May 15 / 14.32 Newmarket

14.32

Good

Boodles Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £9277.2
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Boodles Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.20
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 32-534 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Did well to win at York (good to firm) off just 1lb lower in August but only fourth of five in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom (also 1m4f, good, Topteam behind) 17 days ago; that was a shade underwhelming given he'd won the race in 2025 but was a little weak in the market so maybe better can be expected this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f so perhaps unwise to read all that much into last two defeats over 2m and 1m6f; not impossibly treated on his solid 1m4f form earlier this season, and last year's efforts included a 2l defeat in this (not seen to best effect) and a victory over Insanity at York (1m4f, good to firm); in the mix.

13/2

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 147-15 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Normally reliable and gritty performer, as evidenced by his comeback win at Kempton (AW; made all) in April, so his major flop at Epsom (again 1m4f, good) came as quite the surprise three weeks later; maybe that track didn't suit and his previous body of work means he can easily be given another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

3rd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Newmarket

Topteam

8st 13lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Respectable strike-rate of 4-14 but inconsistency has crept into his game, with four of his last five efforts below par.

12/1

6th

1

(10)

22nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Topteam

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Four wins from 13 starts, the most recent success coming on the AW at Kempton (1m4f, AW) in April; may have needed his first start for 98 days when seventh there last time but he does have a bit of an inconsistent profile.

6/1

7th

5

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:30 Kempton (AW)

Topteam

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Four wins from 12 starts; successful reappearance over C&D (made all) in April and again ran well when second at Newmarket (1m4f, good) in May; given a break since a lesser run at Carlisle at the end of May and that C&D win shows he's well capable when fresh; enters calculations.

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 11245- BF

Last run: 198 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Made good progress handicapping for this yard from August onwards, scoring at Southwell (1m6f) then easily defying a penalty at Lingfield (2m, also AW) ten days later; fine effort when fourth in the Old Rowley Cup over C&D (good) in October and had soft-ground excuse on final start of the term; not fully exposed and he's respected on this return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

24th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Newmarket

Double Meaning

9st 10lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: John Berry

Close third over C&D (good) in May on reappearance and respectable fifth at Sandown (1m6f, good) in June; bled from the nose when pulled up at Kempton (2m, AW) last month; needs to be better than ever this afternoon.

10/1

7

(8)

10th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Double Meaning

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: John Berry

1m6f and 2m wins on the AW last season and by clear daylight; excellent third at Newmarket (1m4f) after a break and it wasn't a bad run at Sandown (1m6f) where he hung in the closing stages; could be a factor if bringing his best game.

10/1

5th

6

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:07 Sandown

Double Meaning

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: John Berry

His two wins last season (1m6f and 2m) both came on AW and by wide margins; also fully effective on turf and he made a most encouraging seasonal return when keeping on strongly in a 1m4f handicap (good ground) at Newmarket four weeks ago; still capable of better and the return to 1m6f will suit; Tom Marquand a good booking (a win and a fourth from two rides for the stable in the last five years); strong claims.

4/1

Form: 13400-

Last run: 288 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Form tailed off sharply for the Gosdens but previously looked promising, a novice win at Kempton (AW) in April preceding good handicap debut fourth in valuable London Gold Cup at Newbury (also 1m2f, good to firm) in May; didn't run at two and has been gelded, so not one to dismiss on this return for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

20th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:57 Newcastle (AW)

Ernst Blofeld

10st 3lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Hamad Al Jehani

2-3 on Polytrack at Kempton (1m2f-1m4f); right at the top of his game, runner-up to a well-handicapped rival at Doncaster (14.5f), and then third to Arqoob at Newmarket (1m4f, Class 2; 6-1); promising claimer Harry Vigors retains the ride.

4/1

3rd

2

(1)

3rd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Newmarket

Ernst Blofeld

9st 7lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Both wins on the AW but he's every bit as good on grass and it took a well-handicapped winner (who was in a new visor) to overhaul him at Doncaster (1m6f, good); expect another positive ride back at 1m4f and Harry Vigors takes off a useful 5lb; ran well at this track on his seasonal debut; much respected.

7/2

2nd

3

(5)

13th Sep 2026

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

15:40 Doncaster

Ernst Blofeld

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

It looked as if 1m6f stretched him when seventh of 16 at Royal Ascot (every chance 2f out); however, he again came up short in two 1m4f handicaps since, 7l fifth of 16 at the York Ebor meeting last time; something to prove.

11/2

14/1

Form: 84164- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

3rd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Lucy Wadham

Unplaced in four runs on the Rowley Mile but he's 3-5 on the other Newmarket course, the scene of his two wins in August (1m4f, good to firm; 1m6f, good); however, those were Class 3s and he was behind Ernst Blofeld at this level at Doncaster.

