June 21 / 17.35 Ascot

17.35

Good To Firm

Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £56694
  • 1m 1f 212y
  • Class 2
  • 17 runners
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Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00
  • Place: £4.10

Form: 3-1463

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Came up well short in two valuable conditions stakes races on AW (having won a maiden) but the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) five weeks ago was a step forward, rather outpaced by the winner 2f out but keeping on well to go down by under 2l; up 2lb but more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(14)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Quai De Bethune

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Came up well short in two valuable conditions stakes races on AW (having won a maiden) but the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) five weeks ago was a step forward, rather outpaced by the winner 2f out but keeping on well to go down by under 2l; up 2lb but more to offer.

9/1

3rd

5

(8)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Newbury

Quai De Bethune

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Showed promise over 7f in sole turf run (debut); ties in with Saddadd on penultimate AW effort (1m) but that rival has less to prove in this scenario; pedigree suggests he's not guaranteed to improve for this new trip on handicap debut.

16/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.85

Form: 412-2

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July; terrific battling performance when short-headed at Redcar (7f, soft) in October and he again took second when failing to get run of the race in Esher Cup at Sandown (1m, good) on seasonal/handicap debut; up 4lb but it looks as if he'll stay and is capable of better for sure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(16)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Seraph Gabriel

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July; terrific battling performance when short-headed at Redcar (7f, soft) in October and he again took second when failing to get run of the race in Esher Cup at Sandown (1m, good) on seasonal/handicap debut; up 4lb but it looks as if he'll stay and is capable of better for sure.

3/1

2nd

2

(2)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Seraph Gabriel

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July on second start and returned from break with short-head second in Redcar novice (7f, soft) last October; has potential off his opening mark, especially now back up in trip.

11/4

2nd

2

(2)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Seraph Gabriel

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July on second start and returned from break with short-head second in Redcar novice (7f, soft) last October; has potential off his opening mark, especially now back up in trip.

11/4

6/1

  • Place: £1.75

Form: 343-21 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Five races in France, progressing well; latest was handicap debut at Longchamp (1m2f) in April in which he passed 14 of his 15 rivals in the last two and a half furlongs to win by 3l; the ground was officially good to soft but times suggested much firmer; promising recruit to the Wathnan team.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Best Secret

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Wattel

Trained in France, where he won a handicap in April (1m2f, good to soft), and he was a 1l third of 15 in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot last month (1m2f, good to firm; clear of the fourth) when he had plenty of ground to make up in the straight; respected despite 5lb rise.

7/2

3rd

4

(5)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Best Secret

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Wattel

Five races in France, progressing well; latest was handicap debut at Longchamp (1m2f) in April in which he passed 14 of his 15 rivals in the last two and a half furlongs to win by 3l; the ground was officially good to soft but times suggested much firmer; promising recruit to the Wathnan team.

6/1

Form: 64-13

Last run: 83 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
On the up this March with his win in a maiden at the Curragh (6f, soft) and front-running third of 16 in a warm handicap at Leopardstown (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer); has since changed hands and left Jim Bolger; should have more to offer but this certainly demands another advance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Glen To Glen

10st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Dual-purpose; won a maiden hurdle at Cork in December (2m1f, sft-hvy); has run well on this sort of ground on the level; failed to beat a rival in 9.5f handicap here on latest; not an obvious candidate for this discipline on breeding.

14/1

9th

1

(7)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 133y

18:52 Ballinrobe

Glen To Glen

10st 4lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Curragh maiden winner for Jim Bolger last season (6f) and pick of form for current yard when runner-up in 1m2f handicap at same venue; useful hurdler (won at Cork on testing ground) but well held in Fred Winter; Flat return was scuppered when badly hampered early on in Curragh premier handicap last month; drops in grade here with visor tried.

100/30

13th

10

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:17 Curragh

Glen To Glen

9st 1lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fourth runner for yard; won his maiden here over 6f but stayed this far when runner-up over C&D off 90 last July; landed Cork maiden hurdle in December before tailed off in Fred Winter at Cheltenham last month; handicapped to be involved back on the Flat.

12/1

5th
7 (19)
Basalt

33/1

Form: 513-5

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four races, the last two of them Listed, and he's progressing well; 25-1 when fifth of eight at Goodwood (1m3f, good; unraced on firmer) on reappearance, plugging on to finish 1.5l behind the third-placed Tycoon; needs further improvement in cheekpieces first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(19)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Basalt

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Four races, the last two of them Listed, and he's progressing well; 25-1 when fifth of eight at Goodwood (1m3f, good; unraced on firmer) on reappearance, plugging on to finish 1.5l behind the third-placed Tycoon; needs further improvement in cheekpieces first time.

