14:30 – Albany Stakes – Fillies’ Group 3 – 2YO only – 6f
Key Stats
High draws won this every year from 2016 -2020, but low numbers have dominated since, with single-figure stalls having won the last five renewals.
Market Leaders
#21 SUN GODDESS is another top-rated Aidan O’Brien juvenile and with wins in the Queen Mary and Coventry already for similar types you can bet this one will be short in the betting. She’s done very little wrong in two starts to date, just failing to overcome greenness on debut and then showing the benefit of that experience when landing short odds at the Curragh last time, streaking clear of her field. She’s clocked good figures on both starts and looks the one to beat.
#20 SILENT BEAUTY looks a clear danger. She ran a solid time on debut when powering away from some decent rivals and this E1,000,000 yearling, out of a Group 1 winner, clearly has the potential to be very good. She has a couple of pounds to find on ratings but that win looks like strong form and she looks capable of taking a significant step forward from her first start.
Key Contenders
#5 DARK ISSUE ran to the same level as #20 SILENT BEAUTY on debut and there was a lot to like about the turn of foot she displayed there, quickening away from two rivals who had both run to a fair level. She should enjoy this stiff track and looks Stakes class.
#14 LIBERTANGO really impressed on debut, beating a couple of expensive purchases and one who’d run to a high level. She cost 400k herself and the timefigure she clocked there is comparable to anything in the field. I like the fact that she ran the final furlong 0.44 seconds faster than any of her rivals, clocking a very solid 11.6 seconds for the final furlong despite racing uphill. She’s got loads to recommend her and should run a big race.
#15 LIGHT OF DAWN was well touted prior to her debut and duly made a winning start. She only beat a trio of rivals, and the ground was much softer than it’ll be here, but she put in some good splits despite looking green and should improve plenty. The horses she beat there had all shown plenty of ability beforehand, although the yard’s 2-year-olds have not really fired this week.
Interesting Outsiders
#10 HIDDEN GIFT has a bit to find on ratings and figures, but she looks the biggest potential improver in the field. Green and out the rear, she did remarkably well to finish as close as she did at Ripon on debut, going down by just half-a-length despite being considerately handled throughout. She was trying to close at a speed-favouring track with a tailwind assisting the front-runners so I think you can view that run extremely positively, and the form got a nice boost on Wednesday.
#16 LOVE IS showed an excellent change of pace to win on debut and looked a little unlucky to lose her unbeaten record last time, seemingly failing to handle Goodwood’s sharp, downhill six-furlongs. Nonetheless, she pulled well clear of the third, with the winner of that race, Night In Vegas, going on to run very well when fifth in the Coventry on Tuesday. She’ll be much happier at this stiff, galloping track and can go well at big odds.
15:05 – Commonwealth Cup – Group 1 – 3YO only – 6f
Key Stats
Low draws have tended to dominate in this race, with a single-figure stall successful in eight of the last ten renewals.
Market Leaders
This race seems to revolve around #21 VENETIAN SUN, who is well clear on ratings and just looks the best horse in the race. She was a leading juvenile but didn’t really seem to be suited by trying to stretch out to a mile in the 1000 Guineas, only finishing 11th. She showed her true class dropped back to sprinting at Haydock last time out in the Sandy Lane Stakes, briefly niggled along two-furlongs out but coming back on the bit with a furlong to run before storming clear. A repeat of that run should make her very hard to beat.
#1 ALBERT EINSTEIN was a talking horse all winter but hasn’t quite fulfilled that potential. He has been getting better steadily throughout the season, however, and travelled strongly when chinned by #13 SONG OF THE CLYDE at Newbury last time out having pulled clear with that rival. I’m still not quite sure how he got beat that day, but it’s possible that he was on the slower part of the track, as the three that raced nearer to the stands side finished 1st, 3rd and 6th. He’s run very well there really into the wind and strikes me as one who might be better off ridden with a little more restraint. There’s more to come from him and his yard have already won a big sprint this week.
