14:30 – Norfolk Stakes – Group 2 – 2YO only – 5f
Key Stats
Low draws have done well here, winning seven of the last ten renewals.
Market Leaders
Plenty of fast horses but a weak looking affair.
#3 CARRY THE FLAG looks set to go off favourite, which you can very much understand based on the form of his last run, with Great Barrier Reef coming out to win the Coventry on Tuesday and Sun Goddess just being denied in the Albany on Friday. #3 CARRY THE FLAG had the former on the stretch there until fading late on and the drop back to this minimum trip will really suit. He’s a bit more exposed than some of these but has achieved a high level of form and should run a big race.
Key Contenders
#5 FLIGHT SIGNAL looks very interesting. He’s little to find on ratings and I really liked his debut where he slammed a capable and experienced rival, clocking a fast time and some quick splits despite racing into the wind and looking green. His trainer knows what he’s doing with juveniles and this guy, who looks a pure sprinter, may do even better with a pace to aim at.
#19 EZ TINA ran out a wide margin winner on her debut at Woodbine on her sole career start. She clearly knew her job there but clocked an impressive 88 Beyer despite racing a little off the favoured rail. The US had a similar type run extremely well in the Queen Mary on Wednesday and this horse is arguably better and contesting a weaker race. Must go very close with a low draw no negative in this historically and the yard amongst the winners.
#10 ORTHODOX has proven strong in the betting following a taking debut at Salisbury. The visual impression of that was good, and he’s reported to have thrived since, while he clocked some decent splits into the wind there. Trainer and jockey are both positives for this type of race and he has plenty more to offer.
Interesting Outsiders
#6 FORCE NOIR hasn’t been seen since winning at Naas in April. He showed a good attitude that day and the form of his debut second got a little boost when Ruler’s Control finished fourth in the Windsor Castle. He’s unproven on ground this quick, however.
#20 FANSHELL BEACH clocked a 74 Beyer when romping away with a dirt Maiden on debut. She’s got a bit to find with stablemate #19 EZ TINA on that figure but on form ratings comes into contention.
15:05 – Hardwicke Stakes – Group 2 – 4YO plus – 1m 3f 211y
Key Stats
4-year-olds have won six of the last ten renewals, although three of the last four runnings have been won by horses six or older.
Market Leaders
A cracking renewal of this race.
#11 KALPANA will go off favourite, which is entirely reasonable based on her overall profile and form. She’s a multiple Group 1 winner, loves this course, escapes a penalty for those top-level wins and won her only start this season in a rapid time, giving weight away to talented males, including #10 WEST WIND BLOWS. Stall 2 would be a minor negative, but I think she’s the best horse in here at the weights and whatever beats her will win.
#6 JAN BREUGHAL emerges as the biggest danger on ratings, but that figure was achieved in dubious circumstances, beating Calandagan with a tactical edge around a track that I’m not sure the French superstar truly enjoyed. He was well held in the Coronation Cup last time, maybe finding the ground a bit too soft, but did run well here in the King George last year.
Key Contenders
#5 GOLIATH finished runner up in this race in 2024 before going on to bolt up in the King George next time out. He’s failed to hit those heights since but looked back to near his best when winning the Grand Prix De Chantilly last time out. A return to this track and fast ground will suit him and he should go well.
Interesting Outsiders
#3 ETHICAL DIAMOND displayed a wicked turn of foot to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf last November, breaking the course record, and has winning form over this course and distance. I don’t mind his comeback effort out in Dubai off a stop-start gallop and this gelding can do much better with that run under his belt and a strong pace to aim at.
The one I like the look of is #2 BEST SECRET. This horse was unlucky not to win a handicap here last year and has since done nothing but improve. He’s always had tremendous acceleration, and he showed that last time out, running the last three furlongs a full second quicker than #10 WEST WIND BLOWS, form that gives him little to find with #11 KALPANA. His 23.29 for the final two furlongs on very soft ground is pretty electric and this horse should get a perfect setup here.
15:40 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – Group 1 – 4YO plus – 6f
Key Stats
No real trends here, with a wide range of draws and ages winning.
