July 18 / 14.25 Newbury

14.25

Good

talkSPORT Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
talkSPORT Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 275414 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won twice over a mile last year; off the mark this year when winning a 13-runner handicap (1m2f, good) at Goodwood last month; last of four a Windsor since but still recorded a solid RPR; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

19:50 Brighton

Bownder

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Yet to score this year but has run well a few times, latest when third of five at Lingfield (1m2f, good to firm) ten days ago; should be thereabouts but would prefer some give in the ground.

4/1

3rd

2

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Lingfield

Bownder

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jonathan Portman

Wildly inconsistent this year; better from the front in a small field last time and the return to a switchback track, back up in trip, looks in his favour (fair record on the AW here); whether he reproduces the effort is the question.

7/2

3rd

1

(5)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Bath

Bownder

9st 12lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

For one who has been a model of consistency for much of his career it is slightly disconcerting that he has been well below form in three of his last four starts; the lesser runs have been in Class 5 events and his standout recent effort came when faced with Class 6 opposition, missing out by just a head at Lingfield in February (1m2f, AW); has run well over C&D in the past and a revival could be forthcoming back down in grade.

13/2

Form: 8-0955 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f nursery (0-70) here last August; she hasn't run badly over C&D on her last two starts without totally convincing with her stamina; eases back into a 0-70 today but others may have greater stamina reserves.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

21:00 Hamilton

Geo

10st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Ayr (1m, good to firm) in May and she's twice gone close here since, over C&D and at 1m3f; features prominently in calculations.

11/4

2nd

1

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

20:30 Hamilton

Geo

10st 0lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last month before respectable sixth at Thirsk (1m, good) and close second here (8.3f, good); comfortably held in fourth over 1m at Carlisle yesterday; takes a sizeable step up in trip but her trainer's horses are frequently versatile in terms of distance; might be a player if she stays.

7/2

4th

10

(8)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

15:30 Carlisle

Geo

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jim Goldie

Returned to form when 12-1 and prevailing by a nose at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last month; beaten just a neck off this mark at Hamilton last Wednesday and she's likely to play a part again with Tom Marquand taking the reins; due to go up 2lb.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: -68608 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Two AW wins last October and went close in his hat-trick bid at Kempton the following month (off 9lb higher than today); quiet this year though and he has more to prove on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(13)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:57 Salisbury

Spirit Lead Me

9st 4lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

4-14 on AW but 0-10 on turf; badly out of form this year (six runs) and needs to turn a corner.

12/1

9th

4

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Newbury

Spirit Lead Me

9st 9lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

Four-time AW winner but holds dismal claims on his 2026 form in that sphere and his unconvincing record on turf adds doubt.

25/1

Form: 324-9

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Promise in three 7f fillies' maiden/novice events on AW in the second half of 2024; beaten a long way in a Nottingham handicap on her reappearance in May (8.3f, good to firm); better than that but comes here with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:00 Leicester

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 10lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Henry Candy

Best efforts were in maiden/novice company over 7f on the AW last autumn; has been a bit disappointing in handicaps this season, pulling too hard last time; bit to prove.

16/1

4

(1)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

18:50 Lingfield (AW)

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Plenty of promise last year over 7f but hasn't kicked on at all in handicaps at about 1m; has to turn a corner, though this could be more her trip.

8/1

7th

5

(4)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:30 Leicester

Darn Hot Mystery

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Promise as a 2yo but she has finished down the field in two handicap runs at around a mile this summer; others appeal more.

16/1

Form: 4653

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
No immediate improvement for the switch to handicaps when third of eight at Newmarket three weeks ago (1m, good to firm); still early days and he's in good hands but others bring more persuasive claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:30 Curragh

Earthwatch

9st 10lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Sandown 1m handicap winner for William Haggas (1m, good); poor in a claimer and two maiden hurdles for new yard, though mishap when carried out early at Clonmel last time; cheekpieces added to tongue-tie worn since joining this yard.

12/1

1

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

17:05 Clonmel

Earthwatch

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Flat winner for William Haggas achieved a peak rating of 81 in that sphere; decent effort on second hurdles start at Killarney when fourth, 6.5l behind Whats New; needs to bridge that gap somehow.

9/2

Form: 09-459

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Well beaten behind Bownder over 1m2f at Goodwood five weeks ago; promise on AW beforehand and this trip might suit better; not fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:40 Lingfield (AW)

Warrnambool

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Keady

12-race maiden who had good days and bad days for Nick Littmoden; returning to Class 6 company will help on his stable debut but others appeal more for win purposes.

