August 28 / 19.30 Newbury

19.30

Good To Firm

Highclere Castle Gin Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7327.6
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Highclere Castle Gin Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1st
9 (4)
King Al

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.20
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1-05

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won a heavy-ground novice over 1m at Haydock last autumn on debut; well beaten on reappearance and gelded; while his fifth of 11 on handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good; 18-1) five weeks ago was creditable on form, he needs to build on that; very lightly raced, so it could happen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

(12)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

King Al

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

2-6 on Flat, with the second win registered over C&D (good) last August; two wins among his five hurdle races this season, including latest start, so he should be primed to run well again today.

6/1

1st

4

29th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 157y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

King Al

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Dual Flat winner who progressed again to edge out Talakan at Ludlow in February and, although it was a rather sobering defeat at Warwick, that was against older opposition; good ground won't bother him but others might be on kinder marks.

16/1

5th

8

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

King Al

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Acts on any ground; dual Flat winner who has shown steady progress in juvenile hurdles, most recently making all at Ludlow (2m) where held on by a neck from Talakan (declared 2:10); one of the main players.

7/2

15/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 734331 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Pretty consistent in his 1m2f-1m4f handicaps, wandering but off the mark at tenth attempt when 6-4 favourite in a small field at Windsor (1m2f) on latest outing; back up 4lb but probably on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(1)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

18:57 Epsom

Sir William

9st 11lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Very inconsistent in four starts for this yard this term and his good second at Windsor (11.5f, good) in May was flanked by a pair of 1m2f howlers; mark fine if he's on a going day but sole appearance here (well beaten when favourite last April) raises a further doubt.

16/1

5th

5

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 4

13:45 Beverley

Sir William

9st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Won at Windsor (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August; struggled on first two runs for new yard but returned to form when second of seven back at Windsor (11.5f, good) 12 days ago; first-time cheekpieces go on now.

3/1

2nd

7

(6)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Sir William

9st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Won here (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August but that was off 4lb lower and he's struggled in two runs for new yard this season; has plenty to prove and overall record is now 1-15.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: -41263

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made all in a small-field maiden at Bath (1m, firm) in May and best form when second on handicap debut at Sandown (1m, good to firm) next time; while third over 1m2f at Sandown latest was respectable, she looked a bit stretched by the trip; left Andrew Balding for 35,000gns two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Ascot

Star Of Dubai

8st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Denis Coakley

Had plenty of chances from marks in the mid 70s last season, ending it with two below-par runs; her mark has eased as a result but it's not enough to tempt back from nine months off.

40/1

6th

11

(8)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 4

17:22 Goodwood

Star Of Dubai

8st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Denis Coakley

3yo who was third on her stable debut at Newbury (1m2f, good) in August and has an each-way shout on that form; however, she failed to settle when well beaten there (1m2f, good to soft) last time and has to bounce back.

14/1

8th

11

(10)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newbury

Star Of Dubai

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Denis Coakley

Made all in a small-field maiden at Bath (1m, firm) in May and best form when second on handicap debut at Sandown (1m, good to firm) the following month; left Andrew Balding for 35,000gns after two lesser efforts in July and it was a promising start for this yard when 33-1 but third of nine over C&D (good) three weeks ago; considered.

16/1

12/1

Form: 35188

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won Newmarket novice (1m4f, good to firm) in May, before tailed off in 1m4f Group 2 at Royal Ascot; while handicap debut in Racing League race at Yarmouth (11.4f, soft; 14-1) five weeks ago was creditable on form, he clearly needs improvement as that was good enough for only eighth of 12; visor goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Minhad

10st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ismail Mohammed & Jose Santos

Record is 2-10; gelded prior to success at Thirsk and respectable effort at York this term, both over 1m4f; still on career-high mark but ran well in sole 1m6f attempt and may be capable of another good run.

5/1

5th

3

(3)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Minhad

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Ismail Mohammed

Ran poorly on final start last term but gelded soon afterwards and, with visor/blinkers dispensed with, he returned with a narrow win in 12-runner race at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month, gradually working his way to the front in final strides under 7lb claimer Kyle McHugh; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer in what's only his second campaign.

8/1

1st

1

(4)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:32 Thirsk

Minhad

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Ismail Mohammed

Got off the mark at Newmarket (1m4f) last April and in good form in handicaps after until coming in last of 12 back at Newmarket (1m4f) in October; since gelded and goes without usual headgear on his return.

14/1

Form: -36221 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Second in 1m4f handicaps at Goodwood and Epsom before he scored in tidy fashion at Haydock (10.4f, good) 19 days ago, getting off the mark at eighth attempt; up 4lb but may well have more up his sleeve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 4

18:55 Goodwood

Masterinthewoods

9st 7lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Emma Lavelle

Raced freely but built on his reappearance effort when winning at Salisbury (1m4f, good) 27 days ago, posting a career best; unexposed over 1m4f and he's considered off this 4lb higher mark.