Market Leaders
#17 JOLIESTAR looks a worthy favourite here. She’s top-class out in Australia having won her last two starts, both in Group 1 races, and we all know how good these Aussie sprinters are. #10 OVERPASS was only just touched off earlier in the week and I think she’s a good bit better than her, as evidenced by the two-length beating meted out in the T J Smith Stakes in April.
#14 SATONO REVE was painfully denied in this last year but has looked as good as ever in two starts in 2026, winning the Takamatsunomiya Kinen easily and then chasing home the mighty Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin last time. Unlike #17 JOLIESTAR, we know this guy can ship and I’d just prefer him of the two on that basis.
Key Contenders
#8 LAKE FOREST hasn’t been seen over this distance since 2024 but his form from that time is extremely good and he’s arguably improved since. He looked at the peak of his powers at Haydock last time out when romping home on his first run since being gelded and this strongly-run six furlongs should be right up his street. He ran well in the Queen Anne last year, and the Commonwealth Cup the year before that, so we know he likes this track and he’s due a big pot.
#10 OVERPASS has a bit to find against the best in here he ran very well on Tuesday and I like horses who back up quickly, so another good run looks assured.
Interesting Outsiders
#11 POWERFUL GLORY sprung a huge shock here last season in the Champions Sprint Stakes, landing that contest at odds of 200/1. He shaped OK on his return at the Curragh, just flattening out close home, and may well do better back at the scene of his biggest win with that run under his belt.
16:20 – Jersey Stakes – Group 3 – 3YO only – 7f
Key Stats
Run over an intermediate distance of seven furlongs, a low draw hasn’t been an issue in this of late.
Market Leaders
#12 SABER STRIKE looks a very promising sort having won both starts to date, showing sufficient ability to have him top-rated by Timeform. He got a perfect trip out of the wind on his most recent start but showed a nice turn of foot, throwing in a sub 11-second penultimate furlong. I’m not totally sold on him at the price, but he does come from a top yard and should run a big race.
#9 INTO THE SKY ran huge on debut and hasn’t had much luck in his career, trying to make the running into the wind three times, including last time out when running superbly to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas. This keen sort gets a nice jockey upgrade with Oisin Murphy taking over and should relish this drop in trip. I like the high draw for him and he’ll presumably try to make all – into the wind again – on the rail, which looked a plus on Friday. I think he’s right there on ability and if he could get a toe in off something he’d be very hard to beat.
Key Contenders
#10 MORRIS DANCER was highly progressive last season, ending a truncated campaign with a Listed win at Salisbury in August. He hasn’t been seen since that so has clearly had an issue, so you’re guessing with him a little bit, but I love his run two back behind subsequent Group 1 winner Zavateri when looking like much the best horse on the sectionals. He’s got a fantastic pedigree to improve loads over the winter, Molatham won this first time out in 2020 and he looks hugely interesting to me at 16s.
#2 THESECRETADVERSARY looked very unlucky in the Summer Stakes at the end of last season prior to winning at Leopardstown on his return. He’s run well in both the Irish and English Guineas since and was only just beaten over this course and distance in the Chesham last year. He looked a bit unlucky not to finish a fair but closer in the Irish 2000, meeting trouble throughout, and I think he should enjoy settling off a strong pace here. Big chance.
#17 THE PRETTIEST STAR has made big strides in a short career, winning on her debut before going on to run a fine fourth in the English 1000 Guineas. She had a good trip that day but should improve for the run and is in excellent hands to keep progressing.
#7 CATALLUS looked a big improver for a wind operation and gelding last time out, romping away with a handicap at Goodwood. His stable have had a poor week, but he looked good there and the timefigure was impressive.
Interesting Outsiders
#8 COLORI FOREVER has been running in handicaps but has shown an excellent turn of foot the last twice, including when romping to victory over this course and distance, winning from the rear despite a steady enough pace and a tailwind. He looks well worth a go in this company
17:00 – Wokingham Stakes – Heritage Handicap – 3YO plus – 6f
Key Stats
English-trained horses have won the last ten renewals, and these winners were drawn on all parts of the track.
Market Leaders
#6 BINHAREER represents top connections who have had a good week and he may be able to score here. He loves these big field handicaps, but I’d like the ground to be a little bit softer for him at the current prices.
No issues for #4 DOUBLE RUSH in that regard and he has improved hugely since joining the Andrew Balding yard. He was very well backed when winning last time out and might do even better with some cover off a furious pace.
