October 06 / 15.22 Ascot

15.22

Good

Racing Welfare Classified Stakes

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Racing Welfare Classified Stakes

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 303562 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Scored twice as a 2yo; several creditable efforts in 1m handicaps this term, clear second when favourite at Newbury latest; he's a comparatively exposed 3yo but again has place possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 4

17:25 Haydock

Metal Merchant

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Without a win since April 2024; just three runs for this yard, the standout being his fourth over 1m on the AW; wouldn't be the most solid option but has more races in him and this ground will be fine.

14/1

9th

3

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

His last win was in April 2024 but he hasn't been with John Butler for long and he showed signs of a revival when fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; has claims if he can build on that and he should be fine back at this trip.

9/2

4th

2

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

10st 1lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

A useful 1m winner at his best for Jack Channon; offered little in two runs for Brian Toomey this spring though and came in last of 14 for John Butler in 7f handicap here four weeks ago; no surprise if he took a step forward though with new yard among the winners.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 21442 D BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Needed every yard of the trip to win at Newmarket (1m, good) in July; campaigned at 1m2f since, good second here (good to firm) most recently; still fairly unexposed but this drop back in distance may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(2)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

15:00 Sandown

Jeff Koons

10st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Scored twice in Qatar for these connections; question mark about ground softer than good, despite the official going at Goodwood last time when he was second in a strong conditions stakes; in good form in Britain on last three outings now but that does not mean he looks well handicapped.

11/1

2nd

9

(5)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Jeff Koons

9st 7lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Below form two years ago on sole start on softer than good (soft); scored twice (1m2f/11.5f) in Qatar for these connections; looked in top form in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m; eighth) and Listed race at Sandown (1m2f; third of six) on last two outings but a fair bit extra is needed to win this.

25/1

4

(5)

4th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Jeff Koons

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Has scored twice in Qatar for current connections; came up short in Listed grade returned to British soil but ran creditably in the Royal Hunt Cup since; difficult task at the weights returned to this level.

10/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 431-61 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Stuck on well to force a dead-heat in C&D handicap (good) last month with reappearance under his belt and usual hood removed (just wore cheekpieces); record is now 2-5; could well progress further; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(12)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Daysofourlives

10st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: David Simcock

Won off this mark for Marco Botti at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September 2024; however, absent since that November and it remains to be seen how much ability he retains; stable debut (remains in same ownership).

50/1

9th

3

(3)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Daysofourlives

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Marco Botti

in touch with leaders

14/1

3

(3)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Daysofourlives

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Marco Botti

Had soft ground as a possible excuse for his no show in the Balmoral at Ascot last month and solid record in handicaps before that, including fourth in Hunt Cup and a defeat of subsequent Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane at Doncaster (1m2f) in September; has a 2-2 AW record; no surprise were he to make his presence felt in this higher grade.

14/1

7/2

Form: 51-631 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Progressive results at two and three; successful in York handicap (1m, good) most recently, taking overall record to 2-6; that form has been franked since; open to further improvement and looks appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(8)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Ascot

Florida

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Progressive results at two and three; successful in York handicap (1m, good) most recently, taking overall record to 2-6; that form has been franked since; open to further improvement and looks appealing.

7/2

1st

5

(1)

10th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

14:15 York

Florida

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

7f novice winner on the AW and confirmed his effectiveness on Polytrack when a close third back there over 1m 18 days ago; that was his first run since being gelded and in a tongue-tie; likely contender if handling this faster ground (all turf runs on slower) and breeding offers hope in that respect.

11/2

3rd

10

(7)

23rd Aug 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:22 Kempton (AW)

Florida

9st 10lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Form of ready novice win on third start last back end (7f here) is strong with the second 3-5 since (peak RPR 100) and other winners in behind; excuses can be made for defeat on his return/handicap debut (started 3-1) and he could be a different proposition now gelded; tongue-tie goes on.

100/30

Form: 8-6409 CD

Last run: 156 days

W: 9st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Veteran who won this race in 2016 and 2022, albeit was in ostensibly better form at the time on both occasions; absent since a below-par effort over C&D five months ago; the market signals may prove helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(11)

4th Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:10 Newmarket

Raising Sand

9st 8lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Jamie Osborne

towards rear

25/1

5th

4

(4)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Ascot

Raising Sand

9st 7lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Veteran who won this race in 2016 and 2022, albeit was in ostensibly better form at the time on both occasions; absent since a below-par effort over C&D five months ago; the market signals may prove helpful.

14/1

Form: -04000 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Useful on his day and holds clear possibilities if suited by this switch to classified level; however, looks far from solid on 2023 handicap form that mostly consists of duck eggs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:40 Nottingham

Dawn Of Liberation

10st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Not as good now and has his share of off days; back on a winning mark, though, has a C&D win to his name and this is less competitive than he's used to returning from ten weeks off.

3/1

3rd

4

(7)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Dawn Of Liberation

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

His five wins include one over C&D last May; below his best on his first two starts this year but took a step back in the right direction when a 2l fifth of 12 at Ripon (1m2f, good) 19 days ago; contender.

9/2

Form: 517165

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Last two efforts suggest he's now weighted to the hilt in handicaps and this switch to classified level may help; however, being kept to 1m looks a negative; all wins remain at 1m1f/1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(14)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Sweet Reward

11st 11lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Jonathan Portman

Multiple winner down the years, including at this track, and all ground seems to come alike to him; dropping back into Class 4 will help but his stamina has to be taken on trust.

20/1

11th

9

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Sweet Reward

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

9yo who won two in a row at Lingfield (1m2f/1m1f, good to firm) and maybe went off too hard when well beaten at Sandown (1m2f, good) last time; has won here twice and he might not be far away if bouncing back.

20/1

9th

6

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Sweet Reward

9st 7lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Won this in 2021 and was third in one of the divisions 12 months ago; returns off a 6lb higher mark than last year but on the back of two wins at Lingfield, the latest narrowly from the front off 3lb lower; thriving 9yo who must have some sort of chance.

10/1

20/1

Form: -56088 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Well-bred colt who won a notable conditions race at Newbury as a 2yo; has proved disappointing since, latterly in handicaps; chance depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Ascot

Stormbuster

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred colt who won a notable conditions race at Newbury as a 2yo; has proved disappointing since, latterly in handicaps; chance depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Stormbuster

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred 3yo who is in good hands and has dropped down the weights; however, he's struggled this season and needs to turn things around.

16/1

Non-runners

Hickory, Orbaan, Sterling Knight

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.80
Straight Forecast £20.43
Trifecta £76.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Florida

The Times:

Jeff Koons

Daily Mail:

Hickory

Telegraph:

Daysofourlives

POSTDATA:

Metal Merchant

TOPSPEED:

Sweet Reward

RP RATINGS:

Orbaan

The Guardian:

Florida

D Express:

Florida

The Sun:

Florida

Daily Mirror:

Jeff Koons

Daily Record:

Jeff Koons

The Star:

Hickory