100/30

1st

8

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

20:45 Salisbury

Masterinthewoods

9st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

He had been knocking on the door prior to his 10.4f win at Haydock last summer; not so good since but he should be sharper with his reappearance behind him and he is only 2lb higher than for the win; unexposed at 1m4f and respected back on turf.

5/1

7th

1

(10)

4th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

16:55 Kempton (AW)

Masterinthewoods

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Emma Lavelle

Haydock winner (10.5f, good) last August and ended the campaign with a fine third of 14 over this C&D; off 222 days since, but he ran well on his reappearance last year; shortlisted.

11/2

7/1

Form: 55-165 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won quite takingly at Beverley (1m2f, good) in April; good to firm ground may have been against him next time and he caught the eye with his late progress when creditable fifth of nine at Sandown (1m2f, good) 11 weeks ago; any recent rain is probably a help and there's a strong feeling that he can still prove capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Kokanee

10st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ed Dunlop

Ended a losing run in 1m2f handicap at Lingfield (on soft) last month; up 4lb here and any rain would be a help given he goes well on soft ground.

9/2

1st

2

(3)

6th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Lingfield

Kokanee

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ed Dunlop

Yet to make any significant further progress since winning handicap debut at Beverley (1m2f, good) in spring 2025 but went close at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) two starts ago and should cope if the ground remains soft.

7/1

6th

1

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

18:15 Nottingham

Kokanee

9st 10lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

Winner over 1m2f at Beverley (good) last spring and went agonisingly close to a second career success on Pontefract reappearance (1m, good to soft) 11 days ago; a 2lb nudge shouldn't prevent another prominent showing if in similar form.

4/1

Form: 43350

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; plenty of ability in his qualifying runs (1m/1m2f) but disappointing in his two handicaps (1m4f/1m2f) despite being prominent in the betting; it will be interesting to see if his backers return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

17:45 Cork

Hinchinbrooke

11st 8lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E McNamara

Only 1-11 on the Flat but won his final race for Jane Chapple Hyam, over 1m2f on the AW in January; quite useful in that scene and changed hands for 82,000gns; now gelded.

5/1

1st

8

(6)

15th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Hinchinbrooke

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

0-10 but he's been runner-up on his last three starts, most recently when bumping into a subsequent winner over this C&D 28 days ago; solid claims with the cheekpieces retained.

5/1

16/1

Form: 713-79

Last run: 64 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Ploughed through heavy ground when making all in a Haydock nursery (7f) last autumn; backward steps in his only two starts this year, with very little response from the handicapper, so others are preferred; new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

20:53 Bath

Pivotal Days

10st 2lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Syd Hosie

7f win for Ed Walker as a 2yo; modest form on Flat and over hurdles for new yard this year; Royal Ascot was fanciful latest and although this is more realistic, others still bring more compelling claims.

25/1

13th

13

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Pivotal Days

9st 3lb

J: George Downing

T: Syd Hosie

7f winner for previous yard but very minor form under both codes for this one and it would be the shock of all shocks if he won this.

250/1

6th

7

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:11 Worcester

Pivotal Days

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Syd Hosie

Won over 7f on the Flat for Ed Walker in 2024; has shown only modest form in two runs over hurdles for current yard.

100/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: 2-810

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won a Thirsk novice (1m, good) in July; gelded afterwards and only tenth of 11 when second favourite for handicap debut at Haydock (1m) 18 days ago, albeit not beaten far; that sees cheekpieces installed today but there's also the chance that good to firm ground was not ideal that day and that stepping up to 1m2f will suit him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(1)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Tramore

Wolfpack

8st 8lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

1m Thirsk novice winner for James Ferguson last season; poor form over hurdles so far for this stable and after a slightly better run at Dundalk, was well behind Taj Crown and Timandi in a Limerick claimer latest; chance at the weights (rated 70) but risks attached.

8/1

9th

12

(4)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 3f 210y

16:43 Limerick

Wolfpack

9st 3lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gordon Elliott

Won over 1m on good ground at Thirsk last summer for James Ferguson; poor form in juvenile hurdles; a race of this type represents his best chance of adding to his tally, judged on his recent Dundalk fourth behind a stablemate of Tyson Fury.

4/1

4th

10

(3)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Wolfpack

9st 3lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Formerly owned by Qatar Racing and, having been placed on Tapeta at two, won over 1m at Thirsk last summer; showed a bit on hurdling debut, tailed off thrice over flights since; hard to gauge.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.00
Straight Forecast £34.74
Tricast £801.00
Trifecta £452.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Masterinthewoods

POSTDATA:

Sir William

D Express:

King Al

NEWMARKET:

Wolfpack

The Times:

Hinchinbrooke

TOPSPEED:

Star Of Dubai

SPOTLIGHT:

Kokanee

The Star:

King Al

Telegraph:

Masterinthewoods

The Guardian:

Masterinthewoods

Daily Mirror:

Masterinthewoods

The Sun:

Sir William

Daily Record:

Sir William

Daily Mail:

Wolfpack