August 18 / 20.05 Newmarket (July)

20.05

Good

LB Group Handicap

  • Prize money: £13500
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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LB Group Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 267300 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner who is versatile ground-wise; his last success was on the other course here (1m) in April but he has a mixed record since and was never involved after missing the break in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last time; now only 1lb higher than for his last win but he needs to get back near best; yard also runs Azano.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

10yo who won this in 2023; frequently runs well in quality handicaps and he's 5lb lower than when a cracking third in the Royal Hunt Cup last June; scratched from the Lincoln when running a temperature on his intended comeback last month and he tends to improve for a run these days; also winless since 2023.

15/2

11th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who has drawn a blank since winning on the July Course in summer 2023 and needs everything to drop right but he often runs extremely well in defeat, including when third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June; another respectable effort when sixth of 20 in Balmoral at Ascot (1m, good) a fortnight ago; not discounted in this slightly easier race.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 125161 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won at Goodwood (1m, good) in May and he got back on the scoresheet at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month; unproven on slow ground; it was a tight finish in a small field last time and this race demands more progress, but this 3yo could have more left in the tank; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(8)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Sudden Ambush

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Four wins over 1m, including off this mark and 4lb higher, for previous yard; couple of encouraging efforts for new stable, keeping-on second over 1m2f at Doncaster (good to firm) latest; nicely handicapped and is unexposed at this trip; interesting contender.

11/2

2nd

3

(3)

17th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Sudden Ambush

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Won four times over 1m for Andrew Balding, the latest at Kempton in February; has not fared quite as well since but beaten just under 2l when sixth of nine in a Redcar handicap (1m, good to firm) on stable debut last week; didn't seem to stay on only run over this trip.

7/1

6th

1

(2)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

15:12 Redcar

Sudden Ambush

10st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

dwelt start, towards rear

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -52536 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was a Listed (7f, good) and Group 3 winner (1m, good to soft) in his prime but last success was 13 months ago and he's faded in last three starts; on dangerous mark but he was last of six at Redcar last time and this is tougher back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

4th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Azano

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Prominent racer who made all in a 7f handicap at Sandown in September; well beaten in a Listed race at Redcar four weeks ago and yet to shine in three AW starts.

9/1

9th

2

(1)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Azano

9st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Front-runner who got loose on the lead and just managed to hold on in a 7f handicap at Sandown (good) three weeks ago; likely to try something similar here and he did win this race two years ago (unplaced last year).

10/1

1st

4

(6)

15th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Sandown

Azano

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Front-runner who is 3lb below the mark he last defied in July of last year; not looking the horse he was, but this year has hardly been a washout and he could win again sooner or later.

4/1

Form: -14200 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Started this season with an emphatic front-running win at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) in April but he's not matched that form since and has been tailed off at Royal Ascot (Britannia) and Goodwood in last two runs; has plenty to prove again and he could have competition for the lead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

18:25 Haydock

Finns Charm

10st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Seemingly back in prime form when making all at Goodwood (7f, good) in June but cut little ice in major handicaps on next two outings; sure to appreciate this ease in grade but still has something to prove.

11/2

17th

8

(15)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Finns Charm

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Holds poor claims, having trailed home last of 26 in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot most recently; again incurs a penalty for his Goodwood success earlier in June.

33/1

Form: 7-460R D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Group 1 winner in 2018 when trained in France but he's 0-11 for current stable; went close off 5lb higher in the 2022 Royal Hunt Cup but he's generally struggled in his last seven runs and refused to race at Sandown last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

(9)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

20:05 Newmarket (July)

Intellogent

10st 2lb

J: Adam Kirby

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Group 1 winner in 2018 when trained in France but he's 0-11 for current stable; went close off 5lb higher in the 2022 Royal Hunt Cup but he's generally struggled in his last seven runs and refused to race at Sandown last month; others preferred.

9/1

4

(7)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Intellogent

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Group 1 winner in 2018 when trained in France; 0-10 for current stable; close second in the 2022 Royal Hunt Cup but ran poorly in the latest running of that contest; others are more appealing.

11/1

25th

7

(31)

21st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Intellogent

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Group 1 winner in 2018 when trained in France; 0-9 for current yard but ran well (close second) off 1lb higher in this contest 12 months ago and has a fighting chance if back in the same form; hinted at a revival on latest outing.

9/1

Form: 731010 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Resurgent for 1m wins at Kempton (AW) and Newbury (good) in the spring; the problem is that his other two turf races this year were heavy defeats including in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last time; comes with risks attached and he looks weighted near best off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(8)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Haydock

Bear Force One

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Michael Mullineaux

Prominent racer; three heavy defeats from four runs for his new stable in 2025 but the other run saw him spring a 40-1 surprise at Doncaster; blinkers join the eyeshields today but he drops to 6f for the first time on his 39th start.

50/1

6

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Ascot

Bear Force One

10st 5lb

J: Miss Katie Garton

T: Michael Mullineaux

Heavy defeats on his first two starts for this yard but he popped up at 40-1 when scrambling home at Doncaster (7f, good to firm; first-time eye-shields) three weeks ago; 3lb rise less of a concern than his trainer putting one of the reasons for that success down to quick ground.

9/1

1st

3

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:07 Doncaster

Bear Force One

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Michael Mullineaux

Over two years since his last win and he struggled at big prices in first two runs (7f, good) for new yard this season.

33/1

Form: 10430- D

Last run: 328 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Useful triple Flat winner (1m-1m2f) who had a good spell over hurdles for Lucy Wadham earlier this year including a win at Huntingdon; has rejoined William Jarvis and he needs watching in the market back in this sphere; his wins have come on good/good to firm but he handles most ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

4

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Arqoob

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark.

7/2

6th

9

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Arqoob

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Lucy Wadham

53 races already (17 over hurdles) and six wins before he made his first appearance over 1m6f three weeks ago, winning it in good style in first-time blinkers at Newmarket (good to firm; acts on soft); only five ran in that race and he's gone back up 5lb but it could be argued that he's not fully exposed either in blinkers or at this sort of trip.

16/1

Form: 716528 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won off 2lb lower on the other course here (1m, good) in May; has been pretty consistent in five runs since but this is a big step back up in grade and he needs to find more to get back on the scoresheet.
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: -14066 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won a Kempton maiden (1m, AW) on his reappearance in April but he's been well held in handicaps (1m2f/1m) in his last three runs; still lightly raced and mark is sliding but he needs to step up again to make an impact.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

(1)

18th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

20:05 Newmarket (July)

Lose Your Wad

8st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Charles Hills

Won a Kempton maiden (1m, AW) on his reappearance in April but he's been well held in handicaps (1m2f/1m) in his last three runs; still lightly raced and mark is sliding but he needs to step up again to make an impact.

7/1

6th

9

(3)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Lose Your Wad

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

took keen hold, led overall against near rail

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.40
Straight Forecast £24.26
Tricast £220.19
Trifecta £252.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sudden Ambush

TOPSPEED:

Arqoob

RP RATINGS:

Bopedro

LAMBOURN:

Bear Force One

Daily Mirror:

Intellogent

The Guardian:

Sudden Ambush

Daily Mail:

Sudden Ambush

Daily Record:

Sudden Ambush

NEWMARKET:

Arqoob

The Times:

Arqoob

Telegraph:

Arqoob

The Star:

Bear Force One

POSTDATA:

Bopedro

D Express:

Bopedro

The Sun:

Bopedro