Key Contenders
#5 COPPULL was a very capable juvenile sprinter, placing in the Group 1 Middle Park while making his move away from the main action. Connections felt he’d improved over the winter and that was certainly backed up by his seasonal reappearance, where he won the Commonwealth Cup Trial in very game fashion. He raced into the wind that day so did very well to see off two closers who’d had cover, including #6 DIVISION. He’s tactically versatile and has a very good sprint jockey and trainer, so looks capable of making his presence felt. He has a bit to find on #21 VENETIAN SUN on a line through #6 DIVISION.
Interesting Outsiders
#4 CHARLES DARWIN, a stablemate of #1 ALBERT EINSTEIN, was a very impressive winner at this meeting last year before missing the rest of the season with injury. He returned with a win at Navan, winning readily, but bombed out badly at Naas when last seen. He was reported to have lost his action there, so has an excuse, and a better run here is not impossible with blinkers applied.
#10 OUTFIELDER ran a blinder behind #21 VENETIAN SUN in the Prix Morny last year having shipped over for just his second start and has mopped up two minor Stakes races this year having bombed out at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup. He beat little in those races and I don’t think he’s fast enough on the clock having run an 88 Beyer last time out.
#19 MIDNIGHT TANGO has untapped potential as a hold-up sprinter for the excellent Ed Walker. She should be seen to maximum effect here and was only a neck behind #5 COPPULL on seasonal return.
15:40 – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes – Handicap – 3YO plus – 1m 3f 211y
Key Stats
4- and 5-year olds have won eight of the last ten renewals. Seven of the last ten winners had a double-figure draw but the last three winners, who were all trained in Ireland, were drawn 9, 4 and 7.
Market Leaders
Wathnan Racing have a strong hand here with #10 HOPEWELL ROCK and #11 OPPORTUNITY heading the betting.
The pair have similar profiles having both had gelding operations over the winter prior to returning looking as good as ever. #10 HOPEWELL ROCK has only had the one run this season but it was an outstanding one, finishing third to Daiquiri Bay and Gamrai at Newmarket. That pair filled the first two places in the Copper Horse Handicap here on Tuesday and #10 HOPEWELL ROCK shaped like the best horse in the race on the sectional times, just caught a little bit out of his ground in a race that wasn’t run at a strong pace. He’ll get a gallop to aim at here and, off the same mark, looks to have an outstanding chance.
#11 OPPORTUNITY has had two starts this year, shaping very well in a hot handicap behind Wine Dark Sea over this course and distance before landing short odds at Carlisle last time out. He has some very good form back in the day – including when beating St Leger runner-up Rahiebb in a Novice – and is bred to be better than a handicapper, which he surely will be eventually. He’s shown his hand a little bit more than #10 HOPEWELL ROCK, however, and stall 1 isn’t a great draw.
Key Contenders
#5 EMIT was only just touched off at Group 2 level last season when running a fast time and this year seems to have been geared towards this. He ran very well behind Gold Cup winner Scandinavia three back and has been given a couple of interesting rides since when never put in the race. He should be more competitive here and a mark of 104 is very fair on his best form. Ryan Moore keeps the ride.
#4 WARRANT HOLDER looks the most likely to crash the Wathnan party. He, too, has been gelded over the winter and he returned with a nice win at York in a decent handicap over a little shorter. He won’t mind going back up in trip, should strip fitter for that seasonal debut, and this very talented son of Frankel has very little to find on ratings.
#3 MONDO MAN has some back class having finished fifth in the French Derby and fourth in King Edward VII over this course and distance in 2024. He’s mostly been seen over hurdles since then, but didn’t run badly in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes last year and has some chance off a mark of 105.
Interesting Outsiders
#6 PLAGE DE HAVRE was an impressive winner of the Old Newton Cup last season and has been brought along steadily this year. He is very effective in these big field handicaps.
