14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Str) – 4yo plus – Group 1 – 1m
Key Stat
4-year-olds have dominated this in recent years, winning seven of the last ten renewals. There will be a headwind here which should suit hold up horses.
Market Leaders
#6 NOTABLE SPEECH will look to get bettors off to the best possible start. This hugely likeable horse was extremely unlucky on his seasonal debut in the Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland but put that right in the Lockinge last time out. He was very strong in the betting that day, cruised through the race and displayed his trademark turn of foot to quicken clear once asked. He received a good ride there – covered up out of the wind – and Buick will need to do some early manoeuvres here as he’s drawn in stall 1 and wouldn’t want to be caught out on the wing. Godolphin have had a poor season generally but I think they’re hitting form now and this guy is clearly the one to beat.
Key Contenders
#5 MORE THUNDER was one of the unluckiest losers of the season in a six-furlong handicap at this meeting last year but has continued to progress into Stakes company and showed he is not done yet with a fine effort behind #6 NOTABLE SPEECH on seasonal debut. He didn’t travel anywhere near as well as that rival, but was doing some really good work late, staying on strongly into second. He should strip fitter and this stiffer track will really play to his strengths.
Notable Speech’s stablemate #7 OPERA BALLO is very interesting. He might get an easy lead here and was hugely impressive last time out, where he had Field Of Gold and #9 ZEUS OLYMPIOS behind at Sandown. He broke like a Wesley Ward 2-year-old that day and produced a performance of real class and dominance, bossing his field from the start and powering up the hill. This extremely talented colt looks the finished article now and is a big threat to all; his wins have come around a bend but I wouldn’t worry about that too much.
#9 ZEUS OLYMPIOS had comfortably beaten #7 OPERA BALLO at Newmarket last September but was put in his place by that rival at Sandown, although he may have needed the run. He’s finished third behind #6 NOTABLE SPEECH and #5 MORE THUNDER in the Lockinge since having raced more towards the far side than that pair – winners on the card tended to attack more to the near side. I think he’s a bit better than he showed there and might be able to get a bit closer here given he’s drawn to track the lone pace.
Last year’s winner #3 DOCKLANDS has been globetrotting having run really well at Sha Tin twice either side of a win at Listed level at Doncaster. He loves this track and should get plenty of cover from the wind, which may be crucial. Every chance of going close.
Interesting Outsiders
#2 DAMYSUS looked an improved sort when romping away with the Earl Of Sefton on his return but couldn’t back that up last time out when favoured in the market behind several of these in the Lockinge. He probably had the worst of the trip that day as he was in the wind early and this track may suit him a little better.
#1 CICERO’S GIFT caused a shock over this course and distance in the QEII at the backend of last season but has cut little ice behind #7 OPERA BALLO and #6 NOTABLE SPEECH on his two starts this season. He looked a very difficult ride last time out – carrying his head awkwardly and hanging – and he has a bit to prove now, although he figures to get a good trip covered up.
15:05 – Coventry Stakes – 2yo only – Group 2 – 6f
Key Stat
Aidan O’Brien has won four of the last ten renewals of this race.
Market Leaders
#5 CONFUCIUS represents that yard and looked unlucky not to make a winning debut before going on to win at very short odds at Naas last time. That form has been boosted, the time was quick and there was a lot to like about the way he set a good pace and continued to power clear off it. A 1.7m Guineas yearling out of a Group 1 winning mare, there’s not much to knock here apart from the price.
Stablemate #10 GREAT BARRIER REEF is unbeaten in two runs and has been very well found in the market both times, having gone off at long odds-on. A winner on bad ground on debut, he showed he was not just a mudlark by landing the Marble Hill Stakes most recently, a race that has produced numerous top-class performers (Caravaggio won the race for this yard prior to winning this in 2016). He was well on top at the finish there but had looked in trouble a furlong out and I’m not sure quick conditions will suit him. He should love the strong pace and stiff track, though, and has a few pounds in hand on Timeform ratings.
Key Contenders
#15 NIGHT IN VEGAS represents a very good juvenile yard and hasn’t done a lot wrong in two wins so far. He scored over this course and distance on debut, showing a good turn of foot, and followed up in a small field at Goodwood last time out. That was another good performance, showing some good splits, and he can be upgraded as he had to make his own running, was keen, and lost both front shoes. He’ll be much happier covered up off good fractions and is amongst the highest rated in the field.
#6 CUT A DASH is also towards the top of the ratings but he’s had just the one start and should improve quite a bit. He impressed with how he quickened up at York, doing his best work at the finish despite being green, and he should relish the extra furlong he gets here. I’m not really sure what he beat there but there’s loads to like about him and I can see him running a massive race.
