Wednesday 21st October 2026
Author: Jordan Yates
1.50 Newmarket – (Class 4 Novice) (7f)
The opener at Newmarket on Thursday can go the way of GRINANBEARIT for Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark; she posted a pleasing debut effort at Haydock last month, finishing third of ten on soft ground while keeping on in the closing stages. She should take a big step forward in her second start here, making this Kodi Bear filly a very significant player. The market should be used as a guide for the many newcomers here, in particular, Cinematically, who represents Karl Burke, who always has a fine record with his two-year-olds.
Selection: Grinanbeartit – (6/5) (Win)
2.25 Newmarket – (Class 3 Novice) (7f)
It’s hard to see past the Charlie Appleby-trained ALTIUS here, who’s the mount of William Buick. This two-year-old Frankel colt has shown a solid level of ability in his two starts to date, finishing third at Sandown in September before a half-length second here earlier this month. There should be more to come from him yet, and he should have a big chance of going a place closer in this particular contest. The well-related El Waabil is the likely main danger following an encouraging run on debut at Redcar last month, where he finished third behind Golden Souk.
Selection: Altius – (8/11) (Win)
3.00 Newmarket – (Class 3 Maiden) (1m 2f)
Strong market support for Godolphin newcomer Future Role would be very significant here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick; however, experience could win the day with NIGHT OF GOLD for George Boughey and Ryan Moore. He progressed from his first run to finish a neck second of five at Newcastle earlier this month, and will likely continue to improve as he goes up in distance. He looks solid, and the jockey booking of Moore can only add further confidence. Henrik Ibsen should also take a big step forward following his debut effort at Sandown when running green.
Selection: Night Of Gold – (5/2) (Win)
3.35 Newmarket – (Class 2 Nursery Handicap) (1m 2f)
Both Lots Road and Girl Scout will be popular here, as both come into the contest in form and hold obvious solid claims. It could pay to side with NOBLE PRINCE, though, for Charlie Appleby. He’s had a few things go wrong for him in his short racing career to date; however, he’s still shown a decent level of ability, without looking to be one of the stable’s superstars. He’s been stepped up to ten furlongs here, which could be the key to finding that extra bit of improvement, and at the prices, he’s possibly worth taking a chance on.
Selection: Noble Prince – (5/1) (Each-Way)
4.10 Newmarket – (Class 3 Fillies’ Handicap) (1m)
Tom Clover is in solid form at the moment, and his mare LUNA CELESTE makes plenty of appeal here under Saffie Osbourne. The three-year-old mare has proved ultra-consistent and progressive this term, having never yet been out of the top three, and winning two out of her three handicap starts to date. She was last seen finishing half a length third of ten in a competitive Class 2 affair at Ascot in September, and she has to be of serious interest once again off just a pound higher mark in a lower grade. Callianassa was an impressive winner of a twenty-runner affair at York last time out and is a player up in grade, whilst there still should be more to come from Proposal within handicaps.
Selection: Luna Celeste – (15/8) (Win)
4.45 Newmarket – (Class 3 Novice) (1m)
The only horse here who’s had a run is MUQARRABIN for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, and that was a winning debut at Kempton last month, where he kept to his task to win an eleven-runner affair by half a length. He’s a 450,000 gns yearling, and managed to get his head in front last time despite his inexperience, and should almost certainly take a big step forward on his second outing here. It’ll likely take a very smart debut performance to stop him from following up, with his main danger potentially being a stablemate in Al Lahbab, given the yard’s two-year-old form, and he’s the mount of Ryan Moore.
Selection: Muqarrabin – (8/11) (Win)
5.20 Newmarket – (Class 4 Nursery Handicap) (7f)
This highly competitive seventeen-runner handicap closes the card at Newmarket, where a case could be made for the majority of the line-up. A chance is taken on WASHINGTON ROYALE at a nice price for Michael Appleby and Tom Marquand. He was a four-and-three-quarter-length winner of a maiden at Chepstow on his penultimate start, and took a nice step forward to finish third of ten at Nottingham earlier this month over six furlongs. He was slightly outpaced that day, suggesting this step up to seven could be what he’s after, and he’s been dropped a pound by the handicapper. Whiskey Bent is another who could go well at a big price; Dylan Cunha’s two-year-old should prove considerably more competitive back within handicap company, whilst Cilician will likely be a warm order at the top of the betting for Brian Meehan and Ryan Moore.
Selection: Washington Royale – (12/1) (Each-Way)
Best Bet (NAP): LUNA CELESTE (4.10)
