14:25 Newbury

Saturday 18 July 2026

All13:5514:2515:0215:3716:1216:4717:20

Pertemps Network Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

3YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 110y | 7 Runners | Turf

(7)

Duraji³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 96

20/1

Made a positive start for his new yard when length third of 15 in the Chester Cup (18.6f, good to firm) in May, worn down only in the final 50yds. Proved way too headstrong in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot (1¾m, good to firm) since. Will need to settle a lot better to stand a chance here.

Form: 940-630

(1)

Bahadur²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: S Woods| OR: 94| D

5/1

Landed a hat-trick on the all-weather at the end of last year and added to his tally in a small field at Goodwood (2m, good) in May. Good fifth of 20 in Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m) 3 weeks ago.

Form: 1-65105

(6)

Team Player^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Greg Fairley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 92| D

5/1

Started out for Ewan Whillans with 2m Newcastle win and followed up in a well-contested event over 1¾m at Musselburgh over Easter. Caught too far back in Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate since and those defeats shouldn't be taken to suggest that the handicapper has his measure.

Form: 13-1159

(3)

Ride The Thunder²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Varian| OR: 89| BF

5/2

Has made steady progress in his career. Proved himself at 2m when respectable sixth of 20 in Northumberland Plate at Newcastle 21 days ago. Considered.

Form: 1442-36

(4)

Shrimp Shady²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 87| BF

9/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o who returned to turf to land the Chester Plate in May. Came up short in the Northumberland Plate consolation at Newcastle (2m) 3 weeks ago but it was another creditable effort.

Form: 441216

(5)

Baileys Khelstar¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C Johnston| OR: 84| CD

4/1

Won twice in 2024. Missed 2025 but back in good form this year, seeing off Almuhit here before taking it up again notch when following up at Kempton (2m) 10 days ago. A further 3 lb nudge shouldn't prevent another prominent showing.

Form: 242211

(2)

Almuhit^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 82| CD

5/1

Enjoyed a fine 2025, winning a couple of 4-runner course events, including this race. Simple task over hurdles at Fontwell last month and creditable 2¾ lengths second of 3 to Baileys Khelstar over the bare 2m here back on the Flat since. Meets that rival on 7 lb better terms now.

Form: 239-682

Forecasts

Ride The Thunder (11/4), Baileys Khelstar (7/2), Team Player (5/1), Almuhit (5/1), Bahadur (6/1), Shrimp Shady (7/1), Duraji (16/1)

BAILEYS KHELSTAR overcame a pace bias at Kempton last week and is taken to complete a hat-trick back at the scene of his first success. Ride The Thunder is second choice ahead of Team Player, who hasn't been seen to best effect in the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate on his last 2 outings.