#16 ROYAL HERITAGE is one of several Wathnan runners in the race and is the pick of retained rider James Doyle. He’s a winner of his only career start to date, impressing on the clock and visually with a dominant display. He was a little slow into stride and green early, but he soon came back on the bridle before eventually sauntering clear to win geared down. As with Cut A Dash, it’s hard to know what he beat but he could hardly have been more impressive, and this expensive breeze-up purchase looks the part physically.
Despite being Doyle’s pick, the market currently prefers #17 RULER’S PRIDE of the Wathnan runners. He, too, is unbeaten, having landed an Ayr maiden on debut from a filly that has since won a decent race (she was very tenderly handled on debut, however). He showed a sharp change of pace that day despite racing greenly and this powerful-looking colt – who also cost a fair whack – clearly has an engine. He represents the all-conquering Karl Burke yard and could be anything still.
#18 SIOUXPERB also comes here off the back of a single winning start, blasting clear off a slow pace at Yarmouth despite showing signs of inexperience. That form has worked out well with the runner-up coming out and winning twice and he represents a yard that won this in 2022, so there’s plenty to like about him.
Interesting Outsiders
#8 FINAL OBJECTIVE completes the Wathnan trio and might outrun huge odds. He was keen and green out the back at a speed-favouring track last time out but showed up excellently late on, really throwing in some good splits and galloping out strongly. He wasn’t quite as quick through the hot part of the race as #14 MRAIR and there’s reason to believe that rival is very good.
Sent off at 4/7 for a strong-looking Newmarket Novice on debut, #14 MRAIR blew the start and had to go quick early to make up the ground lost. He still came there with every chance before his effort flattened out, which was to be expected, and the horse that beat him was going on to score very easily next time until he lost his rider. #14 MRAIR very much shaped like the best horse there and represents a yard having a breakout season – I can see him running huge.
#1 ADAAY OF SCARLETT lost his unbeaten record last time out but he made by far the fastest mid-race move, just unable to sustain that uphill having race wide without cover. He’s talented, has form here and is capable of running a big race at huge odds.
15:40 – King Charles III Stakes – 3yo plus – Group 1 – 5f
Key Stat
Only two winners aged over five had won this in the last decade. Three trainers based outside of the UK have won this in that time, with two wins for Australian runners (2022 and 2024) and one for Wesley Ward (2017).
Market Leaders
#9 OVERPASS comes from Down Under and is a multiple Group 1 winner at that level. The last of those wins – and his last win – came in 2024 and he hasn’t quite hit the same level of form since then. I’m not sure this 7-year-old is quite as good as some of the previous Antipodean winners of this race, but he’s still top rated by Timeform and a repeat of his Everest run – when a close fourth the best horse on the planet, Ka Ying Rising – would probably be good enough.
#21 RAYEVKA has only won 3 of her 12 starts and has yet to win above Group 3 level, but she ran very well in the Commonwealth Cup last year and looked better than ever when winning the Prix De Saint-Georges last time out. She probably has more to come over a well-run five-furlongs but I’m not hugely convinced the last win is that good and there’s not a lot of juice in the prices.
#8 NIGHT RAIDER always promised to be top class and he’s finally put things together this season following a gelding operation. He made all the running to win the Palace House Stakes on his seasonal debut and pulled off the opposite tactics to score in the Temple on his most recent start. I think he might prove even better ridden with restraint and the way he travelled last time suggests he will relish being covered up off a furious gallop here.
Key Contenders
Last year’s winner #2 AMERICAN AFFAIR flopped on his return but he’s a pure five furlong horse and last time was much better having made an early move which dulled his finishing effort a little. He’ll step forward for that again and, given his profile, there’s every chance he’ll be a better horse this season. Huge chance, particularly if ridden with more restraint off a strong gallop.
#13 ASFOORA, back under Henry Dwyer’s name, is a superb mare and should show more here with the blinkers back on at a track she loves. She failed to beat a horse home behind Night Raider and American Affair last time out, however, and the 2024 winner has enough to prove for me now as a 7-year-old mare.
Interesting Outsiders
#3 BIG MOJO didn’t have much go right behind Rayevka at this meeting last year and showed his true worth in the Haydock Sprint Cup three starts ago. He ran OK on his seasonal debut at York without suggesting he was primed to win a race like this and he still has to prove himself over the minimum trip at this level.
#10 RUMSTAR was disappointing in this race last year but was on the wrong side and I don’t think he really enjoyed making the running. He was a little out of his ground behind Night Raider last time out and may do better.
#26 MISSION CENTRAL looks a better model this year. He’s mopped up a couple of weak Listed races this season and this will be an entirely different test, but he likes the track and looks the sort to enjoy swinging away off a furious pace.
