April 16 / 13.50 Newmarket

13.50

Good To Firm

bet365 Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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bet365 Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 245-1 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ties in with Defence Minister on one of his 2yo efforts; showed clear improvement in Wolverhampton maiden (6f, AW; made all in a fast time) on reappearance and could well build on that clearcut success; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Double Rush

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart handicapper who brings excellent stats, being 3-3 at Newmarket (on the other course, admittedly, but it bodes well) and 3-3 (much improved) this term for new yard; prevailed only narrowly in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but seems on his way to becoming a Group performer; adds great interest.

8/1

1st

4

(24)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Double Rush

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Andrew Balding

The talking horse in good 6f handicaps this spring and he delivered, coming clear with no fuss under Oisin Murphy at Newmarket (good) on yard debut and not having to work much harder under a penalty there (good to firm) in May for Shane Foley; 10lb higher than last time but could be on his way to better things.

9/2

1st

6

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:45 Newmarket

Double Rush

9st 6lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Andrew Balding

Promising for Charles Hills as a 3yo, winning a C&D handicap at the Craven meeting before a good third from a tricky draw at York; ended 2025 with a low-key run at Ascot but, having been switched to Andrew Balding's stable, he created a huge impression here 17 days ago, supported as though defeat was out of the question and winning accordingly; 8lb well in and looks a Group horse in waiting; obvious chance for the stable that won this prize in 2021 and 2024.

10/11

20/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 1118- D

Last run: 172 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-3 over this distance but needs ground softer than good; sold out of Ollie Sangster's yard for 50,000gns and gelded since Horris Hill flop (7f); everything hinges on the weather.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Bob Mali

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Charles Hills

All three wins on ground slower than good, the latest two on heavy, and he's been taken out of races on good and quicker ground; rarely seen the best of him in 2025 but a latest close second of 15 at Doncaster (6f, good) offered hope; rain welcome; yard runs two.

7/1

3

(14)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

17:20 Doncaster

Bob Mali

9st 13lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Charles Hills

Not in top form since reappearance but will be an interesting type when back on slower ground; has a record of 1112 in 6f contests on softer than good; mark is workable.

12/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6115- D

Last run: 186 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Gelded after his debut then showed progress over 6f, winning twice at novice level then running well in York Listed event; seems suited by slow ground, so chance may depend on what the weather does.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26th

15

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Invictus Gold

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Tom Clover

His impressive Newmarket success last May saw him hit hard by the handicapper and he hasn't added to it; chasing home Sondad at Epsom (6f, soft) in June represented his best run of the year but he failed to build on it at Windsor last time; others look safer.

50/1

8th

1

(4)

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:00 Windsor

Invictus Gold

10st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Tom Clover

Quite lightly raced since going up 11lb for a wide-margin win at Newmarket (6f, good) in May 2025, but a recent second on soft ground at Epsom (6f; cheekpieces refitted) was a useful effort at the weights and showed him to be back on track; should be in contention again.

11/2

9/1

Form: 51-4 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Siblings include a useful performer for his stable; best novice performance when scoring at Kempton (6f, AW); open to progress now handicapping with Lingfield reappearance under his belt and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Gallant

10st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Oli Rix

Dual AW winner who finished well to snatch third in a Class 4 handicap at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago; looks interesting off 1lb lower here and he is tactically versatile.

5/1

3rd

3

(5)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Gallant

10st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Oli Rix

Dual AW winner for Andrew Balding, latterly last June, who hasn't truly threatened on his last four turf starts for this yard; cannot be completely dismissed from this declining mark, though.

12/1

7th

2

(11)

2nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Newbury

Gallant

10st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Oli Rix

Won two AW races for Andrew Balding whom he left for 60,000gns; he's not always looked entirely straightforward but he was less than 2l away last time at Newmarket (7f, good) after being in rear at one point; Tom Marquand takes over now; respected.

10/1

20/1

Form: 717-

Last run: 300 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Still an unexposed sort but has been absent since Royal Ascot effort (5f; not disgraced) ten months ago and the betting may prove best guide to expectations; gelded during his time off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

(14)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Loom

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Richard Fahey

Just one win to his name but runner-up in a big field at the Dante meeting here and again found only one too good at Southwell in September; however, both those runs were over 5f, he hasn't looked as effective at this trip and he never looked like getting involved over 5f here on Friday.

25/1

8

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Loom

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Ran a cracker to finish second of 22 in a hot 3yo C&D handicap at the Dante meeting; unable to build on that since but he returned to form when second at Southwell 17 days ago; that was a drop in class and a 2lb rise back up in grade could find him out.

10/1

3

(3)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Loom

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Started the campaign in good form, notably when second of 22 at the Dante meeting at York (5f, good to firm); his progress has stalled more recently though and hopes rest on the drop into Class 4 company perking him up.

7/1

16/1

Form: 4221-4 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in Navan maiden on final Irish start and ran respectably in Lingfield handicap (6f, AW) on debut for new stable; however, likely needs improvement to land this prize back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(8)

25th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Wave

9st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Dow

1-19; has tumbled in the weights since joining this stable from Ireland and ran a solid race when runner-up behind Dannick here over 7f last time; latest effort can be forgiven (raced wide) but he isn't certain to appreciate the step back up in trip.

