May 18 / 14.40 Newmarket

14.40

Good

trustatrader.com Handicap

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 15 runners
ITV
View Course
trustatrader.com Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

33/1 (Won)

Form: 266-90 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Useful for Johnny Murtagh; hasn't threatened in two runs for new stable, again missing the break when 15th in Victoria Cup at Ascot last week; his losing sequence now stretches back to September 2021, but he's beginning to slip in the weights and can't be ruled out entirely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(13)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Carrytheone

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Bell

As usual, he was held up before breezing through the field to win the Balmoral Handicap over 1m here last October (soft; 4lb lower); needs to put this season's performances behind him but arrives here fresh and rain would heighten interest.

12/1

8th

2

(3)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Carrytheone

9st 10lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Michael Bell

Held up; excellent 2024 in handicaps on varied ground culminated in his Balmoral triumph at Ascot (1m, soft) in October; never having raced beyond 1m asks a question but he saw it out well that day and has a form chance if putting this month's reappearance (18-1 in Listed race) well behind him.

7/1

8th

2

(7)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

17:30 Chester

Carrytheone

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Michael Bell

Shaped well in a few top handicaps prior to deservedly landing a big pot in the Balmoral at Ascot (1m, soft) last October; whether his hold-up style lends itself to a Listed race around here remains to be seen but he's a big player on form if ready to roll after nine months off.

4/1

15/2

Form: 7090-4 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
7f specialist; might have needed the run but still performed respectably when fourth of 15 over C&D (good) in April, making most; dropped 2lb since; solid win-and-place option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

7/2

Form: 323-91 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Has gradually got better and his clearcut Chester success (7f, good) last week was a career-best effort; a 7lb higher mark demands still more, but he may not have reached his ceiling just yet and he shaped better than the bare result on his only go over this C&D; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Divine Libra

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charles Hills

Beaten on his last 15 starts going back to May 2024 and only eighth on both starts this season; however, the latest result doesn't tell the whole story as he suffered a frustrating passage in the home straight at Chester; well handicapped on last season's best and he's one to consider.

11/1

8th

6

(9)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Divine Libra

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

Has gained both handicap wins at Chester, including over the bare 7f at this meeting (good) in May 2024; respectable fifth in this last year; a reappearance run over 6f at the Newmarket Craven meeting could have put him spot on for this; likely to be in the mix here again.

8/1

8/1

Form: 87-543 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Arrives here fit and in form after a third of nine at Haydock (7f, soft; unraced on firmer than good) three weeks ago; C&D winner earlier in career; should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Rainbow Fire

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

took keen hold

8/1

4th

7

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Rainbow Fire

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

Arrives here fit and in form after a third of nine at Haydock (7f, soft; unraced on firmer than good) three weeks ago; C&D winner earlier in career; should be in the thick of things again.

8/1

3rd

6

(4)

27th Apr 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 212y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Rainbow Fire

9st 0lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

midfield

8/1

9/1

Form: 035-06 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Hardly a frequent winner since coming to Britain, but he's on an attractive mark (5lb lower than when third over C&D last autumn) and shaped well when sixth of 16 over 1m at the Guineas meeting here; returning to 7f should be ideal and he won't be inconvenienced if there's rain; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(9)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Darkness

10st 2lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Has won over 1m but raced mainly at 7f; not solid on 2026 form and he came up short when a 50-1 shot in big field at York most recently; opposed in another competitive race, back up in trip.

25/1

11th

4

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Darkness

9st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O’Meara

He won two 7f handicaps last season and took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 12 at Haydock in April; however, well beaten at Newmarket since and others arrive with less to prove.

33/1

Form: 13-950 D

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Better than ever in Britain in 2023, winning over 8.6f at Wolverhampton, but he failed to make the frame in three outings at Meydan this winter; bit to prove after that, but his mark has dropped and he'd be a threat if bouncing back to his best after a ten-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(10)

31st Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

20:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: George Boughey

Both AW wins came here, including over C&D in 2023, but form tailed off sharply at the end of last year, after which he had wind surgery; not much to shout about in four runs this term and he's developed a habit of starting slowly; others preferred.

