April 12 / 15.12 Newbury

15.12

Good

OLBG Spring Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £36078
  • 1m 0f 7y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
ITV
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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

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

4th

5

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Defied a 5lb lower mark in the corresponding race 12 months ago; many good runs in defeat since then, including his fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup, and he is unlikely to be too far away.

7/1

9th

3

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Ebts Guard

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Currently in a consistent vein of form that ties him in with some of today's opponents; creditable third to Indalo at Sandown most recently; Goodwood record comprises a couple of second-place finishes at this meeting, including in this race last year; solid claims.

9/1

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

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

26th

12

(20)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Urban Lion

9st 4lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Good fifth in this race last year but was in a progressive vein of form at the time; some inconsistency has crept in and he finished last (admittedly lost a shoe) in the Spring Cup at Newbury most recently, failing to back up the form of his narrow success in the Lincoln on reappearance.

33/1

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

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

8th

6

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Classic

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May; unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup but wasn't disgraced; successful on this card in 2023 (7f handicap) and 2025 (this race); solid claims back here.

10/1

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

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

17th

7

(15)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Very consistent on AW since last turf appearance; respectable seventh, despite enduring a nightmare passage, in this contest two years ago but is 5lb higher and lacks recent match practice in this compensation attempt; absent since March.

33/1

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

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

3rd

3

(11)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

14:48 Pontefract

Arisaig

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Losing run up to 15 but she has run some fine races in that period, not least when beaten less than a length into third of six in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) last August (entered again this year); respected on these terms and Jamie Spencer knows her well; still holds a Sussex Stakes entry.

100/30

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

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

5th

11

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Cogitate

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Losing run is mounting up but he ran respectably over C&D most recently (final start for Charles Hills) and ties in with unexposed Raammee on that form; possibilities off same mark, provided he takes well to first-time headgear; remains with same owner.

10/1

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

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

4th

3

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Ayr

Pearl Eye

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Eight-time turf winner who made 2-6 for Jim Goldie when justifying favouritism over C&D (good to firm) two weeks ago; remains feasibly treated off only 2lb higher and he won't mind if the forecast rain arrives; respected.

9/2

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

9th

3

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

His last win was in April 2024 but he hasn't been with John Butler for long and he showed signs of a revival when fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; has claims if he can build on that and he should be fine back at this trip.

9/2

4th

2

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

10st 1lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

A useful 1m winner at his best for Jack Channon; offered little in two runs for Brian Toomey this spring though and came in last of 14 for John Butler in 7f handicap here four weeks ago; no surprise if he took a step forward though with new yard among the winners.

16/1

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

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

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Great Acclaim

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.

6/1

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

3rd

4

(6)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

16:10 Beverley

Son

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Beaten 23 times since winning a maiden at Newbury (6.5f, good to firm) in June 2023; several good runs in defeat for Tim Easterby this year, including a short-head second at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) ten days ago; up 2lb but still feasibly weighted.

7/2

2nd

7

(4)

19th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 4

16:20 Carlisle

Son

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

0-22 since his Newbury maiden win in 2023 but he's on a reduced mark and ran well when sixth of 15 at York (1m, good to firm) last time; should get a good pace back in trip and has each-way claims if he gets the breaks.

9/1

6th

2

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

15:05 York

Son

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Campaigned solely at 7f this term but shapes as if he'll be well suited by this return to 1m; has met trouble in running on his last two starts; thrown in on the pick of his form for Richard Hannon and could be ready to strike.

15/2

+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