33/1

2

(3)

24th May 2025

Good

1m 3f 44y

Class 1

14:05 Goodwood

Basalt

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Comfortable winner at Newcastle (1m, AW) in September and improved again when 7l third of five in Listed race at Pontefract (1m, soft) in October; should stay at least 1m2f and open to further progress, which is needed.

33/1

2

(3)

24th May 2025

Good

1m 3f 44y

Class 1

14:05 Goodwood

Basalt

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Comfortable winner at Newcastle (1m, AW) in September and improved again when 7l third of five in Listed race at Pontefract (1m, soft) in October; should stay at least 1m2f and open to further progress, which is needed.

33/1

Form: 5731

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Hooded all starts; ran three times at Meydan early this year, upped from 6f to 1m when greatly improved to take third in their 2,000 Guineas on third occasion; won the Swedish Guineas Trial (also 1m on good) one month ago with no fuss and this son of Kameko shapes as if he will stay 1m2f; from an unusual source to be a Royal Ascot winner but he's not one to dismiss lightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Goodwood

War Socks

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Niels Petersen

Hooded all starts; ran three times at Meydan early this year, upped from 6f to 1m when greatly improved to take third in their 2,000 Guineas on third occasion; won the Swedish Guineas Trial (also 1m on good) in May with no fuss but he was a fading sixth of 15 on handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); that trip may have stretched him but he needs to kick on again.

20/1

6th

14

(11)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

War Socks

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Niels Petersen

Hooded all starts; ran three times at Meydan early this year, upped from 6f to 1m when greatly improved to take third in their 2,000 Guineas on third occasion; won the Swedish Guineas Trial (also 1m on good) one month ago with no fuss and this son of Kameko shapes as if he will stay 1m2f; from an unusual source to be a Royal Ascot winner but he's not one to dismiss lightly.

33/1

12/1

Form: 1-41 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Last of four in a 1m2f Listed race at Newmarket (good) in May on his only start in a hood; won by a nose either side of that in a maiden and novice, latterly when going clear before holding on from Thursday's King George V Handicap seventh Boatswain; still looks raw and a work in progress, so brings potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(9)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Aurel

9st 3lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ralph Beckett

Last of four in a 1m2f Listed race at Newmarket (good) in May on his only start in a hood; won by a nose either side of that in a maiden and novice, latterly when going clear before holding on from Thursday's King George V Handicap seventh Boatswain; still looks raw and a work in progress, so brings potential to this handicap debut.

12/1

1

(1)

26th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Leicester

Aurel

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Irish Derby entry; did very well to hold off a smart one (now has a mark of 97) on Kempton AW debut over 1m; respectable reappearance, despite finishing last of four, in a 1m2f Newmarket Listed race (good; first-time hood, now discarded) and should improve for the run with sights lowered.

15/8

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: 3-13 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Lots of promise on first two starts, including making all at 4-9 in a maiden at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm); 14-1 for Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f, good) four weeks ago and others saw the race out much more strongly but taking third of eight still suggests he could be a very useful prospect; in that race he split yesterday's King Edward VII winner Amiloc and last Opportunity; sold for £600,000 on Monday; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Tycoon

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Windsor maiden winner for the Gosdens last April, followed by a 1m3f Listed third and big-money sale; only mid-division in his four handicaps since, 20-1 off this mark behind Mr Winston here (1m) on reappearance; back up by a furlong but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

5th

2

(10)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Tycoon

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Windsor maiden winner for the Gosdens last spring; out of the frame in three 1m2f handicaps, including two for this yard, but wasn't beaten far on stable debut at York (good) in September (gelded since) when wearing cheekpieces; disappointed on AW when last seen in November and goes without headgear again but he's not fully exposed and this drop down in trip might help.

14/1

9th
17 (7)
Brindavan

18/1

Form: 42-241 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
More exposed than many of these after ten races; the latest was a C&D handicap (good to firm) six weeks ago and he raised his game to win it in tidy style from off the pace, but with only six runners and he's 6lb higher in this much tougher contest; sold for £250,000 on Monday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

(7)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Brindavan

8st 13lb

J: Colin Keane

T: S Woods

More exposed than many of these after ten races; the latest was a C&D handicap (good to firm) six weeks ago and he raised his game to win it in tidy style from off the pace, but with only six runners and he's 6lb higher in this much tougher contest; sold for £250,000 on Monday.

18/1

1st

3

(4)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 3

15:50 Ascot

Brindavan

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: S Woods

1-9 tally and his peak efforts have been on AW over 1m; there's plenty of hope for this trip in his pedigree but he raced freely and underperformed when trying it in small field at Newmarket last month.

