Today / 16.45 Newmarket (July)

16.45

Good To Firm

Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £34026
  • 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: Mostly sunny

Form: 5-1600 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 3 Craven on the Rowley Mile here in April (1m, good) in first-time cheekpieces; soundly beaten in Group 1s on next two starts and same outcome in Group 3 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); blinkers replace the cheekpieces and the drop back in trip could help; in with a chance on his best form, even under a 5lb penalty, but has to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Oxagon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the Group 3 Craven on the Rowley Mile here in April (1m, good) in first-time cheekpieces; soundly beaten in Group 1s on next two starts and same outcome in Group 3 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); blinkers replace the cheekpieces and the drop back in trip could help; in with a chance on his best form, even under a 5lb penalty, but has to get back on track.

11/1

10th

2

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Oxagon

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the Group 3 Craven at Newmarket (1m, good) in April in first-time cheekpieces (retained) then kept on for respectable sixth in the 2,000 Guineas there (1m, good to firm); faded when 12th of 16 in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (10.5f, good) but this trip may well be within range if he settles better; not ruled out back down in grade under 4lb penalty.

7/1

6th

11

(10)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Oxagon

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Very useful colt but possibly needs to dominate, having gained both wins from the front, latest when taking well to first-time cheekpieces and comfortably beating Avicenna by 2l in the Craven Stakes over C&D (good; Group 3) on seasonal debut; by no means certain to have his own way in this bigger field and he's held by a couple of today's opponents on Dewhurst running; otherwise may have more to offer in the retained headgear.

10/1

Form: 2-1210

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
All seven races at 7f; progressive in handicaps in the spring and made it 2-3 for the year when doing it readily at Ascot (good) in May; down the field in the Group 3 Jersey at the Royal meeting (good to firm; third of seven in the near-side group) but he's better than that and is not ruled out in view of his previous promise, especially as the step up to 1m could suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Colori Forever

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

All seven races at 7f; progressive in handicaps in the spring and made it 2-3 for the year when doing it readily at Ascot (good) in May; down the field in the Group 3 Jersey at the Royal meeting (good to firm; third of seven in the near-side group) but he's better than that and is not ruled out in view of his previous promise, especially as the step up to 1m could suit.

8/1

12th

8

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Colori Forever

9st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Tends to be delivered late; keeps getting better and showed his liking for this C&D when beating nine opponents with plenty in hand in handicap here six weeks ago; should continue on an upward curve and he's well worth his place in this higher grade.

14/1

1st

1

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Ascot

Colori Forever

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Impressive winner over 7f on Southwell AW reappearance; made favourite for a good 7f Newbury handicap since, when 6lb well in under a penalty, but failed to get into the action soon enough, finishing second to a more prominently ridden winner (May Angel just behind); still has potential despite running off his new mark and this stiff 7f can suit.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1216 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Made debut in March and posted two wins (1m, AW/good) from his first three starts before a creditable sixth of 30 on handicap debut in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm); further improvement is possible but necessary if he's to come out on top today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

20/1

Form: 11-75 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
French challenger; won last autumn on first two starts (1m, soft); reappeared with seventh of eight in Group 3 at Longchamp (1m, good) then kept on for fairly encouraging Listed fifth there (7f, very soft) last time, but others have considerably more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Lyneham

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Ralph Beckett

Went close on debut at Doncaster (1m, soft) last September then kept on well to win a 1m maiden here (good) in October; this is a much stiffer test of his credentials but his dam is from a classy family and he's in excellent hands; entered in the Dante and Derby and could be set for big 3yo campaign.

6/1

1st

5

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Newmarket

Lyneham

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

425,000gns yearling by Wootton Bassett out of 1m4f-winning sister to Breeders' Cup Turf and Arc winner Found; 5-1, narrowly came off worse in a sustained duel with an Ed Dunlop-trained newcomer in maiden at Doncaster (1m, soft) three weeks ago, the pair clear of a pretty useful third; sets the standard and looks sure to improve.

11/8

8

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Lyneham

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

425,000gns yearling; Wootton Bassett half-brother to 9.4f winner Iseult Of Ireland (RPR 91); dam 1m4f winner (73), sister to Breeders' Cup Turf and Arc winner Found; another newcomer with claims on paper.

