Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap Hurdle — Newbury, 20 March 2026

A competitive seven-runner Class 3 handicap hurdle over three miles at Newbury on Good To Soft going. The field is led by two strong claims on paper, but Form Expert data reveals a clear standout when conditions are factored in.

The Selection: Peacenik

Peacenik is the call at 3.00. The seven-year-old gelding carries a RaceMetrics Rating of 1604 — the highest in the field — and his Form Expert record on Good To Soft turf is decisive: 2 wins from 4 runs. Critically, he has already won at Newbury (1 win from 3 runs) and carries course form into this race. He was last seen 21 days ago and has won over 3m-3f distances (1 win from 1 run), matching today's trip exactly. Under Gavin Sheehan, Peacenik ticks every box the data provides.

The Dangers

Supreme Malinas leads the standings by Combined Score (1555) and owns a distance winner profile (1 win recorded over the trip). However, she has not run in 41 days, and the Form Expert shows no category-specific records for this mare — no data on Good To Soft going performance, nor any wins at Newbury. Her recent form reads 21-3511-5, which includes a pulled-up run last time. She cannot be dismissed given her rating, but lacks the specific form edge Peacenik possesses.

Lihyan at 6.50 is a secondary threat. His RaceMetrics Rating (1595) is the second-highest, and Form Expert confirms he has won over 3m-3f (1 win from 7 runs). He also holds a 1 win from 3 record in very large fields. However, on Good To Soft going specifically, he has never won in four attempts, and at Newbury he has 0 wins from 1 run. The conditions and venue do not suit his data profile as strongly as Peacenik's.

At A Price

Botox Has at 11.00 warrants a second look for place backers. The ten-year-old has recorded 3 wins from 10 runs over 3m-3f — the only distance-specific success count of note among the field bar Peacenik and Lihyan. His Good To Soft record (1 win from 11) is modest, but the trip is proven. At odds-against, he offers value if Peacenik falters.

Verdict

Back Peacenik to win at 3.00. His Good To Soft record (2 from 4), Newbury form (1 from 3), and proven three-mile pedigree (1 from 1) build an airtight case in a seven-runner field where specific condition form separates contenders from also-rans.