September 20 / 16.25 Newbury

16.25

Good To Soft

Conundrum Consulting Handicap

  • Prize money: £16200
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 000427 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Showed very useful form on the continent; 0-7 in Britain but recent form is encouraging, notably close second at Sandown (7f, soft) on penultimate start; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

8

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Tarkhan

9st 4lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Listed win in Germany in October 2024 and went close at Sandown and Newbury last term; however, after a disappointing October he made it 0-10 for the season and this is a tough race in which to try to break his British duck.

50/1

1

(10)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:35 Newbury

Tarkhan

10st 2lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent, including on testing ground; 0-9 for Jamie Osborne but he has run some good races, including a near miss over C&D last month; not so good at Ascot since but returning to Class 3 will be in his favour.

12/1

9

(10)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Tarkhan

8st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Smart on the continent; some notable form in eight defeats for this yard, last time going down narrowly in a Class 3 at Newbury (7f, good to soft; second-time cheekpieces); however, he was behind four of these here the time before.

16/1

Form: 129093 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise; won at Doncaster then ran well at Royal Ascot (7f) in June; unlucky third (might have won with clearer run) returned to Doncaster last Sunday; major contender off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

In good form last June, winning off this mark over C&D (good) before an excellent second at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm); some fair efforts this season and on a good mark now; not out of it.

4/1

6th

7

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Akkadian Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on his last 14 starts and he's been expensive to follow in that time, but he was denied a clear run at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month and again ran well when fifth of 19 at York (7f, good) last time; could be thereabouts.

11/2

5th

5

(13)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Akkadian Thunder

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His losing sequence is up to 13 but he's 4lb lower than when runner-up at Royal Ascot last June and was denied a clear run when third at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last Saturday; bang there if getting the breaks.

16/1

Form: 5-3503 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Suited by ground softer than good; has form figures of 1153 (and progressive RPRs) over 7f, most recently running well in competitive handicap at Ascot dropped back to this trip last time; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

2

(3)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Mirabeau

10st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Snapped a losing sequence in big field at Newbury (6f, good) in April and good second there (6f, good) since; won over C&D in 2024 2yo campaign and he should be fine back up to 7f; bang in form and he's one to consider.

8/1

2nd

7

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Mirabeau

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Narrowly regained the winning thread in big field over C&D (good) last time when dropped back to 6f for first time since debut; unexposed at this trip and still looks favourably treated back up just 3lb; respected.

5/1

1st

6

(4)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Mirabeau

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Campaigned over as far as 10.3f and this will be his first 6f run since his 2yo debut; well beaten in the Lincoln on his reappearance (1m, good to soft); dangerous mark judged on best 2025 effort (7f, good to soft); trip is a query but Oisin Murphy a notable booking.

16/1

12/1

Form: 3-7930

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Suited by softer than good; best effort in Class 2 handicaps over 7f this season when third at Chester in June; ran well in the Mill Reef and Horris Hill at Newbury last autumn; interesting back here and dropped in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

27th

18

(8)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Star Anthem

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Clive Cox

Record is only 1-10, the success in 2yo maiden; has bits of useful form, including at Group level, but his handicap record is rather unconvincing; chance of doubling his tally partly depends on the effects of two physical tweaks (had gelding/wind operations since last run).

33/1

4

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Star Anthem

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Clive Cox

Suited by softer than good; best effort in Class 2 handicaps over 7f this season when third at Chester in June; ran well in the Mill Reef and Horris Hill at Newbury last autumn; interesting back here and dropped in grade.

12/1

Form: 490336 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; won the Hungerford Stakes over C&D in 2022 but failed to take advantage of a reduced mark in handicap back here most recently; losing sequence is mounting up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

On a three-year losing run and nothing like the force of old but his current mark reflects that and this is a good bit easier than the two handicaps he tackled in the spring; no surprise were this class dropper to go well with his yard among the winners.

8/1

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

8th

4

(12)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Jumby

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

C&D winner who could only beat one home in this race when it was staged as a Class 2 last year; managed a handful of creditable efforts subsequently but it's hard to ignore his last win came back in June 2023 (7f Group 3); returns on reduced mark.

20/1

Form: 115-33 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; couple of solid handicap efforts at Goodwood (1m1f/1m) since belated return to action, taking record to 411533; gained one of his 2yo wins over C&D; has progressive RPRs; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(20)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Has a progressive profile and made it three wins from eight attempts when easily making all at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) last November; subsequently gelded; a 10lb rise means he'll need another personal best but he's a low-mileage 4yo who may have more in the tank.

