October 07 / 15.00 Ascot

15.00

Good

John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £45368
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV4
View Course
John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 347671 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Brings high-quality handicap form having won the Portland at Doncaster (5.5f, soft) most recently, holding on narrowly to beat Significantly who went one better in the Ayr Gold Cup next time; ran well in the King's Stand (5f, good) on last Ascot start; effective over 6f and holds strong claims back at Group level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

(16)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Annaf

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Appleby

Money-spinner for connections down the years; recent efforts have suggested he retains a good deal of his ability and his handicap mark is easing; beaten only 3l in a 7f Group 1 at this meeting 12 months ago; each-way shout.

33/1

11th

14

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Annaf

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Appleby

Having edged down the weights he offered a good deal more when third to Tuco Salamanca at Newcastle (6f, AW) in June; finished with a flourish when seventh behind Dubai Bling at Ascot (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago, a run that confirmed he was still in good order; returning to 6f will help and he can't be dismissed, for all that he has been well beaten in this race twice before (2022 and 2025).

16/1

7th

3

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Annaf

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

Six runs at Ascot have yielded two Group 3 wins (6f) as well as a third in a Group 1 over C&D; back to form with a good third in a competitive AW handicap (6f) two weeks ago; 1lb rise not insurmountable; respected.

9/1

3/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 331141 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Dual winner of the Stewards' Cup; third in this race last year; better than ever this season, having won two Listed races and a Group 3, all since July; defied top weight at York (6f, good; beat Juan Les Pins) most recently and commands respect in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Thirsk

Commanche Falls

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

His last success was three years ago, but he was a Group 3 winner in his prime and he ran well to finish third off this reduced mark at Ripon (6f, good) last month; could be dangerous if he can back that up and two of his wins have come over C&D.

5/1

3rd

2

(1)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Commanche Falls

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Runner-up twice in a row in Bahrain (6f, good/good to firm) in January; this 9yo hasn't shone on his three starts since and his losing sequence goes back to September 2023, but perhaps the drop back in grade will trigger a revival for this C&D winner; not ruled out.

7/1

11th

5

(15)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Veteran who ran a cracker behind a stablemate over C&D at last season's Ebor meeting; runner-up twice in Bahrain in January; low-key return to Britain last week; on a good mark but this is a tough race in which to try and rebound.

25/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 23-341 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Good performances against her own sex the last twice, finishing fourth in York Group 3 then winning Ayr Listed (5.5f, good to soft); faces a tougher assignment back against males but her consistency is an asset.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(12)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:48 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Crystal

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, switched left soon after start, in rear

33/1

6th

11

(12)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:48 Newcastle (AW)

Pink Crystal

9st 0lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

dwelt start, switched left soon after start, in rear, outpaced and pushed along halfway, some headway when short of room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous

33/1

9th

6

(4)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Pink Crystal

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Ended 4yo turf season with two very good runs, winning an Ayr Listed race (good to soft) and close up in a Group 3 at Ascot (6f, good); not obviously bet-worthy on this year's form but it's possible she'll sing a different tune for the first-time tongue-tie.

12/1

Form: 013032 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive for current connections; good third in the 2022 Ayr Gold Cup and 2023 Wokingham, latter over C&D (good to firm); close second to Commanche Falls in York Listed event (6f, good) most recently; helps to give Mick Appleby, who also runs Annaf, a respectable hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(13)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:09 Newmarket (July)

Juan Les Pins

9st 6lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Had been running well but has performed miserably in his last two races when awkward at the start both times.

20/1

16th

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:30 York

Juan Les Pins

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Good run of form ground to a halt at Thirsk ten days ago when he wasn't on his best behaviour in the stalls; has the ability to feature off this mark but is not without risk.

14/1

9th

10

(8)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Juan Les Pins

9st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

He had dropped a long way in the weights before ending a losing run at Newcastle (5f) in March; added a C&D win in April and he has run well in defeat in both runs since; creeping back up the weights and had a 53-day break but he has the ability to go well.

6/1

20/1

Form: 161007 CD

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Very useful mare but is ground dependent, having gained all turf wins on soft/heavy, including this contest two years ago; hasn't had her ideal conditions since scoring twice this spring; downpour needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has won and gone close in Group 3s (5f) on this track; seems to have lost some firepower this year but she wasn't far away in a 6f Listed race here in May nor was she disgraced in the Group 1 Flying Five in Ireland recently; might have a better chance than these terms suggest, at least for a place.

16/1

11th

13

(6)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

On a long losing run, and now to 93 from the 107 mark she held when failing to make an impact in this event last season; in rear in the Temple Stakes won by Mgheera; down the field in the Wokingham and the Coral Golden Handicap.

66/1

19

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Goodwood

Vadream

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

Losing run stretches back over two years; happiest on slow ground; tailed off in the Wokingham six weeks ago and returning cheekpieces aren't enough to make her of interest.

