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

13th

6

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Brian Toomey

Showed notable handicap form in 2024 but has posted duck eggs in three runs since that campaign and needs to prove he retains ability; best watched on second run for new yard, unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

20th

19

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brian Toomey

Well treated on his 2024 form for Jack Channon and he won the Spring Mile at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance that season; however, just two runs last term, finishing down the field in April/May, and he has plenty to prove making his stable debut after an absence; blinkers go on.

40/1

12th

10

(15)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Last three wins over 1m, most recently the 2024 Spring Cup; however, finished a close fourth in major C&D handicap last July and could go well with Haydock reappearance under his belt.

12/1

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

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

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

8

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Daysofourlives

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Marco Botti

Fine fourth in Royal Hunt Cup over C&D (good to firm) in June then won at Doncaster (1m2f, good) last month, overhauling Liberty Lane who went one better in the Cambridgeshire next time; showed promise on soft in 2yo maiden; a 4lb rise isn't harsh and this progressive 4yo is a possible player.

7/1

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

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

5th

5

(2)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Dawn Of Liberation

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Five-time winner, three times at around 1m2f (good/good to firm) last summer; well handicapped on his best form last season but he's been quiet in two runs this spring and needs to rediscover his spark.

12/1

6th

3

(9)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Redcar

Dawn Of Liberation

9st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won three times last summer and ran well when placed subsequently; well held when tenth of 12 on his return at Wolverhampton (9.5f, AW) three weeks ago and is still 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

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

1st

2

(5)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:42 Lingfield

Sweet Reward

9st 9lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Generally kept away from fast ground but won easily on good to firm over 1m2f here for Olivia Tubb early in the month; retains most of her ability for a yard enjoying a good spring but she's often come to hand early in the past and a 7lb rise will test her.

5/2

1st

6

(5)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

12:55 Lingfield

Sweet Reward

9st 2lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Registered his seventh win when scoring on reappearance at Newbury (1m2f, good) last year and he attracted support before finishing second to an unexposed sort at Epsom (8.5f, good) on recent comeback this time; might not come on a bundle for that but this trip is more suitable and he's in with an each-way chance.

3/1

2nd

7

(9)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 4

16:58 Epsom

Sweet Reward

9st 0lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Seven wins include five off higher marks than this and one at this track (1m2f, good to soft; has won on good) in 2023; this trip might be on the short side but he went close on his reappearance in 2024 (1m2f) and scored off 2lb higher on his comeback last term (1m2f); not readily dismissed.

14/1

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