ryan Moore but this demands more from him (has never won off a mark this high).

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -45070 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won two Group 3 races in 2022; has tumbled down the weights and takes a drop in grade today, having contested the Royal Hunt Cup three weeks ago; however, he's hard to fancy judged on his last two performances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tempus

10st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Multiple winner in his young days including over C&D, but has only managed to win two of his last 31 starts, one of which was on Jersey; may find a couple too strong.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3-7310 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Not seen to best effect at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) but this lightly raced 4yo was progressive previously, finishing third at Nottingham (1m, good) then first at Doncaster (1m, good to soft); firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(9)

25th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Pontefract

Twirling

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Nicky Henderson

Reached a smart level on the Flat for the Crisfords (effective at 1m with give underfoot); flopped on hurdling/stable debut for Nicky Henderson in July but had wind surgery afterwards and there was some encouragement to be gleaned from her fifth at Ascot (1m, good to soft) 19 days ago; that could be a run to build on and her sole start at 1m2f was inconclusive; not at all ruled out.

10/1

5th

3

(7)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:50 Ascot

Twirling

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Nicky Henderson

Reached a smart level on the Flat for the Crisfords (effective at 1m with give underfoot); bitterly disappointing in a novice hurdle on debut for Nicky Henderson but unwise to read too much into that and she's had wind surgery in the meantime.

16/1

8

8th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

18:00 Uttoxeter

Twirling

10st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Very useful on the Flat for the Crisfords and a respectable sixth in a 1m Newmarket handicap in October; switched to a top jumps stable for hurdling career and could easily be too good for these if taking to it, providing the stays.

Evs

7/2

Form: 15 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won in good style on debut at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) in April and sound fifth under a penalty in warm novice at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) next time; begins handicap life on a fair mark and this lightly raced 3yo is open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

14:43 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fifty Nifty

9st 13lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Martin Dunne

Useful 3yo for Tom Clover but has gone backwards since; sold for 2,000gns to join current yard this month; risks involved in yet another change of headgear on stable debut.

16/1

8th

6

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Fifty Nifty

9st 5lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Useful 3yo for Tom Clover, including a C&D win, who proved hard to place last year; handicapper given him a chance now, but he ran below market expectations for another new yard back from wind surgery last time; risks involved in first-time blinkers.

7/1

7th

3

(5)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:48 Yarmouth

Fifty Nifty

9st 7lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Dual fast-ground winner (1m/7f) for Tom Clover, including on his debut at this track in April 2024; shaped quite well at Kempton (6f, AW) in December but failed to build on that next time and has since left Mick Appleby; has bit to prove after six months off but he's had wind surgery and needs watching in market on stable debut.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 03-807 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four-time turf winner who is 4lb lower than when close third at Chelmsford (1m, AW) last December; however, he's been soundly beaten on his three starts since and needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ascot

Helm Rock

10st 0lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Five-time turf winner who matched that tally on the AW when landing Kempton handicap (1m) in April; never a threat over that C&D last Thursday and it's been a while since he won off a mark this high.

6/1

7th

3

(4)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:08 Kempton (AW)

Helm Rock

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Won over C&D in April and he went close on Polytrack and turf in his next two starts; didn't really fire at Newmarket (1m, good) last time but he still looks on a workable mark and has claims if he can get back near best.

13/2

6th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Helm Rock

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

8yo who has been in fine form this spring, winning at Kempton (1m, AW) last month then going close at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m, good); there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.

9/1

10/1

Form: 145130

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Two-time French winner, the latest in April (1m1f, very soft); fast ground may not have suited on his stable debut in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, when soundly beaten at 100-1, but his claims aren't overly compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(4)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Safwan

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Two-time French winner, the latest in April (1m1f, very soft); fast ground may not have suited on his stable debut in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, when soundly beaten at 100-1, but his claims aren't overly compelling.

10/1

19th

26

(13)

20th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Safwan

8st 10lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

Had seven races in these colours when based in France, winning over 1m3f (AW) and 1m1f (very soft); faster conditions are a grey area and the chances are that this mark is a tough one.

33/1

Form: 0-4453 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who is 1lb above last winning mark and was a close third at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) latest; can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

13:27 Wolverhampton (AW)

Repertoire

9st 8lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Ended long losing run with a last-gasp win at Lingfield (1m) three weeks ago and he was only narrowly denied on his return visit 11 days ago; on same mark here and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.

5/1

10

(12)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Newmarket

Repertoire

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

9yo who is without a win since October 2023; ran four times last winter, best effort on first occasion and he's often gone well after other breaks, so he needs a second look off this career-low mark.

12/1

10

(12)

31st Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Newmarket

Repertoire

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

9yo who is without a win since October 2023; ran four times last winter, best effort on first occasion and he's often gone well after other breaks, so he needs a second look off this career-low mark.

12/1

Form: 1-5318 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Haydock (1m, good) last month but this 3yo had an improving profile previously and made all with something in hand at Ascot (1m, good) two runs ago; can make a bold bid if rediscovering that penultimate form; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(13)

2nd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Kempton (AW)

The Ice Phoenix

9st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Charles Hills

led, headed and weakened inside final furlong

8/1

1st

3

(6)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

The Ice Phoenix

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Charles Hills

Won a Lingfield novice (7f, Polytrack) last November and added an Ascot handicap (1m, good) in May; out of the frame in three starts since, though not disgraced when sixth of 14 in first-time blinkers at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) last month; bit more needed all the same.

10/1

Form: 43223-

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Absent since last December (gelded in interim) and is on a 15-race losing sequence, but he ran well on last season's reappearance and is on a competitive mark on last season's best efforts; not ruled out on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:58 Nottingham

Urban Sprawl

9st 10lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Already a three-time scorer (around 1m) in 2025 and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 13 in 1m Newcastle handicap; must enter calculations off an unchanged mark.

9/2

2nd

5

(12)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Urban Sprawl

9st 12lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Career win number eight when prevailing narrowly in a Class 4 at Beverley (extended 1m) and tends to find Class 2s too tough these days, so excused his Doncaster run; only 1-17 on the AW but could be a factor.

14/1

10th

12

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Urban Sprawl

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Charlie Johnston

Tough sort but has done his winning this year in Class 4, including at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) last time when taking record to 8-55; faces a tougher task back up two grades.

14/1

Non-runners

Alzahir

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £84.60
Straight Forecast £80.18
Tricast £388.26
Trifecta £567.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Twirling

The Times:

Fifty Nifty

SPOTLIGHT:

Sterling Knight

TOPSPEED:

The Ice Phoenix

D Express:

Helm Rock

The Guardian:

Repertoire

Daily Mail:

Fifty Nifty

The Star:

Fifty Nifty

Daily Record:

Fifty Nifty

POSTDATA:

Twirling

NEWMARKET:

Twirling

Daily Mirror:

Twirling

The Sun:

Twirling

Telegraph:

Sterling Knight