August 03 / 15.52 Chester

15.52

Good

Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £22684
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 861244

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ex-French colt who has form figures of 1244 since dropped to sprinting, the success in Deauville Listed event (good to soft); ran well in Group 3 there (on debut for new yard) most recently; incurs 3lb penalty but is favourably drawn and again has frame possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Toyotomi

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Having been gelded he made a promising reappearance at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month; failed to build on that when sixth at Ascot (6f, good) but he got upset in the stalls; well handicapped on his French form up to last July and he's not ruled out.

11/1

6th

2

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Ascot

Toyotomi

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

First three French wins came at about 1m but better form when winning a Listed race at about 5f last April; took time to find his feet for this yard but he couldn't get out of a scrum at Goodwood (6f, good) in October and ran well for a long way on Newcastle AW last month; the likely strong pace will suit and he has a good run in him.

9/1

5th

1

(4)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Toyotomi

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Well handicapped on his form in France; shaped quite nicely when fifth in a 6f handicap at Goodwood when last seen in October; gelded the following day; appeals as the type to win a nice prize this year.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-6555 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who is a dual scorer at Chester; however, has raced mainly at about 7f since early last season and failed to land a serious blow, even on a stiff track, when dropped back to 6f on latest outing; upped in grade and may be tapped for toe.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(9)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Divine Libra

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

Has gained both handicap wins at Chester, including over the bare 7f at this meeting (good) in May 2024; respectable fifth in this last year; a reappearance run over 6f at the Newmarket Craven meeting could have put him spot on for this; likely to be in the mix here again.

8/1

8th

2

(6)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Divine Libra

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charles Hills

Has course form and is capable of being involved; however, has gained both handicap wins at Chester, latest in May 2024, and may be more interesting back there with this reappearance under his belt.

9/1

2nd

5

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Divine Libra

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

Three wins, all around a left-hand bend, but the latest was back in May 2024; has run some solid races in defeat this year and showed promise at this track on his debut; others are more persuasive.

7/1

Form: 191000 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who is a six-time winner at Chester, most recently in May; three duck eggs at the totally contrasting Ascot since and he should be well suited by the return to this venue; faces a difficult task at the weights but his course record bodes well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

12th

7

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Roman Dragon

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

25/1

Form: 37-678

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Good chance on peak form, namely placed efforts at Newmarket (Listed) and Ascot (Group 3) last August/October; fourth in this race 12 months ago; far from solid on 2025 results, however, and it's over two years since his last success; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 20 starts going back to June 2023 but he's shown promise in fifth this spring on his first two starts for this yard, most recently behind a couple of these in a big field at York (6f, good); he continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away.

10/1

5th

14

(1)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 19 starts going back to June 2023 but, following a wind op, he was an encouraging fifth off his reduced mark behind Strike Red on last month's stable and seasonal debut at Leicester (6f, good to firm), where he was short of room late on; could build on that with a big run today.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Russet Gold

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Two 5f wins for Roger Varian but latest was in June 2023 and he was quiet last season; returns for new yard after wind surgery but he has a mixed record when fresh and this is highly competitive; down the list.

10/1

11/2

Form: 6-3590

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unraced on soft/heavy; took record to 2-2 with Windsor Castle (Listed) win at Royal Ascot last term; campaigned at Group level since, with mixed results, the pick of them when third at Ascot and fifth at Haydock this spring (both 6f); possibilities from plum draw returned to this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Aint Nobody

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in last year's Nunthorpe in sole York attempt, finishing 100-1 second, but that's very much an outlier in his form; still needs to prove he can repeat it; failed to beat a rival in Newmarket Group 3 contest on reappearance.

33/1

14th

2

(8)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Aint Nobody

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Kevin Ryan

Listed winner at Royal Ascot as a 2yo; out of luck since but he showed what can be done on a good day when chasing home Asfoora in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm; 100-1) last August; no approach to that form since, however, and although Ryan Moore is booked, the absence of cheekpieces raises a query.

12/1

12

(1)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Aint Nobody

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Kevin Ryan

He hasn't added to last season's Windsor Castle win at Royal Ascot but he excelled himself when running on for second in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) last month; 13lb well in on that effort and a low draw excuses a lesser effort in the Sprint Cup at Haydock two weeks ago; likely to go well but a stiff 6f on rain-softened ground perhaps not optimal.

