October 25 / 14.51 Newbury

14.51

Heavy

Download The BetVictor App Handicap

  • Prize money: £12150
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Download The BetVictor App Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 8-7921 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Recorded a clearcut success in amateur riders' event at Ascot (7f, soft) three weeks ago, seeming well suited by the switch to slower ground and opening his account at the eight attempt; may well have more to offer on such surfaces and warrants respect up 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Mercian Warrior

8st 13lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

took keen hold, pressed leader, led 2f out, soon joined and ridden, kept on well towards finish

7/2

1st

7

(3)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:12 Ascot

Mercian Warrior

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Lightly raced 3yo who returned to form when going close at Bath (1m, good) last month; has also run well on good to yielding ground (unraced on softer); can be in the mix if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 121324 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful 3yo whose consistent 2024 form includes 6f/7f wins on good ground; ran creditably when favourite for 1m contest on heavy going here most recently, while shaping as if this drop back in trip will prove ideal; solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(6)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Kodi Lion

9st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Second in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 6lb lower (only seven ran); he has progressed for his new stable this year, winning at Haydock in May and finishing second off this mark back at Haydock in August; not so good on soft ground on his last two starts; type to bounce back.

10/1

25

(17)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Kodi Lion

8st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Flits between 6f and 7f with aplomb; 5lb higher than for his Haydock win in May (6f, good) though and not sure where the requisite improvement is coming from.

25/1

9th

3

(4)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Sandown

Kodi Lion

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Michael Appleby

Acts on any ground; largely consistent throughout his career; 6f winner for current yard; sound efforts at Ascot (fifth in major handicap) and Haydock (close second despite traffic issues) since returned to 7f; solid.

7/2

Form: -00454 CD BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-5 this season and beaten favourite at Leicester most recently but ran encouragingly and ties in with Executive Decision on that effort; C&D winner (off 3lb lower) on heavy ground last autumn and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(16)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

Pearle Dor

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Usually travels strongly; 0-6 this season, coming from the back again for creditable minor honours over 7f on heavy ground at Leicester and Newbury (yesterday) in his two starts this autumn; he's the sort who needs things to drop right but more than capable off this mark if they do.

10/1

3rd

4

(7)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Pearle Dor

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-5 this season and beaten favourite at Leicester most recently but ran encouragingly and ties in with Executive Decision on that effort; C&D winner (off 3lb lower) on heavy ground last autumn and enters calculations.

5/1

4th

3

(9)

15th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Leicester

Pearle Dor

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Last win came over 7f on heavy at Newbury 13 months ago when just 3lb lower; hasn't been running badly during a light season on ground too fast; off since June and record fresh isn't the best, but he's strongly considered.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 644243

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-9 since her two wins in August 2023 but currently in a consistent vein of form; raced mainly at sprint distances but ran respectably over 7f at Leicester (heavy) most recently and again has frame possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(6)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Executive Decision

10st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

mounted in chute and taken down early, took keen hold, held up in rear, hung left and hampered rival soon after start, stumbled after 1f, struggling from 3f out, lost touch inside final furlong

5/1

9th

1

(6)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Executive Decision

10st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

mounted in chute and taken down early, took keen hold, held up in rear, hung left and hampered rival soon after start, stumbled after 1f

5/1

4th

3

(3)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Executive Decision

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

0-9 since her two wins in August 2023 but currently in a consistent vein of form; raced mainly at sprint distances but ran respectably over 7f at Leicester (heavy) most recently and again has frame possibilities.

8/1

Form: 1-4220

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground, unraced on heavy; well held in valuable handicap at Ascot most recently; has steadily progressive form otherwise and went close there (7f) on penultimate start; drops back in class and could well rebound.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(7)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

United Approach

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Disappointing end to last season but he's just 1lb higher than when runner-up over C&D last June and he reappeared with a fair third at Kempton last month; could take a step forward today and might not be far away.

10/1

8th

7

(7)

11th May 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

United Approach

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Disappointing end to last season but he's just 1lb higher than when runner-up over C&D last June and he reappeared with a fair third at Kempton last month; could take a step forward today and might not be far away.

10/1

3rd

5

(2)

9th Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:40 Kempton (AW)

United Approach

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: James Tate

This lightly-raced 5yo looked a nice prospect to begin with; he's hard to fancy on what we saw last back end, though; betting might provide clues as to what's expected on his return.

15/2

13/2

Form: 313 D BF

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 3yo who raced just three times for Paddy Twomey and is still unexposed; sold for 23,000gns last month; interesting in this scenario on debut for new stable, having gained spring win (second start) over 7f on heavy going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:42 Southwell (AW)

Cill Mocheallog

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Dean Ivory

Not the easiest to predict but came from off the pace for a second career win on his first visit to Wolverhampton in March (7f; 2lb lower); breakthrough win in January was over C&D.

7/2

1st

4

(3)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Cill Mocheallog

9st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dean Ivory

Only 1-16 on AW, the success admittedly gained in clearcut style at Southwell in January; a possible danger on that form but has been nowhere near it otherwise this year; not a solid option.

16/1

9th

10

(6)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:26 Southwell (AW)

Cill Mocheallog

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Dean Ivory

Gained his first success for this yard in fine style over C&D last month but he never featured from off the pace here behind Fools Rush In following a 7lb rise 15 days ago; may be capable of bouncing back.

16/1

20/1

Form: -44170 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Scored a couple of times during his long spell in UAE but was easy to back and failed to beat a rival at Chester (6f) eight weeks ago on debut for new yard; twice withdrawn since due to ground (soft/heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Mcmanaman

10st 1lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Joe Tickle

Winner over this trip on turf at Meydan in 2021 and 2024; more miss than hit in second British spell and a recent change of scenery/break hasn't helped.

20/1

8th

5

(13)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Mcmanaman

9st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Two-time 7f turf winner at Meydan who is on a competitive mark on 7f/1m AW form from late last year; the drop back in trip may not be an issue and he was returning from a break when down the field on last month's stable debut at Glorious Goodwood, but he may be best watched for now.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.80
Straight Forecast £10.18
Trifecta £24.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mercian Warrior

NEWMARKET:

Kodi Lion

The Sun:

Cill Mocheallog

D Express:

United Approach

POSTDATA:

Pearle d'Or

Daily Record:

Cill Mocheallog

The Times:

Kodi Lion

Telegraph:

Kodi Lion

Daily Mail:

Kodi Lion

RP RATINGS:

Mercian Warrior

TOPSPEED:

Mercian Warrior

The Guardian:

Mercian Warrior

Daily Mirror:

Mercian Warrior

The Star:

Mercian Warrior