September 20 / 16.05 Newbury

16.05

Good To Soft

Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £28355
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -52012 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
40-1 winner at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) when wearing first-time cheekpieces, which he retained when an excellent, front-running second at the same course (7f, good to soft) three weeks later; those were handicaps but the form puts him firmly in the picture in this Listed race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Witness Stand

9st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Went close behind Holguin in this race last year before winning the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good); had some struggles last autumn/winter, but he returned after wind surgery with a near-miss in a Group 3 at Epsom (tongue-tie added) last month; that was much more like it and he's a major player if he can back that up.

5/2

2nd

8

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Witness Stand

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Listed winner on soft ground who won the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) last July before excellent second in the Group 2 Hungerford at Newbury (7f, good to firm) in August; he's lost his form on his last four starts but perhaps wind surgery will have done the trick; wears a first-time tongue-tie and capable of having a big say if rediscovering his best.

9/1

13

(19)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Witness Stand

9st 4lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Better than ever this year, winning Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) in July and running just as well when second in Group 2 Hungerford at Newbury (7f, good to firm; strong form) in August; drawn wide when down the field in the Foret at Longchamp, and may well bounce back, with this drop back to 6f unlikely to inconvenience him; possibilities.

20/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -21146 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won on soft ground in May and slammed his 25 rivals in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) in June; however, well below that form since in 7f Group 2s at Goodwood and Newbury, which undermines confidence in his prospects for this Listed race as well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:25 Hamilton

English Oak

10st 4lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hamad Al Jehani

High-class handicap form at 6f to 1m on a range of surfaces and he was up against it when second to a progressive winner in this race last year; has since won two handicaps at Meydan for new yard and perhaps felt the lack of a recent run when mid-division in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot last month; leading player.

7/1

14th

3

(10)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

English Oak

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Campaigned at Meydan this year for new yard, winning two handicaps then not disgraced in Group 3; two attempts at this prize comprise a ready success off 4lb lower in 2024 (good to firm; recorded peak RPR) and poor effort (in cheekpieces) last year; likely player provided he's in top form.

20/1

13

(18)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

English Oak

8st 13lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Walker

Highly tried after his impressive win at 2024 Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) but has mainly been disappointing; second of six at Hamilton (1m) 12 days ago was clearly his best show this season but he needs to build on that today over a new trip.

18/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 000336 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won only once in both 2022 and 2023 but those wins were in 7f Group races, here on first occasion; hit form again last month, notably when beaten a nose and a short head in the Group 2 Hungerford over C&D (Witch Hunter second); each-way player on that but not nearly so hot on AW debut four weeks ago and he would have a lot to prove on ground softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

On a three-year losing run and nothing like the force of old but his current mark reflects that and this is a good bit easier than the two handicaps he tackled in the spring; no surprise were this class dropper to go well with his yard among the winners.

8/1

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

8th

4

(12)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Jumby

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

C&D winner who could only beat one home in this race when it was staged as a Class 2 last year; managed a handful of creditable efforts subsequently but it's hard to ignore his last win came back in June 2023 (7f Group 3); returns on reduced mark.

20/1

16/1

Form: -37042

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ran well when he tried his hand in 6f Listed races at Chester and Newmarket last two starts, with a career best when runner-up in the latter; both those races were on softer than good; unraced beyond 6f and although staying on well gives hope for 7f, the best of these have markedly better form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Russet Gold

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes at Leicester and York (also 6f) in the spring but his last two starts haven't been as promising; nicely treated and he does have form here so a revival isn't out of the question.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in Listed/Group races in 2024; on a three-year losing spell but his Class 2 form this term for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts; possibilities off current mark back down in grade.

5/1

8th

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 20 starts going back to June 2023 but he's shown promise in fifth this spring on his first two starts for this yard, most recently behind a couple of these in a big field at York (6f, good); he continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away.

