September 30 / 13.50 Newmarket

13.50

Good To Firm

Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £70887.5
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 11

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Promising colt who is two from two; made all at Ascot (7f, good to firm) for latest win, clocking a good time in the process; likely to stay 1m; clear top on Topspeed figures and looks very appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Ghostwriter

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Clive Cox

Beaten on last eight starts having gone 3-3 in 2yo campaign (including here and in Group 2); however, the first seven of those defeats were in Group 1 races, with some very creditable performances, and he produced another when third in the Group 2 Hardwicke at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last month with Palladium just over 1l further back in fourth; leading claims.

7/4

3rd

7

(2)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Ghostwriter

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Clive Cox

3-3 in 2yo season (including Group 2); 0-7 since and below par in Tattersalls Gold Cup last month but all of those were Group 1 races and he's shown some very strong form, including when third in last August's Juddmonte International (10.2f, good to firm); his dam was a 1m4f winner so there can be hope that today's new trip will suit, and he's a major player if he stays; changed hands for £2,000,000 at Goffs London Sale on Monday (remains with Clive Cox).

6/1

5

(2)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 110y

15:05 Curragh

Ghostwriter

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Unbeaten as juvenile, including the Royal Lodge; kept to Group 1 company last year, smart form including two Classic fourth places; third behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse and the International at York; 3/4l behind Los Angeles (fourth) when fifth in the Irish Champion; made a fine start to the campaign with fourth behind race-fit rivals in Dubai Turf.

13/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 121 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Tidily beat Macduff when upped to 1m in Listed event at Haydock (good) three weeks ago, taking his form figures to 121; one of the main players on ratings and is likely to do better still; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(7)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Al Musmak

9st 3lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Runner-up in Group 2 Royal Lodge (1m, good to firm) last September and returned to form with Listed win at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) three weeks ago; had something to spare last time and holds leading claims.

11/4

1st

1

(6)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Al Musmak

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Listed winner over 1m last year and signed off his 2yo campaign with a second to Ghostwriter in the Group 2 Royal Lodge on the Rowley Mile (good to firm; won debut on good to soft); below that form in Group 2/3 events over 1m2f in recent months and needs a return to 1m to have a positive effect.

7/1

7th

1

(9)

20th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:40 Ascot

Al Musmak

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Flopped in the Dante at York on last month's return (1m2f, good; backed into 4-1) but trainer reported subsequently "his bloods were off"; Listed winner at Haydock (1m, good) last September then came second in the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket (1m, good to firm); could bounce back with bold show.

18/1

15/8

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 12 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice-raced Ballydoyle colt who should have plenty more to offer; scored at Dundalk (1m, AW) then ran well behind an odds-on stablemate in Group 2 at Leopardstown (1m, good; clear of remainder); strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Capulet

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

made all, pestered throughout, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final 110yds

9/2

1st

3

(2)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Capulet

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Justify colt who won on debut at Dundalk (1m, AW) last summer and was placed in 1m Group 2s at Leopardstown (good) and Newmarket (good to firm); that form saw him start 8-13 for valuable conditions event at Chelmsford (1m, AW) on reappearance but Bracken's Laugh surged past to beat him by just over 3l; should stay 1m2f and has lots of big-race entries, but work to do to turn the tables on Bracken's Laugh.

9/2

3rd

4

(3)

6th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Capulet

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

prominent on inner, bumped over 1f out, kept on final 110yds

11/10

12/1

Form: 12 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Winning debut in maiden on the July course (7f, good) here; beaten by Al Musmak at Haydock (1m) since but ran well on bare figures and may do better still; favourite for both starts; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(10)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:05 Goodwood

Macduff

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ralph Beckett

raced wide early, took keen hold, towards rear

7/2

6th

7

(14)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

17:40 Ascot

Macduff

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Bred in the purple (by Sea The Stars out of a half-sister to Kingman) and looked well worth his place in the Derby after an encouraging second in the Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good to soft); didn't give his running at all at Epsom (14-1; always in rear) but it's interesting that his trainer is happy to turn him out again just three weeks later; cheekpieces go on.

25/1

13th

12

(8)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Macduff

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

By Derby winner Sea The Stars out of half-sister to top-class miler/sire Kingman; ran with credit in Listed/Group races as 2yo following a winning 7f debut in a Newmarket maiden but connections were always going to play the long game and he should benefit from a useful comeback behind the one-time Derby favourite in Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good to soft); looks the type who could come on a good deal this year and a big show is on the cards.

12/1

5th
9 (5)
Son

33/1

Form: 31553

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won at Newbury (6.5f) on second outing and has performed creditably in notable races since, most recent third at Salisbury (1m Listed); however, his limitations are somewhat exposed now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

Son

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

0-16 since winning in June 2023 on his second start but short-headed at Thirsk (7f, good) last month on his stable and seasonal debut and posted another good second at Haydock (7f, good) last Saturday; he's on the shortlist.