8/1

Form: 7121-3 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Went very close in the Group 2 Vintage at Goodwood (7f, good) last July and easily won four-runner Listed race at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) the following month; then absent until Royal Ascot last month when he kept on for third of 16 in the Group 3 Jersey (7f, good to firm); the return to 1m seems a likely plus and he's a leading candidate under William Buick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(5)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Morris Dancer

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Went very close in the Group 2 Vintage at Goodwood (7f, good) last July and easily won four-runner Listed race at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) the following month; then absent until Royal Ascot last month when he kept on for third of 16 in the Group 3 Jersey (7f, good to firm); the return to 1m seems a likely plus and he's a leading candidate under William Buick.

11/8

3rd

10

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Morris Dancer

9st 3lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

Developed into a useful 2yo, following a close second in the Group 2 Vintage at Goodwood (7f, good) by beating his two rivals in a Salisbury Listed race (1m, good to firm); has a lengthy absence to overcome, and this drop back in distance isn't an obvious plus judged on his pedigree, but he's in excellent hands and retains potential.

16/1

1st

2

(3)

13th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Salisbury

Morris Dancer

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won well in a novice event at Haydock in May; leapt forward again when second of ten in a Group 2 at Goodwood (again 7f on good; 22-1) 15 days ago, coming from the rear (despite hanging right) to go down by a head, and that makes him the clear form pick.

8/11

7/2

Form: 1-0542 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
2yo Listed winner at Pontefract (1m, soft) last October and he appeared suited by the drop back to 1m when runner-up in the German 2,000 Guineas (1m, good) in May, behind Title Role who followed up in a US Grade 1 last Saturday; entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Shayem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

2yo Listed winner at Pontefract (1m, soft) last October and he appeared suited by the drop back to 1m when runner-up in the German 2,000 Guineas (1m, good) in May, behind Title Role who followed up in a US Grade 1 last Saturday; entitled to respect.

7/2

4th

2

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Shayem

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Dante entry; progressive with 3-4 record in Britain last season, ending with a Listed win from the front at Pontefract (1m, soft); however, beaten a long way in Saudi Arabia this February and although back near his 2yo form in Listed race at Newmarket (1m1f, good; disputed lead 2f out) three weeks ago, that was good enough for only fifth of seven to Morshdi; major work to do.

16/1

5th

2

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Shayem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Beaten long way in Saudi Arabia in sole outing this year; 3-4 on home soil and made all for a clearcut success in Listed event at Pontefract (1m, soft) the final time; probably needs to resume that progress to defy a 3lb penalty in this rather deeper race for the grade.

11/1

Form: 1232- BF

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Raced four times last year, finishing third in the Group 2 Superlative at this meeting (7f, good to firm) and going close in a Canadian Grade 1 (1m, firm) in September; this is his first run since and William Buick rides Morris Dancer, but it will be no surprise to see a big performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charlie Appleby

Raced four times last year, finishing third in the Group 2 Superlative at this meeting (7f, good to firm) and going close in a Canadian Grade 1 (1m, firm) in September; this is his first run since and William Buick rides Morris Dancer, but it will be no surprise to see a big performance.

5/1

6

(3)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Won well at Haydock and nearly defied a penalty in C&D contest, narrowly failing to collar a bigger-priced stablemate (newcomer); William Buick prefers Saba Desert but this colt retains potential.

8/1

2

(4)

21st Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:38 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Charlie Appleby

Too Darn Hot half-brother to two Group 1 winners, including stablemate Shadow Of Light; justified favouritism with a 5l success in Haydock contest (7f, good to firm) and looks a bright prospect; commands respect.

10/11

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Morris Dancer

The Guardian:

Shayem

The Sun:

Conclave

TOPSPEED:

Oxagon

Daily Record:

Wild Desert

Daily Mail:

Shayem

RP RATINGS:

Morris Dancer

POSTDATA:

Morris Dancer

NEWMARKET:

Morris Dancer

The Times:

Morris Dancer

Telegraph:

Morris Dancer

D Express:

Morris Dancer

Daily Mirror:

Morris Dancer

The Star:

Morris Dancer