April 18 / 14.25 Newmarket

14.25

Soft

National Stud Handicap

  • Prize money: £20616
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV4
View Course
National Stud Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 16465- C

Last run: 171 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Course winner; made a winning seasonal return over 1m at Sandown last May off this mark; ran some creditable races in defeat afterwards and 7f on soft ground shouldn't be an issue; not a forlorn hope if he's been freshened up by a winter break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(15)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Rebel Territory

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Amanda Perrett

Bolted up in last season's Victoria Cup over this C&D (soft) but went missing for 470 days afterwards; out of the frame in both starts since returning (the latest back here) but this race was immediately nominated after his latest outing; likely to have his conditions and should go well.

16/1

8th

3

(6)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Rebel Territory

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Amanda Perrett

Well suited by drop to 7f in spring 2023, winning two races including soft-ground Victoria Cup here by 4l; subsequently absent until Goodwood two weeks ago when showing clear signs of retaining ability while seeming to need the run; interesting with that reappearance under his belt.

5/1

6th

1

(6)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Rebel Territory

9st 12lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Amanda Perrett

2-2 since dropped to 7f, both wins in spring 2023, latest by 4l in the Victoria Cup at Ascot (soft); now 8lb higher but could well have more to offer at this distance; interesting on return from 15-month absence, particularly if the market speaks favourably.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 1001-3 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won the Victoria Cup at Ascot last spring off a 6lb lower mark; ended 2022 with a good win at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) and it was an encouraging seasonal return when third at Kempton three weeks ago; fully effective on soft ground and he's more appealing than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 526052 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Often performed with credit in Dubai over the winter, notably a close fifth in 6f Group 3 last month; couldn't reel in a front-running winner at Musselburgh ten days ago on his return to Britain but stayed on well to take second close home; that was good to soft ground but he'd have something to prove on slower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(11)

10th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 7f 16y

Class 2

20:30 Chepstow

Spirit Of Light

9st 1lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Ian Williams

Yet to win in Britain and comes here after finishing well down the field in three valuable, big-field handicaps at Ascot this summer (6f-7f); on a good mark now but needs a good boost from the first-time visor.

20/1

0

11

(16)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ascot

Spirit Of Light

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Capable of useful form but came up well short in two handicaps at Royal Ascot (7f/6f) last month, taking record for current yard to 0-15; opposed in another hot contest.

50/1

18th

11

(1)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Spirit Of Light

9st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ian Williams

Both wins in UAE but he ran to a useful level over 7f at Newmarket in April and did well to get as close as he did when a hampered fourth to Bielsa at York in May (6f, good); raced in the disadvantaged group when well adrift here on Thursday; still one to be interested in.

33/1

Form: 66108- CD

Last run: 164 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
C&D winner; handles soft ground and returns to action off a fair mark judged on his Ascot win last September; he followed that with two lesser efforts though and needs to be at his best back from his 164-day layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(9)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Final Watch

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Stone

Safely held in two valuable 7f handicaps on the Rowley Mile in May and needs to up his game today but it's worth noting he's now 3lb lower than when winning this race by a neck under Neil Callan a year ago (good to soft).

8/1

Form: 11173- D

Last run: 213 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won 6f handicaps on his first three starts for Mick Appleby last summer and rounded off his 2022 campaign with a fine third in the Ayr Gold Cup; may well have more to offer this year but the combination of 7f and slow ground might just stretch his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(13)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Juan Les Pins

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Ended a lengthy losing run at Newcastle in March and added to his tally with a Thirsk win last month (6f, good); better form when a close third in a Class 3 at Newbury three weeks ago and a 1lb rise is manageable; conditions won't be an issue having finished third in a Wokingham in his prime; high on the list.