12/1

1st

3

(4)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 3

15:50 Ascot

Brindavan

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: S Woods

towards rear, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, kept on

12/1

40/1

Form: 65-648

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won maiden at Galway last July but played minor supporting roles in Group 1s later as 2yo and it's been the same this term in Group 3s and a Listed race; blinkered in the latter 16 days ago over 1m4f, having appeared at 7f and 1m2f earlier this season; made the running last two starts; makes handicap debut but it's still hard to be confident that he's got what it takes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Rock Of Cashel

9st 6lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Highly-tried 3yo and often out of his depth but did win 4-runner 1m2f Navan contest in July when dropped in grade; tame effort in handicap company latest and now drops back to 1m; opposable.

12/1

19th

4

(17)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:35 Curragh

Rock Of Cashel

9st 11lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Highly-tried 3yo and often out of his depth but did win 4-runner Navan contest over this trip in July when dropped in grade; no show in Group 3 Royal Whip over C&D latest; stiff task back in handicap company.

20/1

6th

4

(4)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:27 Curragh

Rock Of Cashel

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Galway maiden last July; highly tried subsequently; failed to make an impact when sights lowered in a 1m2f Royal Ascot handicap latest; came good when upsetting a short-priced favourite in a Navan conditions event; supporting role here.

33/1

11th
9 (4)
Dakota Blue

14/1

Form: 242-12 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Debut second was on good to firm; showed plenty as 2yo, though it took him until reappearance in April before he won a maiden at Navan; returned there (again 1m2f on good) five weeks ago when going mighty close from well off the pace in a seven-runner handicap, travelling smoothly and battling, so he is probably set for better still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(4)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Dakota Blue

9st 3lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Debut second was on good to firm; showed plenty as 2yo, though it took him until reappearance in April before he won a maiden at Navan; returned there (again 1m2f on good) five weeks ago when going mighty close from well off the pace in a seven-runner handicap, travelling smoothly and battling, so he is probably set for better still.

14/1

2

(5)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 40y

17:00 Navan

Dakota Blue

9st 11lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Three solid maiden runs last year including when 4.5l behind The Lion In Winter at the Curragh; got off the mark in a C&D maiden on return and can improve from that; looks a big player on handicap bow.

2/1

2

(5)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 40y

17:00 Navan

Dakota Blue

9st 11lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Three solid maiden runs last year including when 4.5l behind The Lion In Winter at the Curragh; got off the mark in a C&D maiden on return and can improve from that; looks a big player on handicap bow.

2/1

14/1

Form: 09611 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has won on good, unraced on firmer; fitted with cheekpieces for last two starts and found plenty for pressure to win them both comfortably, latterly on handicap debut at Fairyhouse (1m2f, yielding); sold for £250,000 on Monday; surging up the weights but one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(12)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Fantazy Man

9st 1lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J P Murtagh

Has won on good, unraced on firmer; fitted with cheekpieces for last two starts and found plenty for pressure to win them both comfortably, latterly on handicap debut at Fairyhouse (1m2f, yielding); sold for £250,000 on Monday; surging up the weights but one to take seriously.

14/1

1st

1

(2)

29th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

20:30 Fairyhouse

Fantazy Man

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Promise in three 1m maidens; improved for fitting of cheekpieces when running out an impressive winner of Ballinrobe claimer (9.5f, good; well-backed) on latest; the runner-up has won since; contender on handicap debut.

3/1

1st

1

(2)

29th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

20:30 Fairyhouse

Fantazy Man

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Promise in three 1m maidens; improved for fitting of cheekpieces when running out an impressive winner of Ballinrobe claimer (9.5f, good; well-backed) on latest; the runner-up has won since; contender on handicap debut.

3/1

10/1

Form: 4113-1

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Two comfortable novice wins last term; third of 16 in nursery at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) last August and he inched his way to the front in a bunched finish at Chester (7.6f, good; tongue tied) last month when next seen; up 2lb but he's bred to relish 1m2f+.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

El Burhan

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Has a fine strike-rate on turf (4-8) including a win at this three-day meeting (7.6f, good) a year ago; would have gone closer with a clearer run when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on his reappearance (Respond third); still open to improvement and rain wouldn't be a problem; major player.

4/1

5th

4

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

El Burhan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Won on reappearance at Chester (7.5f, good) last May and tapped back into that promise for a clearcut win at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) in September; up 6lb for this first run since and it's also his AW debut, but he probably retains potential.

