September 21 / 14.40 Newbury

14.40

Good To Soft

Dubai Duty Free Handicap

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Thunderstorms

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 0-8025 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won consecutive 1m2f Newbury races (soft and good) in spring 2023; second at Ascot in July was clearly his best show this season until he finished strongly for second over C&D yesterday; blew the start at Goodwood in between; goes well in the mud but he's more exposed than a few of today's rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Mustazeed

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Harry Eustace

Very capable off this mark when on his game but he refused to race on final run of last season and hasn't looked overly keen to get involved this campaign.

50/1

11th

6

(10)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:40 Newbury

Mustazeed

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

4-9 over C&D including landing this race three years ago, but his starts have increasingly become a problem, flatly refusing to do so here in October; too risky.

20/1

10th

9

(1)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Mustazeed

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Eustace

Increasing tendency to blow the start last season culminated in a refusal to race on final appearance; that was at Newbury, where he'd previously been at his best; he's contrastingly 0-6 on AW and none of his form in this sphere lives up to today's mark; probably best watched.

40/1

OUR TIP
2nd
1 (5)
Bolster

9/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0-1147 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Made pretty much all for 1m2f handicap wins at Pontefract (soft) and Epsom (good to soft; 3lb higher today) this spring; found it too tough in two Group events since but could be a lot more interesting back in this handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

2

(16)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Bolster

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Jack Morland

Used to represent same connections as Liberty Lane but performed near his best only a couple of times last season, including when a promoted fourth in this race (good); had gelding and wind operations before well beaten on reappearance in June in first-time headgear; sold for 35,000gns 19 days ago; one of his handicap wins was on good to soft and the other three were on soft, neither of which is likely today.

25/1

9th

2

(9)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Bolster

9st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Four wins in 2024 included this race on good to soft, with the other three on soft; performed near his best only a couple of times last season, which has been followed by gelding and wind operations; also now wears first-time headgear; some warning signals and he's not slipped far in the weights.

12/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 21-230

Last run: 93 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Listed second at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on April reappearance but soundly beaten next time (1m2f, good; unraced on softer) and mid-division on handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) in June when last seen; gelded in July; lightly raced and not fully exposed, the dark horse of the field, but with a bit to prove too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Whip Cracker

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Richard Hughes

0-16 on turf but usually runs his race; runner-up at this track (10.5f, good) when last seen in May; may find this on the sharp side having not been seen in races less than 1m since his juvenile days.

7/1

2nd

7

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Whip Cracker

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

Without a win since his second start as a 2yo, but several good efforts since as when beaten a length into third of 24 in the Newbury Spring Cup (1m, good ) last month; Ryan Moore keeps the ride and rain shouldn't be an issue, but the draw could have been kinder.

6/1

3rd

16

(22)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Whip Cracker

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

On a 14-race losing sequence but he was runner-up three times last term, including when beaten a head at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good); went off third favourite in a big field at the Curragh on reappearance but didn't give his running; on a retrieval mission with Ryan Moore booked.

12/1

14/1

Form: 3610-0 D

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Dropped back to 1m2f when a comfortable winner from the front on heavy going at Newmarket last November; plenty of disappointments in his record, including on both starts since that win (only one this term, in April); something of an enigma but a well-handicapped one judged on that November win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

30th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Laafi

11st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: William Durkan

Useful three-time Flat winner for William Haggas; has developed into a smart handicap hurdler; stuck to his task when first past the post in a big field at Aintree's Grand National meeting (2m, good to soft) only to be disqualified for a whip offence; 6lb extra for that arguably made the difference when he was beaten a neck in the Swinton at Haydock; progressive sort.

9/1

2nd

1

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Laafi

12st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Useful on Flat and has quickly reached a similar level over hurdles, posting a career best when first past the post in a big field at Aintree's Grand National meeting (2m, good to soft) only to be disqualified for a whip offence; seeks compensation but a 6lb higher mark will make things tougher.

14/1

1st

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Laafi

12st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: William Durkan

Very useful on the Flat and has quickly reached a similar level over hurdles, finishing a creditable fifth in strong, big-field handicaps at Leopardstown (yielding) and Kelso (also 2m, good to soft) on his last two outings; each-way claims.

25/1

Form: 327143 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; stepping up to 1m2f worked a treat at the Newmarket July festival (6lb higher today) and he was a close third of six to Flying Frontier at Sandown (1m2f, again on good) three weeks ago; respected 3yo who needs to find a bit more improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

14:15 Sandown

Involvement

10st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won Meydan handicap (9.5f, good) in March but has been mostly treading water since, finishing last of eight in Group 3 at Goodwood four weeks ago; back down in grade but others still make more appeal.

20/1

8th

4

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Involvement

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won Meydan handicap (9.5f, good) in March and ran well in defeat in Listed races on next two starts (including here over 1m2f); however, no match for Al Aasy in Listed race at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago and others have more substance to their claims.