12/1

1st

3

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Linwood

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Low-mileage 3yo who returned with cracking thirds in 1m1f/1m Goodwood handicaps in August; didn't find much after moving up looking a threat at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last month but the Goodwood efforts are solid and he's given another chance.

4/1

Form: 03144- D

Last run: 268 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Scored at Goodwood (1m, good) during a generally consistent 2024 campaign; however, remains on career-high mark and badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since last December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Christian David

10st 1lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Richard Hannon

Four wins over 7f/1m, two on the AW; fair third at Newmarket in April (1m, good) but not so good since; acts on any ground although withdrawn on account of the going (officially good to firm) last time.

7/1

5th

8

(3)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Christian David

8st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Four wins split between turf and AW; his last success was off this mark at Lingfield in December but he has a mixed record since and was a well-held fourth at Lingfield (7.6f, good to firm) last month; others preferred.

20/1

Form: P29704 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Two wins last year for previous yard; 0-6 for current stable but was an eyecatching fourth, amid major traffic issues, when favourite at Haydock (7f, good) most recently; clear possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(13)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Arctic Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

His ability is not in question but he needs everything to fall right and has often flattered to deceive; stepping back up to 1m is worth a go but others look safer.

11/2

6th

11

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 2

17:50 Epsom

Arctic Thunder

9st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Not at the top of his game on either run this year but well backed at Chester last time, when the tight track may not have been ideal; on a handy mark on last season's best form and and he's not discounted.

12/1

Form: -22246 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 4yo who has raced mainly on AW; unable to sustain his progressive RPRs the last twice but gives the impression he's still in form; went close in sole turf attempt and is unexposed in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Believe The Storm

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Charlie Fellowes

Made a winning debut in December 2024 and ran well in defeat on several occasions last year; signed off with a poor effort when ninth of 11 at Newbury (7f, good to soft) last September but handicapper has given him a chance if he can hit the boards running.

7/1

9

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Newbury

Believe The Storm

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Charlie Fellowes

Low-mileage 4yo who has raced mainly on AW; unable to sustain his progressive RPRs the last twice but gives the impression he's still in form; went close in sole turf attempt and is unexposed in this sphere.

12/1

Form: 243128

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Punished by the assessor for a Listed effort (7f, soft) that may flatter her; failed to make much impact returned to handicap level last time and again looks unfavourably treated; gained last win off a stone lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Salisbury

Fleetwater

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: J S Moore

Has performed creditably a few times this term but her form surprisingly dipped at Windsor last time, has gained both wins at that venue; others preferred.

10/1

9th

9

(1)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

19:00 Windsor

Fleetwater

9st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: J S Moore

Well suited by this track, recording both her wins here and in the frame on her other three visits; ran on well to take third at Goodwood eight days ago; one to take seriously.

12/1

3rd

9

(9)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Goodwood

Fleetwater

9st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: J S Moore

Both wins at Windsor but she is effective elsewhere; runner-up in two of her three starts this year but she's back from nine weeks off and could prove vulnerable.

9/1

Form: 320079 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Defied a higher mark at Glorious Goodwood last season and placed a few times on AW this year (up to April); not in top form since returning from a break and needs to stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

Blue Prince

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Dropped down the weights last summer and he has rediscovered his spark this time around, following third-placed efforts here and at Goodwood with a comfortable Salisbury success (all over 7f); probably stays this far but he has yet to be placed in his six 1m starts so it will be breaking new ground for him to win today.

3/1

1st

5

(5)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 213y

Class 4

14:44 Salisbury

Blue Prince

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Evans

Hasn't won since defying a 10lb higher mark at Glorious Goodwood two years ago but his two efforts this term are very encouraging, latest back at Goodwood (7f, soft); attractively treated and firmly in the mix.

5/1

3rd

4

(8)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Blue Prince

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Evans

Has some strong C&D form; the second half of 2025 was disappointing but he dropped in the weights and his reappearance third at Kempton was a welcome return to form; big player.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £327.80
Straight Forecast £309.70
Tricast £1717.95
Trifecta £1785.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Linwood

Daily Mirror:

Akkadian Thunder

NEWMARKET:

Believe The Storm

LAMBOURN:

Mirabeau

TOPSPEED:

Arctic Thunder

The Star:

Tarkhan

D Express:

Blue Prince

POSTDATA:

Jumby

RP RATINGS:

Linwood

The Times:

Linwood

Telegraph:

Linwood

The Guardian:

Linwood

Daily Mail:

Linwood

Daily Record:

Linwood

The Sun:

Akkadian Thunder