September 05 / 16.05 Ascot

16.05

Soft

Molton Brown Classified Stakes

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Molton Brown Classified Stakes

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 1-3835

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Triple 6f winner on soft ground; ran creditably, keeping on, in competitive handicap at Glorious Goodwood (good) returned to 7f most recently; leading contender on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Fine Interview

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Close third behind Dark Thirty in this race 12 months ago; found some progress when cheekpieces were added in October, winning back-to-back handicaps at Pontefract and over C&D (soft; Korker second); perhaps found the heavy ground too much for him when last seen in November; can go well fresh and may find further progress this year; high on the list.

7/2

8

(12)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

13:33 Doncaster

Fine Interview

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Responded well to first-time cheekpieces in a tight finish at Pontefract (6f) most recently, taking record on soft ground to 1121331; may have more to offer in the retained headgear; successful on this card 12 months ago; enters calculations.

11/2

1

(3)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Fine Interview

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Triple 6f winner on soft ground; ran creditably, keeping on, in competitive handicap at Glorious Goodwood (good) returned to 7f most recently; leading contender on the figures.

7/2

Form: 776352 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Unproven on soft/heavy; went close at Windsor most recently; has several pieces of useful handicap form at Ascot, notably a narrow win in this year's Victoria Cup; respected back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Hickory

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Third in this last year and improved form later in the season, finishing his campaign in fine form (on various ground); down the field at Ascot on recent return but he was hampered and may have needed the run; not discounted.

10/1

18th

13

(17)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hickory

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Ended last season with a win and second-place finish, enhancing his good record at Ascot; two attempts at this race comprise a creditable fourth in 2024 and narrow success last year; impossible to dismiss, despite being an 8yo who is on another new career-high mark.

11/1

2nd

16

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Hickory

8st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jamie Osborne

Came from well off the pace to win nicely over C&D a month ago, taking his form figures at Ascot to 23047131 and those were in fierce handicaps; only 3lb higher than last time and course form here is a big selling point.

7/1

Form: 73317/ C

Last run: 713 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Useful on his day and is an Ascot scorer but has been absent since a below-par effort almost two years ago; the betting may prove best guide to expectations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

6th

7

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:45 Redcar

Isla Kai

9st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Last win was at Ripon in August 2023 (1m, good); absent for 715 days prior to this season and hasn't regained his best form.

33/1

10th

17

(8)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Isla Kai

8st 4lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Effective over C&D and well handicapped on his 2023 form; however, following a mammoth absence this 7yo finished down the field on his three outings last month and others have less to prove.

50/1

Form: -65008 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has developed a habit of starting slowly and is 0-5 for current stable; however, won this race last year (on soft ground) and has clear possibilities if back in the same form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Lord Bertie

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Four wins have come on good to soft/soft ground later in the year and he wants a good test over this trip on good ground; turned in a solid comeback effort over C&D in March but there's little room for error off this mark and he has his quirks.

8/1

6th

7

(6)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Lord Bertie

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Hasn't fulfilled the huge promise of his early form for William Haggas but he retains a good chunk of ability and enjoyed a resurgence last autumn, notably when a comfortable winner over C&D (soft) in October; disappointed when last seen but he should be in for another good year; back from a break is perhaps not the time to catch him but market should give clues.

16/1

Form: 34313- D

Last run: 363 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Absent since running respectably in C&D novice event (soft) a year ago when carrying a penalty for York nursery win the time before; not fully exposed; heed the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Angel Hunter

9st 1lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Narrow winner of a competitive 1m handicap at Lingfield on Good Friday; two midfield finishes this month and he will need a career best to come out on top in this field.

12/1

6th

4

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

Angel Hunter

9st 7lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Has in-and-out profile and was only sixth at Ascot (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago, but he's effective on turf and has won three of his last eight starts, most recently at Lingfield (1m, AW) last month; not ruled out.

12/1

6th

5

(11)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Angel Hunter

9st 11lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Behind Dosman at Southwell when tried in new blinkers two runs ago but left that form behind with a narrow verdict at Lingfield (1m), which seemed unlikely from where he was turning in; only 3lb higher and he's a C&D winner.

7/1

Form: 12107

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Spring performances (121) represented a solid start to his career; has come up well short in two runs this summer, latest dropped to 7f; gelded since and needs to rebound.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Arctic Grey

9st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Form figures of 121 to start his career in the spring, including a 1m win off this mark at Goodwood on handicap debut, but he's not lived up to that; gelded before penultimate start, which was a fair effort at Ascot, but he did not show much at Ayr on latest (both on soft).

14/1

11th

9

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Arctic Grey

8st 13lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Spring performances over 1m (121) represented a very solid start to his career; came up well short in a pair of strong 3yo-only handicaps in the summer but back on track after a gelding operation when fourth of 11 at Ascot (7f, soft) 15 days ago; that was his first outing for two months so he might come on for it; not discounted.

