July 13 / 17.20 Newmarket (July)

17.20

Good To Firm

Boodles Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Boodles Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 406227 D BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Looked set to win at Epsom and Goodwood last month only to be caught close home, before his form dipped when favourite at York on latest outing (all three races over 7f on good to firm); blinkered for those races and often visored (as he is today) before that; even if bouncing back from his last run, others may prove better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

Darkness

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: David O’Meara

Took a step back in the right direction with his close sixth at Haydock on latest start and he's back in the visor in which his last five wins have come, including two last season (7f, good to firm); entitled to respect.

18/1

6th

10

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 2

14:35 Haydock

Darkness

9st 1lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Came good at Goodwood last August (7f, good to firm), running on strongly to bag a Class 2 handicap; faced a stiff task in a Thirsk conditions event on his reappearance two weeks ago; opposable with his usual visor remaining absent.

16/1

7th

1

(4)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Darkness

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Useful sort who landed fast-ground handicap wins over C&D and at Goodwood last year; however, he has plenty to find on these terms and failed to beat a rival on his reappearance in 2024 and 2025.

25/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 218-40

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Made all in a German Listed race (7.5f, good to soft) last September but signed off as a 2yo with a poor run and again failed to fire in the Cheshire Oaks or Goodwood Listed race; there's a rethink on the trip but she does not look on a great mark for this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:00 Epsom

Sirona

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: David Menuisier

Versatile tactically; took her form to a new level in 2024, which included a Listed win at Newmarket (1m, heavy) in September and some solid runs in Group races to start the season; close fourth from the front at Goodwood on reappearance five weeks ago and has each-way claims.

5/1

1

(7)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Goodwood

Sirona

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Took her form to a new level last season, which included a Listed win at Newmarket in September and a second in a Group 3 in France the following month (both at 1m on heavy); has to concede weight all round on her return but she has the best form in this line-up and is fairly versatile ground-wise; big player.

11/4

4th

1

(7)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Goodwood

Sirona

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Took her form to a new level last season, which included a Listed win at Newmarket in September and a second in a Group 3 in France the following month (both at 1m on heavy); has to concede weight all round on her return but she has the best form in this line-up and is fairly versatile ground-wise; big player.

11/4

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 0-3426 D

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Big placed efforts in two of his four starts this year, latterly when beaten a neck in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, heavy); faded into a fair sixth of 17 over 1m1f at Newmarket next time; back down in class for this, and in trip but he did win over 1m2f last October; needs to be at his peak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Titian

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Won an amateur riders' race off a mark 2lb higher than today's at York (1m2f, good) last June but he didn't match that level on his six subsequent starts; never-dangerous sixth of ten at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) when last seen 181 days ago and has since undergone his second wind operation; each-way claims on his return.

10/1

11th

13

(13)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Doncaster

Titian

8st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Hasn't been at his very best since his 1m2f win at York in June but he's back to only 1lb above that successful mark and is a dual soft-ground scorer.

25/1

4/1

Form: 421- D

Last run: 301 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Second in the valuable Convivial Maiden at York's Ebor meeting (7f, good to firm) last August, before duly making all when 4-6 at Yarmouth (1m, good) in September; hooded for this reappearance; absent 301 days but should bring potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Glenfinnan

9st 2lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Winless since August 2024 but he's hinted at promise of late, set plenty to do (also slipped on bend) when seventh of 12 in 7f Thirsk handicap two weeks ago; needs considering off a falling mark.

9/1

7th

10

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Glenfinnan

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Hasn't won for nearly two years but he's well handicapped now and he shaped much better than the result suggests when seventh of ten at Haydock (7f, good; badly hampered over 1f out) last Saturday; should go close if getting the rub of the green this time.

10/1

7th

6

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

16:15 Haydock

Glenfinnan

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Dods

He should be winning races off this mark and his down-the-field effort at Doncaster six weeks ago isn't the race to judge him on; better can be expected back up at 7f.

10/1

Form: 435215 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Turf mark is 11lb lower than that on the AW; finally came good on the grass when leading late on at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm; stays 1m2f) last month and he was not at all discredited at Carlisle latest; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

17:45 Market Rasen

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

midfield, went remote third 4th, prominent when ridden before 2 out, lost position approaching last, mistake and weakened last

3/1

2nd

4

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

United Front

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Not beaten far on any of his three hurdling starts for Fergal O'Brien this season and, given he was very useful on the Flat at his best, could quite plausibly turn out to be well treated for this handicap hurdle debut.

