July 11 / 15.25 Newmarket (July)

15.25

Good To Firm

Betway Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV4
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Betway Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1st
13 (6)
Aalto

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.65

Form: 78-902 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Showed career-best form in this race in 2024 (won by 2l) and 2025 (beaten only a nose), both off higher marks; posted a resurgent effort, behind Dark Tornado, returned to this C&D latest start; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

18

(3)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Aalto

8st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Ian Williams

Has gained his only two British wins in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket but since the latest one in July he has been placed twice over C&D and an unlucky second at Newbury (flew home from a difficult position, amid interrupted passage); each-way possibilities.

12/1

2nd

5

(1)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Aalto

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Landed a second Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in July; has followed that with two creditable thirds at Ascot (including the International) and a bold bid is on the cards under Ryan Moore.

6/1

3rd

1

(4)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Ascot

Aalto

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ian Williams

His last two wins have come in the 2024 and 2026 runnings of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket but he proved his effectiveness at Ascot when third of 16 in the International Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in July; strong claims.

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 24-432 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Reliable sort, this year over 7.5f/1m since being gelded; second on Newcastle AW with tongue-tie fitted last time; has gained both wins over a bare 7f; strong claims back down in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Back In Black

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Useful handicapper, runner-up in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in July; however, well beaten at Ascot since and now faces a much higher calibre of opposition.

33/1

10th

8

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Back In Black

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Admirably consistent in defeat this term and he was a close second to Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) recently; races off the same mark today (due a 2lb rise) and could again be thereabouts.

13/2

2nd

9

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Back In Black

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Reliable sort, this year over 7.5f/1m since being gelded; second on Newcastle AW with tongue-tie fitted last time; has gained both wins over a bare 7f; strong claims back down in distance.

9/2

7/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 61-442 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-9 includes two wins at the Newmarket tracks; good second, beaten only a neck, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently; due to go up 3lb in future; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Elarak

9st 2lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Charles Hills

Has progressed into a smart performer this year, placing in two major 7f handicaps, including at Royal Ascot, and Listed races at Newbury (6f) and Newmarket (7f); likely to be on the premises.

9/2

3rd

1

(9)

18th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:07 Newbury

Elarak

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Charles Hills

Very useful performer who scored three times last term; placed in two major 7f handicaps, including at Royal Ascot, and 6f Listed contest at Newmarket this summer; solid claims back up in trip.

9/2

2nd

3

(7)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:19 Newmarket (July)

Elarak

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Charles Hills

Low-mileage 4yo who finished close up in valuable 7f handicaps at Royal Ascot and here (both good to firm) on last two appearances; doesn't have that much to find with the principals on this return to Listed company but has never run in a sprint before.

9/2

4th
10 (13)
Supido

9/1

Form: 58-137 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Performed well (first and third) at Chester in last two turf attempts and may be capable of further progress returned to this sphere; helps to give his connections, who also run Aalto, a robust hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(10)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Supido

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ian Williams

Won over Chester's extended 7f in May and ran well in the Bunbury Cup in July; however, he was well held in France last time and his AW record leaves a bit to be desired; needs the first-time tongue-strap (replacing cheekpieces) to have a positive effect.

12/1

4th

10

(13)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Supido

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Performed well (first and third) at Chester in last two turf attempts and may be capable of further progress returned to this sphere; helps to give his connections, who also run Aalto, a robust hand.

9/1

7th

3

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Supido

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Good effort to win a 7.6f handicap at Chester on his reappearance and he ran to a similar level when third back there (7f) four weeks ago; today's stiffer test at the trip will suit and he has shown promise on AW.

4/1

16/1

Form: 8-8781 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has gained both handicap wins off a mark of 90, including when beating Aalto over C&D (good to firm) latest start; could go well but needs a career-best performance to defy a penalty; 1lb badly in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 5lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Has gained both handicap wins off a mark of 90, including when beating Aalto over C&D (good to firm) latest start; could go well but needs a career-best performance to defy a penalty; 1lb badly in.

16/1

1st

6

(9)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Promising stable debut in the race won by Superposition last month but he hasn't built on it in either start since; due to be 2lb lower from the weekend; others look stronger.

33/1

8th

5

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

10st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Made it two wins in a row when scoring off this mark on handicap debut on the other Newmarket course (7f, good to firm) last May; however, has to produce more than he's managed on his two runs this term; visor goes on.

20/1

16/1

Form: -12000 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Landed two major handicaps (6f/7f) last summer but is higher in the weights now and may be in the assessor's grip on home soil; sole success off a triple-digit mark came at Meydan (early this year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

3

(5)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Two Tribes

9st 10lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Richard Spencer

Still rather weighted to the hilt but his C&D record reads 1523, the fifth-place finish in this contest 12 months ago; on the same (near-peak) mark but Toby Moore takes off a handy 7lb this time; could go well.

14/1

12th

6

(1)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Two Tribes

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Spencer

Won two feature handicaps last summer (6f/7f) but only midfield in this contest (third of 12 in the stands' side group); ran a fine race when second at Ascot (7f, good to firm) in July but he flopped in the Stewards' Cup (sent off favourite) and neither of his runs since suggest he is the answer this time; trainer won both this race and the Silver Cup last year.

20/1

3rd

1

(7)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Ascot

Two Tribes

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

Won a valuable C&D handicap last summer before bolting up in the Stewards' Cup one week later; another fine course run when second of 16 in July and he was heavily supported for a Stewards' Cup repeat one week later, only to stumble leaving the stalls; wasn't far off his best over 1m here four weeks ago but this drop back to 7f still looks the right move; player.

