September 05 / 17.40 Newbury

17.40

Good To Firm

LOCALiQ Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
LOCALiQ Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.10
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 115366

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Her win at Brighton and close third at Sandown later in July were both over 1m2f, but she underperformed over 1m1f on latest outing; more worryingly, she raced freely and looked a non-stayer on both appearances over 1m4f, including penultimate start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newbury

Bletchley Storm

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: George Baker

dwelt start, took keen hold, in rear, headway over 7f out

14/1

6th

4

(1)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 1f 11y

Class 5

19:54 Goodwood

Bletchley Storm

10st 12lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: George Baker

Non-stayer over 1m4f last time; respectable 1m2f form otherwise for current yard, notably a success at Brighton and close third at Sandown; possibilities back down in distance, for last year's winning trainer/jockey combination.

11/2

6th

8

(6)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

16:00 Brighton

Bletchley Storm

9st 5lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: George Baker

Three wins this year, the most recent here (1m2f) last month on debut for new stable; good third at Sandown (1m2f) last time; likely player provided she's as effective back at 1m4f (second attempt).

4/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: /55-11 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
467-day absence before his clearcut win at Bath (11.6f, good) in July; helped to set the pace that day and made all in six-runner race at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) 17 days later, well on top; that was career-best form and, despite today's 6lb higher mark, he has to remain of serious interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

24th Jun 2025

Good

1m 3f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newbury

Boy George

9st 8lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Front-runner; gained back-to-back wins in the middle of 2022 and 2024 and has done so again this year following recent victories at Chepstow (1m4f, good) and Windsor (good); the hat-trick has just eluded him so far, but hard to rule out in his current form.

13/2

9

(3)

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

20:30 Windsor

Boy George

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Front-runner; it's eyecatching that he's won over this trip in his only two handicap starts at Windsor (2022 and August 2024); last year's was middle leg of a hat-trick (following a long break) on wide range of ground and he reappeared with a Chepstow win four weeks ago; up 6lb to career-high mark but did it well and looks sure to have a big shout.

3/1

1st

5

(3)

13th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Chepstow

Boy George

9st 1lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

C&D winner who hasn't been seen in 162 days, but he has been successful after a much longer absence; just 1lb above his last winning mark and could go well.

8/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-0817 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Salisbury (1m4f, good; made all) in July saw his first win for nearly two years, at second attempt for current yard; AW and 2m (he won over that trip in 2022) when well beaten in his only race since; not entirely dismissed back at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

12

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Alpine Stroll

10st 11lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form off this 7lb higher mark at Haydock (1m6f, which he stays) 13 days later, however.

12/1

Form: 6-9273 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; his only win (20 races) was over C&D in August 2022; very mixed form this season but it includes a close call at Southwell (2m, AW) in April and creditable third at Carlisle (1m3f, good) one month ago, so he is not entirely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

15:05 Lingfield

Dark Mystery

11st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Has had a couple of close calls at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) this winter but he's now 1-26 on the Flat and his only hurdle run was at Kempton (well-held sixth) in December 2022; probably best watched back in this sphere.

25/1

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

4th

3

(6)

30th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

14:12 Southwell (AW)

Dark Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: B F Brookhouse

Only 1-26 but he's consistent and gone down narrowly over 1m6f at Wolverhampton the last twice; effective here and at this trip; chance.

100/30

20/1

Form: 7-5155

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Had wind and gelding operations early this year; won at Lingfield (1m5f, AW) in June on second run back, flanked by two fair efforts on turf but he was soundly beaten at Newbury (1m2f) on latest outing, taking his turf score to 0-11.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Fair Dinkum

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jeremy Scott

His two wins last year include one here over 1m6f in October and he was runner-up off 2lb higher than today's mark at Kempton (2m, AW) next time; respectable fifth at Goodwood 13 days ago but he isn't certain to be suited by this drop back in trip.

4/1

5th

10

(6)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Goodwood

Fair Dinkum

8st 12lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Jeremy Scott

Four wins divided between turf and the AW; capable on his day and this trip on this ground is fine, but he's always had two ways of running; well below his best on last two outings.

10/1

8th

1

(8)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Fair Dinkum

10st 0lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Jeremy Scott

Dual Lingfield winner who's always had two ways of running; done all his winning after a recent start, which is a concern back from four months off, and he's on a career-high mark after a couple of turf victories last autumn.

6/1

Form: 0661

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Went close in a Polytrack bumper last November; clearly best effort under Flat rules came on latest start when winning a nine-runner race at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in July, coming from the rear to justify favouritism by a neck; more to prove on turf but it looks as though 1m4f will help and it's easy to envisage further improvement which will outstrip his 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

The Glen Rovers

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

7yo who is lightly raced for his age and made it 6-12 on AW when winning a competitive 1m2f handicap at Newcastle last month; achieved very little on turf at the start of his career but he's a different model now and he could be in the shake-up if the return to grass isn't an issue.

8/1

1st

12

(15)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

The Glen Rovers

8st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

Five AW wins between July 2024 and February 2025, including here; however, he hasn't been at the top of his game on his three starts since November, which puts him down the pecking order today.

25/1

5th

1

(1)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

The Glen Rovers

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Lucy Wadham

Made giant strides on AW last winter; rocketed up the handicap as a consequence and his two runs back from an eight-month absence have been underwhelming; still 5lb higher than for his last win but this is at least an ease in grade.

8/1

20/1

Form: 3-0004 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Won two AW handicaps (1m5f/1m4f) last year; badly out of sorts on first three starts this term and although fourth of ten at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) three weeks ago was a big step back in the right direction, the lack of any solid turf form (four races) looks a problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(6)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sexy Rexy

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Grace Harris

led

33/1

9th

7

(6)

18th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sexy Rexy

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Grace Harris

led

33/1

8th

5

(9)

4th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

16:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sexy Rexy

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Grace Harris

Course winner but she came in last of ten in 1m4f handicap here ten days ago; needs to take a big step forward.

20/1

Form: 2/365- D

Last run: 357 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Sole win (ten races) was over 1m4f in 2022; went the wrong way in 2023, pulled up on hurdling debut in October when last seen; left Robert Stephens since and reappears with tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(10)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newbury

Ancient Capital

8st 13lb

J: George Rooke

T: Robbie Llewellyn

towards rear

25/1

0

6

12th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:15 Exeter

Ancient Capital

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Stephens

took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 1st, jumped left 2nd, awkward jump 5th, jumped badly left 6th

20/1

5th

5

(2)

14th Sep 2023

Good

1m 3f 209y

Class 5

15:15 Ffos Las

Ancient Capital

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Robert Stephens

Won over C&D (good to firm) on last summer's stable debut and ran big race from the front when third on seasonal reappearance at Newbury (1m5f, good) in July; not seen to same effect on soft ground last month but still has fairly low mileage and could be dangerous if allowed to dominate.

5/1

Non-runners

Party Island, Buxted Too

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.80
Straight Forecast £40.59
Tricast £243.59
Trifecta £154.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Glen Rovers

POSTDATA:

Dark Mystery

LAMBOURN:

Boy George

TOPSPEED:

Bletchley Storm

RP RATINGS:

The Glen Rovers

NEWMARKET:

The Glen Rovers

The Times:

The Glen Rovers

Telegraph:

The Glen Rovers

Daily Mail:

The Glen Rovers

The Sun:

The Glen Rovers

The Star:

The Glen Rovers

The Guardian:

Dark Mystery

D Express:

Dark Mystery

Daily Record:

Dark Mystery

Daily Mirror:

Boy George