15:11 Newmarket

Saturday 20 June 2026

All13:2414:0014:3615:1115:4716:2717:07

JCB Hydrogen Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 1m 11.15s

(3)

Valley Ofthe Kings^b⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: S Donohoe| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 82| D

25/1

Won twice on the all-weather at the end of last year and showed promise when runner-up at Kempton in February. Has failed to repeat that effort since, though, looking none too keen at Catterick latest.

Form: 29-2879

(4)

Expert Agent³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 81| CD

9/2

Proved better than ever when resuming winning ways in 10-runner handicap on the Rowley Course (6f, good to firm) 35 days ago, albeit seen to very good effect sticking to the near rail. 6 lb higher mark may be enough to anchor him.

Form: 444121

(8)

Twilight Fun^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 79| D

11/1

Scored at Newcastle (6f) in February but failed to come on for recent run when a well-held fourth of 8 at Yarmouth (6f) last time. Bit to prove.

Form: 213064

(1)

Sapphire Steps³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D C Costello| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| D

8/1

Had excuses on her final 2 starts as a juvenile and benefited from the return to 7f when fifth of 14 on her Newbury reappearance, finishing to good effect. Failed to build on that promise upped to 1m last time, however, and isn't sure to be suited by the return to a sprint trip.

Form: 1577-58

(2)

Bintola²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Zac Lloyd| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 81| D

9/4

Left her juvenile form well behind when off the mark in 14-runner handicap (20/1) at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 28 days ago, doing well to score so readily having not had the smoothest of passages. Open to further improvement.

Form: 626-1

(6)

Dutch Finale²⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: S C Williams| OR: 73| D

28/1

Much improved when landing an all-weather handicap in impressive fashion at Lingfield (6f) last June before solid efforts in defeat at Chelmsford and at Windsor. Run best excused on account of wide draw on yard debut but ran poorly at Chelmsford on final start.

Form: 813380-

(9)

Goldwork^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 79| D

5/1

Got back on track after a low-key end to 2025 when third of 8 in 6f handicap at Kempton in April. More or less backed that up in a stronger race at Ascot but underperformed in first-time cheekpieces at York last time.

Form: 400-350

(5)

Sea Cookie¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: N Callan| T: Tom Clover| OR: 79| D

7/2

Son of Dark Angel who set the standard on his 2-y-o form and didn't need to improve to get off the mark returning from 10 months off (had breathing operation in interim) in 6-runner maiden at Newbury (6f, firm) 19 days ago. Into handicap now and remains with potential.

Form: 22-1

(7)

Romantic Twilight²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: W Stone| OR: 76| D

33/1

Opened her account switched to a nursery at Yarmouth (6f) in October. Too free in a stronger race back at 7f at Newmarket on final 2-y-o start and always behind on reappearance at Windsor 4 weeks ago. Must improve.

Form: 25016-0

Forecasts

Bintola (9/4), Sea Cookie (7/2), Expert Agent (9/2), Goldwork (5/1), Sapphire Steps (8/1), Twilight Fun (11/1), Valley Ofthe Kings (25/1), Dutch Finale (28/1), Romantic Twilight (33/1)

BINTOLA was much improved when making a winning handicap debut/reappearance in ready fashion at Windsor 4 weeks ago and looks capable of defying a 7 lb higher mark. Recent Newbury scorer Sea Cookie remains with potential now entering handicap company and is feared most ahead of Expert Agent, who had plenty in his favour on his most recent outing on the Rowley Course.