Raceday LIVE – Rockstar Icon
Epsom,
Thu 10 Jul 2025 20:10
Related horse(s):
Rockstar Icon
Rockstar Icon returns to action this evening at Epsom in the Class 5 Handicap (20:10) over 1m½f following his promising reappearance effort at Nottingham a few weeks ago.
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
It's been less than a month since we saw Rockstar Icon have his first run of the year at Nottingham where he finished an encouraging fourth following almost eight months off the track. He lined up against seven rivals that afternoon, with six of them fit from recent runs, and under jockey Luke Morris he produced an effort that trainer Oliver Cole was more than happy with, especially as he expected his fitness to come on a lot for the run.
Rockstar Icon in action at Whatcombe Stables
In our post-race highlights, Oliver said "we've definitely got something to work on" and he specifically mentioned how he was happy with Rockstar Icon's scope after the run, which was a big positive following his difficulties with his breathing earlier in the year.
Subsequent of his recent effort, Rockstar Icon was in fact dropped two pounds in the handicap ratings to a mark of 71, which might look fair on the face of the result given he was beaten just shy of five lengths, however, both the horses who finished in second and third that day have since given the form a boost. Narmar (3rd) won cosily next time out off a mark of 74, and A Major Payne finished second once again on Saturday at Sandown off of 77.
WATCH: Rockstar Icon hits 35pmh as he puts in some final work on the gallops
With that reappearance run under his belt, we're keeping our hopes high that Rockstar Icon can take another step forward today and start to climb back up the ladder.
Although he's dropping into Class 5 company, it certainly looks a competitive enough race including nine opponents, with two last time out winners Orbaan and Political Power going in search of back-to-back victories. No runner in the field has ever won at Epsom, however, many of them do have experience at the undulating track. This will be Rockstar's first visit to Epsom, so there's no doubt jockey Luke Morris will have a keen eye on seeing how he handles the turn through Tattenham Corner which leads them into the ferocious downhill into the final five furlongs.
WATCH: Raceday update from trainer Oliver Cole
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's 20:10 at Epsom and gives his verdict on the race
A fourth place finish was a decent start to the campaign for Rockstar Icon at Nottingham last month and though my expectation was for a bit better run than he managed, it could still be taken as an encouraging seasonal return. The main factors for the expectation ahead of that run were he was starting his campaign on an attractive mark and the stable were on such a hot run. While the stable form isn’t at quite the level it was, they are still among the winners and that handicapped mark has slipped a further 2lbs, so if things click for Rockstar Icon he should be going close. Rockstar Icon’s finishing effort wasn’t as strong as required at Nottingham, which may have been down to being in need of the run for fitnes, so if stepping forward on that front, he should be up to going close here, especially as he looks as though he should be well positioned tactically, though if there’s a concern it could be that his run petered out due to a lack of stamina and the same may happen again as he’s persevered with over this trip.
There’s also some solid opposition to get the better of, chief among them the unexposed Virtue Patience who was value for being closer than he finished when third in a warm race for the grade at Newbury last time. Political Power was seemingly helped by the application of a tongue tie last time when winning at Newmarket (beat a next time out winner) and still looks feasibly treated following a 3lbs rise, while a shorter trip with the visor going could be a recipe that bings out more from the consistent Golden Circet. Orbaan may only have won a seller last time but he won it well and this veteran may not be the force of old but is on a low enough mark even on form in the past 12 months to make him a player at a track he handles.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Paul & Oliver Cole have had a very positive season so far in terms of strike-rate, recording nine victories from just 37 runners (34%) whilst collecting just over £110,000 in prize money. On the flip side, their strike-rate at Epsom isn't quite as good with just one win and a further five top three finishes coming from 17 runners over the past five years.
Luke Morris has ridden three winners from his past 35 rides, with two of them coming in the past week for trainer Sir Mark Prescott. The vastly experienced jockey has a pretty eyecatching record at Epsom Downs, which includes 14 winners at a 14% win-rate. If you'd have backed every one of Luke's rides at Epsom so far in his career to a £1 stake, you'd be £22.75 in profit.
Rockstar Icon'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 Rockstar Icon's run at Epsom this Epsom.
