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

10th

3

(10)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 7y

Class 2

15:12 Newbury

Metal Merchant

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Useful handicapper who registered sole success last season when beating Godwinson (2025 Lincoln winner) in this contest on reappearance; now 6lb higher but still warrants respect on seasonal debut.

11/2

10th

3

(10)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 7y

Class 2

15:12 Newbury

Metal Merchant

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Useful handicapper who registered sole success last season when beating Godwinson (2025 Lincoln winner) in this contest on reappearance; now 6lb higher but still warrants respect on seasonal debut.

11/2

9th

5

(1)

25th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Has useful form over 1m, notably Spring Cup success (good to soft) on seasonal debut; close fourth, posting a career-best RPR, in major 7f handicap at Ascot (good to firm) most recently and remains comparatively unexposed at this distance; in the mix.

11/2

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

3

(2)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 2

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Talis Evolvere

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won the 1m handicap at Newcastle on Good Friday off 4lb lower; a repeat is likely to be the main focus this spring but he won at Chelmsford (7f) in December and he is still feasibly weighted on his 2024 best; stable also run Witch Hunter.

5/1

1st

2

(3)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

19:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Talis Evolvere

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

mounted in chute

3/1

1st

2

(3)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

19:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Talis Evolvere

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

mounted in chute, held up in rear

3/1

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

12th

7

(9)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Aalto

9st 0lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

Form dipped in small field at Chepstow last time but record suggests this scenario will suit him better; developing into a useful 7f handicapper otherwise for new yard and won the Bunbury Cup (good) in July, prior to meeting traffic issues in the International here; still of interest.

12/1

6th

5

(8)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 2

20:30 Chepstow

Aalto

9st 4lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Won the Bunbury Cup in good style at Newmarket (7f, good) last month and didn't get the gaps when close ninth of 18 in the International at Ascot (7f, good to firm) last time; his new mark has now kicked in (6lb higher than at Newmarket and 4lb higher than at Ascot) but he's respected nevertheless.

4/1

9th

14

(14)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Ascot

Aalto

8st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ian Williams

Knocking at the door prior to producing a career-best performance in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good) two weeks ago, recording his first win since joining current connections; well treated under a small penalty (future mark 4lb higher) and open to further improvement; major contender.

7/1

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

2nd

4

(2)

25th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 23y

Class 2

16:00 Yarmouth

Terwada

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Ed Walker

Hasn't made the anticipated progress since winning back-to-back last summer, including a handicap off 1lb higher; however, he was close up in fifth last time at Sandown (1m, good to soft) and might not be far away if seeing out this new trip.

15/2

24

(12)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Terwada

8st 6lb

T: Ed Walker

Reserve; lightly raced 4yo who runs off last winning mark and returned to form with close fifth of 15 at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last month; today's step up in trip may prompt improvement but others are more compelling.

33/1

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

3

(4)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Tempus

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Useful in his younger days but hasn't won in well over two years and the losing run now stands at 24; is always reliant on luck given his run style, which he hasn't had lately, but he's undeniably well handicapped now having been dropped another 4lb.

5/1

8th

3

(5)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

In-frame efforts at Wolverhampton and Newcastle in recent weeks show this 9yo is in reasonable form but his losing run goes back to August 2022.

13/2

1

(3)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:25 Newcastle (AW)

Tempus

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Archie Watson

Dual Group 3 winner in his prime; very much on the downgrade now but suggested he might be ready to exploit some help from the handicapper when a keeping-on third at Wolverhampton (8.6f) last month.

9/2

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

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

7th

1

(11)

18th Apr 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Newmarket

Biggles

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

midfield, outpaced over 2f out, rallied final furlong, not pace to challenge

12/1

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

2

(6)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 7y

Class 2

15:12 Newbury

Two Tempting

9st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

midfield, headway over 2f out, stayed on

14/1

4th

2

(6)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 7y

Class 2

15:12 Newbury

Two Tempting

9st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

midfield, headway over 2f out, stayed on

14/1

5

(10)

29th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Doncaster

Two Tempting

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Won five handicaps during an excellent 2024, the turf wins on good/good to soft; this 6yo needs to be better than ever to land this red-hot handicap but he reappeared with an encouraging fifth at Wolverhampton (AW) three weeks ago and isn't ruled out given how prolific he was last year.

25/1

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

16

(3)

29th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Doncaster

Godwinson

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Lightly raced 5yo who was inconsistent last season (merely mid-division on last two runs) but he was a fine second in the Spring Cup at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on last year's reappearance and his win at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) in August came after a 72-day break; clearly goes well fresh and may yet have more left in the tank for a trainer who has won this four times.

14/1

16

(13)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Godwinson

8st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: William Haggas

Lightly raced 4yo who won at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) in August, then finished third of 12 in the centre group when 15th overall in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f, soft) last time; in top hands and wears first-time cheekpieces, so improvement can't be ruled out, but it's necessary in this hot race.

20/1

14

(27)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Godwinson

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Placed in a couple of competitive handicaps earlier in the season (1m/1m2f, good to soft) and won at Goodwood last month when back from a break (1m, good to soft; unraced on softer), for which he's gone up 4lb; this 4yo has raced only seven times and is in good hands to continue to progress.

8/1

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

3rd

10

(3)

15th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Autumn Festival

8st 11lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

It's now 15 starts since his last victory and he came in last of eight in 1m Haydock handicap in October; has gone well fresh though so he's not ruled out off a reduced mark.

14/1

3rd

10

(3)

15th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Autumn Festival

8st 11lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Ed de Giles

It's now 15 starts since his last victory and he came in last of eight in 1m Haydock handicap in October; has gone well fresh though so he's not ruled out off a reduced mark.

14/1

8th

10

(10)

18th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Autumn Festival

8st 10lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Ed de Giles

Placed in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on debut for current stable but has failed by a long way to repeat the form, most recently second in Musselburgh seller; opposed.

20/1

+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