25/1

8th

8

(7)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Wave

9st 4lb

J: James Glennon

T: Simon Dow

Tumbled down the weights since coming over from Ireland and has found his level now, finishing best of the rest behind a well-handicapped winner over C&D last time; 7lb claimer James Glennon has ridden a couple of winners this summer.

8/1

2nd

5

(11)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

18:40 Lingfield (AW)

Majestic Wave

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Simon Dow

Won 6f maiden at Navan as 2yo; promising stable debut over 6f on this track in February 2025 but he's mostly struggled since; now 27lb below his peak mark but he was laboured over C&D last time and others are preferred.

16/1

14/1

Form: 2127-2

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who ties in with Dark Cloud Rising on Pontefract reappearance form; however, he's a comparatively exposed type whose record is just 1-7, the success in a weak race; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

13:50 Epsom

Cayman Tai

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

He has plenty of ability but he isn't the easiest to win with; not at his best in 6f handicaps on his last two starts; handles softer than good but others are more appealing for win purposes.

10/1

8th

6

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Newmarket (July)

Cayman Tai

9st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Richard Hannon

Yet to win a turf handicap and he was only ninth of 11 in this race last year; ran well when fifth of 17 at York over 5f last month but surprisingly found it happening too quickly over 6f at Brighton last Friday; others hold more interesting claims.

11/1

7th

7

(9)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 4

16:00 Brighton

Cayman Tai

9st 8lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Back in form at York last time, despite being rather drawn away from the action in a race in which the leaders didn't stop; a while since he went beyond 5f but this may well be run to suit if he gets some luck once dropped in (as seems likely) from stall 9.

10/1

14/1

Form: 6221- D

Last run: 170 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Showed steady improvement over 6f last season but gained his Leicester novice win on heavy ground and chance of following up may depend on whether there's appreciable rain; ran well on soft the time before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(9)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Leicester

Belgrave

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won 6f novice (heavy) here as 2yo but a long way from repeating that promise in 2025 and now tries something new, a drop in trip in first-time headgear.

10/1

5th

5

(2)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 3

15:30 Yarmouth

Belgrave

8st 13lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Promising 2yo who was well suited by slow ground; struggled in three runs this year but should get his ground today and a revival could be on the cards.

4/1

3

(7)

12th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:00 Lingfield (AW)

Belgrave

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

All races at 6f; progressive 2yo who ended the season with a novice win at Leicester (heavy) but he's had a very slow start to 2025 and has been gelded since last seen in May; some questions to answer over new trip.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7176- D

Last run: 216 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Possibly flattered by peak 2yo effort for the Cole yard and has something to prove off this mark; sold for 200,000gns (previous owner retains a share) and had wind/gelding operations since last run; hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

King Of Bears

9st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

Absent since winning in first-time blinkers (retained) over C&D three months ago on second start for new yard and on AW; unexposed in this sphere and still has leeway in the handicap (peak mark was 16lb higher).

7/1

5th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

King Of Bears

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

In and out for George Scott this season but not disgraced over 7f at Chelmsford (AW debut) three weeks ago; can compete off a career-low mark so would have real possibilities if revitalised by a change of stable.

10/1

5th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

King Of Bears

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

In and out for George Scott this season but not disgraced over 7f at Chelmsford (AW debut) three weeks ago; can compete off a career-low mark so would have real possibilities if revitalised by a change of stable.

10/1

Form: 4232- BF

Last run: 175 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
1,500,000gns purchase who hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, being 0-4; however, gelded prior to running well in handicap here (7f) the final time; now goes in cheekpieces; may have a race of this nature in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(8)

16th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Al Misbar

9st 1lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

1,500,000gns purchase who hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, being 0-4; however, gelded prior to running well in handicap here (7f) the final time; now goes in cheekpieces; may have a race of this nature in him.

4/1

10th

9

(8)

16th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Al Misbar

9st 1lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

1,500,000gns purchase who hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, being 0-4; however, gelded prior to running well in handicap here (7f) the final time; now goes in cheekpieces; may have a race of this nature in him.

4/1

2nd

1

(9)

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newmarket

Al Misbar

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Has made the frame on all three starts (6f/7f, good to firm/good); improvement needed on nursery debut but he's been gelded since last time which could unlock the potential in his pedigree (cost 1,500,000gns); respected.

7/2

Non-runners

Dark Cloud Rising, Defence Minister, Diligently, The Dragon King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.30
Straight Forecast £18.29
Tricast £72.30
Trifecta £74.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Dragon King

SPOTLIGHT:

Double Rush

POSTDATA:

Dark Cloud Rising

Daily Record:

Defence Minister

The Star:

Gallant

Daily Mail:

King Of Bears

The Times:

Invictus Gold

RP RATINGS:

Double Rush

The Guardian:

Double Rush

D Express:

Dark Cloud Rising

LAMBOURN:

The Dragon King

Telegraph:

The Dragon King

Daily Mirror:

The Dragon King