April 12 / 15.12 Newbury

15.12

Good

OLBG Spring Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £36078
  • 1m 0f 7y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
ITV
View Course
OLBG Spring Cup Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.50
  • Place: £7.50

Form: 06618- D

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Registered maiden/classified wins in 2024; has lots of other good efforts on his CV but returns on a career-high mark and this looks a stiff task; 0-13 in handicaps; gelded since last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(21)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Beaten 13 times since his last win last August but he's run several mighty races in the meantime, including when beaten a neck in this last year and when third of 17 to Scoville at Doncaster (1m, good) last time; this two-time course winner could be firmly in the mix once more.

12/1

3rd

3

(3)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Ebts Guard

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Ran well in the face of a tough task when fourth in Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (soft) a fortnight ago and he returns to a handicap on a mark 2lb lower than when fourth of 28 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm); has an each-way shout.

16/1

4th

2

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Ebts Guard

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Has lots of form in major handicaps, including a good effort over C&D last year; consistent in the main but faces a stiffer assignment upped to Group level for the first time.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1454-1 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Metal Merchant; justified favouritism at Chelmsford (1m) on seasonal debut, taking AW record to 2-2; he's 0-4 on turf but may do better still, being a 4yo who has low mileage; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26th

8

(22)

26th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Urban Lion

9st 5lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March and he's just 1lb higher today; however, no better than ninth across his four starts since and he needs to get back on track.

40/1

9th

4

(8)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:48 Ascot

Urban Lion

9st 9lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Good fifth over C&D in last season's Royal Hunt Cup (good to firm) and he reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March; however, unplaced on his three runs since and has to raise his game.

16/1

9th

3

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Urban Lion

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Good fifth over C&D in last season's Royal Hunt Cup (good to firm) and he reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March; however, well beaten on both starts since; has to get back on track.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 29656-

Last run: 218 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last term but may be helped by a physical tweak (gelded since last run) and starts this season looking attractively treated; won off 1lb higher in 2023; one of two interesting runners for his connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

12

(7)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Classic

9st 2lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

6yo who has been better than ever this season; third of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) in July and again ran well when fourth of 13 to Hickory over this C&D (good) last month; he has the same career-high mark as last time but might have an each-way squeak.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:48 Ascot

Classic

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Won a competitive handicap at Newbury (1m, good) in May and ran really well when third of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) latest, when he had to wait for room; also effective here and could be in the mix.

7/1

3rd

8

(12)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Classic

9st 6lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May but has been unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup and Coral Challenge; current mark is stiffer than the one off which he finished sixth, amid traffic issues, in this race two years ago.

16/1

Form: 710-50 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Did well last term, winning five times, but crept up the weights as a result and currently looks unfavourably treated in races of this nature, as latest effort (in the Lincoln) seems to confirm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

23rd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Useful on AW/turf but was below par last time and seems weighted to the hilt back in this sphere; beaten off current mark (finished fifth of 12) in this race 12 months ago.

12/1

10th

1

(6)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Tough 7yo with a fine C&D record; might have needed the run at Glorious Goodwood after five months off, and fared much better when fourth at Chester two weeks ago; that should have put him spot-on for this and he has real each-way claims.

10/1

4th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Two Tempting

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

First of two wins over C&D came in this contest in 2024 off 4lb lower; had a fruitful AW winter campaign; reported to have met with a setback when being readied for Chester's May meeting and returned only when beating just one home in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) recently; has a high draw to contend with here and is 3lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

Form: 31865- D

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Scored against her own sex at Glorious Goodwood (1m) but showed no further progress afterwards in 2024 and no respite from the assessor leaves her looking weighted to the hilt; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

25th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Arisaig

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Talented mare but she needs things to fall right, as evidenced by her last win coming in July 2024; after a solid start to this year's campaign she couldn't justify favouritism when third in Pontefract Listed event (1m, good; Crystal Flyer second) in July and made no impact in Ascot Group 3 18 days later; narrowly sets the standard, however, and she should be finishing off well in her bid to better last year's third place in this race.

7/2

7th

1

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Arisaig

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Losing run up to 16; has run some fine races in that period but her hold-up style dictates that things need to drop right and she got going too late when third in 1m Pontefract Listed race 18 days ago; prior to that she finished around 2l behind the reopposing Kon Tiki when eighth of 15 to Blue Bolt in the Duke Of Cambridge over C&D at the Royal meeting (good to firm).