#20 MONTEILLE finished a close eight in this contest last year but looks to have improved since. She shaped well in Meydan over a bit further than ideal but would probably want softer ground to bring her stamina into play, although she should get a good trip out of the wind.
#4 COVER UP should be ridden as per his name and be out of the wind, which could see him outrun huge odds.
16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Rnd) – 3yo only – Group 1 – 7f 213y
Key Stat
Three English 2000 Guineas winners have landed this race since 2016.
Market Leaders
#1 BOW ECHO was a high-class and unbeaten juvenile. He had been the subject of positive reports all Spring and duly justified the hype with a hugely impressive win in the English 2000 Guineas, showing the best turn of foot out of the dip and storming up the hill with #2 GSTAAD in his wake. Everything went right for him that day but the pair pulled miles clear and the time was superb. He should be hard to beat with natural improvement.
#2 GSTAAD has since franked the from by winning the Irish 2000 Guineas. It’s possible that this big colt will improve even further as the year goes on and he has always been held in the highest regard by Ballydoyle. He might have a tactical edge here, too, as he’s likely to be spotted in front of Bow Echo from the inside post.
Key Contenders
#6 TALK OF NEW YORK is by far the most likely to provide an upset if there is one. This colt isn’t straightforward and apparently didn’t take to training in Dubai, but he’s been brought along steadily and is looking more the finished article now. He looked the real deal last time too, albeit at a lower level, when tanking through a Sandown Listed race and rocketing away from his field when popped the question. The speedfigure he ran there was only a couple of pounds below the number run by Gstaad at Newmarket and I’m sure this son of Wootton Bassett is a Group 1 performer.
Interesting Outsiders
#5 PUERTO RICO won two Group 1 races as a juvenile and didn’t run at all badly in the French 2000 Guineas on his return. He’s got a fair bit to find on ratings but should have the run of the race from the front.
17:00 – Ascot Stakes – 4yo plus – Heritage Handicap – 2m 3f 210y
Key Stat
A mix of UK and Irish winners over the last decade. All ages from 4 to 9 have won and weight carried doesn’t seem to matter much either. Eight of the last ten winners have had a single-figure draw.
Market Leaders
#4 REACHING HIGH dominates the betting just as he did in this race last year. He got no run at a key stage that day and basically finished on the bridle. This son of an Ascot Gold Cup winner hasn’t been seen since that day and has clearly been kept back with this race in mind by his master trainer. Ryan Moore is booked again and is unlikely to make the same mistake twice. From the same mark, he should really be winning granted better luck.
Key Contenders
#1 BEYLERBEYI has a good blend of speed and stamina and a mark of 100 still looks within his compass, having just been beaten off 99 at Kempton in January. Last year’s Cesarewitch winner has proven himself in this type of contest and I wouldn’t read anything into his last two runs when prepping for this – his run three back was much better when given too much to do.
#2 BUNTING finished two places behind him in the Ces, not seeing it out quite as well as Beylerbeyi did. He’s on a decent mark but hasn’t won since 2023 now.
Joseph O’Brian’s #20 KIZLYAR interests me off a low weight. He’s lightly raced under both codes and showed a fine attitude to win last time out, really sticking his neck out to land a Killarney conditions race. He’s in excellent hands and has a lot of untapped potential over extreme trips and on decent ground.
His stablemate #16 PUTURHANDSTOGETHER comes here off the back of a good run in the Chester Cup. He found himself too far back there as a result of his wide draw and could only make late gains off a steady pace. He should do better with more of a gallop to run at here.
#7 GALILEO DAME also represents O’Brien and also ran in the Chester Cup last time. She was better berthed than #16 PUTURHANDSTOGETHER but did finish well in front of him, just flattening out late on having made a good move into the race. She’ll enjoy a strong pace but faster ground might find her out.
Interesting Outsiders
#19 TIM TOE is lightly-raced and looks a good long-term prospect, but he won over a mile last time out and might find this ground a little quick. He was behind Kizlyar two back.
#11 BAHADUR looks the best of the UK-trained runners. He pulled well clear with another progressive sort last time out and this improving type looks to have been brought along steadily with this race in mind.
#9 SIEMPRE ARTURO takes a big step up in distance but was doing good work late last time in a race that’s worked out extremely well.
17:35 – Wolferton Stakes – 4yo plus – Listed – 1m 1f 212y
Key Stat
4- and 5-year-olds have largely dominated this, winning eight of the last ten runnings. No horse older than 6 has won the race in the last decade.