28/1

11/2

Form: 831111 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; progressive 3yo who has completed a handicap four-timer since being dropped back to 6f and gained the last two wins at this venue; overall record is now 6-13; brings a very attractive profile to this first Group attempt and being 2-2 at Ascot is a bonus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(23)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Dark Trooper

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Progressive 3yo for Ed Walker, reeling off a four-timer before running well in an Ascot Group 3 last October; didn't fire in Qatar earlier this year but he won well at Saint-Cloud in May (6f, soft) and turned in another fine handicap effort when second of 25 in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm), making his challenge on the opposite side of the track to the winner; 3lb higher and this sharper track is not sure to play to his strengths.

6/1

2nd

10

(24)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Found his trip when back at 6f in the second half of 2023, indifferent to the state of the ground when winning all four handicaps, including over C&D on good to firm; has left Ed Walker since but was at least as good as ever when winning a 6f conditions race at Saint-Cloud (soft) in May; has cards to play back here.

7/1

6th

7

(9)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

Acts on any ground; progressive 3yo who has completed a handicap four-timer since being dropped back to 6f and gained the last two wins at this venue; overall record is now 6-13; brings a very attractive profile to this first Group attempt and being 2-2 at Ascot is a bonus.

11/2

12/1

Form: -656U0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won the Cornwallis a year ago; not totally solid on 2023 form and was possibly flattered by his 80-1 fifth in Commonwealth Cup; however, ties in with Commanche Falls and Annaf on bare Newbury running in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Rumstar

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Has four Group 3 wins (on good and good to firm) under his belt; outward appearances suggest this level is beyond him but if the door had opened in time for him in this last year he might have been placed instead of finishing only fifth; frame chance.

16/1

2nd

7

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rumstar

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Reappeared with good second to Night Raider in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) and bounced back from below-par run at Royal Ascot to win at Sandown (5f, good) four weeks ago, taking that Group 3 for the second year in a row; has won here and is firmly in calculations.

9/2

1st

3

(9)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Rumstar

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Creditable second on reappearance when bidding for a second win in the Palace House at Newmarket; hindered by poor draw at Royal Ascot since; landed this contest (good to firm) 12 months ago, despite carrying 3lb extra, and has no penalty this time; major contender.

11/4

11/1

Form: 616047 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ties in with Annaf on Portland form (finished 2l fourth); faced a much stiffer task in the Foret last Sunday (midfield); successful at this level in 2020/2021 but her subsequent strike-rate is underwhelming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(2)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Happy Romance

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Ties in with Annaf on Portland form (finished 2l fourth); faced a much stiffer task in the Foret last Sunday (midfield); successful at this level in 2020/2021 but her subsequent strike-rate is underwhelming.

11/1

4th

4

(6)

16th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Happy Romance

9st 8lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Usually aimed high and appreciated the return to Listed race when winning mares' race at Bath in April (5f, good to soft; also suited by 6f on good or quicker); can be excused her two starts since but lacks a recent run and this is her first run in a handicap.

11/1

18

(11)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Haydock

Happy Romance

9st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Richard Hannon

fourth two years ago

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 501295 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
6f scorer in 2021 but he's better known as a very useful 7f performer, the winner of two notable races over that trip; below best, albeit having blown the start, on last attempt at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:32 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

His last win was was in 2023 but that was a Group 3 event and he went close behind Where's Freddy over C&D (good to firm; 3-1 favourite) 13 days ago; on same mark here and he's a big player if he can repeat that form; visor added.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Newmarket (July)

Jumby

10st 0lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

On a three-year losing run and nothing like the force of old but his current mark reflects that and this is a good bit easier than the two handicaps he tackled in the spring; no surprise were this class dropper to go well with his yard among the winners.

8/1

12th

29

(24)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jumby

8st 12lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

33/1

10th
2 (10)
Garrus

7/1

Form: 814228 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Narrowly beat Commanche Falls on same terms in similar event at Newmarket (6f, good) in April; respectable second in both Group 3 attempts since, in France; holds solid-looking claims back at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

(5)

18th Apr 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Garrus

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charles Hills

Triple Group 3 scorer; failed to beat a rival when last seen but is likely to rebound, having performed well in this contest for the last two years (close second in 2022, won in 2023); now an 8yo and it's a deeper renewal but he's very hard to dismiss.

9/1

14th

2

(5)

18th Apr 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Garrus

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charles Hills

Triple Group 3 scorer; failed to beat a rival when last seen but is likely to rebound, having performed well in this contest for the last two years (close second in 2022, won in 2023); now an 8yo and it's a deeper renewal but he's very hard to dismiss.

9/1

10th

2

(10)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Garrus

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Charles Hills

Narrowly beat Commanche Falls on same terms in similar event at Newmarket (6f, good) in April; respectable second in both Group 3 attempts since, in France; holds solid-looking claims back at this level.

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.50
Straight Forecast £15.95
Tricast £140.36
Trifecta £141.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Annaf

LAMBOURN:

Dark Trooper

NEWMARKET:

Pink Crystal

D Express:

Rumstar

TOPSPEED:

Vadream

POSTDATA:

Garrus

Telegraph:

Dark Trooper

Daily Mail:

Dark Trooper

Daily Mirror:

Dark Trooper

The Star:

Pink Crystal

RP RATINGS:

Annaf

The Times:

Annaf

The Guardian:

Annaf

The Sun:

Annaf

Daily Record:

Annaf