20/1

3rd

4

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 1

16:02 Beverley

Involvement

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Very useful gelding who landed 9.5f handicap in Meydan in March; posted a good fourth in Goodwood Listed event in May but last of six in similar company there (1m4f) last month; needs to bounce back.

8/1

Form: 49-878

Last run: 53 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Ran well on soft last season; bled from the nose on reappearance (her only run over this far) and soundly beaten in another Listed race next time; beaten only 6l in 1m handicap at Glorious Goodwood on latest start but finished eighth of 12, so others bring more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(3)

3rd Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 201y

Class 4

16:20 Salisbury

Grays Inn

9st 10lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Ran well on soft last season but below form on heavy at Newbury 12 days ago; outsider all four starts this term and has not made an impact in any of them (bled from the nose on reappearance) so others are preferred.

16/1

6th

11

(7)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Grays Inn

8st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jack Channon

in touch with leaders

40/1

8th

3

(8)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Grays Inn

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jack Channon

Below-form third when favourite for the 7f nursery at the meeting last year; fourth in a Curragh Group 3 next time was good but she has suffered three heavy defeats in Listed races since (bled from the nose on reappearance); plenty of doubts after that and she looks on a stiff mark anyway.

50/1

10/1

Form: 070051 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
6yo whose first appearance at about 1m2f was a winning one in 15-runner race at the York Ebor meeting (good to firm) four weeks ago, leading final 1f at 25-1; won on it in the past but has not shone on softer than good in 2023 or 2024; up 5lb but this trip needs exploring further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(12)

9th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 1

15:10 Doncaster

Canoodled

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

raced wide early, prominent, raced in second after 1f, pressed leader over 3f out, weakened over 2f out

33/1

11th

2

(12)

9th Nov 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 1

15:10 Doncaster

Canoodled

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

raced wide early, prominent, raced in second after 1f, pressed leader over 3f out, weakened over 2f out

33/1

4th

5

(6)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:08 Nottingham

Canoodled

8st 13lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Ed Walker

6yo whose first go at about 1m2f was a winning one in 15-runner race at the York Ebor meeting (good to firm) in August, leading final 1f at 25-1; won on it in the past but has not shone on softer than good in 2023 or 2024, trying heavy ground (1m2f) on latest start; plenty to find on ratings.

40/1

11/1

Form: -51327 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Eight races, the clear best efforts being his four runs on good to firm; that includes winning a maiden at Windsor (1m2f) in July and when close up in handicaps on next two starts, over C&D on second occasion; soundly beaten on soft two weeks ago, so any recent rain would be a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

Houstonn

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Richard Hannon

0-10 in handicaps; twice third over 1m4f at Ascot this year but last two efforts have been below par; dropped another 3lb but it's not enough to tempt.

9/1

1

(6)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newbury

Houstonn

10st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

0-9 in handicaps; best form when second in the closing 1m2f race on this card last year; some respectable shows over 1m4f too, including with first-time blinkers (kept since) on penultimate start; last of ten back at Ascot last Saturday, admittedly in a Shergar Cup race and not beaten far but others have more pressing claims.

9/1

10

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Houstonn

9st 4lb

J: Ryusei Sakai

T: Richard Hannon

0-8 in handicaps; easily his best 2025 efforts were two thirds over C&D on good to firm, including when on the heels of Night Breeze on latest start, wearing first-time blinkers, but he needs to find extra.

16/1

Form: 49-111 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Usually slowly away, markedly so sometimes, but he's won at Ascot, Chepstow and Southwell on his three appearances this term; the first two of those were on good to soft (more to prove on soft) and latest on AW; up another 6lb but it's hard to rule out one who's been in the form of his life.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.

7/1

4th

6

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

In the veteran stage now but his two runs at York this term prove he still retains ability, latterly when sticking on into midfield in valuable 10.5f event a fortnight ago; his sole start at 1m4f (in December 2024) returned his best RPR and this second attempt is well worth another go.

16/1

11th

14

(22)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Fantasy Believer

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

Did well to finish fifth of 16 over C&D (good) on reappearance four weeks ago having been hampered soon after the start and raced wide; however, he goes well fresh so may not improve for that outing, and it's likely this 9yo will be vulnerable against numerous unexposed contenders.

50/1

Non-runners

Flying Frontier, Quietness

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.10
Straight Forecast £13.37
Tricast £53.59
Trifecta £71.70

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Involvement

The Guardian:

Whip Cracker

Daily Mail:

Quietness

TOPSPEED:

Houstonn

SPOTLIGHT:

Bolster

The Star:

Flying Frontier

D Express:

Whip Cracker

Daily Record:

Whip Cracker

The Times:

Involvement

Telegraph:

Involvement

Daily Mirror:

Involvement

The Sun:

Quietness

POSTDATA:

Houstonn

RP RATINGS:

Bolster