June 27 / 19.45 Newmarket (July)

19.45

Good To Firm

Close Brothers Handicap

  • Prize money: £5154
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Close Brothers Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 324422 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Successful in 1m AW maiden in February; consistent since, most recently neck second over C&D (good) last Friday; due to go up 1lb in future; very solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Saxonia

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

Four wins this year and he has found another burst of improvement for the addition of cheekpieces, winning 1m handicaps at Pontefract and Musselburgh either side of a C&D second (behind Arctician); another 3lb higher but should make a bold bid.

7/2

3

(7)

14th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 5

17:08 Musselburgh

Saxonia

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

A three-time 1m winner in 2025 who posted another good effort when runner-up in 1m Lingfield handicap 11 days ago; very much one to consider nudged up 1lb.

9/4

2nd

7

(1)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Lingfield (AW)

Saxonia

9st 9lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

3-18; second of nine at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) last month before winning by a nose at Pontefract (1m, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) 17 days ago; looks a likely player returned to AW following a 1lb rise.

9/4

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 531964

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Belied his 33-1 odds at Nottingham in May, recording sole win since joining current yard; ran creditably over C&D last week and ties in with Saxonia on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(7)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:04 Leicester

Mini Mac

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

His form has deteriorated since his last win last May but he took a step back in the right direction when fourth of 16 at Doncaster (7f, good to soft) nine days ago; has another career-low mark today and is not ruled out.

7/1

4th

6

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:45 Doncaster

Mini Mac

9st 6lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

One win apiece for his previous two yards but he looks far from solid on 2026 form for another new stable; best watched unless the betting suggests a big run is likely; cheekpieces are removed and blinkers return.

25/1

8th

6

(6)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:52 Beverley

Mini Mac

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

One win apiece for his previous two yards but looks far from solid on 2026 form for another new stable; best watched unless the betting suggests a big run is likely.

14/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 465

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced gelding who represents major stable; has come up short at novice level but looks open to progress now handicapping in Class 5; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:22 Killarney

Earthwatch

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Flat winner for William Haggas ahcieved a peak rating of 81 in that sphere; soundly beaten on debut for this yard in a Dundalk claimer and tailed off on hurdling bow at Cork last month; unlikely.

40/1

4th

2

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:15 Cork

Earthwatch

11st 7lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Flat winner for William Haggas achieved a peak rating of 81 in that sphere; soundly beaten on debut for this yard in a Dundalk claimer in December and is likely best watched on hurdles debut.

18/1

8th

9

(5)

15th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 3

15:14 Nottingham

Earthwatch

8st 10lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Disappointing at York (1m, good) last month but this 3yo was progressive previously and won at Sandown (1m, good) two starts ago; could have a big part to play if rediscovering the Sandown promise.

9/2

Form: 805

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced gelding who isn't particularly solid on form but seemed to find 6f too sharp last time; may improve now handicapping and back up in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(10)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:08 Beverley

Bullington Bry

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Joey Ramsden

0-20; tried in different headgear when a below-par seventh in 7f Doncaster handicap last time out; usual cheekpieces are refitted.

11/1

7th

4

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:15 Doncaster

Bullington Bry

9st 8lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Joey Ramsden

19-race maiden; had a near-miss at Ffos Las (7.3f, good) last summer and was a fair fourth at Southwell (7f, AW) last week; seems tactically versatile and has each-way claims if he responds well to different headgear.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Bullington Bry

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Joey Ramsden

18-race maiden but he was a close third here over 6f in March; below his best at Wolverhampton 31 days ago and now steps back up to 7f with cheekpieces back on; place claims at best.

5/1

Form: 8551-6 D

Last run: 156 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner who lacks recent match practice (off five months) and isn't particularly solid on his turf form; best watched unless the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

14:48 Lingfield (AW)

Classic Speed

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

Two front-running 1m Kempton wins in 2024; belatedly returned to form when narrowly denied there (7f) in December but didn't come close to backing that up over 1m last week; blinkers are refitted now.

11/1

11th

1

(9)

14th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Classic Speed

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

Two front-running C&D wins in 2024; little to enthuse over last year until a prominent market position correctly predicted a return to form when beaten a head over 7f here last month; up 3lb but still below his winning marks and looks a leading contender despite possible pace pressure.

5/2

1

(11)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Bath

Classic Speed

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Brian Toomey

Won over 1m on the AW last October but appears to have badly lost his way; opposable.

14/1

9/2

Form: 527-02

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden; went close in Lingfield novice event (7.5f, good; third run for new yard) most recently; possibilities if building on that effort; handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(12)

21st Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:30 Yarmouth

I Can Imagine

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jack Jones

Still seeking first win (0-13), continuing to ease in the weights; didn't have things go her way over C&D (good) last time, so she did reasonably well to finish fourth of ten (Cameley Days second); others arrive in better form.

12/1

7

(9)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

16:28 Lingfield (AW)

I Can Imagine

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Jack Jones

Ex-Irish 3yo; went close in a novice on turf here (7.6f, good) in in June but she's not matched that form in four since; still unexposed as a handicapper but she's now 0-11 and has something to prove on this return to sprinting.

16/1

7

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

14:35 Lingfield (AW)

I Can Imagine

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Jack Jones

She has run some fair races for her new yard this year but she needs to raise her game to break her duck back against male opposition.

16/1

7th
1 (4)
Zariela

12/1

Form: 68-315 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Contrasting performances since fitted with visor, winning at Yarmouth then well below par at Windsor; not sure what to expect from her in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Lingfield (AW)

Zariela

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: S Woods

Successful in C&D maiden in 2024; prevailed by a neck under Jack Callan at Southwell (1m) returned to AW last time; upped in grade but may remain competitive, having gone back up just 2lb.

5/1

2nd

5

(1)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Lingfield (AW)

Zariela

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: S Woods

Successful in C&D maiden in 2024; prevailed by a neck under Jack Callan at Southwell (1m) returned to AW last time; upped in grade but may remain competitive, having gone back up just 2lb.

5/1

Form: 8-0333 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
3yo maiden who has form figures of 333, all in Class 6, since wearing blinkers; back up in grade but seems to have a solid chance in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(11)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

14:08 Yarmouth

Queen Of Good News

9st 6lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Patrick Owens

Had undergone wind surgery prior to C&D win on reappearance last month but never featured at Doncaster since; could be suited by the return to this track (form figures here read 221) and she can't be discounted.

10/1

7th

6

(10)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

19:45 Doncaster

Queen Of Good News

9st 7lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Patrick Owens

Underwent breathing surgery before gaining a breakthrough win on her seasonal return in 1m Yarmouth handicap two weeks ago; back up 4lb but she's not taken lightly in her current mood.

5/1

1st

9

(3)

11th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 6

14:02 Yarmouth

Queen Of Good News

9st 7lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Patrick Owens

12-race maiden; finished second in her two course runs as a 2yo; well handicapped on last season's best and she has undergone wind surgery during her 176-day absence; should be winning races this year but this perhaps not the day to catch her.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.50
Straight Forecast £6.84
Tricast £39.73
Trifecta £41.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Saxonia

D Express:

Earthwatch

The Times:

Bullington Bry

NEWMARKET:

I Can Imagine

The Sun:

Earthwatch

RP RATINGS:

Saxonia

POSTDATA:

Saxonia

Telegraph:

Saxonia

The Guardian:

Saxonia

Daily Mail:

Saxonia

Daily Mirror:

Saxonia

The Star:

Saxonia

Daily Record:

Saxonia