October 25 / 16.01 Newbury

16.01

Heavy

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  • Prize money: £12150
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 142411 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Form dipped when he tried front-running three starts back but he was back in the groove to win twice over Epsom's 1m4f (soft/heavy) in September; well on top last time, which was followed by 8lb rise but he's one of two strikingly in-form candidates in this line-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Miller Spirit

10st 1lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Five Flat wins in 2024, culminating in this race (1lb lower today); well suited by ploughing through the mud and best result this term came on soft, when runner-up at Yarmouth (1m6f) in July; ran respectably here on good to soft last time and a bold show seems likely if he's in the mud today.

7/1

11

(10)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Miller Spirit

8st 12lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Five wins in a tremendously progressive 2024; well suited by ploughing through the mud and his best result this term came on soft ground, when runner-up at Yarmouth (1m6f) in July; respectable fourth in a Racing League event over 2m on Southwell's AW latest; feasibly handicapped and would enter the reckoning if the ground remains on the soft side.

16/1

4th

2

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Miller Spirit

9st 7lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Five wins in a tremendously progressive 2024 on Flat; well suited by ploughing through the mud and his best result this term came on soft ground, when runner-up on penultimate start; beaten 20l when last on his sole AW start in 2023 and others have more compelling claims.

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 885993 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Impressed twice (once over C&D) in the mud last autumn and won off this mark on soft at Doncaster this April; not so good since, including twice when heavy going should have suited, but third at Newmarket (good to soft) last time was an upturn; needs to take another step back up the ladder but some hope is renewed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

17:34 Fontwell

Flash Bardot

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Useful over middle distances on the Flat (five wins) and made promising stable/hurdle debut when third at Haydock (1m7f, good) last month; that run came after a layoff and she'll be dangerous if it brought her on.

5/1

3rd

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 4

13:37 Haydock

Flash Bardot

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Useful on the Flat for Jack Channon up to autumn 2024; however, her form went the wrong way last year and she was sold for 10,000gns in December; needs to turn things around on this hurdle/stable debut

12/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: /3457-

Last run: 343 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won on soft in his first two handicaps as a hurdler and good second later in April when last seen; 0-5 in Flat handicaps (won a maiden) for his former two yards but needs a close look on this return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:17 Chepstow

Balhambar

10st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Did well for new stable in 2024, winning twice, and runner-up in valuable Southwell handicap (2m, good) on New Year's Day; reverts to hurdling after a pipe-opener on the Flat last month; probably needs to squeeze out even more improvement to land this prize.

12/1

7th

6

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:18 Epsom

Balhambar

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Progressive since joining this yard and switched to hurdles, mainly under Paul O'Brien, while his sole Flat run for Harry Derham was a respectable third of 11 at Newbury (1m4f, heavy) last October; market may help on this first start since March but stable's horses don't tend to lack for fitness; should go well.

9/2

2nd

1

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Balhambar

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, not fluent 3rd, headed just before last, weakened run-in

4/1

Form: 19099/

Last run: 737 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; useful over 1m2f on Flat initially in 2022 but lost his form; easily the best of his six runs over hurdles was the handicap win in small field at Huntingdon (2m, soft) this March; well beaten twice since; has a reduced mark for this return to Flat but there are more solid options.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

20:42 Market Rasen

Ruler Legend

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gary Hanmer

Ended last season in excellent form, winning twice here (2m/2m2f) on good ground, and is probably still on a workable mark; big chance.

6/5

1st

11

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Ruler Legend

10st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gary Hanmer

Readily gained a first victory in over two years when capitalising on a reduced mark in 2m handicap here nine days ago; carries a 7lb penalty but can go well again.

6/1

1st

7

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Ruler Legend

10st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gary Hanmer

Soundly beaten on first two starts for Gary Hanmer but his fifth of 11 at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) a fortnight ago was much more encouraging; could have a say if able to build on that recent effort.

5/1

5th
10 (4)
Calvert

16/1

Form: -43227

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Best effort this term when upped to 1m6f for a front-running second of five at Newmarket (soft) on penultimate start; however, tailed off over 1m6f on heavy on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(3)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Calvert

9st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Roger Teal

1-20, but no doubting his consistency and was only just behind Naval Tribute when third of 12 in an apprentice handicap at Ascot (2m, good) last month; has had more chances than his old rival, but should again go well from the same mark.

7/2

3rd

9

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Calvert

9st 7lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Roger Teal

Sole success came when evens for a Bath novice (1m2f, good to soft) as 2yo; respectable efforts across five starts at 1m6f and 2m in 2025 and he went mighty close at Wolverhampton (1m6f, AW) in March after which he had a run over hurdles; strike-rate isn't a positive but he has the ability to figure.

7/1

4th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:45 Huntingdon

Calvert

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Roger Teal

Just 1-18 on Flat, with mostly fair form though and he was pipped over 1m6f just 15 days ago on latest start; just as good on turf as AW; sire Golden Horn has done well with plenty of jumpers; needs a close look on hurdle debut.

14/1

33/1

Form: 006850

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won twice last summer and ground should not be a problem, but he lost his form in Bahrain in the winter and there's not been a significant revival back in Britain for last five outings; 18lb lower than this time last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(3)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Graignes

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Won twice last summer and ground should not be a problem, but he lost his form in Bahrain in the winter and there's not been a significant revival back in Britain for last five outings; 18lb lower than this time last year.