11/2

3rd

16

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Juan Les Pins

8st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

He had dropped a long way in the weights prior to popping up at Newcastle (5f) last month; ran well at Doncaster ten days later and back on the scoresheet with a Thirsk win last week (6f, good); won that apprentice race (no penalty today) last time with more authority than the winning margin might suggest but he is up in class today.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 533-53 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Had some very useful form as a 3yo, including over this trip on soft ground; promising seasonal return at Wolverhampton but couldn't build on it in a Listed event last time, racing too freely for the conditions; drop back to 7f shouldn't be an issue and this mark is in range.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Tacarib Bay

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

raced far side

10/1

6th

2

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Tacarib Bay

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

in rear

13/2

2nd

1

(3)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Ascot

Tacarib Bay

10st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Both turf wins on soft and won a Listed race on AW in November; ducks and dives regarding the trip but he nearly made his first 6f turf handicap a winning one at Goodwood recently; back up 4lb but has course form at 7f; interesting.

11/2

13/2

Form: 3122-7 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Progressive last season, winning three 7f handicaps (including on soft) and rounding off his year with a good second over C&D in a 17-runner Class 4; looked rusty on last month's AW return at Lingfield but he should be sharper with that behind him; up in class but there should be more to come from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(7)

2nd Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

21:00 Epsom

Hodler

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Close third off lower AW mark at Kempton (1m) in May and fair effort when third at Salisbury (7f, good to firm) since; two of his last three wins have come over this C&D and he's respected now back here.

6/1

3rd

2

(3)

15th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

17:00 Salisbury

Hodler

9st 9lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Unraced here but a five-time turf winner over 7f at four different tracks; might well have won over 1m at Kempton (AW) last month had that race panned out more favourably; 7lb higher this time back on the grass but he can cope with this mark.

6/1

7

(2)

21st May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Hodler

9st 5lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Was having just his second start over 1m+ when running only okay at his favourite venue Epsom 29 days ago and he's towards the foot of the list in trying to capitalise on a lower AW mark here; trainer won this race last year.

14/1

Form: 010-31 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Two good runs in Dubai this year, when third over 7f in January and then a game winner in a 1m handicap in February (both good ground); the latter effort was backed up by the clock and although he'll need to progress again to defy a 4lb rise, he might enjoy the run of things in this field; has won on good to soft, untested on slower; 2-3 in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(3)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

New Kingdom

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Appleby

Front-runner who was better than ever when winning a 1m Meydan handicap in February but not in the same form when weakening to finish well held in a 1m Newmarket handicap on his British return in April; has a bit to find on form and possible his main role here is to ensure a good pace for stablemate Master Of The Seas.

20/1

8th

1

(9)

18th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Newmarket

New Kingdom

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Two good runs in Dubai this year, when third over 7f in January and then a game winner in a 1m handicap in February (both good ground); the latter effort was backed up by the clock and although he'll need to progress again to defy a 4lb rise, he might enjoy the run of things in this field; has won on good to soft, untested on slower; 2-3 in cheekpieces.

11/4

15th

15

(7)

1st Oct 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:36 Ascot

New Kingdom

9st 4lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Charlie Appleby

led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong

16/1

Form: 08429- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Three wins for John Gosden over 7f in the summer of 2020 (AW and good to firm); has drawn a blank since but retained ability last year and starts out for new connections (sold for 50,000gns in October) off a reduced mark; won on soft ground as a 2yo; usual hood (often races freely) is left off today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

1

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Rufaa

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Now 2lb lower than when keeping on well for close second behind course specialist in quite valuable Brighton Mile this summer, but recent Tapeta form has been underwhelming and he remains without a win since 2023.

10/1

7

(5)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Al Rufaa

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Patchy record this year but he is on the same mark as when a close second in a competitive race at Brighton in August; each-way shout.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.20
Straight Forecast £21.37
Tricast £124.35
Trifecta £186.20

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Vafortino

RP Ratings:

Rebel Territory

POSTDATA:

New Kingdom

SPOTLIGHT:

Hodler

The Sun:

Tacarib Bay

D Express:

Final Watch

Daily Mirror:

Juan Les Pins

Daily Record:

Spirit Of Light

TOPSPEED:

Rebel Territory

The Star:

Rebel Territory

The Times:

Vafortino

Telegraph:

Vafortino

The Guardian:

Vafortino

Daily Mail:

Vafortino