16.17
SoftFitzdares Festival Stakes (Listed Race)
- Prize money: £39697
- 1m 1f 197y
- Class 1
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
9/2 (Won)
- Win: £6.50
- Place: £1.70
Form: 421-43
Last run: 37 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (4) |
5th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 113y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Campaigned mostly on good/firmer ground; rallied gamely for Listed honours at Goodwood (1m2f) most recently and, assuming another gritty display is on the way, should remain competitive; top on his peak figure, achieved when defying top weight in last year's Cambridgeshire (1m1f). |
5/1 |
|
1st 3 (1) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Defied top weight in the 2025 Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) and holds a leading chance provided that smart handicap form is reproduced; hasn't transferred it back to Group level this term but he's respected on ratings and is a similar type to last year's winner of this race (for same connections). |
9/2 |
|
3rd 2 (1) |
15th Apr 2026 Good 1m 1f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Can lead and goes well here, as he showed again when defying top-weight in the Cambridgeshire handicap over C&D (good to firm) in September; left the impression the run was just needed and/or the trip stretched him when close fourth of five in Winter Derby at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in February; a bold bid is very much on the cards. |
11/4 |
12/1
- Place: £3.10
Form: 8281-5 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 6lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 (2) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Performed well twice over C&D last term but had the run of the race when belying his 33-1 odds for neck success at Listed level in September (good to soft) and looks no certainty to defy a 3lb penalty back here, unless things again fall his way. |
12/1 |
|
5th 3 (1) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Has raced as far as 2m1f in 2024 and never shorter than 1m2f; third at last year's Royal Ascot came over 1m4f but he broke a losing sequence when diverted from top handicaps to a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood last September; the prospect of 1m now doesn't seem so ridiculous but a career best is needed. |
16/1 |
|
1st 4 (4) |
24th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
On a two-year losing spell and is 0-6 for current yard; still capable of very useful form, having been placed in handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer; however, this seems a harder task. |
16/1 |
5/1
- Place: £1.80
Form: 2/543- D BF
Last run: 307 days
W: 9st 3lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 (7) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Unlucky second at Glorious Goodwood in 2024 when bidding for a notable 1m2f handicap double; best effort in a truncated 2025 campaign when fourth to Haatem in Listed grade at Royal Ascot; should be thereabouts, provided he's in top form after ten-month layoff. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 4 (6) |
19th Jul 2025 Good To Firm 1m 2f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Won the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f, good to soft) last July in his penultimate handicap; close fourth of 16 in Listed race at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) one month ago showed, not for the first time, that he should be well capable of a prominent finish in today's company. |
5/2 |
|
4th 8 (2) |
17th Jun 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Enjoyed a good 2024, including a win in valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f, good to soft); showed he can mix it outside handicaps when second in 1m2f Listed race at Ayr (good to firm) last autumn; went without regular hood (back on now) when behind a couple of today's rivals in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard on his reappearance at Sandown (1m2f, good) 19 days ago; likely to be sharper now and his yard has won this twice in recent years; a must for the shortlist from a handy draw. |
7/2 |
12/1
Form: 35/013 D
Last run: 40 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 8 (6) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Missed 2025; last two performances, namely success at Meydan (handicap) and third at Longchamp (Listed), show that he retains plenty of ability; however, has something to find back on home soil. |
12/1 |
|
5th 2 (10) |
21st Sep 2024 Good To Soft 1m 2f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
in touch with leaders |
7/2 |
|
3rd 2 (5) |
31st Aug 2024 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Stepping up to 1m2f worked a treat at the Newmarket July festival (good; 6lb higher today) and he wasn't disgraced when attempting a Listed race in France on latest outing; 3yo who could still have more to give. |
2/1 |
16/1
Form: 2044-7
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 (5) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Record of 0-5 since debut win (Wood Ditton) but he's useful and ran creditably in sole C&D attempt, namely fourth to Naqeeb in Listed event; could go well with Chester (Group 2) reappearance under his belt. |
16/1 |
|
7th 2 (4) |
8th May 2026 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Highly tried after his winning Newmarket debut in April last year and ran well on a couple of occasions, as when beaten a neck in the Dee Stakes over C&D (good); has a bit to find to mix it with the majority of these, though. |
25/1 |
|
4th 7 (11) |
24th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
