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

12th

8

(5)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 197y

Class 5

17:10 Goodwood

Star Of Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Denis Coakley

1m win for Andrew Balding last May; yet to win a handicap but she is dropping down the weights and she didn't run too badly at Windsor last month; still to conclusively prove she needs this far.

20/1

5th

2

(2)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:00 Windsor

Star Of Dubai

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Denis Coakley

A fair 1m winner for Andrew Balding in 2025; largely below par for current yard though, racing freely when last of nine in 1m Ascot handicap on recent return; should strip sharper here though.

10/1

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

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

1

(4)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:33 Newmarket (July)

Minhad

10st 2lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Ismail Mohammed & Jose Santos

Dual 1m4f winner; ran creditably (clear fourth) back over 1m6f last time, while leaving the impression 2m is worth a go; possibilities, provided he takes well to first-time cheekpieces (has form in blinkers/visor).

7/2

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

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

5

(6)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Masterinthewoods

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

Won at Salisbury in May and improved again when second since at Goodwood (again 1m4f on good) and Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); versatile tactically and made the running last time; raised another 3lb but looks set for another bold show.

13/8

2nd

3

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Masterinthewoods

10st 1lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Emma Lavelle

Second of five last term in his only race on good to firm; won at Salisbury in May and improved again when a close second at Goodwood (again 1m4f on good) in June; the Goodwood winner scored again next time but this 4yo has been raised just 1lb and is heading the right way; big shout.

11/2

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

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

9th

4

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Lingfield (AW)

Kokanee

9st 8lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Ed Dunlop

Two-time winner, the latest on the turf track here (1m2f, soft) in June; needs to show he is as effective on AW.

6/1

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

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

6th

2

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:56 Kilbeggan

Hinchinbrooke

11st 9lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

A 1m2f AW winner for Jane Chapple Hyam last year; tailed off in two starts over hurdles so plenty of improvement needed.

50/1

18th

12

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:02 Galway

Hinchinbrooke

11st 9lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

A 1m2f AW winner for Jane Chapple Hyam last year; beaten 29l in a Cork maiden hurdle on stable debut last month; needs plenty of improvement from that; tongue-tie on.

33/1

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

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

5

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:42 Newton Abbot

Pivotal Days

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Syd Hosie

Hasn't beaten a rival on the Flat this year and was well held in three hurdle runs before pulling up on handicap debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month; new cheekpieces and tongue-tie combination needs to spark a revival.

25/1

9

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Pivotal Days

10st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Syd Hosie

Hasn't beaten a rival on the Flat this year since switching stables and has been well held in three hurdle starts, although he wasn't beaten far when sixth of nine here (2m) in May; moves up in trip for handicap hurdle debut with something to prove.

33/1

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

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