25/1

Form: -85401 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Campaigned at Meydan this year and belatedly regained the winning thread last time; remains well handicapped on best form, such as his success off this mark at the York Ebor festival (1m) in 2023; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Silver Sword

10st 0lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Dylan Cunha

Gained last success off just 1lb lower at Meydan in March; hasn't scored on home soil for over two years but ran respectably in competitive field at York (1m) last Friday; possibilities back down in grade.

13/2

5th

13

(16)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Dylan Cunha

Failed to kick on after big-field handicap win at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March but returned from a break in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and was denied a clear run when finishing an encouraging 11th of 23; he may be able to build on that performance.

16/1

11th

20

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Silver Sword

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Won a big-field handicap at Meydan (1m, good to firm) in March; however, didn't really threaten in Britain on his next three starts in April and May, and returns from a break today; others are more appealing.

40/1

8/1

Form: /2084- C

Last run: 143 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who was gelded prior to running well in useful AW handicap on last appearance and may build on that effort; sole start at Newbury resulted in his only win (debut); possibilities back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 3

15:57 Epsom

Cogitate

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

2-21 for Charlie Hills, well treated on the best of that form and not disgraced when tried in visor/cheekpieces in his three outings for new yard; all starts have been over 7f or 1m but there are bits of encouragement for 1m2f and he's crept down to a career-low mark.

5/1

4th

4

(9)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Cogitate

9st 7lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Dual winner (7f/1m) who has posted some good efforts at this track, including when runner-up over this C&D in March off a 4lb higher mark; two solid runs since joining this stable and has to be considered with first-time visor replacing cheekpieces.

4/1

4th

1

(6)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Cogitate

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Useful 7f and 1m form in 2026, including when fifth in a higher grade at Sandown (first-time cheekpieces) in June on yard debut; however he's won just once in the last three years and although he showed useful form in a C&D novice as a 3yo, his AW runs since have come on Polytrack; shade to prove.

9/1

20/1

Form: /0002-

Last run: 205 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Staged a big return to form at Yarmouth on last appearance but that second-place finish was over 6f; his efforts over 7f don't suggest he's crying out for this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

17:05 Gowran Park

Inishfallen

9st 12lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Form of penultimate neck second in a rated race at Limerick was franked by the winner (to whom he was conceding 6lb) who bolted up off 80 in a handicap at Galway last week; yielding ground not ideal on latest; could bounce back.

100/30

7th

7

(2)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Galway

Inishfallen

9st 10lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Only one win from 27 starts and that was on AW for Brian Meehan in 2023; fair AW form early this year and showed that a turf win could be within his range when second to Dancing Saxon at Limerick last time; form given a big boost by the winner in a Listed race; handicap mark reduced by a stone over the past 12 months; may come good now from low draw..

7/1

2nd

2

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Firm

0m 6f 150y

17:25 Limerick

Inishfallen

9st 11lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Only one win from 26 starts and that was on AW for Brian Meehan in 2023; fair AW form early this year; hard to fancy on recent form

14/1

14/1

Form: 265-41 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Awarded the Spring Mile at Doncaster two weeks ago, following a stewards' inquiry; started 50-1 for that prize, having seemed well exposed, and he's back on career-high mark now; this is harder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(8)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:01 Ayr

Pearl Eye

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, latterly over 1m2f here (good to firm; has also won on heavy) in July; respectable efforts since but hasn't been helping his cause with slow starts (also soon off bridle and detached latest); the much longer trip will allow him more time to catch up if doing something similar this afternoon but his ability to see it out has to be taken on trust.

10/1

6th

7

(11)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Pearl Eye

9st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, latterly over 1m2f at Ayr (good to firm; has also won on heavy) in July; respectable efforts back at Ayr twice since; this former course scorer enters calculations.

13/2

6th

8

(14)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Pearl Eye

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Already a dual winner for current yard, going in over C&D in July; posted another solid effort with fourth of five over C&D last time; can't be discounted.

7/1

11/2

Form: 27749- C

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who registered sole success last season when beating Godwinson (2025 Lincoln winner) in this contest on reappearance; now 6lb higher but still warrants respect on seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(12)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Useful handicapper at around 1m earlier in his career; retains some ability but stamina for this trip is an obvious query.

20/1

7th

10

(4)

23rd Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Without a win since April 2024 and his best run for this stable came when fourth of 12 at Newcastle (1m, AW) in July; below that level in two starts since, including one over this C&D, and others are more likely to give their running.

14/1

9th

2

(12)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 4

17:25 Haydock

Metal Merchant

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Without a win since April 2024; just three runs for this yard, the standout being his fourth over 1m on the AW; wouldn't be the most solid option but has more races in him and this ground will be fine.

