April 26 / 14.05 Leicester

14.05

Good

Carling King Richard III Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Carling King Richard III Cup Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6254-1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran well on good to firm at Newmarket last May; gained his first handicap win when surging to the front in the final furlong in a 5f handicap at Southwell three weeks ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition asks a stiffer question but it is highly likely he has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(5)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Completely Random

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

Hard to fault on 6f handicap form this year, as when just losing out in both the Wokingham over this C&D and the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood; the return to a bare 6f will suit after running over slightly further at Doncaster last month but this calls for more back in Group company.

14/1

5th

1

(4)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Completely Random

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Harry Charlton

Came from the rear for a head second in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (head second) and very close fourth in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, both 6f on good to firm; there's a bit more to be proved on this likely surface and beyond 6f but he has to be high up the list.

7/2

10/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 9019-6 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Usually manages to bag at least one nice prize a year and in 2024 it was a valuable York sprint in October (6f, soft; strong form); low-key return to action at Southwell three weeks ago and may need a bit more weight off his back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(13)

13th Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

13:45 Curragh

Strike Red

9st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ten career wins include 2023 Scurry Handicap here and has added lesser events this year at Leicester and Hamilton, also Epsom fourth to Sondad on soft; not as same level at Goodwood latest but not one to dismiss.

14/1

7th

10

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Strike Red

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Held on narrowly from Ferrous in the Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton last time; has performed well twice in the Stewards' Cup over C&D; may remain competitive.

9/1

1st

4

(7)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Strike Red

9st 5lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

8yo who can be in and out but he won at Leicester (6f, good to firm) in April and has run well in defeat on his last two starts, at Epsom (6f, soft) and Newcastle (6f, AW); he was a close second of 14 last time and this C&D winner can be in the mix if he's once more on a going day.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 3004-8 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Had some smart handicap form last year, placed at Royal Ascot and twice at Glorious Goodwood (including third in the Stewards' Cup); 3lb lower today and he should be sharper with his Doncaster reappearance behind him; best form on good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

5/1

Form: 210-01 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made fine progress last year while leaving the impression there was still a fair bit more in the tank; endured a miserable run through on his Doncaster return but had no problem justifying favouritism in a 5f Beverley handicap ten days ago; 4lb rise less of a concern than quicker ground and deeper opposition; likely he's up to this level but would be more appealing on slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(4)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Haydock

Trilby

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Three more wins this year (including C&D on soft) and last Saturday's sixth of 23 in the Silver Cup at Ayr was another creditable effort (second of 12 in his group); the fact he's finished in the first three (including four wins) on eight of his ten visits to Haydock makes him a must for the shortlist.

5/1

6th

12

(23)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Trilby

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Sam England

Respectable but unavailing effort in the Bronze Cup two years ago; in marvellous form this year, adding three wins at 5f (soft and good to soft), but he couldn't pull off another one at Haydock recently off a career-high mark; has more to do back at 6f.

12/1

2nd

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Trilby

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show.

7/2

12/1

Form: 12308-

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Only raced six times for William Haggas, mainly at 7f (won an AW novice) but showing speed in the York handicap won by Strike Red on his first 6f run; sold for 140,000gns soon after; interesting recruit for his new yard but something to prove on good/faster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(11)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Germanic

10st 1lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Best form has been on AW, with a career high at Newcastle in January (5f); 0-12 on grass and well down the field in a Class 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest.

12/1

14/1

Form: 1335-5 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Did well for Ruth Carr in the second half of 2024 and still has some handicapping scope; closely matched with Havana Pusey on their Newbury meeting but that opponent had the benefit of a recent run; each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(11)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

Rousing Encore

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Has an excellent record at Ayr and it was a shame that he was drawn on the other side to the narrow winner when leading home his group in the Bronze Cup (6f, soft) last week; back up 3lb which won't be beyond him if he copes with this track at the first attempt.

7/1

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Rousing Encore

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.

6/1

19th

14

(18)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won a good C&D handicap last year and also successful at Ayr last September; 0-7 in 2026 but he retains all his ability and ran well for third (of 17) at Ayr 19 days ago; high draw a potential stumbling block.

12/1

Form: 34658- D

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Two-time Stewards' Cup winner; no win since 2023 where he won a Group 3 and twice in Listed company; did run some fair races in defeat last year though and he's not handicapped out of things on even his 2024 best; he has needed the run on his reappearance in recent times though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Pontefract

Commanche Falls

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Not the force of old but a fire still burns and his third at Ripon in August came off 4lb higher; shouldn't be judged harshly on latest Ayr run and no surprise to see him bounce back with a big effort.