8st 13lb |
Absent since heavy defeat in Group 3 at Royal Ascot; has otherwise shown highly notable promise, namely a success in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket (1m) and close second in the Dee Stakes at Chester (1m2f Listed); may still have more to offer. |
10/1 |
Form: 711-53 C
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 6lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (6) |
5th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 113y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Very useful performer whose good-ground form includes a close second in this race last year and respectable sixth to stablemate Boiling Point at Goodwood latest start; has registered the majority of wins on softer, notably in Group 2 in 2024 and Listed grade in 2025 (both 1m); major player. |
5/1 |
|
6th 1 (4) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in 2024; creditable third, faring best of the runners who came off steady pace, in Group 2 at Chester (good) upped to 1m2f last time; unexposed at this distance and enters calculations despite carrying a 3lb penalty for Listed success (1m, soft) last autumn. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 3 (3) |
8th May 2026 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Ended last season with a pair of 1m victories, the latest in a Nottingham Listed event (soft); not totally disgraced when fifth of eight in a Group 3 at Dusseldorf (1m, heavy) on last month's return, but that does indicate his limitations; races beyond an extended 1m for the first time; stable also runs Royal Rhyme. |
20/1 |
7/2
Form: 54136- C BF
Last run: 286 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 6 (3) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Has form on all types of ground; smart performer whose strong CV includes wins in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood as a 2yo and two Royal Ascot contests, more recently last year's Wolferton (1m2f Listed); best figures give him a major chance at the weights. |
7/2 |
|
6th 3 (5) |
9th Aug 2025 Good 1m 2f 100y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Gave a typically tenacious display to win 16-runner Listed race at Royal Ascot in June on his first crack at 1m2f; respectable, running-on third back over 1m for Group 2 there four weeks ago, so it looks as if about 1m2f is indeed his trip these days and he looks set for a bold show. |
3/1 |
|
2 (8) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 0m 7f 213y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Quality 3yo who was placed in two Guineas before winning the Group 3 Jersey at Royal Ascot that ended up his last run of the season; below par in his first two runs of this campaign (behind Quddwah in France) but got himself back in the good books with a typically tenacious display in winning the 1m2f Listed Wolferton back here; dropping back to 1m is of no concern; strong claims. |
9/4 |
7/1
Form: 42-407 BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 9 (9) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Unlucky second in last year's Britannia at Royal Ascot then caught the eye on reappearance; hasn't exactly lived up to expectations in two starts since but remains of interest assuming this new scenario (steps up from 1m) prompts a positive effect; too soon to give up on him. |
7/1 |
|
7th 7 (9) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Went close in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last June on his fourth start; not seen again until a good fourth at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) this March, despite a slow start and having to come very wide in the straight; disappointing favourite in the Lincoln at Doncaster three weeks later, perhaps with the good to soft ground against him but overall improvement is required moving from handicaps into this Group 3. |
8/1 |
|
14th 2 (13) |
28th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Went close in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last June on his fourth start; then absent until the Trial at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) three weeks ago, when he was fourth despite a slow start and having to come very wide in the straight; could play a leading role on the back of that eyecatching run, provided conditions suit (unraced on slow turf). |
3/1 |
14/1
Form: 36743- D
Last run: 215 days
W: 9st 3lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 4 (8) |
22nd May 2026 Soft 1m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Multiple winner down the years but 2025 figures suggest age may be catching up with him to some degree; hasn't won a domestic race since 2023 and it's an even longer time since he made a successful seasonal debut. |
14/1 |
|
3 (3) |
19th Oct 2025 Yielding 1m 2f 0y |
9st 7lb |
Strike rate of 11-49 reads well although hasn't won in over a year and this season has been restricted by quick ground; had his favoured soft ground but still good bit below best at Ayr last month so must be doubtful he can run to current mark and ideally wants a bit further. |
8/1 |
|
3 (1) |
20th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 2f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
9yo whose form has been mixed across three starts this year; however, they've all been on good ground and his last five wins have come on good to soft and slower ground, the latest a Group 3 at Longchamp (1m2f, soft) last September; could bounce back with a big run if conditions are in his favour. |
6/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £64.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £80.99 |
| Trifecta | £391.40 |