May 03 / 14.55 Newmarket

14.55

Good To Firm

Betfred Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
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Betfred Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2/21-5

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
All of his Flat success for this yard has been on AW, albeit with good-ground hurdle wins too and he was runner-up at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last August; has a run under his belt this term but to win this would require a new best performance on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:29 Newmarket (July)

Goblet Of Fire

9st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Nicky Henderson

Landed big prize over this trip on Rowley Mile (good to firm) on 1,000 Guineas day in May and was close third in another heritage handicap over C&D (good to firm) when reappearing last month; nudged up only 2lb for that and in much calmer waters today; good chance.

9/4

3rd

6

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Goblet Of Fire

8st 13lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

Second run after wind surgery saw him better than ever back on turf for a clearcut win in 12-runner race on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) when last seen nearly ten weeks ago; 7lb rise demands better still but he's a regular Flat winner who needs respect.

6/1

1st

12

(2)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Goblet Of Fire

8st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Nicky Henderson

All of his Flat success for this yard has been on AW, albeit with good-ground hurdle wins too and he was runner-up at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last August; has a run under his belt this term but to win this would require a new best performance on turf.

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 8404-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

13

(17)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Align The Stars

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Not often seen on softer than good but he won on good to soft in June 2024; failed to shine at this meeting in 2024 or 2025, during a long losing run; he's broken that with two 2m wins on the AW this year, most notably in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June, and also second at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in May, but only mid-division behind Hopewell Rock at Goodwood three weeks ago; others seem more likely.

40/1

7th

2

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Won this race in 2024 before embarking on a long losing run; he's broken that with two 2m wins on the AW this year, most notably in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in May was followed by a blip here; back up another 4lb since Newcastle but not entirely ruled out.

12/1

1st

4

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared at Kempton (2m, AW) in March with restored cheekpieces, which have been kept since; good second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Goodwood five weeks ago.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 1650-4 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won two 1m6f handicaps last term and two respectable efforts in valuable races in late summer; just 10-1 for 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket on final 3yo outing, which did not work out, and he was just 15-8 when fading into fourth of six at Newbury (2m) 16 days ago on first run since he was gelded; connections now turn to a visor and drop him back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

18:15 Pontefract

Pole Star

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Two disappointing runs before a much more competitive show, still below form, when fifth of ten off this reduced mark in 2m Shergar Cup race at Ascot eight days ago; still needs to perk up somewhat but this is a drop back in class.

9/2

5th

9

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Pole Star

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Charlie Johnston

The initial positive reaction to a visor soon wore thin and he beat only one home at Newmarket last time (1m6f) with no headgear (as today); has dropped to a dangerous mark but with some major questions to answer.

13/2

9th

10

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Pole Star

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

Respectable third to Goblet Of Fire on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) in May in a first-time visor; perhaps any beneficial effect from the headgear has worn off, as he ran poorly on latest start, but he is now 1lb below his last winning mark (from last July) and the visor is removed.

14/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: /6091- D

Last run: 233 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Excellent 3yo season culminated in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) and, after a delayed reappearance last year, he found career-best form to win a good handicap at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft; tongue tied second time) in September on final outing; the Yorkshire Cup and Ascot Gold Cup entries are striking but ideally he would be on ground softer than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Subsequent

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Excellent 3yo season culminated in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) and, after a delayed reappearance last year, he found career-best form to win a good handicap at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft; tongue tied second time) in September on final outing; the Yorkshire Cup and Ascot Gold Cup entries are striking but ideally he would be on ground softer than good.

5/1

1st

1

(11)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

13:15 Doncaster

Subsequent

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Sometimes slowly away; 4-8 last year, culminating in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) in October; not seen this term until July and back to form when a creditable, staying-on ninth of 22 at 40-1 in the Ebor at York (1m6f, good to firm; tongue tied first time) three weeks ago; down 2lb and a return to more testing ground may well suit.

11/2

9th

9

(12)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Subsequent

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Sometimes slowly away; 4-8 last year, culminating in his Listed win at Ascot (1m6f, soft) in October; he's not shown nearly enough on either start this season (not seen until July) and now has tongue tied first time.

40/1

5th
8 (7)
Bahadur

8/1

Form: 3111-6 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Made immediate progress when switched to AW in the autumn, completing a hat-trick in a 1m4f novice and 1m4f/1m6f handicaps; perhaps in need of the race (albeit joint-favourite) on reappearance four weeks ago, but now needs to show that he can serve up his best on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Bahadur

9st 0lb

J: David Egan

T: S Woods

Won five-runner race here (upped to 2m, good) in May and made most when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW); no room over 1f out at Newbury two weeks ago but the speed with which he dropped out when jockey gave up was still rather disconcerting; place chance if bouncing back.

28/1

7th

2

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Bahadur

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: S Woods

Progressive on AW last autumn and he's been a bit better this season too; won five-runner race at Goodwood (upped to 2m, good) in May and, having been mid-division at Royal Ascot (2m4f), made most when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW); in the mix.

11/2

6/1

Form: 8124-4 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Excellent progress last term included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) in March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; well below that form on 2026 reappearance but that may have put him right.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Many Men

9st 6lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress last term included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) in March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; well below that form on 2026 reappearance but that may have put him right.

