14:40 Newbury

Saturday 20 September 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Dubai Duty Free Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 10.57s

(9)

Defiance²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: R Varian| OR: 100| BF

9/2

Winless since his debut in 2023 but he has run well when placed on all 3 starts in handicaps this term, finishing 2 lengths second in the Lanark Bell at Hamilton (1½m, good to firm) 4 weeks ago. Third of 18 over this trip at Glorious Goodwood prior to that. Should give another good account.

Form: 270-432

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(10)

Almosh'her²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J P Spencer| T: K R Burke| OR: 98

7/1

Won 3 of first 4 starts, including a 1½m handicap at the York Dante meeting in May on his first run for Karl Burke. Too keen for his own good in Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot and Ebor at York since but this shorter trip could suit him. Retains potential.

Form: 1-21100

(5)

Theory Of Tides^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 91| D

9/2

Looked a good prospect when winning first 2 starts last spring. Well held in 3 subsequent starts in 2024 but could be set to make up for most time judged on his encouraging return from a year off over this trip at York a fortnight ago. Considered.

Form: 11000-4

(11)

Our Golden One^t⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 90| D

40/1

Scored at Doncaster in spring 2024 but winless since, albeit having been granted some rather stiff tasks in that time. Ran creditably when third at Chester in June but not in same form under quicker conditions at Goodwood next time. The ground should be more suitable.

Form: 35-7630

(4)

Dante's Lad^t¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jack Callan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 95| D

7/1

Improver stepped up to 1¼m, winning fast-ground handicaps at York and Windsor this summer. Pulled up having reportedly lost his action at Glorious Goodwood and quickly back on track with a second (Theory of Tides fourth) at York 13 days ago. Going softer than good would be an unknown.

Form: 5611P2

(8)

Wisper⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Cieren Fallon| T: A King| OR: 89| D

11/1

Latest win at Windsor in June. Good fifth of 14 in handicap at Goodwood (1¼m, good, 7/1) 38 days ago. Largely consistent but probably doesn't have much in hand of her mark.

Form: 3-52185

(7)

Mustazeed⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 87| CD

11/1

Has good C&D form, including a win in this race on soft 12 months ago. Has yet to really get going in 2025, his slow starts becoming more apparent, but he is well handicapped if a return to Newbury sparks a revival. More rain would boost his chance.

Form: 10-9457

(6)

Forest Gate⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 86| D

22/1

Soft-ground novice winner over this trip at Epsom last September but has failed to make an impact in a pair of 1½m AW handicaps at Kempton this year. Arrives with something to prove.

Form: 2216-80

(3)

Serenity Blue⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 88| D

10/1

360,000 gns Lope de Vega colt who won 1¼m novices at Nottingham (good) and Redcar (firm) this summer. Met trouble and worth forgiving his run in a Glorious Goodwood handicap at the end of July. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 5110

(2)

Due To Henry⁵⁶

12/1

Made steady progress as a 3-y-o, including a C&D win on good to soft, but has barely beaten a rival in 3 outings this year. Wind surgery since last seen 8 weeks ago needs to have had a positive effect.

Form: 510-089

(1)

Night Step³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S D Bowen| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 86| D

5/1

Different proposition following wind surgery/gelding operation, winning 1¼m handicaps at Lingfield (AW) and Newmarket (good to firm) this summer. Improved again in defeat when second to Fort George over C&D (good to firm) 5 weeks ago. Respected.

Form: 76-2112

Forecasts

Theory Of Tides (9/2), Defiance (9/2), Night Step (5/1), Dante's Lad (7/1), Almosh'her (7/1), Serenity Blue (10/1), Mustazeed (11/1), Wisper (11/1), Due To Henry (12/1), Forest Gate (22/1), Our Golden One (40/1)

THEORY OF TIDES made an encouraging return from a layoff at York recently and is given a chance to build on that promise. Night Step is a 3-y-o heading in the right direction and is second choice ahead of the consistent Defiance and Almosh'her, who may benefit from this drop in trip. Serenity Blue didn't get the chance to show what he could do at Glorious Goodwood and remains capable of better.