5/1

Form: 0-0323 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ran well, only a neck behind Elarak, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot to maintain his solid record in headgear; good second in the Victoria Cup the time before; threatening to win a big prize; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(14)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Useful handicapper whose C&D record includes a creditable fourth in this race last year and a close third to Mezcala in June; however, he needs a revival of sorts, having not been in the same form since.

16/1

7th

1

(2)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Great Acclaim

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

7f specialist, not beaten far in Ascot's Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm) in first half of this year; never able to challenge over same C&D last time; this is less competitive and he should be thereabouts.

9/2

9th

3

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Great Acclaim

9st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Merely mid-division behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago but this C&D brings out the best in him, as evidenced by this season's close-up finishes in the Victoria Cup (good) and Buckingham Palace Stakes (good to firm); could be bang there now back at Ascot.

16/1

Form: -41550 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Quite a useful sort but has a stronger record at Meydan than on home soil and came up well short when an outsider in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot most recently; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

16

(12)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

The Fingal Raven

9st 0lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Unimpressive strike-rate; gained sole handicap win at Meydan; placed a few times of late, including behind Thunder Call over C&D, but chance of bagging this big pot depends on the effects of headgear switch.

25/1

3rd

6

(7)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Newmarket

The Fingal Raven

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Just two wins from his 21 starts but placed at Goodwood (7f, good to soft) and Ascot (7f, good to firm) in the second half of this year and beaten just under 2l when seventh of 16 at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last Saturday; might not be far away.

8/1

7th

3

(12)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

The Fingal Raven

9st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

His sole turf success came at Meydan (1m, good) but he ran a cracker, amid traffic issues, when third at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in July and underlined he can be very competitive from this sort of mark when second at Ascot (7f, good to firm) a fortnight ago.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -04501 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Royal Zabeel

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Listed winner (6f) on AW; showed himself to be smart on turf too with a 7f handicap win at Newmarket last month; wouldn't judge him harshly on his Bunbury Cup defeat five weeks ago, racing away from the main action and still in front 1f out; 4lb lower today and he looks a big player for last year's winning connections.

8/1

10th

1

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Royal Zabeel

10st 3lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Respectable fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; prevailed last Saturday to take C&D record to 2-2 and overall strike-rate to 7-23; incurs 6lb penalty but Conor Whiteley takes off a useful 5lb; major player.

8/1

20/1

Form: 0-0258 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Broadly disappointing since proving smart in his early days; form for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts but he dropped away rather tamely over C&D (race won by Dark Tornado) last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

3rd Oct 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

17:55 Southwell (AW)

Nostrum

9st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Michael Appleby

Won Group 3 and Listed races (7f/1m) much earlier in career; had ups and downs from 6f to 1m1f this year, his latest narrow defeat at Musselburgh on Wednesday coming in a seller; unknown quantity on belated AW debut.

9/1

2nd

6

(4)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 208y

Class 4

14:13 Musselburgh

Nostrum

9st 9lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Listed/Group winner over 7f/1m at Newmarket early in career; an inconsistent handicapper nowadays and 0-8 for current yard but warrants respect at the weights in this field.

13/2

5th

2

(6)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Newmarket

Nostrum

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Michael Appleby

One-time Classic prospect whose second of seven at Sandown (1m, good) in May suggested there was still some fun to be had; heavy ground may have scuppered him at Beverley three weeks ago but that brought his losing run up to 18; dangerously handicapped but he beat only one home in last term's Great St Wilfrid on his sole previous attempt at sprinting.

22/1

25/1

Form: -00321 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has gradually come to hand for new stable and made all, unchallenged, over C&D (good) most recently; 3lb ahead of the assessor under a penalty but another easy lead isn't certain; back up two grades.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(1)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Pontefract

Physique

9st 4lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Comfortable win in a 7f handicap at Newmarket (made all) in June off a 5lb lower mark; not so good since but he is well drawn for this return to 6f; considered.

9/1

10th

1

(1)

23rd Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Physique

9st 12lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Three-time turf winner but he's had only three runs on the AW, the most recent coming when a respectable fourth of 13 over this C&D last time; still 7lb higher than for June's Newmarket success but he has each-way claims.

10/1

4th

4

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:24 Kempton (AW)

Physique

9st 9lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Dictated the pace and ran out an easy winner in a 7f handicap at Newmarket in June; well held twice since and he looks high in the weights.

16/1

40/1

Form: 9-0864 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has a suitable scenario as his form over C&D includes a win last summer and he turned in a resurgent effort on latest outing; has something to prove at this level, however, having raced only in lower grades.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(6)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Newmarket

Dapper Guest

8st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: George Margarson

He's 3lb out of the handicap for this hat-trick bid, with his two recent wins having come in single-figure fields at Epsom (7f, good to soft); he's back up in grade and on better ground and at a different track, but is obviously in good heart and is not discounted.

12/1

1st

1

(7)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Epsom

Dapper Guest

10st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Margarson

He took advantage of a reduced mark when beating Silver Trumpet over C&D (good to soft) last Monday; didn't look to be totally handling the camber that day and effectively has a 4lb penalty to shoulder; still respected.

3/1

Form: /9-010 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Useful on his day but a record of 010 for new stable shows that he's not a particularly solid option in another major handicap; held at Royal Ascot, failing to back up his Epsom win; wears first-time hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Witch Hunter, Christian David

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.20
Straight Forecast £24.10
Tricast £137.17
Trifecta £81.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Back In Black

RP RATINGS:

Aalto

LAMBOURN:

Elarak

Daily Mirror:

Supido

Daily Mail:

Royal Zabeel

The Star:

Dark Tornado

POSTDATA:

Great Acclaim

The Guardian:

Physique

D Express:

Elarak

TOPSPEED:

Back In Black

NEWMARKET:

Back In Black

Daily Record:

Back In Black

The Times:

Aalto

Telegraph:

Aalto

The Sun:

Aalto