20/1

7th

8

(3)

13th Sep 2026

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

15:40 Doncaster

Arqoob

9st 1lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Looked back in prime form at Newmarket on his last two outings when coming from the rear to win over 1m4f and 1m6f; the latter was by a short head but against a respected opponent and perhaps good to soft ground was not ideal when he took sixth at 40-1 in this race last year.

11/1

1st

3

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:29 Newmarket (July)

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Lucy Wadham

Won this race comfortably in first-time blinkers a year ago and looked back in prime form when keeping on well to beat Sixpack here (1m4f, good to firm) three weeks ago; only 2lb higher today; has another big role to play.

100/30

Form: 251-72 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Can lead; chased home two good ones on his debut at Newbury last April but he hasn't built on that and become expensive to follow; did win three-runner maiden at Lingfield (1m4f) in November but his latest second of six at Southwell (1m3f, also AW) was another reversal for supporters; form chance off same mark but tempting to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

19th Oct 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

14:00 Plumpton

Marnier

10st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-14 on the Flat, the latter win gained for the Gosden stable in July (1m6f, good; RPR 92); not in same form on last two Flat starts for current yard (without usual cheekpieces, as today) but it will be interesting to see how well he takes to hurdling.

7/1

11th

1

(10)

27th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:22 Epsom

Marnier

11st 11lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won at Sandown (1m6f, good) in July on final outing for the Gosdens; not at the same level when sixth on his two starts for this yard (2m, good to firm/soft) but the drop back in trip and return to better ground could help, and he's one of two for a stable with an excellent record in the race; chance.

10/1

6th

7

(9)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:20 Goodwood

Marnier

9st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-11 for the Gosdens, whom he left after winning at Sandown (1m6f, good; in regular cheekpieces); later bought for 77,000gns and did well at the Shergar Cup (2m, good to firm) given he pulled hard early; effective on good to soft (unraced on slower).

10/1

Form: 3110- D

Last run: 188 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Promising third on last May's debut for Andrew Oliver then won first two starts for this yard, novices at Goodwood (1m2f, heavy) and Lingfield (1m4f, AW) in September; slightly underwhelmed with midfield finish in November handicap (1m4f, heavy) next time but retains bundles of potential ahead of this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

13:30 Chester

Master Vintner

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Record of 3-9; in first-time blinkers when a clearcut winner at Thirsk (1m4f handicap, good) last month; however, he was twice the price of Plage De Havre at York and after racing prominently he was out of sight when it mattered; he's better than that showing would indicate but still looks up against it.

20/1

10th

4

(16)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Master Vintner

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

First two wins were on heavy/AW; there have been a couple of disappointments in his eight-race career but he followed two AW seconds by winning a six-runner race at Thirsk (1m4f, good) two weeks ago; up 5lb in this much more competitive race but he won in clearcut style in first-time blinkers.

11/1

1st

1

(2)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Master Vintner

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

Won last September on his first two starts for this yard (heavy/AW); disappointing favourite at Newmarket (1m4f, good) on his reappearance but he's been runner-up at Kempton in both starts since; switches back to turf with blinkers now tried; contender.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 443113 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Steady improver on AW who won his third race in that sphere when making all at Wolverhampton in April; bit below that under a penalty when third on his turf debut at Thirsk (also 1m4f, good) but that came just six days later; five-week break should have recharged his batteries and pedigree points to grass being no problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Pride Of Donegal

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

A two-time 1m4f scorer at Wolverhampton in the spring; rare poor effort when last of eight in 1m4f Newmarket handicap last time; the sort to bounce back.

10/1

8th

2

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Pride Of Donegal

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Steady improver on AW who won his third race in that sphere when making all at Wolverhampton in April; bit below that under a penalty when third on his turf debut at Thirsk (also 1m4f, good) but that came just six days later; five-week break should have recharged his batteries and pedigree points to grass being no problem.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £78.60
Straight Forecast £70.10
Tricast £248.43
Trifecta £320.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Marnier

TOPSPEED:

Ernst Blofeld

SPOTLIGHT:

Topteam

The Star:

Master Vintner

NEWMARKET:

Marnier

Telegraph:

Marnier

The Guardian:

Marnier

Daily Mirror:

Marnier

Daily Record:

Marnier

The Times:

Ernst Blofeld

Daily Mail:

Ernst Blofeld

D Express:

Ernst Blofeld

RP RATINGS:

Topteam

LAMBOURN:

Topteam

The Sun:

Topteam