33/1

8th

7

(1)

3rd Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:23 Kempton (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 6lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: George Boughey

Formerly quite useful but he was ending a losing run when dead-heating at Wolverhampton (9.4f; best AW form on that track) in November and he hasn't recaptured last year's best efforts in three runs this time round.

20/1

6th

4

(6)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Koy Koy

9st 8lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: George Boughey

Regressed last year, mainly over shorter, and seems happier on Tapeta; well held in two runs back from wind surgery and the cheekpieces come off again as he steps back up from 7f.

16/1

Form: 528580 C

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Tremendously durable 10yo with 17 wins to his name, and a well-held run at York on Wednesday must be ignored as he was badly hampered after a furlong; had earlier shaped well at the Craven meeting here in April; capable of going close off this sort of mark, although today's trip is an unknown as he has done virtually all his racing at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(4)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:25 Doncaster

Summerghand

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

10yo who isn't the same force as last year and may not want soft ground, but he's performed respectably in hot handicaps on his last few starts and is on a dangerous mark now dropping back down in grade; possible player.

11/2

7th

4

(12)

21st Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Ayr

Summerghand

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Top-of-the-trees in the best sprint handicaps down the years, winning the Stewards' Cup in 2020 and the Gold Cup in 2022; failed to beat a rival here 12 months ago but the weight has fallen off his back since and his run at the Curragh last week was encouraging; could well have a decent crack at this; refitted cheekpieces replace regular visor.

7/1

7/1

Form: 11310- C

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
One of the success stories of last season, when he won seven handicaps including two over C&D; made all under Luke Catton at Ascot in September and he was probably over the top when only tenth there on his final 3yo start; raced only on good ground or firmer on turf; will need further progress to defy his current mark but after last term's heroics he's not dismissed lightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Multiple winner, most recently when sent over to Qatar in February, but his form has regressed since and this is a difficult task even if a revival materialises; gained his C&D wins at handicap/Listed level; yet to score above Group 3.

33/1

11th

11

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Quinault

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner who has a strike-rate of 12-34 overall and 3-4 at York, the most recent course success in 7f Group 3 last June (equally effective at 6f); ties in with some of today's opponents on penultimate effort; removal of usual hood backfired last time; likely to go well.

10/1

6th

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner whose 12 wins include a Group 3 at York (7f, good) last June; he was an excellent third of 19 in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot (6f) in October; has since run up to his best in a 5f AW race at Newcastle in January and it will be interesting to see how he gets on back at this trip on turf with his regular hood discarded; ran creditably in 6f Group 3 at Newmarket last time.

8/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 525-54 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
2-11; campaigned in France and UAE until today; good fourth of 14 in Meydan Group 2 (1m1f, good; 66-1) when last seen in February; should be effective back down in trip (most recent win came over this distance) but looks to have his share of weight on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(8)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Make Me King

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Regained the winning thread in Pontefract Listed event (1m, good) on his return to British soil in July and respectable 1l fourth to Jonquil in Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (good to firm; Ice Max 2l back in fifth) 13 days ago; should go well but Ice Max met trouble in running in West Sussex so he's no good thing to confirm that superiority over Karl Burke's charge.

100/30

3

(3)

24th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Make Me King

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Had thirditis this year until regaining the winning thread in Pontefract Listed event (1m, good) returned to British soil last time, taking record to 6-22; has several pieces of Group form, notably a success at Deauville last August; solid claims back up in class.

4/1

4

(5)

27th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

14:55 Pontefract

Make Me King

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Has winning form in Britain, France and UAE; has a touch of thirditis this year but went close in Chantilly Group 3 over 1m most recently, running close to his best; again likely to be thereabouts.

5/1

Form: 390-07 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Last year's Wokingham winner and likely to be heading to Royal Ascot again in June; below par this season, fading when seventh of ten over C&D (22-1) two weeks ago; on balance he's probably best opposed again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Saint Lawrence

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Having dropped down the weights he was a close second at Ascot (6f, good) in May on his stable/seasonal debut, and perhaps the soft ground didn't suit at Epsom last time; not written off but this 8yo has been regressive and remains without a win since June 2023.

10/1

12th

16

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Saint Lawrence

8st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Proved resurgent with close second at Ascot (6f, good) on stable/seasonal debut; defied a stone higher mark in the Wokingham three years ago and has possibilities even though he hasn't won since.

