May 03 / 15.00 Newmarket

15.00

Good

William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
View Course
William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1011/5 CD BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Successful in similar event over C&D (good; off 3lb lower) during his productive 2022 campaign; missed 2023 and seemed to need the run at Meydan on 2024 reappearance; likely player back here, provided all of his ability is retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(9)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Noble Dynasty

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

took keen hold, prominent, no impression from over 1f out, weakened and lost fourth final 110yds

11/4

8th

5

(7)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Noble Dynasty

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Lightly raced for his age and has a 7-13 strike-rate; conceded 15lb to English Oak when making all to beat him by 2l in a handicap on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket (7f, good) in May, and showed he didn't have to lead when landing a Group 3 on the July Course there (7f, good to firm) last month; still seems to be improving at the age of six and is not opposed lightly.

3/1

1st

3

(2)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Noble Dynasty

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Lightly raced 6yo who took his record to six wins from 12 starts when displaying improved form to make all in a handicap on the Rowley course here (7f, good) eight weeks ago; while he enjoyed the run of that race he did record an RPR which would have been good enough to win three of the last six runnings of this.

15/8

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 71382-

Last run: 210 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Yet to encounter ground softer than good; has form at up to 1m; raced just five times in his first season last year, solid second at Ascot (6f) on final occasion; looks the type to progress further this term; respected on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(18)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

English Oak

8st 13lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Walker

Highly tried after his impressive win at 2024 Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) but has mainly been disappointing; second of six at Hamilton (1m) 12 days ago was clearly his best show this season but he needs to build on that today over a new trip.

18/1

2

(4)

17th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:22 Hamilton

English Oak

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ed Walker

Highly tried after his impressive win in last year's Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm), but has mainly been disappointing and only beat two home in the same race four weeks ago; rain not a problem but still has enough to prove; cheekpieces removed after one use.

7/1

25th

12

(27)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

English Oak

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ed Walker

Well ahead of his mark last June when taking this race to pieces but he never went on from that and has been slow to come to hand this year; first-time cheekpieces could hurry him up and he's only 1lb higher than last year so has a big weights chance.

5/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4136-1 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 32311 at the Newmarket tracks, better than ever in competitive 6f contest at the Craven meeting (good; off 3lb lower) most recently; 7f winner on the July course last term; holds very solid claims back up in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Dark Thirty

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form to win big-field handicap at York (6f, good) this month on third stable start, going one better than in the same race 12 months previously; a 6lb rise shouldn't be enough to prevent another big run.

11/2

1st

20

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Dark Thirty

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Soundly beaten this spring on first two starts for new yard; however, he's 1lb lower than when second of 16 in this race last year for Richard Hannon, and he won here in 2023; capable of bouncing back with a bold show.

12/1

7th

10

(7)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Dark Thirty

8st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: John & Sean Quinn

Had two attempts at this race when with Richard Hannon, winning off 4lb higher in 2024 and losing his chance with a poor start last year; likely player if back to best in this second outing for new stable.

14/1

8/1

Form: 5/117-

Last run: 295 days

W: 8st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Absent since running respectably in warm handicap at last year's July festival when bidding for a 6f hat-trick; gives the impression this new trip is worth exploring; still lightly raced and looks the type to improve further this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:35 Chester

Be Frank

9st 3lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Won at Newmarket in May and he did well to finish third over C&D (good) in July, having taken a wide route into the straight; has remained in good form since and has claims if he responds well to first-time visor.

11/1

9

(1)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 4

16:40 Haydock

Be Frank

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Still 5lb higher than when making a successful reappearance at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May; latest fifth of 11 over C&D (good to firm) 27 days ago was respectable but underlines he needs a bit more from this mark.

8/1

Form: 153170 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Couple of Class 4 wins on AW this year; effective on turf but came up well short in C&D event last month and remains on a difficult mark; still seeking a first success in this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(2)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Love De Vega

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Charlie Johnston

took keen hold, pressed leader early, in touch with leaders after 1f

14/1

6th

5

(6)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Goodwood

Love De Vega

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in second, lost position over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

10/1

8th

3

(1)

26th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:47 Ripon

Love De Vega

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Three wins in a busy campaign this year, the latest at Pontefract (1m, good) last month; another solid effort when second of 13 in a Racing League handicap at Windsor (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago and although up another 3lb, still makes the shortlist.