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
It's been less than a month since we saw Rockstar Icon have his first run of the year at Nottingham where he finished an encouraging fourth following almost eight months off the track. He lined up against seven rivals that afternoon, with six of them fit from recent runs, and under jockey Luke Morris he produced an effort that trainer Oliver Cole was more than happy with, especially as he expected his fitness to come on a lot for the run.
Rockstar Icon in action at Whatcombe Stables
In our post-race highlights, Oliver said "we've definitely got something to work on" and he specifically mentioned how he was happy with Rockstar Icon's scope after the run, which was a big positive following his difficulties with his breathing earlier in the year.
Subsequent of his recent effort, Rockstar Icon was in fact dropped two pounds in the handicap ratings to a mark of 71, which might look fair on the face of the result given he was beaten just shy of five lengths, however, both the horses who finished in second and third that day have since given the form a boost. Narmar (3rd) won cosily next time out off a mark of 74, and A Major Payne finished second once again on Saturday at Sandown off of 77.
WATCH: Rockstar Icon hits 35pmh as he puts in some final work on the gallops
With that reappearance run under his belt, we're keeping our hopes high that Rockstar Icon can take another step forward today and start to climb back up the ladder.
Although he's dropping into Class 5 company, it certainly looks a competitive enough race including nine opponents, with two last time out winners Orbaan and Political Power going in search of back-to-back victories. No runner in the field has ever won at Epsom, however, many of them do have experience at the undulating track. This will be Rockstar's first visit to Epsom, so there's no doubt jockey Luke Morris will have a keen eye on seeing how he handles the turn through Tattenham Corner which leads them into the ferocious downhill into the final five furlongs.
WATCH: Raceday update from trainer Oliver Cole
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's 20:10 at Epsom and gives his verdict on the race
A fourth place finish was a decent start to the campaign for Rockstar Icon at Nottingham last month and though my expectation was for a bit better run than he managed, it could still be taken as an encouraging seasonal return. The main factors for the expectation ahead of that run were he was starting his campaign on an attractive mark and the stable were on such a hot run. While the stable form isn’t at quite the level it was, they are still among the winners and that handicapped mark has slipped a further 2lbs, so if things click for Rockstar Icon he should be going close. Rockstar Icon’s finishing effort wasn’t as strong as required at Nottingham, which may have been down to being in need of the run for fitnes, so if stepping forward on that front, he should be up to going close here, especially as he looks as though he should be well positioned tactically, though if there’s a concern it could be that his run petered out due to a lack of stamina and the same may happen again as he’s persevered with over this trip.
There’s also some solid opposition to get the better of, chief among them the unexposed Virtue Patience who was value for being closer than he finished when third in a warm race for the grade at Newbury last time. Political Power was seemingly helped by the application of a tongue tie last time when winning at Newmarket (beat a next time out winner) and still looks feasibly treated following a 3lbs rise, while a shorter trip with the visor going could be a recipe that bings out more from the consistent Golden Circet. Orbaan may only have won a seller last time but he won it well and this veteran may not be the force of old but is on a low enough mark even on form in the past 12 months to make him a player at a track he handles.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Paul & Oliver Cole have had a very positive season so far in terms of strike-rate, recording nine victories from just 37 runners (34%) whilst collecting just over £110,000 in prize money. On the flip side, their strike-rate at Epsom isn't quite as good with just one win and a further five top three finishes coming from 17 runners over the past five years.
Luke Morris has ridden three winners from his past 35 rides, with two of them coming in the past week for trainer Sir Mark Prescott. The vastly experienced jockey has a pretty eyecatching record at Epsom Downs, which includes 14 winners at a 14% win-rate. If you'd have backed every one of Luke's rides at Epsom so far in his career to a £1 stake, you'd be £22.75 in profit.
Rockstar Icon'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 Rockstar Icon's run at Epsom this Epsom.
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 Rockstar Icon and the Paul & Oliver Cole team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £8,500 in total, with the winner set to scoop a £4,448 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £2,087 | 3rd: £1,042 | 4th: £521 | 5th: £260
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a neck or less behind the winner in today's 20:10 at Epsom – click here to find out more.
20:10 EPSOM – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 20:10 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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