12/1

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

Form: 706-01 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Poorly drawn on reappearance, then surged back to form to win 15-runner event at the Guineas meeting here (6f, good; 22-1) two weeks ago; has a chance off 5lb higher, although clearly his best form is at sprint distances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

18:22 Epsom

Desert Cop

10st 8lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: George Baker

Snapped a losing sequence when down in class to score at Windsor (6f, good to firm) on Saturday; 5lb penalty leaves him with a fair burden to carry but he's in the same grade and should make his presence felt.

5/1

1st

2

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

18:15 Windsor

Desert Cop

10st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: George Baker

On a long losing sequence and tried in cheekpieces when beating just two in 5f handicap here five days ago; others are preferred.

5/1

7th

3

(7)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 3

19:17 Windsor

Desert Cop

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Infrequent winner who's tried in a third form of headgear after a few recent runs over 6f (two here); handicapper has given him a chance, dropping him another 3lb, but the cheekpieces will need to make a difference.

12/1

20/1

Form: 1645-9 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Never the slightest threat over C&D two weeks ago but he might have needed the run after seven months off and he saw plenty of daylight from a draw on the flank; often runs the Newmarket tracks well and he's 1lb lower than his last winning mark, so he makes some each-way appeal.
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: 55004- D

Last run: 238 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
0-12 for Andrew Balding since debut success at Goodwood (7f, soft) in July 2021 but he was highly tried on occasions (ran in Irish 2,000 Guineas and French Derby); interesting to see whether a change of stable sparks a revival as his mark is certainly lenient judged on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(8)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Imperial Fighter

9st 1lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick J McKenna

Well exposed but won on Tapeta at Wolverhampton last year; second to a subsequent improver over C&D in January; poor form since.

33/1

8th

3

(6)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Imperial Fighter

9st 12lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Two minor wins on Flat in Britain; failed to build on C&D second in January; best of six subsequent runs when fourth in C&D claimer; well beaten here (7f) on latest; new headgear is tried now.

25/1

9th

4

(13)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:50 Dundalk (AW)

Imperial Fighter

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick J McKenna

Two minor wins on the Flat in Britain; failed to build on a second placing over 1m here in January; best of four subsequent runs when fourth in a claimer; down the field over hurdles last time.

12/1

16/1

Form: 621-48 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Finished 2023 with a 5l win on heavy ground at Catterick (7f); hasn't quite matched that form, although he faded only late on when eighth in the 1m Thirsk Hunt Cup last time and should be suited by this drop back in distance; impossible to rule out, especially if rain materialises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

19

(15)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Quest For Fun

8st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Two-time C&D winner and has also run with distinction in defeat here on numerous occasions; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years but he would be better suited by slower conditions.

9/1

12

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in July of 2023 and 2025; behind Leadman when fifth at the Dante meeting last month but well in front of David O'Meara's charge and looked a bit unlucky (met trouble) when third of 22 back here three weeks ago; solid.

6/1

3rd

10

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Quest For Fun

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in 2023 and July 2025; while not so striking as Leadman, he didn't have the best of runs when fifth of 22 over C&D eight days ago, so might step up a bit today.

10/1

28/1

Form: 6-2216 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Does most of his racing over this trip on the AW, and he notched win number three at Southwell in March; however, he seemed beaten fair and square off his revised mark at Kempton next time and now has enough to prove on turf and from out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

26th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Chola Empire

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: David Simcock

Conditions to suit and he is back to the same mark off which he beat Captain Parma here in October; not at his best at Southwell last week but he is the type to bounce back quickly.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £154.81
Tricast £723.72

Selections

POSTDATA:

Desert Cop

SPOTLIGHT:

Darkness

NEWMARKET:

Gorak

TOPSPEED:

Rainbow Fire

The Sun:

Divine Libra

Daily Mail:

Quinault

Telegraph:

Koy Koy

D Express:

Summerghand

Daily Mirror:

Desert Cop

Daily Record:

Desert Cop

The Guardian:

Gorak

RP RATINGS:

Darkness

The Star:

Darkness

The Times:

Rainbow Fire