#9 OMNI MAN was fifth in the King George V at this meeting last year before going onto run well in Listed company on synthetics. He’s not run very well this season having been gelded over the winter, but the ground was probably against him on seasonal debut and a mile at Leopardstown wouldn’t have been suitable either when last seen. That was probably a float up for this and he’ll be much better suited by these conditions.
16:20 – Coronation Stakes – Fillies’ Group 1 (Rnd) – 3YO only – 7f 213y
Key Stats
There has only been one English-trained winner of this in the last decade.
Market Leaders
#4 PRECISE looked a filly out of the top-drawer last season. Her effort in the English 1000 Guineas was a little bump in the road, but I thought she shaped great that day making a big move away from the main action. She clearly needed the run that day and proved her class in the Irish 1000 last time out, displaying a dazzling turn of foot and it goes without saying she will be very hard to beat here.
#9 TRUE LOVE came out on top in the English 1000 but she’d had a prep run and was firmly put in her place by #4 PRECISE last time out at the Curragh.
Key Contenders
#8 TOULEEN finished a decent sixth in the English 1000 but has plenty to find on that form.
Interesting Outsiders
#1 BALANTINA won the Juvenile Fillies Turf when last seen and should progress again, but she’ll need to have done to win a race like this first time up.
17:00 – Sandringham Stakes – Fillies’ Handicap (Str) – 3YO only – 1m
Key Stats
English-trained runners have won eight of the last ten renewals.
Market Leaders
#7 SEET is a half-sister to the top-class Kalpana. She has some way to go to reach that standard but is progressing nicely at lower levels having won her last two starts. The notable aspect of those wins has been her turn of foot, as she has twice shown the ability to put distance between herself and her rivals off slow paces. She likely has plenty more to offer when having a fast pace to run at – which she should get here – and connections have shown their intent by booking Ryan Moore, who has a rare ride in these colours and for the Gosdens, who won this in 2023. She should run a big race.
Key Contenders
#12 GLYFADA is bred to stay further but she’s not short of speed by any means and I really like the way she quickened up to win last time around a sharp track. This ten-furlong winner should be right at home over a strongly run, stiff mile and a mark of 91 looks workable as she steps into handicaps.
#19 BINTAZIZA lost her unbeaten record at Thirsk last time out but that doesn’t tell the full story as she was trapped wide there. She was also a bit keen and far back off a slow pace and very much shaped like the best horse in defeat. Her mark remains unchanged following that effort and I think it seriously underestimates her ability, so I expect her to go well.
Interesting Outsiders
#23 SYMBOL OF MAJESTY got no run at Wolverhampton last time and had looked highly promising before that. She’s got a lovely pedigree, the right trainer and should really end up a fair bit better than a mark of 86. She should go close.
#20 GREEN CARRERA and #27 SPINNING AROUND are very closely matched on their meting at the Curragh two back, where the latter came out on top. The former has gone in again since and has a 4lb pull in the weights, but I thought #27 SPINNING AROUND won with plenty in hand and she should relish moving up in trip on some proper fast ground.
#22 DARN HOT GALLOP was pitched into the 1000 Guineas having won her first three starts, including a handicap at Newmarket two back. She cut little ice in the Classic, but that handicap win came in a fast time and she’s only 3lbs higher here. Timeform have her top-rated, although she probably has less scope for improvement than some.
#26 ROSA INGLESA was a winner as a juvenile and shaped OK on her return at Wetherby. She stepped up markedly on that effort when winning at Nottingham last time, showing a dazzling bit of acceleration to storm clear. The sectionals and speedfigure there were very good indeed and she has a lot more to come covered up off a strong pace.
#9 REPEL might improve a lot for this better ground.
17:35 – King Edward VII Stakes – Group 2 – 3YO only – 1m 3f 211y
Key Stats
No strong trends in this race.