14/1

16th

6

(22)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Commanche Falls

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Heroic sprinter down the years, winning the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood in 2021 (soft) and 2022, and runner-up in the Gold Cup as a 5yo; harder to place now but was checked in his run at York in July and was a creditable third at Ripon after; not so good in a small field at Thirsk since but this type of race suits him better; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

8th

5

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Commanche Falls

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

His last success was three years ago, but he was a Group 3 winner in his prime and he ran well to finish third off this reduced mark at Ripon (6f, good) last month; could be dangerous if he can back that up and two of his wins have come over C&D.

5/1

Form: 10283-

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
All 12 runs over further, winning over 1m as a 3yo and two 7f handicaps for this yard last season; ended 2024 with some promising runs but he does have to prove himself over 6f and he might need slower ground at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

In good form last June, winning off this mark over C&D (good) before an excellent second at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm); some fair efforts this season and on a good mark now; not out of it.

4/1

6th

7

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Akkadian Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on his last 14 starts and he's been expensive to follow in that time, but he was denied a clear run at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month and again ran well when fifth of 19 at York (7f, good) last time; could be thereabouts.

11/2

Form: 0-7440 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Disappointed at Newcastle on Good Friday but that was a race in which little got into it from off the pace and he shouldn't be judged too harshly on it; infrequent turf winner but he's on a lowly mark in this sphere and 6f on good ground no problem; visor goes on for the first time since joining Tim Easterby; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(3)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Fivethousandtoone

8st 12lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time AW winner who is 1-29 on turf, but he's on a much lower mark in this sphere and didn't get the breaks when a close fifth at Hamilton (5f, good) last month; has claims if he can back that up and this return to 6f is a positive.

12/1

6th

13

(14)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Fivethousandtoone

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

He is a better horse on AW than turf; a much lower mark in this sphere reflects that but his 1-28 record on the grass doesn't mark him down as the likely winner of this.

25/1

Form: 020-24 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Conditions should suit and she has run with great credit in two runs this season, narrowly failing in a big field at Doncaster on her return and then doing best of those held up at Newbury two weeks ago; apprentice takes off a handy 3lb and she's a strong candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(7)

3rd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Newmarket

Havana Pusey

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: John Gallagher

Carries top weight but can deal with her current mark which is 2lb lower than when second at Newbury three runs back (7f, good to firm); she raced alone for a large part of the race when back over 6f at Salisbury and then got behind after flyjumping the start last time (7f); has the ability to feature, provided she doesn't fluff the start (happened more than once).

10/1

12th

2

(18)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Havana Pusey

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

7f has been her optimum trip and she can blow the start, so there is risk attached; back-to-form second over C&D (good to firm) last month and may not have been helped by racing alone during the first half of the race when well held over 6f at Salisbury since.

25/1

9th

1

(1)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:49 Salisbury

Havana Pusey

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John Gallagher

7f has been her optimum trip and she can blow the start, so there is risk attached; however, she showed good speed with a back-to-form second at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last month and is not ruled out; has run well on good to soft ground but has struggled when encountering soft.

11/2

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 11105- CD

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Four wins as a 3yo, including C&D and a big sprint handicap at Newmarket's July meeting; creditable effort behind Strike Red at York when last seen in October; gelded since; may well improve again this year but ground softer than good does seem to be the key to him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(9)

13th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:47 Leicester

Sergeant Wilko

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Usually races over 6f, runner-up at Pontefract most recently; no certainty to go one better, having failed to score for over two years and with the return to a stiff 7f presenting a question mark.

12/1

5

(4)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Pontefract

Sergeant Wilko

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Had a good 3yo campaign but not won since; went close over 7f at Thirsk in May but neither run since has been comparable; slower ground would be preferable.

14/1

9th

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:50 Haydock

Sergeant Wilko

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Kevin Ryan

2024 went well but no joy since; did go close behind Brighton Boy at Thirsk in May (7f, good) before struggling in a Class 2 on the AW; could be dangerous off this mark if he did get an easy lead, though that seems unlikely.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.40
Straight Forecast £68.04
Tricast £675.81
Trifecta £576.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Completely Random

Telegraph:

Trilby

TOPSPEED:

Billyjoh

The Star:

Akkadian Thunder

POSTDATA:

Rousing Encore

The Times:

Strike Red

Daily Mail:

Commanche Falls

RP RATINGS:

Completely Random

The Guardian:

Completely Random

D Express:

Completely Random

Daily Record:

Completely Random

Daily Mirror:

Trilby