5/1

6/1

Form: 031-57 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Easily off the mark in a Newmarket novice (7f, good to soft) last October on third start; creditable fifth of 11 on handicap/seasonal debut at Haydock but underperformed at Sandown (again 1m on good to firm) three weeks later; needs overall improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

20:15 Haydock

Bodorgan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Edward Bethell

Runner-up off a similar mark in this race for Charlie Hills last year; made a good start for new yard when third at Hamilton (1m1f) last month and he had another close call at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) 19 days ago; usually races prominently and another bold bid is expected.

3/1

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

9/1

Form: 436730

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
No win since AW last May and his strike-rate on turf is 1-15; tried cheekpieces two and thee starts back, while it was blinkers at Royal Ascot on latest; sinking in the weights and this is the first time he's been at Class 3 level, rather than Class 2, since April 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(9)

4th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Greatgadian

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

slowly away, in rear

9/2

12th

6

(12)

7th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Kempton (AW)

Greatgadian

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Runner-up twice in a row at Newcastle (7f/1m, AW) in March; not at his best in two turf starts this summer but his mark has eased 4lb as a result and his better AW record provides hope for a revival.

25/1

5th

8

(2)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 2

20:30 Chepstow

Greatgadian

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Roger Varian

Runner-up twice in a row at Newcastle (7f/1m, AW) in March; handed tough assignment in Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot when back from a break (well beaten) but he's now just 1-17 on turf and others have more compelling credentials; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

Form: 71-845

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Sole win (eight starts) was a novice last October after wind and gelding operations; races freely and although he ran respectably in 1m handicaps last two outings, making most on latest, he needs better than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(6)

13th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Bling On The Music

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

led, headed under 3f out

9/1

5th

1

(6)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Goodwood

Bling On The Music

10st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Bettered disappointing seasonal debut when respectable fourth at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago, but needs to take another step in the right direction here and his tendency to race too freely remains a nagging concern.

10/1

4th

2

(1)

1st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Yarmouth

Bling On The Music

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Leicester novice winner (7f, good to firm) last October after having been gelded/undergone wind surgery, but beaten a long way on return from six months off at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) in April; possible that the ground didn't suit and it was a much stronger race than this one, so no surprise if he left that effort behind.

3/1

Form: 4-8333 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Seen far more often on AW but his sole turf win (2021) was at this track; AW form has picked up a bit again on last two outings and two of his only four runs at 1m were fair efforts (latest in February 2022) but others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Soar Above

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

On much reduced mark but this Kempton specialist has not won since 2022 and has form figures of 90068079 this year; cheekpieces return on his second run after a break but he needs a major revival back up in trip.

12/1

9th

5

(7)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Soar Above

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Prolific course winner but the latest of them was back in April 2022; now rated 32lb lower but he wasn't in much form earlier in the year; could revive after his break; stable also run Galel; betting can guide.

12/1

7th

2

(6)

5th May 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Soar Above

9st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: John Butler

Eight-time course winner who is 12lb lower than when a close third over C&D last September; a market check is advised but this 10yo has struggled this year (including here) and is without a win since April 2022.

25/1

Form: 01-10

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won an AW maiden on second 2yo start and a Newbury novice (7f, good) on reappearance this season; 33-1, never threatened on handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago, which was no disgrace and this is a far less competitive race but he needs to raise his game; early days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Good Karma

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

Things didn't pan out for him when back over 6f here in April (first-time visor; cheekpieces now refitted) but he has a good C&D record, winning once and close up in all three handicaps; has a good run in him.

10/1

4th

8

(1)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

14:08 Wolverhampton (AW)

Good Karma

9st 4lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

Went close here (7f) on his penultimate run but he's not easy to predict and was well held when favourite at Thirsk (7f, good) last Friday; needs to step up again after that and all of his three wins have been over 7f; first-time visor.

15/2

7th

8

(4)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Thirsk

Good Karma

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: John David Riches

Three-time winner and has been shaping as though his turn could be near once more, going down narrowly the last twice at Wolverhampton (7f); can race keenly but if getting some cover from stall 4 he should be on the scene.

13/2

Non-runners

Soar Above, Good Karma

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £128.70
Straight Forecast £118.31
Tricast £1108.45
Trifecta £1121.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

United Front

NEWMARKET:

Greatgadian

LAMBOURN:

Bodorgan

Daily Mirror:

Glenfinnan

POSTDATA:

Bling On The Music

Telegraph:

Good Karma

Daily Mail:

Titian

The Star:

Bodorgan

Daily Record:

Glenfinnan

The Times:

Greatgadian

D Express:

Greatgadian

RP RATINGS:

United Front

TOPSPEED:

United Front

The Guardian:

United Front