Tomorrow / 14.58 York

14.58

Good To Firm

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
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Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

Form: 200-37 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Balmacara

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Listed runner-up at Sandown (1m, soft) last September and third in the same grade at Haydock (7f, good) four weeks ago on reappearance; however, he was comfortably beaten in that latest start and is 0-11 since winning novice contests at Doncaster in spring 2024 on second and third starts; up against it.

28/1

3rd

2

(8)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Balmacara

9st 10lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

None too consistent in 2025, running well when second in 1m Listed event at Sandown (soft) in September but poorly twice afterwards; returns from a layoff and may find that conditions place the emphasis too much on speed.

25/1

Form: 626484

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Chicago Critic

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Short-headed in a Group 2 at Meydan (7f, good) in January but he needs a bigger performance if he's to take this and he hasn't been at the top of his game on his three starts since, most recently at the Curragh.

16/1

8th

4

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Chicago Critic

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

All three wins have come at 1m; back after a spell in the Emirates; not far off best when touched off by Elnajmm in the 7f Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort in January; beaten 3l in fourth behind the same horse in a Group 3 last time; blinkered first time now; not appealing at this trip.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 117-55 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Never So Brave

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Merely mid-division in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (1m, good) last October and again below his best on reappearance at Sandown (1m, good) in April; however, he pulled hard last time and holds leading claims if rediscovering the form of his Group 1 City Of York win (7f, good to firm) last August; mixed messages in his form regarding the suitability of slow ground.

5/4

5th

6

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Never So Brave

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Did very well (3-5) last season for new stable, completing a notable summer hat-trick (7f/1m, good to firm) that culminated in Group 1 success at York; not disgraced from unfavourable draw in the QEII on final outing; may rate higher still and looks likely to go well.

13/2

Form: 570-47 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Qirat

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Not totally solid on his form since 150-1 success when pacemaker in last year's Sussex Stakes (1m, good); below par in Listed grade in sole run this season; however, record of 3-3 at Goodwood bodes well for this first visit to Epsom, which is a fairly similar track; return to best is plausible.

8/1

4th

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Doncaster

Qirat

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

150-1 winner of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good) in July when acting as a pacemaker; that form can't be taken at face value but he was fifth in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes (7f, good to firm) next time and that performance reads well in the context of most of today's opposition; versatile ground-wise; goes well fresh and could be involved on his reappearance.

7/2

Form: 15-110 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25th

7

(24)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Royal Velvet

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: William Knight

Campaigned mainly on good/firmer; progressive and brings impressive stats, being 9-21 overall, 2-2 this season, 6-10 over 7f and 4-5 under William Buick; well on top in big-field handicap at Newmarket on reappearance and followed up in Lingfield Group 3; lots to like about her.

12/1

1st

7

(8)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Lingfield

Royal Velvet

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: William Knight

Progressive mare who scored for the eighth time when beating 18-runner field at Newmarket (7f, good) at last month's Craven meeting; might need some luck in running if the field gravitates to the stands' side but thoroughly deserves this first crack at a Pattern race, with the ceiling of her ability probably yet to be reached.

2/1

Form: 1-16 D BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Saber Strike

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Highly promising colt who cost 230,000gns as a yearling and came from last to first when beating five rivals in Listed event at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) on reappearance, maintaining his unbeaten record; high in the pecking order on ratings after just two outings and has lots of potential; could be anything.

9/4

1st

4

(6)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:40 Newmarket

Saber Strike

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

230,000gns yearling who was backed into 5-2 when readily making a winning debut at Redcar (6f, good) last November; he's entered in the 6f Group 1 Commonwealth Cup but there's every chance he'll be suited by 7f and this highly likeable prospect is in good hands to progress; one to consider.

7/2

Betting Forcast

33/1 Balmacara, 12/1 Chicago Critic, Evs Never So Brave, 12/1 Qirat, 20/1 Royal Velvet, 6/4 Saber Strike