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

13th

6

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Brian Toomey

Showed notable handicap form in 2024 but has posted duck eggs in three runs since that campaign and needs to prove he retains ability; best watched on second run for new yard, unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

20th

19

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brian Toomey

Well treated on his 2024 form for Jack Channon and he won the Spring Mile at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance that season; however, just two runs last term, finishing down the field in April/May, and he has plenty to prove making his stable debut after an absence; blinkers go on.

40/1

12th

10

(15)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Last three wins over 1m, most recently the 2024 Spring Cup; however, finished a close fourth in major C&D handicap last July and could go well with Haydock reappearance under his belt.

12/1

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

8th

6

(7)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

17:00 Windsor

Talis Evolvere

9st 6lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

Five-time AW scorer who is only 1-19 on turf; admittedly faced a stiffer task in Class 2 event returned to grass last time and this looks more suitable; mark is workable.

14/1

11th

14

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Talis Evolvere

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

1-18 on turf but his only two appearances at this track saw him take third in the Spring Cup and this race in 2024; operating a bit below that level since last August, which, despite some AW success, has to put him down the pecking order in such a hot race.

33/1

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

9th

28

(11)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Aalto

8st 12lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Ian Williams

Good 7f handicapper but has achieved his peak RPRs in the last two runnings of the Bunbury Cup, winning in 2024 and going very close in 2025; may be more interesting when going for a third attempt at Newmarket in July; his Ascot record isn't convincing.

20/1

21

(15)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Aalto

8st 10lb

J: Reserve

T: Ian Williams

Reserve; won the Bunbury Cup (7f, good) last July and went very close in that same race this year (good to firm); should be fine at 1m but those Newmarket efforts have been his standout performances in the last two seasons and it's probably best to look elsewhere; wears a first-time hood.

100/1

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

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

9th

3

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Biggles

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

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.

8/1

9th

3

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Biggles

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

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.

8/1

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

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

3rd

5

(7)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 1

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

He has been a fine servant to connections and added wins eight and nine to his tally in 2025, the latest a 1m handicap at Kempton in November; ran as well as he ever has when second to an upwardly mobile 4yo over C&D five weeks ago but even that effort will need bettering in this field.

16/1

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

5

(9)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Godwinson

9st 5lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Won the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last March and followed up at Newcastle (1m, AW); of interest on those efforts but he went off the boil on his final three starts for William Haggas; needs to get back on track on stable debut (remains in same ownership); slow ground would aid cause.

25/1

3

(19)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Godwinson

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Hold-up performer who won the Lincoln (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance and followed up at Newcastle (1m, AW); a case can be made on those progressive performances but he appears to have gone off the boil on his last two runs (reportedly coughed last time); best turf form is on good to soft.

25/1

2

(11)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:37 Curragh

Godwinson

9st 13lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: William Haggas

Hold-up performer reappeared with last-gasp win in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March and landed handicap at Newcastle (1m, AW) in June; didn't land a blow but took another step forward in well-contested Goodwood conditions event early this month; shortlisted.

9/2

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