10/1

25/1

Form: 3-965

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has improved markedly in his four races, without winning but this season's assignments were Listed races either side of a Royal Ascot Group 1; 5l margin behind Lake Forest in the latter helps to show that this race demands much better of him, even if going beyond 6f for the first time (he's speedily bred) does not prove a problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(7)

20th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Newbury

Louis Barthas

9st 1lb

J: J F Egan

T: Ollie Sangster

ducked left start, in touch with leaders

25/1

6th

8

(7)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Louis Barthas

9st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Ollie Sangster

Half-brother to the smart sprinter Rogue Lightning; shaped with promise when third at Kempton (6f, AW) on only 2yo start, but came up well short behind Elite Status in Listed race at Newbury (50-1) on reappearance and faces another stern assignment.

66/1

9th

6

(3)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Louis Barthas

9st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Ollie Sangster

Half-brother to the smart sprinter Rogue Lightning; shaped with plenty of promise when 6l third of 12 at Kempton (6f, AW; 12-1) on only 2yo start, always chasing the leaders; has lots of potential and should be winning races in time, but this is a stern assignment on just his second outing.

50/1

Form: 943423 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
His form can be up and down but his best this season was last month's near-miss over C&D (good to firm) in the Group 2 Hungerford, a race which brings out the best in him as he won it last year on good to soft; ran respectably at Haydock (1m) 13 days ago; firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Witch Hunter

9st 7lb

J: John Fahy

T: Richard Hannon

Now 5lb lower than for his 1m win here in January and there have been excuses for several of his defeats since; plausible outsider.

20/1

19th

30

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Defied a 5lb higher mark in the 7f handicap at this meeting three years ago and scored over 1m on AW in January; has lost his form, most recently finishing last in the Newbury event won by Classic; further Royal Ascot glory looks unlikely.

50/1

16/1

Form: 4-130 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won at Kempton (7f, AW) and excellent third at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) in another novice later in June; favourite for handicap debut at the York Ebor meeting (1m, good to firm) four weeks ago but failed to fire; at this level he has a mountain to climb even on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Dosman

8st 11lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Both wins have been on AW and he went close in his bid for a double at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in March; never involved back on turf at Ascot in May but he started slowly and was hampered at a crucial stage; now goes back up in grade but he has possibilities back on Tapeta.

15/2

5th

4

(8)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Dosman

9st 11lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Oli Rix

Only 2-16 but his third trainer has him in career-best form and didn't get the breaks when a closing fourth at Newcastle last time (1m); hold-up performer who needs a good pace to chase and if getting one he'll be dangerous.

4/1

4th

12

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Dosman

8st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Oli Rix

Coaxed back to form by his new trainer, twice placed over C&D before winning at Southwell in February; good second behind First Principle two weeks ago; another 2lb rise tempers enthusiasm slightly.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 126-62 D

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Looked set for the top when the ready winner of a Group 3 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last July; things haven't gone to plan in his light career since but, having been gelded, second of five in Group 3 back at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in June was back near his best; off 83 days since and has had wind surgery but he's back into serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Nostrum

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Appleby

Broadly disappointing since proving smart in his early days; form for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts but he dropped away rather tamely over C&D (race won by Dark Tornado) last time.

20/1

8th

8

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Nostrum

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Finished third in the 2022 Dewhurst; getting on for three years since his last win but he ran well for second at Sandown (1m, good) on his penultimate start; front-running fifth of 15 at Newbury two week ago; new cheekpieces need to spark something extra.

12/1

Non-runners

Lake Forest, Zoum Zoum

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.10
Straight Forecast £35.60
Trifecta £528.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Lake Forest

RP RATINGS:

Nostrum

SPOTLIGHT:

Witness Stand

The Star:

Witch Hunter

POSTDATA:

Jumby

The Times:

Lake Forest

Telegraph:

Lake Forest

The Guardian:

Lake Forest

Daily Mail:

Lake Forest

Daily Mirror:

Lake Forest

The Sun:

Lake Forest

Daily Record:

Lake Forest

NEWMARKET:

Nostrum

D Express:

Nostrum