19:30 Newbury

Wednesday 26 August 2026

All16:1016:4517:2017:5518:3019:0019:30

Sheldrake Training Limited 'Train An Apprentice' Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 2m 5.67s

(9)

Empirical^b³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 80| D

3/1

Progressive form with headgear applied, supplementing his Nottingham success upped to this trip at Ayr a month ago. Second that day has won since so a 4 lb rise may not prevent the hat-trick.

Form: 73-8311

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Edwin Hubble^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B J Meehan| OR: 80| D

7/4

Headgear fitted in a 3-runner race and got off the mark back at this trip at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Up 3 lb but lacks the scope for improvement of a couple of these.

Form: 32-7251

(6)

Livemore⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: T Kent| OR: 80

12/1

Held back by inexperience on debut at Nottingham in May and strong in the betting, improved plenty for that when landing 6-runner novice at Newmarket (1m) 40 days ago, forging clear. Opening mark demands more but that looks forthcoming up in trip.

Form: 51

(2)

Magical Merlot¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Egan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 75

4/1

Made fourth and final start at 2 yrs a winning one in a 1m Brighton novice in October. Been a mixed bag this year and he now goes up in distance.

Form: 1-53434

(3)

Island Bear^b⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 75

18/1

Fair maiden who was too keen in first-time blinkers when a below-form fourth over 7f at Chepstow in June. Didn't fully see it out over this trip at Doncaster last month and he looks in further need of respite from the assessor.

Form: 36-7546

(8)

Eagles Attire¹¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: Oliver Cole| OR: 74

12/1

Well bred and looked a work in progress in his qualifying runs around 1m. Gelded ahead of handicap debut and with more to come, particularly upped in trip, he's one to take seriously.

Form: 6-06

(7)

Guesstimate¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 73| D

7/1

Didn't need to improve to get off the mark in 5-runner novice at Nottingham (1¼m, good to firm) last month. Improved on that form when second back in a handicap at Lingfield, despite not being ideally placed. Can remain competitive.

Form: 033512

Non-Runners

(5)

Magnatura²⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: T Ward J: S M Levey

(4)

Fans Favourite²⁶

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: H Palmer J: Marco Ghiani

Forecasts

Edwin Hubble (7/4), Empirical (3/1), Magical Merlot (4/1), Guesstimate (7/1), Eagles Attire (12/1), Livemore (12/1), Island Bear (18/1), Magnatura (25/1), Fans Favourite (33/1)

EMPIRICAL hasn't looked back since headgear was fitted, seeing off a next-time-out winner at Ayr last month. The hat-trick may well beckon, for all Eagles Attire rates a potential big improver now handicapping up in distance. Livemore is also open to progress.