Key Contenders
#18 TEN POUNDS was only just beaten off this mark in this race last year and has been brought along steadily this season for his new yard. Today is the day and it’s hard to find too many negatives about this horse, who is 3lb ahead of the handicapper.
#19 COMPLETELY RANDOM should relish this test and cheekpieces look like a shrewd move for a horse who has always hit a little flat spot. Ryan Moore is back aboard having won on both starts on him to date and he ticks plenty of boxes too.
Interesting Outsiders
#12 HAMMER THE HAMMER was runner up in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes at this meeting last year and ran several good races subsequently. He looks to have been laid out for this and might outrun big odds with the tongue-tie applied.
17:35 – Golden Gates Stakes – Handicap – 3YO only – 1m 1f 212y
Key Stats
Only a small sample size so far, but high draws and English-trained horses have dominated.
Market Leaders
#12 LOST BOYS is understandably favourite here having landed the London Gold Cup last time out, typically a very hot race that produces Group class performers. He’s with a trainer whose runners progress exceptionally well and should improve again for that experience.
Key Contenders
#2 SAHARA KING also ran in London Gold Cup and looked the superior horse in the race to me despite finishing second. The splits show he displayed the best turn of foot there, just caught too far out of his ground and worried out of it by #12 LOST BOYS close home having used up plenty of energy to get into a winning position. He should get more pace to run at here and can reverse the form.
#8 HARMONICS looks an improver. He was a nice winner when still green two back and seemed to relish a switch to turf and step up to ten-furlongs last time out, scorching clear with fast splits in a good time. I think he’ll love this stiff finish and has a great draw, so it’ll be no surprise if he runs a huge race.
Interesting Outsiders
#3 EVANESCO thumped Sahara King last time out and there didn’t seem to be any fluke about it as he travelled by far the strongest and showed the best turn of foot when asked. He should get a lovely trip on the shoulder, and this well-bred sort shouldn’t be underestimated.
18:10 – Queen Alexandra Stakes – Conditions Race – 4YO plus – 2m 5f 143y
Key Stats
Irish trainers have won seven of the last ten renewals.
Market Leaders
This unique test is the traditional meeting closer and one of my favourite races of the week.
#9 LE DESTRIER is one of three runners in the race for Willie Mullins, whose record in this contest speaks for itself, having won the race three times in the last decade. This ex-German horse is the type his trainer excels with and he shaped with plenty of promise behind Gold Cup winner Scandinavia on his only start for the Closutton yard when seemingly a little in need of the run. That should put him spot on for this and he looks to have leading form claims, although stamina isn’t guaranteed.
#8 ILLINOIS is the class act in the race having finished runner up to Trawlerman in the Gold Cup last year. He patently failed to stay there but probably had a mammoth task anyway trying to reel in a top-class stayer at the peak of his powers. He was just touched off by Scandinavia next time out in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup and shaped OK on seasonal debut at Chester two back. However, his last run was very poor, weakening rapidly a long way out and looking moody in the process. He’ll be happier on better ground and has the best form, but he’s difficult to trust now.
Key Contenders
#6 FRENCH MASTER was an impressive winner over shorter at this meeting last year but didn’t kick on from that in two subsequent starts. He ran really well on his seasonal debut in a Group 2 at Newmarket but didn’t beat a rival last time out at Newbury. I’m often happy to forgive a bad run there and he should be much happier on this track, although he’s got something to prove after that, not least his stamina.
#1 A PIECE OF HEAVEN landed the Chester Cup last time out and shapes as though he’ll relish this extra distance. He had a good trip around that day from the best draw but can do better here as his stamina is drawn out and, unlike many, he has very little to prove.
#4 COLUMBUS is another Willie Mullins runner and he, too, has had just one run for the yard. That came over hurdles last month and should have cleared his lungs prior to this step up in trip. He was Group class in France last year and has been gelded since last running on the flat, so should go very well.
Interesting Outsiders
#2 BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE has done nothing but improve, going from a mark of 65 to 96. He ran really well behind #2 A PIECE OF HEAVEN in the Chester Cup last time out when he didn’t really seem totally at ease on the track. He should enjoy this more conventional track and looks sure to stay.