14/1

Form: 52242- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably in notable handicaps (1m/1m1f) towards the end of his 2024 campaign, Cambridgeshire runner-up the final time; appears to have a good prize in him; the booking of William Buick adds appeal; successful on reappearance in the last two seasons; very solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

James McHenry

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Course winner who was runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire but has been lightly raced since; his keeping-on fifth of 12 over 1m1f at Musselburgh in April suggests most of that ability remains but he failed to build on it tackling 1m2f for the first time when fourth at Redcar (good to firm) four weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces worn at Redcar are retained.

13/2

4th

1

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

James McHenry

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Runner-up in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f) in September 2024 and he's raced just four times since; denied clear run when keeping on for fifth of 12 at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) recently and the return to 1m2f is worth a go; could have a part to play in first-time cheekpieces.

13/2

5th

4

(6)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

17:15 Musselburgh

James McHenry

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Three wins at about 1m and finished runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire, but lightly raced since; not beaten far into fourth of ten at Kempton (1m, AW) last time, but still 5lb above his last winning mark and doesn't look solid back from another short break; stable also runs Noche Clasica.

7/1

Form: 31120- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Comfortably held in the Cambridgeshire, albeit raced in unfavoured group; generally progressive otherwise in 2024, winning four times, but shot up the handicap as a result; current mark demands more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(14)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Useful handicapper whose C&D record includes a creditable fourth in this race last year and a close third to Mezcala in June; however, he needs a revival of sorts, having not been in the same form since.

16/1

7th

1

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Great Acclaim

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

7f specialist, not beaten far in Ascot's Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm) in first half of this year; never able to challenge over same C&D last time; this is less competitive and he should be thereabouts.

9/2

9th

3

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Merely mid-division behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago but this C&D brings out the best in him, as evidenced by this season's close-up finishes in the Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm); could be bang there now back at Ascot.

16/1

25/1

Form: 30008-

Last run: 245 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Record of 4-5 in 2023 but was 0-5 last year and he has something to prove back over 1m, having raced mainly at shorter (all wins over 6f); had gelding/wind operations since last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(8)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 135y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield

Dragon Leader

8st 9lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Clive Cox

Made all in very valuable auction race as a juvenile but winless since taking Redcar's Two-Year-Old Trophy six weeks later; looked to be rediscovering his level when third on AW in March and it was a solid fifth of 18 behind Royal Velvet (declared for preceding Group 3) at Newmarket (7f, good) last time; if the stands' rail proves the place to be this could be the day to revert to forcing tactics; interesting.

13/2

5th

17

(18)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Dragon Leader

8st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Clive Cox

Yet to match his 2yo best (included big sales race and Listed wins) but he's only had eight subsequent starts and latest third at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) four weeks ago was a firm step back in the right direction; same mark and there's a suspicion he could be on the way back; player if so.

10/1

3rd

9

(8)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dragon Leader

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Seen only twice since 2024 but ran with promise over 6f at Wolverhampton (AW debut) last time, shaping as if this return to 7f will suit; well handicapped on best turf form, which features two notable wins as a 2yo; interesting.

7/2

OUR TIP
14th
1 (9)
Son

10/1

Form: /4607- C

Last run: 254 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Record is only 1-10 but he's capable of useful form; two attempts at Newbury comprise his sole win (in 2023) and a good fourth in the Greenham on this card last year; gelded since last run; interesting back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

5

(13)

2nd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Ascot

Son

11st 5lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of good runs to his name this year, including placing on three of his last four starts, but his losing run is up to 26.

9/1

2nd

2

(14)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:50 Ayr

Son

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Tim Easterby

Plenty of good runs to his name this year but his losing run is up to 25; conditions shouldn't be an issue but more minor money perhaps his best hope.

8/1

5th

9

(16)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

17:00 York

Son

9st 10lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

He has a poor 1-26 strike-rate but seemed fine at the trip when sixth of 15 over C&D (good to firm) in July and has finished placed on both outings since (7f/7.3f, good to soft/soft); ran okay on a couple of occasions last year when these cheekpieces were last worn; he might not be far away.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £289.90
Straight Forecast £191.18
Tricast £1242.09
Trifecta £2411.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

James McHenry

RP RATINGS:

Silver Sword

LAMBOURN:

Metal Merchant

Telegraph:

Son

Daily Mirror:

Pearl Eye

D Express:

Son

TOPSPEED:

James McHenry

The Times:

James McHenry

The Sun:

James McHenry

The Star:

James McHenry

POSTDATA:

Silver Sword

NEWMARKET:

Silver Sword

Daily Record:

Silver Sword

The Guardian:

Metal Merchant

Daily Mail:

Metal Merchant