Rockstar Icon returns to the track after four months off in this afternoon's 17:15 Class 4 "Confined" Handicap at Newmarket over seven furlongs.

Read 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

On reflection, it's probably fair to say now that Rockstar Icon was pitched in the deep end on his debut at Windsor in May last year with several of his rivals going on to boost the form of his 7th place finish.

Most notably of the few who finished ahead of him that day was Inquisitively (now rated 108), who subsequently finished third behind Big Evs at Royal Ascot before going on to win a Listed and Group 3 contest.

Following his debut run, he was given a short two month break before reappearing at Haydock in what again looked a decent contest. Rockstar Icon stepped up hugely that day, finishing an agonising second, where if only there was another twenty yards he might've pipped the 11/10 favourite, Chaturanga. Behind the front two that day were subsequent winners Gray's Inn (now rated 93) and Nellie's Leylax (now rated 92).


Rockstar Icon gets a visit from the farrier at recent stable visit

His last run came at Lingfield on New Year's Eve, where he overcame the worst possible draw in 12 to win resoundingly under David Probert, who rides again today. He broke out of the stalls quickly, and cut across the field to try and get the rail, but was denied that by the eventual second place finisher, Different Breed, who also broke well from stall two. When Probert asked Rockstar Icon to go as they turned into the home straight, he duly delivered and scampered clear to win by a length and a half.

WATCH: Rockstar Icon ends 2023 with victory at Lingfield

Today's race is one which the Coles are familiar with, having won it with Yacowlef last year. The colt followed up that win with a solid second place finish in a Class 2 race at Goodwood (to Urban Sprawl now rated 88) before moving to Jack Sisterton's yard in America.

Raceday message from Oliver Cole

"Rockstar Icon has been working really well lately at home, and I think we’ve got him pretty straight for this season reappearance.

We’re obviously using this as a bit of a stepping stone as to where we go in the future, so I do expect him to come on for the run, but I think he’ll run well today."

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 and 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.

Today's Class 6 contest is worth £30,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £15,462 for their lucky owners.

2nd: £7,251 | 3rd: £3,627 | 4th: £1,812 | 5th: £906 | 6th £453

Trainer and jockey form

Paul and Oliver Cole have been performing well in the last 7 days, with a winner last Saturday and three placed horses out of their five runners in that period, including two seconds on Wednesday. Overall this season, they've been operating at a 10% strike-rate, with four winners from forty runners, with a further ten horses being placed since January. 

David Probert has been in outstanding form in the last fortnight, scoring nine times in 43 rides, including a double at Brighton on Wednesday. The newly Coral-sponsored jockey was also in the saddle for Rockstar Icon's last race, which he won, at Lingfield on New Year's Eve.

WATCH: David Probert previews Rockstar Icon's chances

Timeform Comment

Son of Sixties Icon who showed further improvement having been gelded when winning 11-runner Lingfield novice (7f) in December, asserting final 1f and having a bit to spare. This demands more now handicapping but he's going the right way and yard took this race 12 months ago.

Today's opposition

• Pitney placed twice in his first two runs at Lingfield and Chelmsford, before shaking his maiden tag over today's distance at Wolverhampton in November. This marks his first start of the season for Hugo Palmer and James Doyle takes the reins for the first time.

• Purefoy finished less than a length down in second over a mile at Lingfield in October before being gelded. He returned to action at the same course down in trip to seven furlongs last month and won with relative ease for Andrew Balding. Oisin Murphy retains the ride after winning onboard last time out.

• Key To Cotai's sole victory came in August of last year on heavy ground at Nottingham over five furlongs. Since then, he's finished second twice, including in a class two contest over course and distance. Tom Marquand rode him that day and is in the saddle again this afternoon.

   17:15 NEWMARKET – LATEST BETTING HERE   

We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 17:15 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club.