Market Leaders
Last year’s winner #9 HAATEM returns having failed to win in three starts since. In fairness, he ran well here over a mile and clearly didn’t run his best on his penultimate start at Haydock. He’s had one run this season which was clearly a prep for this and he ran OK in the Festival Stakes at Goodwood. He was slowly away and a bit keen there but made a nice enough move before flattening out late. I think that was a perfectly good prep run and he should go very well again here, although this looks a stronger renewal than last year.
#8 GHOSTWRITER has been off the track since running a fine third behind Rebel’s Romance at this meeting last year. He’s changed hands in the interim and it’s hard to know what you’re going to get here. He’s been fairly weak in the market in the last couple of days and the betting should provide more clues about his readiness closer to the time. If there’s good support, take note, as he undoubtedly has the best form on offer, for all some of that came over a year ago.
#12 NAHRAAN will be having just his fifth start here, but the form of his most recent run in the Prix du Prince d’Orange could hardly be any better. The two that beat him there – subsequent Tenno Sho winner Croix Du Nord and subsequent Arc winner Daryz – are two of the best horses on the planet and a strict reading of that form has to give him leading claims, particularly with more to come. The concerns are that they finished quite well bunched in that race and those close behind have not done much for the form. That run was also on soft ground and nearly 300 days ago, while he also has a bit to find on ratings. That said, he is easily to most exciting and unexposed runner in the field.
Key Contenders
#10 KING’S GAMBIT was beaten by the draw in this race last year. I thought he shaped like the best horse in the race there, having been well backed, and he’s got a nicer draw in stall six here to perhaps get more of a midfield sit. He ran very poorly around the tight turns at Chester last time out, but this track will suit him better
He had #5 ENFJAAR a place behind in last year’s Wolferton but there’s reason to think #5 ENFJAAR might reverse the form. He was a bit closer to the inner that day on a track where you generally want to be off the rail and got messed about at a key stage. He flopped on his next start but was presumably amiss and really caught the eye on his return at Goodwood when finishing ahead of #9 HAATEM, throwing in the best splits before flattening out late on. He should strip fitter for that and his yard are flying.
Interesting Outsiders
#1 ADELAIDE RIVER was Group 1 class when trained by Aidan O’Brien back in the day. He didn’t really seem to enjoy being trained out in Australia but looked more like his old self last time out on his first run for O’Brien son, Joseph, having been gelded prior. He closed nicely off a steady pace and gets a nice jockey upgrade, so might be able to hit the board.
#4 DIVIDEND showed an affinity for this track last year and has improved beyond all recognition with cheekpieces applied in Dubai this Spring having been gelded. He looked unlucky not to finish closer to Ombudsman in the Group 1 Dubai Turf last time out and could go well at a big price here.
#14 ROYAL RHYME has some excellent form, having been placed in the Champion Stakes over this course and distance in 2024. He didn’t run at all badly in a couple of Group 1 races last season and has excuses this year, looking to need the run at the Curragh, having shaped like the best horse for a long way, and seeming to not enjoy the track at Chester last time (King’s Gambit behind, an odd race where nothing really changed position). He can go well at a big price.
#13 PERSICA might be better over a little shorter these days but seems to have returned in good form following a gelding operation and looked very much like the best horse last time at Epsom. He couldn’t quite sustain a huge move on the slower part of the track there but ran huge over this course and distance in the Champion Stakes in 2024 and has a big effort in him. I think he’s better held up and stall 16 should ensure he is dropped in to finish.
18:10 – Copper Horse Stakes – 4yo plus – Handicap – 1m 6f 34y
Key Stat
A mixture of ages have won this and a mid to high draw has generally been favoured.
Market Leaders
#10 VALIANCY looks a worthy favourite here. He’s top-rated already and has more scope than most of these, being both lightly-raced and from a top yard. He stepped forward again when winning at Hamilton last time, well on top at the line, and will relish this extra furlong and stiff finish. The one to beat.
Key Contenders
#4 DAIQUIRI BAY mixed it in top 3-year-old handicaps last season and gained a deserved success when overcoming #8 GAMRAI at Newmarket last time out. I’d expect him to confirm that form over this trip and 4lb rise for that win looks more than fair.
#14 SING US A SONG is a Wathnan like #10 VALIANCY and shaped nicely behind KLASSLEADER last time. He should run his race again here.
Interesting Outsiders
#10 VALIANCY’S ownermate #15 ERNST BLOFELD flopped at this meeting last year but he also ran poorly at Goodwood next time out and it may have just been he’d lost his form, or that he wasn’t facing the cheekpieces. He’s looked much happier this season for his new yard with the headgear removed and looked a cut above his opposition when winning at Kempton last time out. This trip should be within his range.
