Newmarket - Fri 15 May 2026
The experience that Rocket Boots has puts him in a good position, but James Owen's colt could prove to be vulnerable to some well-bred newcomers. Preference is for MRAIR, who is closely related to plenty of winners and he went so well at a recent breeze-up sale that connections parted with 880,000 pounds to purchase him. Al Hudaiba is the first foal out of a mare who won on debut as a juvenile, while Imperial Nation cost 150,000gns last year.
QUEEN'S COMPANION chased home two exciting prospects at Newbury in October and that form gives the Royal filly a big chance in receipt of weight from her main rivals. The form of Bayaann's Lingfield win in November has been well advertised since and William Haggas' colt should not be discounted. Quartermaster has a similar profile and is another with strong claims, while Bemersyde and Tales Of Wisdom complete the shortlist.
All of these have claims, but preference is for MARNIER. The son of Saxon Warrior only found one too good at Southwell a few weeks ago and this return to turf may see him earn another victory. Topteam failed to fire at Epsom recently but it is far too soon to be writing him off, while Pride Of Donegal edges out Master Vintner to be best of the rest.
Mr Macartney had Turnstile back in third when scoring over 5f at Leicester, while O'gorman struck over 6f at Kempton, with Duidin not far behind. However, both of those recent winners are penalised and the newcomer MIRZIMAAN is taken to make the most of the weight concession. George Boughey's colt hails from the family of brilliant sprinter Battaash and may well prove good enough at the first time of asking.
CRAZEE ICON has returned the losing favourite in all four starts in handicaps so far. However, it's not for want of trying and her determined second at Windsor last time strongly suggests Andrew Balding's filly can bring that frustrating run to an end. Tamzan has a bit to find with the selection on Windsor running but could still make her presence felt, while the unexposed Safe Harbor has more scope than the likes of Bearin Up and Borderline Madness.
A Major Payne is still looking for his first win after finding one too good at Yarmouth. BEACH POINT finished practically upsides him when third in the same contest and, given he scored off a similar mark at Sandown last term, the son of Blue Point is taken to turn the tables with Oisin Murphy taking over the reins. Caph Star returns to turf with a shout and could prove the pick of the remainder.
Gizmo failed to supplement his debut victory when last of three at Epsom in September, but he takes a drop back in distance and could have a say on his handicap bow. Just A Girl remains on a workable figure and is respected, but WE'RE GOOSERS might be worth another chance. A disappointing favourite when only sixth over a mile here last month, Hugo Palmer's colt now has Oisin Murphy booked and looks ready to make amends.
Nebulon has shown ability in his three starts in maiden company and has been gelded since his third at Newcastle. Ecclefechan didn't get the best of luck at Ripon, but the one who appeals most is SOUTHERN WARRIOR. The son of Cotai Glory could only manage third at Kempton in March and now makes his debut for the Olly Williams yard. This is his first appearance on the grass and he could make it a winning one.
ROCKET BOOTS sets the standard on form on his runner up effort on fast ground last time. He relished the step up to 6f that day and though he will likely want further in time he can make his experience edge pay. His biggest threats may be a pair of newcomers in Mrair and Al Hudaiba. The former was an expensive purchase and has a top jockey booked for debut so a big run is clearly expected. The latter's yard has an excellent record here with its debutants but has been struggling for form of late.
This can be dominated by the trio of previous winners. Tales Of Wisdom sets the standard on his debut victory but he was well held under a penalty next time and the form of his stable is a big concern. Quartermaster looks a big player having finished powerfully when making a winning debut over 7f and he is bred to relish this longer trip. However so is BAYAANN who was successful over 7f as well at the first time of asking in the autumn and the form of that contest has been boosted several times since. He returns with his yard in flying form and is expected to improve significantly up in distance so gets the verdict.
AW maiden winner MARNIER placed off this mark last time finishing ahead of a next time out winner and he looks the answer here. The fast ground will suit on his turf return and he is picked ahead of veteran Arqoob who was a winner at the other course here last summer. He remains on a workable mark but has tended to need this first run of the season. Pride Of Donegal completed an AW double over the winter and held his form on his turf return despite being forced wide. He should also be on the premises.
MR MACARTNEY had a couple of next time out winners in behind when off the mark last time. He's proven on fast ground and is fancied to defy a penalty over this longer trip. Fellow last time out winner O'Gorman is feared most and he should confirm form with Duidin. Ballisty did well to place on debut over what looked an inadequate 5f first time out. He's open to significant improvement over this longer trip and can make his presence felt.
The consistent CRAZEE ICON can register a first victory. She proved her stamina for 1m last time where she was just out-battled late but the first time hood should help her conserve more energy for the finish. She can confirm placings with Tamzan who has looked a strong stayer at the trip in her short career. Bearin Up was a winner over this distance in nurseries and returned to form when placing last time despite a wide passage. She is also feared in an open race.
There was nothing between A MAJOR PAYNE and Beach Point last time and the pair could have this between them. Minor preference is for the top weight who has shown a consistent level of form for some time and remains unexposed at 10f. The latter is just 1lb above his last winning mark and has Oisin Murphy booked so is greatly respected in opposition. Hat trick seeker Sansanetti will need to improve again to defy her revised mark but is clearly thriving and can't be ruled out either.
WE'RE GOOSERS was a beaten favourite here on his handicap debut but he looked in need of the run that day and is dangerously well treated on his 2yo novice form. His debut form here has been franked and the booking of Murphy suggests a big run is expected. He can defeat Wield who proved steadily progressive in maidens as he settled better and could improve again now tackling handicaps. Magic Box has an experience edge and isn't ruled out either off a light weight returning with her yard in excellent form.
ECCLEFECHAN never got a run last time and wasn't given a hard race but could leave that form behind with Oisin Murphy taking over. He remains a maiden but proved competitive off higher marks in nurseries last year and he is chosen ahead of the unexposed Nebulon who proved consistent in maidens. He is likely to progress now handicapping for an in form yard and is the biggest threat ahead of the inconsistent Akabusi who is capable off this mark if bringing his best.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
