16:45 Newbury

Saturday 16 August 2025

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Chapel Down Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 33.46s

(6)

Houstonn^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

11/1

Yet to win a handicap and mixed record at Ascot of late but should be competitive in this lower class.

Form: 8-36630

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(3)

Al Wasl Storm⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 86| D

9/2

Improved with each run in maidens, making all at Chester (1½m) in May. Found assignments in Derby at Epsom and Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot too much of an ask subsequently but switch to handicaps could see him get back on track.

Form: 72100

(2)

Raintown^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: J S Moore| OR: 76| CD

33/1

Seemed in a lull but bounced back to his best to take advantage of his lowest mark in more than a year over C&D last month. However, made no impact off 6 lb higher at Chepstow 9 days ago.

Form: 050610

(4)

Renato^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Botti| OR: 84

6/1

Fairly-useful maiden who ran best race fitted with this headgear when second in handicap at Southwell 5 weeks ago, not looking altogether straightforward but sticking to the task well and clear of rest. Not taken lightly.

Form: 92-2382

(5)

Byblos¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Colin Keane| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 83

11/10

Consistent rather than progressive but unexposed over middle distances and had no trouble landing the odds back in a maiden at Southwell 2 weeks ago. Player returned to a handicap.

Form: 422-541

(7)

Shahbaz¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73| CD

9/1

Ended losing run at Chelmsford in April and produced his best effort since joining current connections when winning with a bit in hand over C&D 11 days ago. Big shout up only 2 lb.

Form: 184741

(1)

Respiro Solitario¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 67| BF| D

13/2

Arrives in top form, good third when going for the hat-trick at Chester 2 weeks ago. Should go well again off the same mark.

Form: 343113

Forecasts

Byblos (11/10), Al Wasl Storm (9/2), Renato (6/1), Respiro Solitario (13/2), Shahbaz (9/1), Houstonn (11/1), Raintown (33/1)

SHAHBAZ was value for a little bit extra when scoring over C&D 11 days ago so looks capable of defying a 2 lb rise. Thriving 3-y-o Respiro Solitario is another to consider, while Byblos won his maiden in good style at Southwell and is bound to be popular for top connections.