8/1

Form: 297-80 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Solid start to his career comprised a maiden success and two close seconds at Group 2 level; not in anything like the same form since, comfortably held in warm 3yo handicap most recently; chance depends on whether first-time hood prompts a turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

The Strikin Viking

9st 1lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Solid start to his career comprised a maiden success and two close seconds at Group 2 level; not in anything like the same form since, comfortably held in warm 3yo handicap most recently; chance depends on whether first-time hood prompts a turnaround.

14/1

2

(8)

10th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

The Strikin Viking

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Twice a runner-up in Group 2s last year; ended his 2yo campaign with a couple of lesser efforts though and he made a low-key return at Chantilly (5.5f, good to soft; Group 3) in April; up against it on his handicap debut.

33/1

7th

5

(7)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:47 Newmarket

The Strikin Viking

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Useful colt whose 6f form includes second-place finishes in Group 2 races at the Curragh (for previous yard) and Goodwood; ruined his chance by racing too freely in the Gimcrack last time and may benefit from this drop in trip; top on ratings.

7/2

Form: 00-623 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-9 for Ralph Beckett, both wins last season; best effort this term when second in Class 4 handicap at Salisbury in June; sold for 48,000gns since last run; this 4yo filly has the worst chance at the weights upped sharply in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(4)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Noel Fox

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Both wins on turf in 2024 when trained by Ralph Beckett; ran her best race for current yard when third of ten here (6f) on AW debut ten days ago; is at least as effective over 7f and should run well.

7/2

4

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Noel Fox

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Best of three runs for this yard when fourth of 14 at Haydock (5f) three weeks ago, keeping on; at least as effective over 6f and well treated on her best form for Ralph Beckett; AW debut.

7/1

6

(9)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Noel Fox

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

On a competitive mark on form as recent as June but hasn't been at the top of her game on her two outings for this yard; unproven on slow ground.

25/1

Form: 3415-3 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on good/firmer; record is 3-8; form last term featured a success in the Lowther (Group 2) where she beat the subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner; creditable third in Group 3 returned to York last month on reappearance; well drawn and has the best chance at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Celandine

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

0-6 since winning the Group 2 Lowther (6f, good to firm) as a 2yo, although she had an excuse (awkward leaving stalls, never a threat) in 6f Listed event at Newmarket (13-2) on reappearance; below par on two previous attempts at 5f, but not ruled out if on a going day for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:10 Newmarket

Celandine

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Disappointing in similar event over C&D when last seen and is 0-5 since winning the Lowther as a 2yo; however, this seasonal debut may be the time to catch her; good third to Sayidah Dariyan in Group 3 at York (6f) on 2025 reappearance.

9/1

6

(3)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Celandine

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Group 2 winner at York (6f) as a juvenile who retains all her ability; usually leads or races prominently but there wasn't a problem with being held up in the Group 1 Nunthorpe (5f) at York where she ran better than the near-5l defeat suggests; drying ground will suit; good claims.

5/2

Form: 210-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had no luck when favourite for the Queen Mary on final start in truncated 2yo campaign; recorded a useful handicap win at Sandown (again over 5f; good) last month on seasonal debut and, having raced just four times, looks open to further improvement; ready for a crack at 6f; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(9)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Kassaya

8st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred filly (a half-sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean) who looked a smart prospect when winning 5f handicap at Sandown (5f, good; shaped well on soft) in July; has not gone on as anticipated in 6f Listed races since, and she's on a retrieval mission here.

16/1

6th

10

(11)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Kassaya

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Merely fifth of nine in Listed race at Chester last month but she may not have been suited by the track and this lightly raced 3yo had shown glimpses of serious promise previously; cost 1,000,000gns as a foal and is a half-sister to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean; could yet make her mark at this level.

8/1

12

(4)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Kassaya

8st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Had no luck when favourite for the Queen Mary on final start in truncated 2yo campaign; recorded a useful handicap win at Sandown (again over 5f; good) last month on seasonal debut and, having raced just four times, looks open to further improvement; ready for a crack at 6f; respected.

11/4

Non-runners

Invictus Gold, Habooba, Profit Refused

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.20
Straight Forecast £36.36
Trifecta £878.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Celandine

The Times:

Kassaya

RP RATINGS:

Celandine

TOPSPEED:

Celandine

POSTDATA:

Celandine

LAMBOURN:

Celandine

Telegraph:

Celandine

D Express:

Celandine

Daily Record:

Celandine

Daily Mail:

Kassaya

Daily Mirror:

Kassaya

The Sun:

Kassaya

The Star:

Kassaya