May 18 / 16.45 Newbury

16.45

Good

OCS Handicap

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
OCS Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.70
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 05426-

Last run: 210 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Some very useful form in blinkers last term, notably second in the Royal Hunt Cup and a good handicap at Doncaster; however, he's a frustrating sort, being 0-13 since debut win; seemed to need the run in this race on reappearance 12 months ago; headgear removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Goodwood

Sonny Liston

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Acts on soft and good to firm; has the makings of a Group performer judged on his smart handicap form this term, notably close second off top weight in the Royal Hunt Cup; prominent for a long way in the Sussex Stakes over C&D most recently, fading only inside the final furlong; major player back down in class.

7/2

5th

3

(5)

31st Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Sonny Liston

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

pressed leader

20/1

6th

8

(5)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Sonny Liston

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

held up in rear, some headway 2f out, no extra from 1f out

3/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.25

Form: 6210-1 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ascot classified win (1m, good) last October is a solid piece of form; gelded prior to landing the Spring Cup over C&D (good to soft; off 5lb lower) on reappearance, beating Godwinson by half a length; looks set for a productive campaign and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

His last win was in April 2024 but he hasn't been with John Butler for long and he showed signs of a revival when fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; has claims if he can build on that and he should be fine back at this trip.

9/2

4th

2

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

10st 1lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

A useful 1m winner at his best for Jack Channon; offered little in two runs for Brian Toomey this spring though and came in last of 14 for John Butler in 7f handicap here four weeks ago; no surprise if he took a step forward though with new yard among the winners.

16/1

14th

10

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

8st 12lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: John Butler

Smart handicap form for Jack Channon in 2024; well beaten in two runs last year and no sign of a revival in two runs for Brian Toomey this year; starts out for John Butler off a much-reduced mark; worth a market check.

25/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.05

Form: -12013 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Generally progressive in AW handicaps since November and proved game at Newcastle on finals day; transferred that form back to turf in the Spring Cup here last month, finishing third behind Metal Merchant and Godwinson; place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(16)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

16:35 Chepstow

Talis Evolvere

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

6lb below his last winning mark and does have form on soft ground, but he finished behind four of these over C&D (good to firm) on his penultimate start and a record of 1-24 on turf does pose a question.

16/1

5th

4

(8)

19th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Talis Evolvere

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Five of his six wins have come on AW, including C&D; last won at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) in January; not so good on turf of late but he's dangerously handicapped if the switch back to AW prompts a revival.

6/1

6th

1

(3)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 4

19:05 Chepstow

Talis Evolvere

10st 2lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Five of his six wins have been on the AW but consistent handicapper on all surfaces and ran well in a Class 3 at Doncaster latest (7f; fine at 1m); thereabouts.

11/2

10/1

Form: 3107-2

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 4yo who belied his 40-1 odds with 1l second in big field at Newmarket (1m, good) two weeks ago on seasonal debut and third British start; possibilities, provided he builds on that encouraging effort; also declared 3:15 Newmarket.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1/13-0 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Career started with two AW wins at Kempton, looking the type to develop into a smart sort; hasn't lived up to expectations in two turf events since but perhaps needed the latest one, having been absent for 11 months; lightly raced and can't be written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(12)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Slipofthepen

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Career started with two AW wins at Kempton, looking the type to develop into a smart sort; hasn't lived up to expectations in two turf events since but perhaps needed the latest one, having been absent for 11 months; lightly raced and can't be written off.

13/2

5th

6

(12)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Slipofthepen

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Career started with two AW wins at Kempton, looking the type to develop into a smart sort; hasn't lived up to expectations in two turf events since but perhaps needed the latest one, having been absent for 11 months; lightly raced and can't be written off.

13/2

13th

3

(12)

16th Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Slipofthepen

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Absent since being beaten at 4-9 in Listed race at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last May, finishing third of four on his turf debut; however, he went there unbeaten following two 1m AW wins and this very lightly raced 4yo retains considerable potential for his top stable; intriguing contender.

5/1

6th
9 (7)
Terwada

16/1

Form: 1170-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Progressive sort last spring/summer but his form dipped markedly in major handicaps the last twice; failed to beat a rival in the Spring Cup here (on reappearance) latest and is best watched unless the market suggests a rebound is likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(12)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Terwada

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Looked very promising early in career; mixed fortunes since but beaten just a neck at Yarmouth in August last time (1m2f, good to soft; unraced on softer), when clear with unexposed Godolphin winner, and he's not ruled out.

11/1

25/1

Form: 72-450 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Well treated on the pick of his form, which includes two Group 3 wins in 2022; however, has produced regressive results on AW this year and doesn't look poised to take advantage of his reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tempus

10st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Multiple winner in his young days including over C&D, but has only managed to win two of his last 31 starts, one of which was on Jersey; may find a couple too strong.

