16:25 Newbury

Saturday 20 September 2025

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

Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 1m 29.88s

(8)

Tarkhan^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: P J McDonald| T: J A Osborne| OR: 96| D

18/1

Successful 4 times in Germany last season, including a listed event at Munich, and produced his best effort on these shores when second of 11 in handicap at Sandown (7f, soft) last month. Excuses for a lesser effort at Ascot since, so could well sneak a place dropped in grade.

Form: 000427

(6)

Akkadian Thunder⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

7/2

Winner at Doncaster in June and bounced back to form at a track returned to that venue when third of 13 in handicap (6.5f, good) 6 days ago, looking unlucky not to finish closer to the front pair having had to pick way through. Rates a player provided this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 129093

(9)

Mirabeau¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Finley Marsh| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 97| D

11/2

Two wins as a juvenile (both over 7f on soft ground) included a valuable prize at York. Wasn't disgraced in listed company first 2 starts of this season, but got back on the up after 8 weeks off when third of 20 in handicap at Ascot (7f, good) a fortnight ago. Further rain will help his cause.

Form: 15-3503

(5)

Star Anthem¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: C G Cox| OR: 96

20/1

Best effort of the season when third of 8 in handicap at Chester (7.6f, soft) in June but wasn't on a going day away from a race confined to just his own age on return at Ascot (8f, good to soft) recently. Still has relatively few miles on the clock but needs to show more.

Form: 43-7930

(10)

Jumby³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 93| CD

18/1

Smart in his prime, including a success in Group 2 Hungerford over C&D in 2022. Not the same force these days but arrives in decent nick so no surprise were he to be competitive from this sort of mark.

Form: 490336

(4)

Linwood²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 95| CD

10/3

Winner of fast-ground novices over C&D and Ripon (1m) last summer. Has taken his form up a notch in a couple of high-end handicaps at Goodwood this campaign and with even more to come, he's one to keep on the right side (went like a well-treated horse on latest start).

Form: 4115-33

(11)

Christian David^p²⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

18/1

Doubled his tally at Goodwood in June 2024. Made the frame on both all-weather outings when last seen in December and the suspicion is he will need this returning from 8 months off. Yard seemingly has a more fancied one in Linwood.

Form: 303144-

(7)

Arctic Thunder¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: E Walker| OR: 86| BF| D

9/2

Was well backed and shaped better than the bare result when fourth of 11 in handicap at Haydock (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, repeatedly denied a run and finishing with more to give. Buick takes over and racing from the same mark, he looks sure to go close granted a smoother passage.

Form: P29704

(2)

Believe The Storm³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| D

15/2

Debut winner at Wolverhampton last December but is proving consistent rather than progressive, latest when sixth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (8f) last month. Drops back to 7f on just his second turf start and not without each-way hope.

Form: 1-22246

(1)

Fleetwater⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Taylor Fisher⁽³⁾| T: J S Moore| OR: 87

50/1

Won at Windsor (6f) in June before advancing her form when second in a listed race at Carlisle. Not quite so good in a Racing League handicap when eighth of 12 at Wolverhampton 7 weeks ago (hampered mid-race) and the assessor looks in charge for now.

Form: 243128

(3)

Blue Prince²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: P D Evans| OR: 84| D

14/1

Now 5 lb lower than for his Glorious Goodwood success last summer, but he hasn't shown much spark in 3 starts since returning from a break in July. Others more appealing.

Form: 320079

Forecasts

Linwood (10/3), Akkadian Thunder (7/2), Arctic Thunder (9/2), Mirabeau (11/2), Believe The Storm (15/2), Blue Prince (14/1), Christian David (18/1), Tarkhan (18/1), Jumby (18/1), Star Anthem (20/1), Fleetwater (50/1)

Plenty in with chances but ARCTIC THUNDER had little go right when sent off a well-backed favourite at Haydock a fortnight ago so, granted better luck in-running, Ed Walker's 4-y-o gets the narrow vote over Linwood, who has taken his form up a level this season and should have even more to offer (went like a well-treated horse last time). Akkadian Thunder and veteran Jumby can fight out minor honours.