20/1

3rd

5

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

15:40 Lingfield (AW)

Warrnambool

9st 3lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Keady

12-race maiden who had good days and bad days for Nick Littmoden; returning to Class 6 company will help on his stable debut but others appeal more for win purposes.

20/1

13th

14

(8)

20th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Newmarket

Warrnambool

9st 6lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

No wins in 11 and too inconsistent to trust for a breakthrough win here.

50/1

25/1

Form: 52-370

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Placed in two of her three novice/maiden runs but well held on handicap debut in May and no better on her stable debut at Ffos Las 19 days ago (fluffed a flag start); risky for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(11)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:27 Newbury

Nakaaha

9st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Grace Harris

Two wins last summer, including one over C&D, and got back to winning ways at Bath (1m, firm) eight days ago; was already due a 2lb drop then so is just 3lb higher under her penalty (1lb well in); one for the shortlist.

5/1

1st

2

(3)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:18 Bath

Nakaaha

10st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Grace Harris

Back-to-back wins over this trip last summer; mostly ran with credit of late, including when lacking a change of gear after travelling well over 7f at Newbury eight days ago; runner-up sole visit here.

13/2

6th

3

(15)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newbury

Nakaaha

10st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: Grace Harris

Course winner who is likely to have her ideal ground conditions, but still 3lb above her last winning mark and another furlong may have been preferable.

12/1

Form: 3-3157 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 12th attempt when gamely landing a 1m Class 6 at Bath in April (good to firm); not so good twice in May and needs a full revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:18 Bath

Thiscouldbefun

9st 5lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: J S Moore

Scored readily off this mark/under Ashley Lewis last October (1m, AW); turf win came over C&D but looks best watched here having ran so poorly in refitted cheekpieces at Salisbury 17 days ago (finished three places behind Sant Alessio).

20/1

10th

7

(1)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:57 Salisbury

Thiscouldbefun

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: J S Moore

Placed three consecutive times on turf (1m, good to form-heavy) in refitted cheekpieces in September and won on Polytrack (1m) the following month; made satisfactory reappearance ten days ago (no headgear) and is of interest with cheekpices back on again here.

12/1

Form: 60-750

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won a 7.5f fillies' novice at Ffos Las last summer; not kicked on in handicaps as yet though and opposable despite edging down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Dollyana

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Struggled initially in handicaps but, having dropped down the weights, she has been more competitive on her last four outings; each-way claims in open race.

9/2

4th

1

(2)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

15:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Dollyana

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Generally disappointing since winning a novice at Ffos Las (7.5f, good) last June but she's been placed in two of her last three starts, including at Kempton (1m, AW) nine days ago; drops back in trip and back down in grade slightly; can go well.

100/30

3rd

6

(10)

19th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:30 Kempton (AW)

Dollyana

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Generally disappointing since last summer's Ffos Las novice win (7.3f, good) but comes here after making the frame in her last two turf handicaps (7.3f/1m) and has possibilities if that form transfers to Polytrack.

6/1

Form: 0-64

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Gradual improvement in each of her three runs, most recently finishing fourth of 14 at Windsor (1m, good to firm); Rossa Ryan, on board last time, retains his association with her now handicapping; open to improvement and more interesting than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:52 Brighton

Lady Of The Isles

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Heather Main

Signed off last year with best effort yet when fourth of 15 at Leicester (1m2f, good; first-time hood) in October; two runs in blinkers this month haven't seen her return in the same form but the handicapper's starting to relent and this is winnable.

7/1

7th

4

(1)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Lady Of The Isles

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Heather Main

No wins in seven; has run well in a couple of handicaps (1m/1m2f) but she finished last tried in blinkers last time and those aids are retained.

10/1

Non-runners

Sonic Pioneer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £176.40
Straight Forecast £145.71
Tricast £1072.48
Trifecta £2264.40

Selections

The Guardian:

Earthwatch

NEWMARKET:

Sonic Pioneer

POSTDATA:

Bownder

SPOTLIGHT:

Lady Of The Isles

Daily Mail:

Earthwatch

D Express:

Earthwatch

The Sun:

Earthwatch

The Star:

Earthwatch

Daily Record:

Earthwatch

Telegraph:

Sonic Pioneer

Daily Mirror:

Sonic Pioneer

RP RATINGS:

Lady Of The Isles

LAMBOURN:

Bownder

The Times:

Bownder