Raceday LIVE – Pop Star
Windsor,
Mon 08 Sep 2025 17:34
Related horse(s):
Pop Star
Pop Star heads to Windsor this afternoon in a bid to make it third time lucky at the track in the Class 4 Arc All-Weather £1Million Bonus Returns Handicap (17:34).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
We last saw Pop Star in action just over three weeks ago at Doncaster when he finished third in a small, yet competitive field of five runners. Three of his rivals that day were rated at least two pounds higher than him, but he far from disgraced himself, beaten by just two and a quarter lengths.
Following that effort, trainer Alice Haynes mentioned she'd be keen to step him up in trip to six furlongs for his next start. Since joining the Coral Racing Club, Pop Star has ran only over five furlongs, however last year, seven of his contests were over six, including a victory at Ayr in June.
Pop Star (right) with Coral Racing Club stablemate Aspire To Glory (left) on Warren Hill in Newmarket
Today's race is another competitive affair which features 12 runners in total, with all but three having previously won over six furlongs and two being successful at Windsor. Pop Star comes into this race carrying top weight (9st13lb), which is perhaps why he's seen as one of the outsiders of the field, but he's been very consistent over the shorter trip over the past couple of months so we're hopeful he can outrun his odds.
The field is headed by Coul Angel who hasn't been seen for 49 days after finishing second over course and distance back in July – a race which featured our very own Phoenix Of Dreams. Wheels Of Fire is next for the Richard Hannon team who has been sent off favourite in two of his last four starts, but has failed to land the spoils on each occasion.
The ground is currently Good to Soft, Good in places which shouldn't pose any issues to Pop Star as he's pretty versatile across all conditions.
Raceday message from trainer Alice Haynes
"Pop Star has been running consistently and after his last run at Doncaster, I thought it was worth going back up in trip with him again. He has won over six furlongs before and won't mind the ground being on the slower side, even if it may have dried out a little. It's an open race with Coul Angel, Rage Of Thunder and Think Of A Name all holding chances, but Pop Star has been holding his form well so hopefully he can run a good race – looking forward to seeing his owners for the day later today."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's Class 4 contest at Windsor
Pop Star ran another solid race in defeat when third at Doncaster just over three weeks ago despite not fully convincing with his attitude. His head carriage doesn’t look the most straightforward but he does continue to run well and a bigger problem is probably that the handicapper seems to be in control. That said he should be suited by a strong pace here and the return to 6f with some ease in the ground looks like a positive move so there’s reasons to be optimistic about another good run for all that something may prove better handicapped.
Wheels Of Fire appeals as one who has a bit in hand of his mark, while fellow three-year-old Ran Amok won last time and may have more to offer. Newsreader is on a potentially good mark and came back to form last time so of the drop in trip suits, which looks possible on pedigree, he could be on interest on just his third start for this yard while a few others also come into the race on the back of a good run making this look a competitive heat.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes has only sent 35 runners to Windsor before which has yielded three wins, four seconds and two third-place finishes. She will be hoping she can have some more luck this afternoon after three of her nine runners last week hit the crossbar in second place.
Kieran O'Neill is no doubt also on the hunt for winners after an unsuccessful couple of weeks. He's been incredibly unlucky however with nine of his last 30 rides coming home in second place. From 78 rides at Windsor over the past five years, Kieran has ridden six winners, with a further 16 finishing either second or third.
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's run at Windsor this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
We last saw Pop Star in action just over three weeks ago at Doncaster when he finished third in a small, yet competitive field of five runners. Three of his rivals that day were rated at least two pounds higher than him, but he far from disgraced himself, beaten by just two and a quarter lengths.
Following that effort, trainer Alice Haynes mentioned she'd be keen to step him up in trip to six furlongs for his next start. Since joining the Coral Racing Club, Pop Star has ran only over five furlongs, however last year, seven of his contests were over six, including a victory at Ayr in June.
Pop Star (right) with Coral Racing Club stablemate Aspire To Glory (left) on Warren Hill in Newmarket
Today's race is another competitive affair which features 12 runners in total, with all but three having previously won over six furlongs and two being successful at Windsor. Pop Star comes into this race carrying top weight (9st13lb), which is perhaps why he's seen as one of the outsiders of the field, but he's been very consistent over the shorter trip over the past couple of months so we're hopeful he can outrun his odds.
The field is headed by Coul Angel who hasn't been seen for 49 days after finishing second over course and distance back in July – a race which featured our very own Phoenix Of Dreams. Wheels Of Fire is next for the Richard Hannon team who has been sent off favourite in two of his last four starts, but has failed to land the spoils on each occasion.
The ground is currently Good to Soft, Good in places which shouldn't pose any issues to Pop Star as he's pretty versatile across all conditions.
Raceday message from trainer Alice Haynes
"Pop Star has been running consistently and after his last run at Doncaster, I thought it was worth going back up in trip with him again. He has won over six furlongs before and won't mind the ground being on the slower side, even if it may have dried out a little. It's an open race with Coul Angel, Rage Of Thunder and Think Of A Name all holding chances, but Pop Star has been holding his form well so hopefully he can run a good race – looking forward to seeing his owners for the day later today."
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's Class 4 contest at Windsor
Pop Star ran another solid race in defeat when third at Doncaster just over three weeks ago despite not fully convincing with his attitude. His head carriage doesn’t look the most straightforward but he does continue to run well and a bigger problem is probably that the handicapper seems to be in control. That said he should be suited by a strong pace here and the return to 6f with some ease in the ground looks like a positive move so there’s reasons to be optimistic about another good run for all that something may prove better handicapped.
Wheels Of Fire appeals as one who has a bit in hand of his mark, while fellow three-year-old Ran Amok won last time and may have more to offer. Newsreader is on a potentially good mark and came back to form last time so of the drop in trip suits, which looks possible on pedigree, he could be on interest on just his third start for this yard while a few others also come into the race on the back of a good run making this look a competitive heat.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Alice Haynes has only sent 35 runners to Windsor before which has yielded three wins, four seconds and two third-place finishes. She will be hoping she can have some more luck this afternoon after three of her nine runners last week hit the crossbar in second place.
Kieran O'Neill is no doubt also on the hunt for winners after an unsuccessful couple of weeks. He's been incredibly unlucky however with nine of his last 30 rides coming home in second place. From 78 rides at Windsor over the past five years, Kieran has ridden six winners, with a further 16 finishing either second or third.
Pop Star's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Pop Star's run at Windsor this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Pop Star and the Alice Haynes team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 4 contest is worth £10,800 in total, with the winner set to scoop £5,652 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,652 | 3rd: £1,325 | 4th: £663 | 5th: £330
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 17:34 at Windsor – click here to find out more.
17:34 WINDSOR – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 17:34 to watch Pop Star's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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