6/1

4th

2

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Many Men

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) last March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; better still is required but his record of improvement demands respect.

7/1

5

(2)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Many Men

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Jim Boyle

Progressing well, including three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) this season and he went agonisingly close in the 1m6f Melrose at York on latest outing; all 2025 races have been on good or firmer but he won on soft as 2yo; respected for that improvement but plenty more is needed at this level.

6/1

Form: 6-7502 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

10

(10)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Charging Thunder

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: James Owen

Below form on the Flat this year, for instance 11th to Believitanducan in the Northumberland Vase last month; not proven beyond 2m in this sphere but he switched back to hurdles for a 2m6f win at Stratford 12 days ago, which might give some renewed hope.

18/1

1st

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:23 Stratford

Charging Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Not at best on the Flat this year (albeit still capable of useful form) and managed only fourth of six when warm favourite for latest hurdle race, at Worcester (2m, good) in May; that said, he's a stout stayer on the Flat and could have untapped potential over this new trip over jumps.

9/4

11th

1

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Charging Thunder

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Not in peak form (hurdles or Flat) from last August onwards but it's not forgotten that he was third in the Plate itself last year off 3lb higher.

22/1

Form: 0-5847 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Saw daylight all too late when strong-finishing fifth in this race last year (much better than his 2024 performance in it); Meydan this January/February did not yield much (stiff tasks) but he's now 4lb lower than this time last year, too well handicapped to be ruled out; rare run in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Kihavah

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Very useful dual-purpose performer; runner-up in Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen last summer and arrives on the back of a good effort on the Flat at Newmarket three weeks ago; very much one to consider back in this sphere.

11/4

8th

2

(6)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Kihavah

9st 7lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Saw daylight all too late when strong-finishing fifth in this race last year (much better than his 2024 performance in it); Meydan this January/February did not yield much (stiff tasks) but he's now 4lb lower than this time last year, too well handicapped to be ruled out; rare run in cheekpieces.

10/1

3

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Kihavah

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Useful on Flat and over hurdles; good second in notable summer handicap at Market Rasen on last attempt in this sphere; filled the same position, albeit comfortably beaten by Rubaud on same terms, in this contest 12 months ago; needs a personal best to go one better.

6/1

Form: 344160 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Moving up to 1m4f worked well in December and comparable form at 1m6f/2m since, including another win three starts back; he's come up a bit short in warmer races this year, though, including behind Align The Stars at Kempton, and none of his turf form (admittedly at up to 1m2f) is close to this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:22 Sandown

Brasil Power

9st 11lb

J: Megan Smith

T: George Boughey

Back on the mark he defied over 1m6f at Wolverhampton in March but recent efforts haven't been obviously encouraging, for all the 7f trip of the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot is almost certainly too short for him these days.

33/1

19th

27

(27)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Brasil Power

9st 1lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: George Boughey

Effective at 7f earlier in career but seems to need much further now and gained last three wins over 1m4f/1m6f (stays 2m); still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf in any case and looks unlikely to figure in this hot prize, back down sharply in distance.

66/1

9th

6

(11)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Brasil Power

9st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Moving up to 1m4f worked well in December and comparable form at 1m6f/2m since, including another win three starts back; he's come up a bit short in warmer races this year, though, including behind Align The Stars at Kempton, and none of his turf form (admittedly at up to 1m2f) is close to this mark.

25/1

Form: 617-16 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Industrious and dependable sort over 1m6f-2m2f, who's fit from AW, but his turf strike-rate is just 1-17 and that makes him look vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Artisan Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20, however, and he was tailed off at Thirsk (good) on penultimate start, before he failed to shine at Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting (AW) for the third year in a row; not the percentage call.

20/1

18th

5

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Artisan Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20 and he was tailed off at Thirsk last time; back to AW and he's 7-34 in this sphere, but he's not shone at this meeting (16th in the Plate, 12th in the Vase) in the last two years.

25/1

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 942-67

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Dramatic Star

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.

9/2

7th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won twice in 2024, including over 1m4f on Tapeta; had only five runs last year but he went close on two occasions, including in a Class 2 at Southwell (1m4f) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he hit a personal best last time and he's a key player on this drop back in grade.

3/1

12/1

Form: 17606- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Started 2025 with a bang for new connections when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts and although sixth of 11 in 2m handicap at Chester in September was an upturn, markedly better is required to win this..
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

2

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Yashin

12st 0lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Jessica Bedi

Ex-Jessica Harrington/Michael Bell; winner at Group 3 level for his two former trainers; despite reduced mark, does not look well handicapped at this stage; stable debut.

50/1

14th

7

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Yashin

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Ex-Irish 7yo; won a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 over 2m here in April 2025 on his stable debut but failed to kick on and he needed to run a lot better than he did at Newmarket in early May (1m6f) to be seriously considered here; the hood and blinkers are new additions.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £29.75
Tricast £159.19
Trifecta £178.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Many Men

TOPSPEED:

Align The Stars

D Express:

Subsequent

LAMBOURN:

Goblet Of Fire

NEWMARKET:

Yashin

SPOTLIGHT:

Kihavah

POSTDATA:

Charging Thunder

The Times:

Many Men

The Star:

Many Men

The Sun:

Subsequent

Daily Mirror:

Align The Stars

Daily Record:

Align The Stars

Telegraph:

Goblet Of Fire