11/2

Form: 5129-0 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Respectable third in this race 12 months ago but isn't certain to repeat that effort; 2lb higher this time and was always behind in similar event over C&D at the Craven meeting on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Persuasion

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who capitalised on some leniency from the handicapper to win at Musselburgh (7f, good) three weeks ago; goes well there but he's a C&D winner too and he should be in the thick of things again from just 2lb higher.

6/1

1st

3

(1)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Persuasion

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either start this season but wasn't beaten far when sixth of ten over C&D three weeks ago and he's down to a tempting mark; won over C&D last April; possible contender.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1390-0 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Never figured in the Abernant here on seasonal debut; landed the Wokingham (6f) on last handicap attempt but he's now 7lb higher and back over 7f for first time in three years; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

Saint Lawrence

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Hit the handicap heights when winning the Wokingham over C&D in 2023 on debut for Archie Watson, then close up in the Group 1 Maurice de Gheest; desperately hard to place in handicaps since but he's had wind surgery since last seen in October and, even at this late stage, he might well turn it on for Kevin Ryan off a 17lb lower mark than at the start of last year.

9/1

1

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Salisbury

Saint Lawrence

10st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Archie Watson

0-19 since winning the Wokingham on stable debut in 2023 and this 7yo has regressed; however, having dropped down the weights he hasn't run badly on his last two starts and drops down in grade today; not ruled out.

12/1

13

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Saint Lawrence

8st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Beaten 18 times since making a winning stable debut in the 2023 Wokingham; his seventh of 20 at York three weeks ago was a step back in the right direction but he needs another today to exploit his falling mark.

33/1

16/1

Form: 57494-

Last run: 209 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
All wins at 6f but made the frame in major 7f handicap at Ascot (good) on last appearance and starts this 5yo campaign looking nicely treated, having finally slipped back to last winning mark; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Lethal Levi

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Went very close in a Group 2 at the Curragh (6f, good) in May and comfortably made all in Listed race at Newmarket last month (6f, good to firm; Elmonjed second); carries a 3lb penalty today but has leading claims nevertheless at a track where he has plenty of strong form.

6/1

1st

6

(7)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:20 Newmarket (July)

Lethal Levi

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Had a fine 2024 campaign once blinkers were added, winning two Newbury handicaps then blitzing his rivals in the Ayr Gold Cup; 0-4 this year but he has been running with great credit in good company; drops into Listed company and his record of 211 over C&D features a notable 3yo handicap win; looks sure to go well.

3/1

3

(5)

28th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:25 York

Lethal Levi

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Last season's Ayr Gold Cup winner who has returned in good nick, going down by only a short head in a 6f Group 2 at the Curragh (good) five weeks ago; also had some good 7f form last year.

11/1

12/1

Form: 21645- CD BF

Last run: 210 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
All wins on good/good to soft; well suited by the Newmarket tracks and it's best to forgive his poor effort in this contest last year (lost both front shoes); back on last winning mark and he's 2-3 under Marco Ghiani; one for the shortlist.
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: 271-74 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; has acquitted himself well in several major handicaps over 1m/1m1f, fourth in the Spring Cup at Newbury most recently; possibilities provided he's as effective back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

19

(16)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Thunder Ball

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Brian Toomey

Capable in competitive races for the Coles, including on good to firm, but some rain would have helped and best efforts at 1m and 1m1f; left the Coles for 55,000gns in the autumn; best watched on debut for new yard.

50/1

2nd

4

(5)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Goodwood

Thunder Ball

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

ducked left start, in touch with leaders, took keen hold 6f out, headway against near rail over 2f out, soon short of room, went second inside final furlong, kept on well

4/1

26th

18

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Thunder Ball

9st 1lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Useful handicapper whose form includes fourth-place finishes in the 2023 Britannia over C&D and this year's Spring Cup; ran poorly last time but may rebound in reapplied blinkers, having performed well in both attempts in this headgear.

33/1

Non-runners

Zouky, Obelix, Chola Empire

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.60
Straight Forecast £22.40
Tricast £68.56
Trifecta £73.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

English Oak

Telegraph:

Dark Thirty

NEWMARKET:

Noble Dynasty

TOPSPEED:

Obelix

The Guardian:

Thunder Ball

POSTDATA:

Chola Empire

RP RATINGS:

English Oak

LAMBOURN:

English Oak

D Express:

English Oak

Daily Mirror:

English Oak

The Sun:

English Oak

Daily Mail:

Dark Thirty

Daily Record:

Dark Thirty

The Times:

Noble Dynasty

The Star:

Noble Dynasty