7/1

Form: 94409- D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Smart in Hong Kong on his day but failed to beat a rival on last appearance and may be past his best; first start on British soil since 2018 and makes debut for Craig Benton; market should give further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(10)

6th Jul 2024

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

16:47 Sandown

Stephensons Rocket

10st 2lb

J: George Rooke

T: Craig Benton

Capable of smart form during his long spell in Hong Kong; however, needs to improve a good deal on his Newbury reappearance effort (first start on British soil since 2018).

33/1

8th

1

(5)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Stephensons Rocket

9st 12lb

J: Rhiain Ingram

T: Craig Benton

Smart in Hong Kong on his day but failed to beat a rival on last appearance and may be past his best; first start on British soil since 2018 and makes debut for Craig Benton; market should give further guidance.

25/1

8th

1

(5)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Stephensons Rocket

9st 12lb

J: Rhiain Ingram

T: Craig Benton

Smart in Hong Kong on his day but failed to beat a rival on last appearance and may be past his best; first start on British soil since 2018 and makes debut for Craig Benton; market should give further guidance.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0450-7 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Very useful 7f handicapper for Ralph Beckett; won last year's Bunbury Cup (off 2lb lower); never landed a blow at Newmarket on stable/seasonal debut but shaped as if this return to 1m is worth exploring; has the ability to play a big role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:40 Perth

Biggles

11st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Very useful on the Flat in his prime and returned from long absence with two encouraging hurdle runs for new stable this season, latterly when close fifth at Uttoxeter (2m, good) three weeks ago; that form already gives him good claims and he could quite plausibly have a bigger run in him.

9/4

5th

2

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:40 Uttoxeter

Biggles

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Won the Bunbury Cup in 2023; unraced beyond 1m on the Flat but seemed to stay the trip okay on jumps debut here following a long absence; however, what he achieved behind an easy winner in that small field is questionable.

4/1

2nd

2

4th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:00 Uttoxeter

Biggles

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Very useful on the Flat in his prime, with career highlight his 2023 Bunbury Cup success (7f; unraced beyond about 1m); absent since two below-par runs in spring 2024, though, and tricky to weigh up on stable/hurdle debut.

4/1

Form: 883-11 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
2-2 this term, winning over 1m at Chelmsford (AW) by a neck and Ascot (good to soft) by half a length; now on a career-high mark and upped further in grade but can't be dismissed in current form; better than ever.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Two Tempting

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

First of two wins over C&D came in this contest in 2024 off 4lb lower; had a fruitful AW winter campaign; reported to have met with a setback when being readied for Chester's May meeting and returned only when beating just one home in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) recently; has a high draw to contend with here and is 3lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

17th

7

(15)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Very consistent on AW since last turf appearance; respectable seventh, despite enduring a nightmare passage, in this contest two years ago but is 5lb higher and lacks recent match practice in this compensation attempt; absent since March.

33/1

3rd

2

(5)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 2

14:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He was making his seasonal debut when only fifth in this race 12 months ago but he's been kept on the go this winter and has been better than ever; suspicion others will prove better handicapped here though.

8/1

11/4

Form: 315-2 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Strong form (about only 5l behind a subsequent Group 1 winner) on final 3yo start; finished well for half-length second to Metal Merchant in the Spring Cup over C&D (good to soft; started favourite) last month on handicap/seasonal debut; the type to improve further and could well reverse placings with that rival; one to follow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(14)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Godwinson

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Commenced last season with wins in the Lincoln and useful AW handicap; not in the same form since, latterly posting two duck eggs this term for new yard, latest in the Royal Hunt Cup when behind several of today's opponents; major revival is required.

33/1

18th

20

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Godwinson

9st 2lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Got up in the final stride to win last year's Lincoln and followed up in useful AW handicap; not in the same form since and York defeat on stable/seasonal debut spoiled an otherwise good record when fresh; revival is far from guaranteed.

40/1

14/1

Form: 2029-3 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; creditable third in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to soft) on stable/seasonal debut but was worn down inside the last half-furlong and ideally needs a slight drop back in trip; has done most of his winning at 7f/7.5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Autumn Festival

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Ed de Giles

Multiple winner over 7f-1m, including on soft; made the frame over C&D last month but losing run is mounting up and has performed poorly the last twice.

7/2

7th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Autumn Festival

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Ed de Giles

Multiple winner over 7f-1m, including on soft; made the frame over C&D last month but losing run is mounting up and has performed poorly the last twice.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.50
Straight Forecast £66.84
Tricast £259.69
Trifecta £347.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Godwinson

POSTDATA:

Metal Merchant

The Times:

Aalto

TOPSPEED:

Autumn Festival

Telegraph:

Slipofthepen

D Express:

Tempus

The Guardian:

Aalto

Daily Mail:

Metal Merchant

Daily Mirror:

Metal Merchant

RP RATINGS:

Godwinson

NEWMARKET:

Godwinson

The Sun:

Godwinson

The Star:

Godwinson

Daily Record:

Godwinson