7/1

2nd

4

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

16:15 Haydock

Son

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Didn't progress for Richard Hannon but, having dropped in the weights, he went desperately close to making a winning debut for Tim Easterby three weeks ago, staying on strongly at Thirsk (7f, good); 1lb higher today but he attained a BHA rating of 106 in his pomp; contender.

5/1

12/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Needed every yard of the trip to collar Caviar Heights in Sandown maiden (good to soft) on debut and looks a middle-distance prospect; may be a little tapped for toe at this stronger level kept to 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Roger Varian

Unraced on soft; record of 0-7 since debut success but is heading back in the right direction, having posted form figures of 432 this term, latest effort in notable handicap at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm); turn looks near.

11/4

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who has returned this season having been gelded, keeping on well for fourth at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) and doing likewise when third of 18 at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good); this step back up in trip looks the right move and he's high on the list.

9/4

10

(17)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Defiance

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who was not seen last year after a Group 2 at Royal Ascot; 11-2 for handicap debut on Oaks day at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on reappearance, hanging left on the camber but making late headway into fourth of 13, up with his best form; has the same mark today and clear chance he can build on that performance.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
650,000gns yearling; showed promise in Doncaster maiden (1m, soft) two weeks ago, staying on for fifth; should improve in due course but this looks a stiff task on second start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

14:30 Hexham

At Vimeiro

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Fairly useful on Flat (2m winner) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken quite well to hurdling, winning then third over 2m1f at Cartmel in the summer; carries a penalty but should be thereabouts.

7/2

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:55 Cartmel

At Vimeiro

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Fairly useful on Flat (2m winner) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken well to hurdling, just shaken up to beat six rivals over C&D (soft) last month; open to improvement and should go well under a penalty.

5/2

1st

7

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:12 Cartmel

At Vimeiro

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Signed off on the Flat for Jane Chapple-Hyam with 2m AW win in January (RPR 80) and was very much in contention before final-flight unseat over C&D (good to soft) on stable/hurdle debut in May; Richie McLernon presumably had the pick of the two stable runners in this race; shortlisted.

8/1

4/1

Form: 11

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has been only workmanlike in winning both starts (7f, good), latest at Sandown in the Solario, but he's a Dubawi colt who looks likely to progress further and will be suited by this step up to 1m; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(10)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Aablan

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Record of 2-3 in 2023 for Charlie Appleby featured a success in the Solario; had wind/gelding operations since Royal Lodge defeat and now goes in tongue-tie on return from two-year absence; market instructive.

20/1

8th

1

(6)

30th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket

Aablan

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Has been only workmanlike in winning both starts (7f, good), latest at Sandown in the Solario, but he's a Dubawi colt who looks likely to progress further and will be suited by this step up to 1m; respected.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:38 Sandown

Aablan

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway but ran green 2f out, headway final furlong, kept on well and led towards finish

7/2

Form: 421 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Steady progress in maidens, gamely making all at Goodwood (1m, good) latest; ties in with Defiance on Sandown form the time before; this is a harder task for them both.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ayr

Caviar Heights

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: William Haggas

Listed winner for Karl Burke (1m2f, good) last May and he's gone very close in Listed races this summer on his first two runs for William Haggas (1m2f/11.4f, good to firm), making the running each time; has shown promise on good to soft (unraced on softer); might not be far away.

11/2

2

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 1

18:15 Windsor

Caviar Heights

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won a Newmarket Listed event (1m2f, good) for Karl Burke in May last year; sold for 520,000gns last autumn and having been gelded he made a fine return/stable debut when beaten a nose in a Sandown Listed contest (1m2f, good to firm) in June; much respected if building on that; holds a Qipco Champion Stakes entry.

13/8

2

(6)

4th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Caviar Heights

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Maiden winner in 2023 for Andrew Balding and Listed scorer in 2024 for Karl Burke; sold for 520,000gns and gelded since last run; returns from absence and debuts for William Haggas; heed the market signals.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.60
Straight Forecast £26.25
Tricast £51.93
Trifecta £91.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ghostwriter

RP RATINGS:

Capulet

NEWMARKET:

Al Musmak

Daily Mirror:

Aablan

TOPSPEED:

Ghostwriter

LAMBOURN:

Ghostwriter

The Times:

Ghostwriter

Telegraph:

Ghostwriter

The Guardian:

Ghostwriter

Daily Mail:

Ghostwriter

D Express:

Ghostwriter

The Sun:

Ghostwriter

The Star:

Al Musmak

POSTDATA:

Capulet

Daily Record:

Capulet