GB - Newbury - Race 4

Thoroughbred

26 Runners

Handicap

Turf

Good (Good to Firm in places)

96.0K

VIEW

Verdict

The last 5 renewals of this have been won by 4-y-os and BACK IN BLACK spearheads an appealing group of candidates of that age this time round. He readily outpointed Shout over 7f here on his 2025 reappearance and, like many from his yard, he is likely to continue to improve with age. If the ground eases the lightly-raced Stem will be of strong interest, while the aforementioned Shout, Fifth Column and Whip Cracker are all shortlisted, along with Lincoln 1-2 Urban Lion and Rogue Diplomat.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
17	Readily accounted for Shout and 7 others in a 3-y-o handicap at this meeting last year and did little wrong in defeat thereafter, including when beaten a length into third in the 7f Doncaster handicap won by Rogue Diplomat. Gelded during the winter and he's a handicapper to follow this season. 1st Pick 17 Back In Black (Ire) Jockey: Daniel Muscutt Trainer: James Fanshawe J: Daniel Muscutt T: James Fanshawe	95	-	-	-	15%
Analysis Readily accounted for Shout and 7 others in a 3-y-o handicap at this meeting last year and did little wrong in defeat thereafter, including when beaten a length into third in the 7f Doncaster handicap won by Rogue Diplomat. Gelded during the winter and he's a handicapper to follow this season.
22	Wide-margin winner of 7f novice here (soft) on sole start at 2 yrs and placed both runs switched to handicaps in second half of last season, latterly chasing home a progressive type over this C&D (again on soft ground). Still has low mileage and will be a threat, particularly if rain arrives. 2nd Pick 22 Stem (Ire) Jockey: Joe Leavy Trainer: Richard Hannon J: Joe Leavy T: Richard Hannon	100	-	-	-	10%
Analysis Wide-margin winner of 7f novice here (soft) on sole start at 2 yrs and placed both runs switched to handicaps in second half of last season, latterly chasing home a progressive type over this C&D (again on soft ground). Still has low mileage and will be a threat, particularly if rain arrives.
9	Resumed his progression with a big-field handicap win at Ascot (1m, good to soft) in September. Solid fourth of 20 in the Balmoral there the following month and wasn't seen to best effect when ninth in the Lincoln. Likely to come on for that and he's a serious contender. 3rd Pick 9 Shout (Ire) Jockey: Oisin Murphy Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford J: Oisin Murphy T: Simon & Ed Crisford	95	-	-	-	23%
Analysis Resumed his progression with a big-field handicap win at Ascot (1m, good to soft) in September. Solid fourth of 20 in the Balmoral there the following month and wasn't seen to best effect when ninth in the Lincoln. Likely to come on for that and he's a serious contender.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Superfecta

A wager involving choosing the first, second, third, and fourth horses in one race in the exact order. A superfecta box involves paying more to ensure they can finish in any order in the top four spots.

Breeder

The owner of a horse’s dam – or mother - at the time a horse is foaled.