5/1

9/1

Form: 010

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
950,000gns yearling by Frankel; won narrowly when dictating a steady pace in maiden at Leopardstown (1m4f, good) on second start; it's rather alarming that he finished last of ten in the other two, but latest was handicap debut over just 7f, which was probably too short, and he now has his tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(5)

28th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:55 Curragh

Roosevelt

8st 11lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Made all in 1m4f Leopardstown maiden but barely beaten a rival twice since and was tailed off at Royal Ascot last week; questions to answer now.

10/1

14th

12

(1)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Roosevelt

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

950,000gns yearling by Frankel; won narrowly when dictating a steady pace in maiden at Leopardstown (1m4f, good) on second start; it's rather alarming that he finished last of ten in the other two, but latest was handicap debut over just 7f, which was probably too short, and he now has his tongue tied.

9/1

10th

2

(2)

6th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:20 Fairyhouse

Roosevelt

10st 2lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

Last of 10 on debut at Leopardstown (1m2f) but left that behind when making all over 1m4f back at Leopardstown last month; fascinating contender on handicap debut but has to be a chance that 7f is too sharp.

2/1

Form: 3134 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Late foal who made debut in April; won at Kempton (AW) next time and creditable minor honours in Listed race at Newmarket and London Gold Cup at Newbury, all over 1m2f and the latter on good to firm; joined Wathnan Racing since; retains potential, still something to learn and cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Novice win came here; signed off for the Gosdens with two poor runs but his reappearance run at Newmarket 12 days ago, following a gelding operation, was promising and strongly suggested that the new trip of 1m4f is what he wants; Billy Loughnane, who is 1-2 for the yard, takes over.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Form tailed off sharply for the Gosdens but previously looked promising, a novice win at Kempton (AW) in April preceding good handicap debut fourth in valuable London Gold Cup at Newbury (also 1m2f, good to firm) in May; didn't run at two and has been gelded, so not one to dismiss on this return for new yard.

10/1

14th

11

(3)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Ernst Blofeld

9st 0lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: John & Thady Gosden

Headstrong and well beaten in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) in first-time cheekpieces (retained); however, he was trapped wide and before that he was a good fourth off this mark in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm), which was strong form; not written off.

16/1

7/1

Form: 222-21

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Runner-up four times in a row (met trouble in running on return) before his stylish win in a Leicester maiden (1m, good to firm) 18 days ago, albeit at 2-5; needs better on this handicap debut but there's major hope for 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

(6)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Archivist

8st 7lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Got off the mark at the sixth attempt in Leicester maiden (1m, good to firm) last month and followed up on handicap debut here (1m, good) a fortnight ago; there are mixed messages from his pedigree regarding the step up in trip and he could do with settling better than last time, but this progressive 3yo was strong at the finish and could take a 5lb penalty in his stride for a top trainer who has won this three times since 2011.

9/4

1st

9

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Archivist

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Promising 2yo for the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute last season; didn't enjoy a clear run when second in Nottingham novice (1m, good) on his stable and seasonal debut, and easily won Leicester maiden (1m, good to firm) next time; with a top Newmarket trainer and has potential off his opening mark.

5/6

18

(13)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Archivist

8st 13lb

J: Reserve

T: William Haggas

Runner-up four times in a row (met trouble in running on return) before his stylish win in a Leicester maiden (1m, good to firm) 18 days ago, albeit at 2-5; needs better on this handicap debut but there's major hope for 1m2f.

7/1

25/1

Form: 91-561 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran in handicaps on last four starts, winning on the first and latest; the latter was at York (1m2f, good) three weeks ago and a markedly improved effort to arrive late on the scene, in a four-way finish but going up just 2lb may well underestimate that form; sold for £300,000 on Monday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:40 York

Dantes Lad

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Pulled up (lost action) at Glorious Goodwood; resumed progress when close second over C&D (good) next time and perhaps good to soft ground was not ideal at Newbury on latest; considered.

7/1

5

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Dantes Lad

9st 2lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Pulled up (lost action) at Glorious Goodwood; progressive otherwise (on good/firmer) since upped to 1m2f, winning in May/June and close second at York most recently; may do better still; shortlisted.

8/1

Non-runners

Sallaal, The Kings Falcon

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £70.10
Straight Forecast £43.26
Tricast £164.28
Trifecta £359.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Best Secret

SPOTLIGHT:

Seraph Gabriel

Daily Mirror:

El Burhan

The Guardian:

Ernst Blofeld

Daily Mail:

Sallaal

TOPSPEED:

Quai De Bethune

NEWMARKET:

Tycoon

The Times:

Best Secret

Telegraph:

Best Secret

Daily Record:

Best Secret

RP RATINGS:

Seraph Gabriel

D Express:

Seraph Gabriel

The Sun:

Seraph Gabriel

The Star:

El Burhan