16/1

Form: 21-205 D BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
All five turf starts on good to firm; gelded since a rather disappointing effort last time; good second in useful C&D handicap on seasonal debut and that form puts him in the picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Brave Mission

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

All five turf starts on good to firm; gelded since a rather disappointing effort last time; good second in useful C&D handicap on seasonal debut and that form puts him in the picture.

11/2

5th

7

(3)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Brave Mission

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Only midfield in the Britannia upped to 1m last time; progressive form otherwise, very good second at Ascot (good to firm; handicap debut) in most recent 7f attempt; remains of interest.

11/4

13th

28

(20)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Brave Mission

9st 1lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Frankel colt and dam's siblings include Grade 1 and Group 3 winners; progressed in novices and the manner in which he kept on for second on his handicap debut here over 7f (good to firm) suggests he'll devour today's extra distance; going the right way and seemingly held in high regard having been towards the top of the market in all his races; firmly enters calculations.

10/1

Form: 1-2272 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has a touch of seconditis this term but by the same token he's threatening to add to his soft-ground 2yo win; went close in Southwell handicap (7f, AW) most recently; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Fondo Blanco

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Reliable sort who's found some improvement in recent starts, on last two occasions taking second at Ascot (7f, soft) and winning well in a handicap at Haydock (1m, good to soft); first crack at 1m suited him very well last time but another step forward is required.

8/1

4th

6

(2)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Fondo Blanco

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Reliable sort who's found some improvement in recent starts, on last two occasions taking second at Ascot (7f, soft) and winning well in a handicap at Haydock (1m, good to soft); first crack at 1m suited him very well last time but another step forward is required.

8/1

1st

7

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Fondo Blanco

8st 12lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Soft-ground novice win last autumn; has a touch of seconditis over 6f/7f this term but he's built up a solid record and 1m looks worth a go; might be one who needs his mind making up and De Sousa taking the reins for the first time could also be a positive.

9/2

Form: 18-3 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won nicely at Newbury (6f, good) on 2yo debut; below-par favourite in Salisbury Group 3 and 7f AW novice event since, latter on belated reappearance, but can't be written off yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

13th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Kempton (AW)

Jewelry

9st 10lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: William Haggas

Looked a good prospect when winning at Newbury on her 2yo debut (6f, good); hasn't added to that success in four further starts, faring no better dropped to Class 4 company at Newcastle 11 days ago; hood now added; stable also run Raneenn.

12/1

7th

1

(8)

2nd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Jewelry

9st 12lb

J: Harry Burns

T: William Haggas

Won a Newbury novice on her debut last season (6f, good); best run since then when third in a Kempton novice on her reappearance in August (7f, standard to slow; 5-4 favourite); no easy task when well beaten at Ascot last time (7f, soft); could fare better down in grade and trip.

11/2

9

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Jewelry

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won nicely at Newbury (6f, good) on 2yo debut; below-par favourite in Salisbury Group 3 and 7f AW novice event since, latter on belated reappearance, but can't be written off yet.

9/1

Form: 110170 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Unproven on softer than good; record of 3-6 this term and there are plausible excuses for the defeats; big player on the form of his third success, which came at Pontefract in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(9)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Rare Change

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Richard Hughes

Showed a resurgence in his form at Lingfield (AW) seasonal debut; did well on turf (6f/7f, good/good to firm) last May/June, winning three times, and looks interesting off a workable mark returned to this sphere.

10/1

3rd

3

(4)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

14:51 Lingfield (AW)

Rare Change

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Ran well at Kempton in sole 6f AW run (as 2yo) but proved a far better 3yo, winning three of his first four turf starts, over 6f and 7f; his form deserted him later but he returns to action only just above his latest winning mark last June; interesting.

6/1

12/1

Form: 21-246

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Speedily bred 3yo who has fairly useful form over sprint trips on home soil; came up short in French Listed event most recently; not certain to see out this stiff 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Pontefract

Veblen Good

9st 11lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

AW winner (5f) for Karl Burke as a 2yo; ran well over C&D on last season's reappearance and his fourth in a big field at York on his handicap debut came off a 3lb higher mark; two subsequent efforts are excusable (Listed company and then 7f on slow ground); sold for 32,000gns in October; unexposed as a sprinter and now drops in class; stable also runs Sixtygeesbaby.

8/1

11

(11)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Ascot

Veblen Good

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Speedily bred 3yo who has fairly useful form over sprint trips on home soil; came up short in French Listed event most recently; not certain to see out this stiff 7f.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.40
Straight Forecast £30.20
Trifecta £99.80

Selections

Telegraph:

Hickory

POSTDATA:

Fondo Blanco

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord Bertie

TOPSPEED:

Rare Change

NEWMARKET:

Fine Interview

The Times:

Fondo Blanco

D Express:

Fondo Blanco

Daily Record:

Fondo Blanco

RP RATINGS:

Lord Bertie

The Star:

Lord Bertie

The Guardian:

Hickory

Daily Mail:

Hickory

Daily Mirror:

Hickory

The Sun:

Hickory