July 10 / 16.45 Newmarket (July)

16.45

Good

Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £31190.5
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 1161 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unraced as a 2yo; impressive in two Kempton AW contests early this year, looking a 2,000 Guineas prospect; flopped in the Craven, having pulled too hard, but scored comfortably in first-time hood at Sandown (1m, good; Listed) since; talented colt who could well progress further with the headgear retained; respected even with 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Opera Ballo

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Progressive colt who readily bagged Group 1 honours at Meydan (1m1f, good) three months ago, taking record to 6-8; however, appears to need further improvement to defy 5lb penalty and was no match for Zeus Olympios in last domestic outing.

8/1

2nd

5

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Opera Ballo

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Pulled too hard and flopped in the Craven but firmly back on track with a hood fitted since, winning Listed events over this trip at Sandown (good) and on the July course (good to firm); particularly impressive in the latter event and he holds a Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes entry; sets a fine standard to aim at.

8/11

Form: 6011 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
No better than midfield in two Meydan starts; 2-2 since racing in Britain, gamely landing the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; turf debut) last time, albeit fortuitously as the runner-up looked unlucky; faces a tougher task on these terms but is open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Arabian Story

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Saeed bin Suroor

No better than midfield in two Meydan starts; 2-2 since racing in Britain, gamely landing the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; turf debut) last time, albeit fortuitously as the runner-up looked unlucky; faces a tougher task on these terms but is open to further improvement.

6/1

1st

5

(29)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Arabian Story

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Down the field in his Meydan races but returned from a break for British debut and he dominated throughout in that 1m maiden at Chelmsford, scoring by 3l; had the run of things that day and the handicapper has taken no chances, but he's a dark one on turf debut for a trainer who's had plenty of success at this meeting; a nagging concern is that only one recent winner emerged from a maiden or novice.

11/1

4

(5)

22nd May 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Arabian Story

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Showed ability when sixth in a 7f Meydan conditions race (dirt) in January; well below that level back there (1m) when last seen; if building on his original effort he should be involved but has that to prove.

8/1

Form: 6-11 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Kingman colt who is 2-2 this season, last time easily defying a penalty in C&D novice event (good to firm) that was won in 2021 by fellow Shadwell horse Baaeed, who followed up in this race en route to becoming a star performer; very promising and looks an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Elarak

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Made it 3-6 when winning a C&D handicap (good to firm) last September, making virtually all; gelded subsequently; reappeared with close fourth of eight in conditions race at Thirsk (7f, good) three weeks ago and could show the benefit of that outing today; this 4yo is firmly in calculations.

11/4

4th

2

(2)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Elarak

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Back on the up with a bang returned to 7f and ridden positively when ready winner of a handicap at Newmarket (good to firm) last September; subsequently gelded; has the potential for even better this year and his stable is no stranger to success in this, including in the Shadwell silks.

11/2

1st

5

(4)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Elarak

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Second leg of novice double came in 1m event on the July course; no further progress in two starts over that C&D since but latest effort suggests this drop back in trip is worth exploring; not written off.

8/1

Form: 312-29

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Midfield in the French Derby last time, running creditably on the figures; has a solid record (3122) on home soil, clear second in the Feilden at the Craven meeting on the other course here (1m1f, good to soft; Listed) the final time; leading player at the weights returned to this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

King Of Cities

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Formerly trained by Richard Hannon but remained with same owner; produced his best performance in most recent domestic start, namely a narrow success in Group 3 at last year's Ebor festival at York (1m1f, good to firm); may have more to offer this term; respected.

3/1

1st

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

King Of Cities

9st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

3yo who was a close Listed second on his reappearance (1m1f, good to soft) then wasn't beaten far in mid-division in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft); things haven't panned out ideally when third in 1m Listed/Group 3 races the last twice (including on good to firm) and this extra furlong could be in his favour; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 28-394

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Ran well in the Solario and Royal Lodge last term; best effort since when fourth in the Diomed at Epsom (8.5f) most recently; therefore a useful colt who brings Group form to this assignment and, despite being 0-6 since debut success, can't be comfortably dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

Form: 340-06

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Gelded prior to having no luck with the draw (ran okay in the circumstances) at Royal Ascot last time; best 2yo form, including placed efforts in the Superlative Stakes (at this meeting) and Curragh Group 1, gives him a fighting chance on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

3yo who has done well since being gelded, finishing second in a Listed race at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) then beating his three rivals to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, soft); supplemented for this race at a cost of £40,000 but could be vulnerable in this grade.

25/1

1st

5

(2)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Goodwood

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Much his best effort of this season when chasing home Opera Ballo (King of Cities 1.5l back in third) in a 1m Newmarket Listed race (good to firm) 22 days ago; debut second last year came on soft, as did his respectable fourth of five in the Dewhurst.

11/2

Form: 512-3

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Unexposed gelding whose sole outing this season resulted in a good effort in 1m handicap on the other track here; however, has the worst chance at the weights upped in grade and is rated markedly lower than stable first string Opera Ballo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(6)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Spectacular View

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Unexposed gelding whose sole outing this season resulted in a good effort in 1m handicap on the other track here; however, has the worst chance at the weights upped in grade and is rated markedly lower than stable first string Opera Ballo.

33/1

3rd

5

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Newmarket

Spectacular View

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Handicap debutant whose 2yo novice form has substance, especially AW win at Chelmsford where he beat the subsequent Esher Cup winner who now has a mark of 92; looks well treated.

9/4

Non-runners

Brian

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Opera Ballo

SPOTLIGHT:

Elarak

RP RATINGS:

King Of Cities

POSTDATA:

Royal Playwright

Daily Mail:

Seagulls Eleven

The Times:

Opera Ballo

Telegraph:

Opera Ballo

D Express:

Opera Ballo

The Sun:

Opera Ballo

LAMBOURN:

Elarak

The Star:

Elarak

Daily Record:

Elarak

TOPSPEED:

King Of Cities

The Guardian:

King Of Cities

Daily Mirror:

King Of Cities