August 18 / 19.30 Newmarket (July)

19.30

Good

Elite Universal Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Elite Universal Handicap (A Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 555325

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made a successful nursery debut at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) a year ago; 0-6 this season but he's had some close calls here (1m) and at Windsor (1m2f, both on good) this summer and was a respectable fifth at Chelmsford last time; tongue-tie is now added and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(9)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Demon

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

in touch with leaders

16/1

10th

5

(5)

19th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

17:10 Yarmouth

Forest Demon

9st 9lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Resumed winning ways at Newmarket (1m2f) in August when he wore a tongue-tie for the first time; lost tongue-tie in the stalls when fair seventh of 11 at Newbury (1m2f) three weeks ago; can make his presence felt.

8/1

7th

2

(9)

29th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Newbury

Forest Demon

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Has run some good races this year and he displayed improved form to win in a first-time tongue-tie at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) 11 days ago; beat a progressive runner-up and he's respected up 4lb.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -97161 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
4yo who has won on fast and slow ground in two of his last three starts, including on his step up to 1m2f here three weeks ago; up another 5lb but he kept on well to beat a clear second last time and is open to more progress; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell

Squeezebox

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

A fair 1m4f Flat scorer who has made a bright start over hurdles, going 2-3 in 2m Fakenham novice when last seen out in October; goes handicapping after an absence now and can't be ruled out.

7/4

1st

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

15:15 Fakenham

Squeezebox

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Tom Lacey

All-the-way Market Rasen hurdling debut winner in August, and 2l ahead of Currumbin when fifth at Warwick latest (2m, good); that form sets the standard here, and the second and fourth each won (over fences) next time; obvious player if settling better; gains tongue-tie.

5/1

5th

1

23rd Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:28 Warwick

Squeezebox

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Capable on the Flat and won from the front on hurdling debut at Market Rasen (2m, good); the runner-up ran well in defeat in a Plumpton handicap on Sunday; should be very competitive even with the penalty.

13/2

33/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 70-920

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; runner-up in a Redcar handicap (1m, good) in June but she has a very mixed record so far and was tailed off when upped to 1m2f at Leicester (good) last time; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

19th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 6lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

Bounded clear over C&D to exploit a career-low mark (8lb lower) last month; while that effort has been handsomely advertised by the runner-up Big Narstie, she herself fluffed her lines when a beaten favourite at Newcastle (7f); a tongue-tie is now added.

14/1

9th

1

(2)

20th Feb 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders on far side of group

5/2

1st

6

(4)

17th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Strictly Dreaming

9st 5lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

started quickly, raced in second, pushed along and pressed leader 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and went clear over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, easily

16/1

Form: 622113 CD BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won at Nottingham (1m2f, good) and over C&D (good) last month and the switch to slower ground may have dulled his powers when third at Chepstow (good to soft) last week; that was still a respectable effort and he could be a big factor if the rain stays away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

I Still Have Faith

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

On a long losing run but he's twice gone close on AW this year (7f/1m) and fared best of the eight-strong centre group when fifth of 13 here (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago; might not be far away.

8/1

5th

9

(14)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

I Still Have Faith

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

On a lengthy losing run but he's knocking firmly at the door, just edged out in a first-time tongue-strap at Lingfield (1m) four weeks ago; goes well at Newmarket and makes plenty of each-way appeal.

14/1

2nd

9

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

I Still Have Faith

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Stuart Williams

From a wide draw he did plenty of early running to get his position at Wolverhampton (7f) two weeks ago and that softened him up in the finish; without a win since 2023, but well drawn, stays this far and a tongue-tie is added.

12/1

7/2

Form: 562-51

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the seventh attempt with a last-gasp win in a 1m handicap at Bath (good to soft; 5-2 favourite) last week; this is tougher under a penalty but he did well to overcome trouble last time and should have more to offer at this new trip; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Jack Sparowe

10st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: John Butler

Blinkered when ending a lengthy losing sequence in good style at Yarmouth nine days ago, drawing clear last 1f; up 6lb but another bold showing is on the cards with headgear retained and good amateur Henry Callan up.

7/2

1st

7

(7)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

18:40 Yarmouth

Jack Sparowe

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Butler

On a losing run and can get it wrong at the start; well handicapped on 2025 best, however, and he stayed on for fourth at Newcastle 19 days ago; conditions shouldn't be an issue and he commands respect with new blinkers now replacing cheekpieces.

8/1

4th

12

(9)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Jack Sparowe

8st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Butler

Not as good now and prone to the occasional off-day; still to win over C&D but his record suggests he needs considering off this mark, especially given his two previous runs in cheekpieces both resulted in near-misses.

10/1

8/1

Form: -01763 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in four of her six runs but she won a Lingfield maiden (1m2f, soft) in April and was a good third in a C&D handicap (good; hood added) last time; on same mark here and has claims if she can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(7)

11th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:45 Yarmouth

Wintercrack

9st 6lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Won over this trip at Pontefract (her only start at 1m) last April and added to her good record in testing conditions when comfortably making all at Nottingham (also heavy, 1m2f) last autumn; probably needs a downpour, which isn't forecast.

33/1

8th

4

(3)

17th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:15 Ripon

Wintercrack

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

8/1

8th

4

(3)

17th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:15 Ripon

Wintercrack

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

8/1

Form: 60-866 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated off 2lb higher over C&D (good to firm) last August but he's been generally disappointing since and was well held behind Squeezebox on his stable debut here last month; record now stands at 1-13 and others are more convincing; first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

17th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Total Lockdown

9st 6lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

midfield

16/1

6th

2

(10)

8th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:40 Brighton

Total Lockdown

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

towards rear

8/1

5th

3

(13)

16th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

13:45 Thirsk

Total Lockdown

9st 10lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Ex-Martin Dunne, winning for him at Yarmouth in May (11.5f, good); missed the break and pulled too hard on stable debut at Windsor last time (11.4f, good to firm; first run after a break); should be better for that run

14/1

Form: 6-324

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Improved form when a front-running second in a big-field maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) in June but she was disappointing in a Wolverhampton novice (9.4f, AW) last month; still unexposed and now switches to a handicap but she needs to step up again after that last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(12)

21st Nov 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Emma Emilleen

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

steadied start, held up in rear, switched left and headway into midfield after 1f

6/1

2nd

4

(3)

28th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Emma Emilleen

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

in touch with leaders, going easily and led under 2f out, hung right and jockey dropped whip inside final furlong, headed towards finish

9/2

4th

5

(8)

16th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Emma Emilleen

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

in rear

10/1

Non-runners

Bold Ribb

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.60
Straight Forecast £25.04
Tricast £375.45
Trifecta £516.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Squeezebox

Daily Mail:

Jack Sparowe

NEWMARKET:

I Still Have Faith

Telegraph:

Wintercrack

LAMBOURN:

Forest Demon

RP RATINGS:

Squeezebox

POSTDATA:

Squeezebox

Daily Mirror:

Squeezebox

D Express:

Jack Sparowe

The Sun:

Jack Sparowe

The Star:

Jack Sparowe

The Guardian:

Wintercrack

The Times:

I Still Have Faith

Daily Record:

I Still Have Faith