19:30 Newbury

Thursday 28 August 2025

All16:1516:4817:2017:5518:2519:0019:30

Highclere Castle Gin Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 2m 7.75s

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(5)

Wolfpack^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J Ferguson| OR: 82

13/2

Confirmed debut promise at the second time of asking when winning 1m novice at Thirsk (good) in July. Gelded after and failed to meet expectations when tenth of 11 on handicap debut at Haydock (8.2f) 18 days ago but cheekpieces now applied over this longer trip and too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 2-810

(6)

Minhad^v1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁵⁾| T: I Mohammed| OR: 81

9/1

Made it third time lucky in novice company at Newmarket (1½m, good to firm) in May. Found Group 2 company too much at Royal Ascot next time but quickly back on track and unlucky not to finish closer when eighth of 12 in handicap at Yarmouth (11.5f) 35 days ago. Interesting with a visor reached for.

Form: 35188

(8)

Kokanee⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 77| D

5/1

Made a winning return/handicap debut at Beverley (10f) in April and away from firm ground, he returned to form when creditable fifth of 9 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good, 22/1) 76 days ago, nearest finish having reverted to patient tactics. Worth a second look from 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 655-165

(2)

Hinchinbrooke¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 77

7/1

Achieved a fairly useful level of form when making the frame all 3 starts in maidens but not managed any further progress in pair of handicaps, coming home tenth of 12 for the latest of them at Windsor (10f) 2 weeks ago. Eased 2 lb ahead of this but he does need to raise his game again.

Form: 43350

(7)

Masterinthewoods¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 76| D

7/2

Went close in handicaps at Goodwood/Epsom and needed to find only a little mor progress when off the mark in 8-runner handicap at Haydock (10.4f, good to firm) 19 days ago, making a decisive move entering final 1f and always holding on. Can make his presence felt once more.

Form: 3-36221

(1)

Sir William²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 76| D

11/4

Night Of Thunder gelding who proved well suited by a strongly-run race when opening his account in 5-runner handicap at Windsor (10f, good to firm, 6/4) 24 days ago. This asks for more back up in class but entirely possible we've yet to see all he has to offer.

Form: 734331

(9)

Star Of Dubai²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: D J Coakley| OR: 75

33/1

Won maiden at Bath over 1m in May and similar form on 2 of her 3 subsequent starts, creditable third of 10 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good) 29 days ago, strong pace possibly stretching her late on. Has since switched yards and this trip should be within range.

Form: 4-41263

(3)

Pivotal Days⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 72

28/1

Mohaather gelding who landed a heavy ground Haydock nursery over 7f last autumn but operating below best in 2 starts upon returning earlier this year, ninth of 10 in handicap at Kempton (1m) 64 days ago. Short break/step up in trip needs to have positive effect.

Form: 5713-79

(4)

King Al³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 71

9/1

Debut winner at Haydock (1m, heavy) in October who stepped up on his reappearance effort having been gelded when fifth of 11 in handicap (18/1) at Doncaster (10.2f, good to firm) 35 days ago. Still very lightly raced so feasible to think he could do better still.

Form: 1-05

Forecasts

Sir William (11/4), Masterinthewoods (7/2), Kokanee (5/1), Wolfpack (13/2), Hinchinbrooke (7/1), King Al (9/1), Minhad (9/1), Pivotal Days (28/1), Star Of Dubai (33/1)

SIR WILLIAM was well suited by the strong pace when opening his account over this trip at Windsor 24 days ago and, leaving the impression we've yet to see all he has to offer, William Haggas' charge may well be capable of following up from this 4 lb higher mark. Fellow last-time-out winner Masterinthewoods rates a live danger, with Wolfpack and Minhad another pair to consider in this competitive finale.