33/1

Form: 5-1393 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; made a solid start to this season before a flop at Salisbury in May; first run since when respectable third at York 13 days ago, perhaps stretched by the 2m; his wins have got more infrequent but he's a renowned mud lover and may well be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

21st May 2026

Soft

2m 0f 45y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Torcello

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Shaun Lycett

His mark continues to tumble and he's one to watch in the betting in reapplied cheekpieces with the slow ground in his favour; however, this 12yo has very much struggled on his four starts since last June.

9/1

8th

9

(8)

18th Feb 2026

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Torcello

9st 1lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Shaun Lycett

Veteran who struggled in two runs last year and fared no better when last of six over 2m here six weeks ago; down in the weights but has too much to prove for now.

50/1

10

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Torcello

8st 5lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Shaun Lycett

Sixth in 2022 Chester Cup (sole visit); well handicapped on best 2024 form; now an 11yo, well beaten on final outing last season and his only start this term (June); the latter was on good ground, whereas it's softer (preferably soft or heavy) which has suited him best for a long time now.

50/1

8/1

Form: 003032 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two wins from 24 starts; heavy defeats in four of seven races this term but also now placed in three of his last four; more to prove on soft or heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Thundering

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Two wins from 24 starts; heavy defeats in four of seven races this term but also now placed in three of his last four; more to prove on soft or heavy.

8/1

2nd

5

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Thundering

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

held up in rear, smooth headway on outer over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on

7/1

Form: 241368 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Overcame trouble in running to score by a nose over C&D in July; better form over 1m6f and 2m on next two starts, albeit appearing stretched by the latter trip; a lesser show over 1m3f next time was on AW and only eight days later; perhaps that can be excused but he is unraced on worse than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

17:15 Thirsk

Great Bedwyn

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Beaten on his last 13 starts going back to last May but he's been a good second on two of his last three starts, most recently in a big field at York (1m4f, good) this month; every chance he'll again be bang there.

4/1

2nd

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Great Bedwyn

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Won this (good to firm) on return last year by a neck off 4lb higher than today; subsequent efforts have never quite lived up to that, albeit runner-up on Kempton AW last September and this March; first 1m2f run for ages when disappointing on latest start; could bounce back with each-way claims.

15/2

8th

10

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Great Bedwyn

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Had dropped 3lb below his last winning mark when second of nine behind course-specialist Whitcombe Rockstar at Kempton (1m4f, Polytrack) last month, his first start in 75 days; races off the same mark, but he hasn't tackled a trip this short in three years; stable runs three.

12/1

Form: 115 D

Last run: 121 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in January and novice at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in May; did it well too, looking a useful prospect, but something amiss on handicap/turf debut (1m4f, good to firm) in June and off since; it should be instructive to see whether the betting suggests she will bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Silent Glance

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

On a recovery mission (like stablemate Power Of Destiny) having been tailed off in both handicap starts; assessor has dropped her 5lb and there's no denying she looked a smart prospect at one point.

13/2

3rd

2

(8)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Silent Glance

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

On a recovery mission (like stablemate Power Of Destiny) having been tailed off in both handicap starts; assessor has dropped her 5lb and there's no denying she looked a smart prospect at one point.

13/2

10th

5

(9)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Silent Glance

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Won maiden at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in January and novice at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in May; did it well too, looking a useful prospect, but something amiss on handicap/turf debut (1m4f, good to firm) in June and off since; it should be instructive to see whether the betting suggests she will bounce back.

7/1

Form: 32-213 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Juvenile hurdle winner on heavy ground in March; five months off before doing well back on the Flat this August/September, notably when clearcut winner at Chester (1m4f, soft); third in useful 1m5f event here (heavy) five weeks ago; major each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Ithacas Arrow

9st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Juvenile hurdle winner on heavy ground in March; five months off before doing well back on the Flat this August/September, notably when clearcut winner at Chester (1m4f, soft); third in useful 1m5f event here (heavy) five weeks ago; major each-way claims.

9/2

3rd

15

(11)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Ithacas Arrow

8st 4lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Juvenile hurdle winner on heavy ground in March; five months off before showing improved Flat form when a close second at Goodwood (1m6f, soft) and clearcut winner last Saturday at Chester (1m4f, soft); up another 5lb; a rising force, with more to prove away from soft ground but the recent rain looks a big positive.

11/1

1st

4

(4)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:15 Chester

Ithacas Arrow

11st 5lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Juvenile hurdle winner in March and returned from five months off to finish a good close second back on the Flat at Goodwood (1m6f, soft) three weeks ago; pulled 4l clear of the third so a 3lb rise looks more than fair.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.80
Straight Forecast £39.55
Tricast £265.75
Trifecta £211.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Miller Spirit

POSTDATA:

Ithaca's Arrow

RP RATINGS:

Flash Bardot

The Guardian:

Balhambar

TOPSPEED:

Graignes

The Times:

Flash Bardot

D Express:

Flash Bardot

Telegraph:

Miller Spirit

Daily Mirror:

Miller Spirit

The Sun:

Miller Spirit

The Star:

Miller Spirit

LAMBOURN:

Ithaca's Arrow

Daily Mail:

Ithaca's Arrow

Daily Record:

Ithaca's Arrow