14:47 Newbury

Saturday 19 September 2026

All13:0213:3714:1214:4715:2015:5516:30

Dubai Duty Free Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:49 | Winning time: 2m 2.89s

(8)

Paddy The Squire^b1,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 103| D

12/1

Had a good 2025, winning 3 times, and has improved again in defeat this season, finishing third of 16 in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot (1¾m) before second of 12 in Old Newton Cup at Newmarket (1½m). Things didn't pan out for him in the Ebor and he's the type to bounce back now sporting blinkers.

Form: 15-6320

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(7)

Old Harrovian^t⁵¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF| D

33/1

Bolted up at Newcastle in January 2025 and should've followed up in the Easter Classic there 3 months later, flashing home having been left with too much to do. Seems a better horse on all-weather and has 17-month absence to overcome.

Form: 073/212-

(12)

Merveilleux Lapin³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 95

11/1

Polish Oaks winner who was unlucky not to make a successful handicap/stable debut on return at Windsor (denied clear run). Ran to a similar level when third of 9 in handicap at Ascot (1½m, good to firm) in July and probably paid for her proximity to a brisk gallop when down the field in the Galtres.

Form: 30-2437

(10)

Theory Of Tides⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carver| T: J A Osborne| OR: 93| D

40/1

On his return from a 10-month absence, he made an encouraging start for these connections (left John & Thady Gosden 58,000 gns) when second in a 1¼m Sandown handicap in July. Nowhere near the same form when down the field at Ascot since, though.

Form: 00/42-29

(6)

Boyfriend¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| BF| C

10/3

Better than ever when winning over 1m at Sandown in May and has remained in good form to make the placings on all 3 outings since, unfortunate not to score having repeatedly been denied a clean run when third of 11 at Salisbury (1m, good to soft) 16 days ago. Leading player back up in trip.

Form: 6-81323

(1)

Balzac¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 97

11/2

Highly tried after winning a Kempton novice on his return but benefited from the return to calmer waters when second of 6 in handicap at Ascot (1¼m, good to firm, 12/1) 14 days ago, having run of race. Now up 2 lb.

Form: 133002

(9)

King's Code^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: P D Evans| OR: 92| C| D

40/1

Won a 1¼m handicap at Chester in July in a visor before finishing mid-field in a stronger race at Glorious Goodwood. Below-par efforts on his last 2 outings, though.

Form: 051888

(13)

Mr Swivell²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: K P De Foy| OR: 90

11/1

Won 3 times around 1m in 2025. Looked as good as ever when runner-up over 1m at York in July. Shaped as if still in good form after a slow break forced him into a change of tactics upped to this trip there 4 weeks ago and he's not discounted.

Form: 704287

(4)

Stem²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| C| D

11/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o who gained a first win since his debut in 9-runner Sandown handicap (1¼m, good to firm) last month. Saddle slipped next time but confirmed himself as still in good form when beaten less than a length into third in an 11-runner handicap back at Sandown 3 weeks ago.

Form: 904103

(2)

Capall Rasa⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: E Bethell| OR: 93

9/2

Won novice/nursery at Southwell last autumn and produced an improved effort when a fast-finishing fifth of 30 in handicap at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm). Up 2 lb but that is strong form and he's much respected taking on his elders for new yard (left Tom Dascombe 215,000gns) after a 3-month break.

Form: 811-495

(5)

Almekarem⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 85| D

4/1

Headstrong sort who has got back on the up this term confirming recent promise when landing a 17-runner Doncaster handicap (1¼m) a shade cosily 8 days ago, well suited by a soundly-run race. Leading player granted a similar set up.

Form: 4-17221

Non-Runners

(3)

Gonna Fly²¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Rossa Ryan

(11)

Fantasy Believer⁴²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 9

T: E Walker J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Boyfriend (10/3), Almekarem (4/1), Capall Rasa (9/2), Balzac (11/2), Stem (11/2), Gonna Fly (8/1), Merveilleux Lapin (11/1), Mr Swivell (11/1), Paddy The Squire (12/1), Fantasy Believer (20/1), Old Harrovian (33/1), King's Code (40/1), Theory Of Tides (40/1)

A competitive heat in which the vote goes to BOYFRIEND, who has held his form well since scoring at Sandown and probably would've resumed winning ways granted more luck at Salisbury earlier in the month. Last weekend's Doncaster winner Almekarem is highly respected from a light weight, with Capall Rasa and Stem also shortlisted.