Market Leaders
#6 WATER TO WINE looks a very talented horse and comes here defending an unbeaten record. He’s won by wide margins on both starts, beating subsequent Derby fifth on debut before mopping up a Kempton Novice by 11 lengths at prohibitive odds. Buick rides today, but it’s noticeable that connections had Ryan Moore up for both starts to date and he looks fine big sort on video. He’s top-rated with Timeform, which isn’t an assessment I agree with, but he does have potential to be top-class and looks the one to beat here, although even money doesn’t excite me.
#2 CAUSEWAY looks a threat. He is a very likeable type who has progressed through the grades as he has moved up in distance. He was a game winner of a Group 3 last time out in a very good time and for me is the best horse in the race on what we’ve seen so far. I think he figures to get an excellent trip in the two path and it’s clear from Aidan O’Brien’s comments that they’ve taken their time with this guy and he’s held in high regard. Cheekpieces are reapplied and he should go close.
Key Contenders
#4 GOLDEN STORY was a nice winner on debut and didn’t look as though he handled the track at Chester on his seasonal reappearance, although the form of that race looks very strong with Constitution River winning the French Derby and Generic winning the Hampton Court here on Thursday. He was better at Goodwood last time out, gamely winning a Listed race from Del Maro who has franked the form at this meeting, and I think there’s more to come on this more conventional track. Big player.
Interesting Outsiders
#1 ANCIENT EGYPT provides the first test of the Derby form. He didn’t seem to stay at Epsom on soft ground when finishing midfield but will be happier on this more conventional track back on better going. He’s a front-runner, and therefore a potential spoiler for the favourite, who also likes to be ridden forward.
18:10 – Palace Of Holyroodhouse – Handicap – 3YO only – 5f
Key Stats
A smaller sample size for this relatively new race. Double-figure draws and a weight of 9 stone 1 or less have won every renewal, so that’s where I’ll be focusing on in a bid to reduce this 28-runner field to something more manageable.
Market Leaders
#18 GOLD DIGGER ran really well at this meeting when sixth in the Albany last year but wasn’t seen again at all last season after that. She returned in a Novice at Windsor at the start of the month and showed that all of her ability remains with a smooth win despite having been keen while trapped wide with no cover. That was a lovely prep run for this and a mark of 94 could be well within her range, as I imagine she should be Listed class at the very least.
Key Contenders
#26 STARGAZED ended 2025 with a solid run in Group 3 company and shaped on her return as though she could win plenty more races. She didn’t get as much cover as the winner off a headwind at York, but moved very nicely through the race, only to be nailed close home. She’ll come on for that run and the speedfigure there was excellent.
#11 SIMPLIFY has improved with every run and excelled herself in Listed company last time out when just touched off by #1 DICKENSIAN. The pair made very similar moves from the back, both suited by cover from the wind, and there shouldn’t be much between them here. #11 SIMPLIFY has a small pull in the weights for that run, as well as a better draw and lower weight, so I think she may reverse the form and go close off a mark of 96.
#19 BLACK STAR BOY was sixth in that race but ran better than it looks there, as he didn’t have as much cover from the wind and met some trouble at a key stage. He’s in good hands and is capable of running a big race.
Interesting Outsiders
#8 GHOST MODE looked well handicapped when romping home at Southwell on seasonal bow but has struggled in Stakes company the last twice. He was into the wind two back and pulled far too hard last time out before hanging late on. The hood is removed here and Dylan Browne McMonagle might be the type of jockey to get a tune out of him.
#24 TRICKY TEL won what looks set to be a hot form race last time out. This will be tougher but he’s unexposed over this five furlong distance and gets 7lb off his back due to being ridden by Ryan Moore’s son, Toby.
#27 STARMADE has been operating at lower levels but he looks better than the races he’s been contesting, frequently separating himself from the field on sectional times with his ability to quicken. He’s got an excellent draw and has no weight, while his jockey rode this straight track superbly for a win and a third on Wednesday.
