Raceday LIVE – Rockstar Icon
Related horse(s):
Rockstar IconRead our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Rockstar Icon's lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Rockstar Icon makes his fourth start of the season for the Coral Racing Club this afternoon, as he heads back to Newmarket for only the second time in his career. His first appearance on the Rowley Mile was also his first start of the season, and he ran an encouraging race in what turned out to be a hot handicap. He finished fifth that day, three lengths behind the eventual winner, Key To Cotai, who went onto finish a close second in a Listed contest next time out. Love Billy Boy and Jungle Mac also finished in front of Rockstar Icon that day, and both have gone on to win since.
WATCH: Rockstar Icon finishes 5th on 2000 Guineas Day
Following that run, Rockstar Icon was kept off the track for two months, due to a bout of equine hay fever that affected his breathing. After he had recovered from that unfortunate illness, trainers Paul and Oliver Cole decided to send him to Glorious Goodwood for his next run, in a valuable Class 2 Handicap. That run turned out to be a tough one, and it was clear that our gelding was suffering from a lack of race fitness, having been off the track for a longer than ideal period of time in the build up to the race.
He returned to the all-weather at Lingfield in his latest run, having won there on New Year's Eve in his previous appearance at the track. The club's three-year-old put in an encouraging display there last month, being prominent throughout after breaking well, but unfortunately just running out of steam in the final stages, eventually coming home in fourth place.
Rockstar Icon has had another short break since then, but the team at Whatcombe Stables have him in good order ahead of today's contest, and you can check out what trainer Oliver Cole thinks of his chances by watching the video he sent us yesterday below.
WATCH: Raceday update from Oliver Cole
Chris Dixon, Racing TV Analyst, shares his thoughts on Rockstar Icon and who his main rivals are likely to be this afternoon.
After a disappointing run at Glorious Goodwood, Rockstar Icon got back on track when fourth at Lingfield last month but will need to progress again to win what looks a competitive handicap. Already proven over this course and distance having run well here back in the spring off a 3lbs higher mark than he races off here, he will have conditions in his favour, while the first time blinkers could help him find some improvement.
However, that may well have to be the case as there’s no shortage of in-form rivals among the opposition. Bell Shot is one of them and his latest effort behind a tactically-advantaged and well-handicapped Cruyff Turn at Thirsk and previous second to the progressive Summer Of Love (a winner again next time) suggests he’s still on a good mark. Musical Mystery was also second at Thirsk last time and his holding his form well, though the clock suggests Bell Shot’s run in the other division of that 7f handicap was a better effort.
King Of Charm is unexposed and arrives on the back of a win at Sandown so could have more to offer with the drop back in trip unlikely to be a worry for this strong-travelling horse. It is, however, noticeable, that his best efforts have all been at Sandown and this is a very different track. Brunel Nation is suited by this track having won here in the spring and is only 2lbs higher in the handicap so is another with a chance, alongside Be Frank who hasn’t been with his new yard long and is potentially well handicapped.
Overall it’s a competitive race and even a prominent show from Rockstar Icon would be encouraging for his short-term prospects.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Paul & Oliver Cole have been good form recently, winning two races from the eight runners that they've sent out in the last fortnight. Overall they're operating at a 16% strike-rate for the season so far, with 21 winners from 128 runs. At Newmarket, the duo have had eight winners from their 51 runners there this year.
Hector Crouch has been in sparkling form recently, winning four times in 20 rides, including a double on the card at Sandown on Wednesday. He's had 52 winners so far this year, from a total of 328 rides (16% strike-rate). He's without a win at Newmarket this season, but has only had two rides there and in his career he's picked up eight winners from 80 rides.
Rockstar Icon's Owners for the Day
As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Rockstar Icon's run at Newmarket this afternoon.
Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Newmarket Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Rockstar Icon and the Paul & Oliver Cole team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Rockstar Icon.
Prize Money
Today's Class 4 contest is worth £13,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £6,700 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £3,142 | 3rd: £1,571 | 4th: £785 | 5th: £392 | 6th: £196
NEWMARKET 14:45 – LATEST BETTING HERE
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:45 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.