15:55 Newbury
Saturday 19 September 2026
All13:0213:3714:1214:4715:2015:5516:30
Conundrum Consulting Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  Class 3  |  7f  |  Good to Firm  |  16 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Successful 3 times in 2024, including on stable debut in Group 3 in Qatar on final outing. Missed last year but has shaped as if retaining his ability this season, runner-up at Pontefract on return and bouncing back from a lesser effort when fourth of 13 at Ascot 2 weeks ago.
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Returned to near her best when winning at Yarmouth in April and similar form when runner-up over this C&D last month. Well held at Salisbury (6f) 16 days ago, though may well have been on the worst of the ground. Could fare better back up in trip at this venue.
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Doubled his tally in handicap at Meydan (1m) in January and has worked his way back to form since returning to Britain, having excuses on penultimate outing before runner-up to an unexposed 3-y-o at Ascot (7f) 2 weeks ago.
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Bounced back to winning ways in the Summer Cup at Thirsk (1m) in August. Form has been in-and-out since, though, down the field at Ascot (1m) 15 days ago. Has soon dropped back below his last winning mark at least.
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Landed the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket for the second time (previously successful in 2024) and has continued in good heart at Ascot in 2 starts since, third in both the International Handicap in July and a valuable classified event 15 days ago. Enters calculations.
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Looked unlucky not to win when finishing well for second at Newmarket in May. However, she hasn't gone on from that effort in 3 subsequent outings, fifth of 8 at Ascot 2 weeks ago (The Fingal Raven ahead in second).
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Without a win since listed success at York back in spring 2024. Best effort this season when 2 lengths sixth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (7f) last month, but wasn't in the same form when filling the same position in 9-runner contest at Salisbury (6f) 16 days ago.
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Fitted with blinkers, proved at least as good as ever when winning handicap at Chepstow in July. Has gone the wrong way last 3 outings, though, well held at Epsom 19 days ago. Headgear now discarded.
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Returned to his best when scoring in good style at Newmarket (1m) in May, though did benefit from a good position. Mixed form since, third at the same venue in July but producing a lacklustre effort when sixth of 10 there 5 weeks ago.
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Turned in best effort in over a year when getting back to winning ways at Windsor (6f) in June. Below form in 3 starts since, albeit denied a clear run when tenth of 16 at Windsor 6 weeks ago. Others still preferred.
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Made the frame first 4 starts of the campaign before getting off the mark for the year at York in July. Useful effort when following up at Musselburgh and wasn't disgraced in his hat-trick bid when fifth of 8 in valuable classified event at Ascot 15 days ago.
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Much improved when making a successful handicap/seasonal debut at Bath in April and has remained in good form since, doubling his tally at Brighton 6 weeks ago. Up in grade but he's developed a solid record in handicaps.
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Has taken his form up a notch for current yard this season, winning at Thirsk in April and runner-up on several occasions since. Took advantage of a drop back in grade when scoring at Ripon 18 days ago, but he now has a career-high mark to defy.
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Landed the odds in a Catterick maiden in May and has shown improved form with 2 handicap successes since, at Leicester in July and Newmarket a month ago. Scored readily last time and merits consideration as he goes up in grade.
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Ended 2025 on the up and raised his game again when landing back-to-back handicaps at Newmarket/York this spring. Typically gave his running when 3¼ lengths eighth of 13 at Goodwood last time, but will need to find more as he takes on his elders for the first time.
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Improved form when readily winning a Lingfield handicap on the turf in May. Faced a couple of stiff tasks at listed level subsequently, before bouncing back when making all in handicap over this C&D last month. Task is now to build on latest effort.
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Non-Runners
8
(16)
American Gulf352
Weight: 9-8|Â Â Age: 3
T: Oliver Cole  J: K Shoemark
NR
11
(10)
Castle Rock42
Weight: 9-7|Â Â Age: 3
T: C Appleby  J: Non Runner
NR
13
(5)
Anyasi22
Weight: 9-6|Â Â Age: 3
T: R Varian  J: Ray Dawson
NR
20
(20)
Shaman Champion17
Weight: 8-13|Â Â Age: 3
T: C G Cox  J: Rossa Ryan
NR
Forecasts
Castle Rock (5/1), Marcellinus (6/1), Mr Writer (15/2), Aalto (15/2), The Fingal Raven (8/1), Yes I'm Mali (8/1), Garfield Shadow (10/1), Assaranca (10/1), American Gulf (12/1), Shaman Champion (14/1), Jonny Concrete (14/1), Anyasi (14/1), Havana Pusey (14/1), Startled (20/1), Sterling Knight (20/1), Silver Ghost (20/1), Betty Clover (25/1), Desert Cop (25/1), Witch Hunter (33/1), Morte Point (50/1)
Winner of 2 of his 3 starts last year, CASTLE ROCK ran to a useful level when second at Newmarket on handicap/seasonal debut in August and he can build on that effort to add to his tally. Heading the list of dangers is Aalto, who has run well both starts since his Bunbury Cup success, with Mr Writer and Anyasi also considered.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £16,200.002nd: £7,605.003rd: £3,804.004th: £1,902.00
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