October 22 / 14.25 Newbury

14.25

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes (Registered As The St Simon Stakes) (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £39697
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes (Registered As The St Simon Stakes) (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.70
  • Place: £4.00

Form: -15607 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Second in this race last year (soft); C&D Group 3 win (good) in April is very much his highlight this season and his good record at Newbury was dented with a heavy defeat last time; has his work cut out even on best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

26th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

raced in second

10/1

9th

7

(9)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent

20/1

9th

7

(9)

20th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Max Vega

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent

20/1

4/6

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 47-121 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced in recent seasons but he's hit new heights this term with his ready win in the Ormonde at Chester in May, excellent second in the Irish St Leger and smooth win in 1m4f Group 3 at Ascot three weeks ago; kept to softer than good for over three years now when on turf; strong candidate again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Hamish

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, one over C&D; beaten a head in this race on heavy going in 2022; produced a rather disappointing show in Ascot Group 3 three weeks ago but had Listed wins over Military Academy and Mount Atlas earlier this term and holds a major chance if returning to form.

7/2

2

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Hamish

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including this race in 2022; also won 1m4f Listed races on last three outings, including in a good scrap involving Military Academy at Goodwood in June and when that rival disappointed at Chester three weeks ago; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good; back up to Group 3 but with leading form claims again and a tremendous attitude.

7/4

1

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Hamish

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s over 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including two Ormondes over the extended 1m5f here; also won 1m4f Listed races at the Curragh (yielding) last November and Goodwood (soft; by a neck from Military Academy at level weights) this June, which were his last two outings; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good, so rain may be needed.

10/11

14/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 120285

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Unraced on softer than good; went very close in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) three starts back, hanging left near the finish but registering far and away his best form; wore first-time visor that day (kept next time) and cheekpieces latest (kept today); has his quirks and has now been gelded; even that peak form may not be good enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 2

14:05 Newbury

Grand Alliance

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has usually run in Group events, winning a Group 3 here (1m4f, soft) on 2023 reappearance; second in Group 2 at Deauville (upped to 1m7f, very soft) last August but no show in 1m6f handicap at Haydock (14-1) two weeks ago on his only start since, after which he seems best watched.

20/1

14th

1

(6)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Grand Alliance

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Fellowes

Last nine races were Group events; career best winning a Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f, soft) on 2023 reappearance and second in Group 2 at Deauville (upped to 1m7f, very soft) last August was a major revival; absent since and needs to return at his peak but he's not fully exposed as a stayer.

10/1

4th

3

(1)

13th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Grand Alliance

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charlie Fellowes

Quirky sort whose best effort came with clearcut Group 3 win at Newbury (1m4f, soft) in April, despite again hanging badly left in latter stages; no show in Group 2 at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm; ran well with the same conditions there one year earlier) on his only run since; Ryan Moore rides him for the first time; major work to do even on best form.

12/1

40/1

Form: 61-453 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to soft, unraced on soft; finished well to win Listed race at Bath (1m6f) last October; ran well on first two starts this term, with five months off in between, and the second of those was a competitive C&D handicap; did not get run of the race in a Listed event 12 days ago but compensation in this company looks a stiff task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

22nd Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Goolwa

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and stayed on from 2f out, never on terms

40/1

3rd

3

(11)

10th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Goolwa

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

raced in last, headway from 4f out, ridden but not clear run under 3f out, still plenty to do 2f out, kept on well and went third final 110yds, did well in the circumstances

10/1

5th

5

(3)

16th Sep 2022

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Newbury

Goolwa

9st 11lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

midfield, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous

11/1

12/1

Form: 037326 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Usually held up in rear; won this race in 2020; he's now a 9yo and would have a much better chance on last year's form, despite his close third in 1m6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood (his 2022 peak, five starts ago) and some other minor honours; sixth to Hamish at Ascot on same terms last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Euchen Glen

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

11yo who has won just once since 2021 but that came at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) this June; has run well several times this year, including when fourth of 13 at York (1m2f, soft) a fortnight ago, and might not be far away.

20/1

4th

5

(6)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Euchen Glen

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

11yo now but he's had a few bright moments this season, including second of eight to Kihavah at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; his sixth of 20 in the John Smith's Cup over C&D in July shows he's still effective over shorter trips.

20/1

2nd

3

(5)

21st Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:15 Ayr

Euchen Glen

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

in touch with leaders against rail, going okay 3f out, keeping on and went second over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, no match for winner

6/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 085163 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to soft (unraced on soft) and scored on heavy as 3yo; won a 1m4f Group 3 last term and 1m2f Listed race this July; not the most consistent but he ran creditably from the front last time and has one of the best form chances if he's on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 125-35

Last run: 111 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; caught close home in last year's Irish Derby but then wasn't seen again in 2021 after injuring himself in the King George; both starts this term (May and July) have been way below last season's level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(2)

3rd Nov 2023

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newmarket

Lone Eagle

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Went close in the 2021 Irish Derby; not so good since and soundly beaten in this race last year on his sole run on heavy going; second to Hamish at Chester (1m5f, soft) in May is clearly the best of his five runs for new yard this season; his next two runs were admittedly Group 1s but Chester Listed race last time gives him lots to find.

10/1

3rd

1

(6)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

15:20 Chester

Lone Eagle

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Went close in the 2021 Irish Derby for previous yard; not so good since but second of six in the 1m5f Group 3 Ormonde here (soft) in May was clearly his best result this term; tried 2m4f in the Gold Cup at Ascot next time and 2m in the Goodwood Cup on latest; good form chance.

3/1

Form: 4-1583

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; tried coming from the back when upped to 2m on last two outings and his bold show in a five-runner Listed race at Newmarket last time was his best Flat form, registered despite looking stretched by the trip; even if return to 1m4f suits, however, he has lots to find in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(7)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

9st 11lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Very much enjoyed the run of the race when making all over 1m6f here 13 days ago; may not have the same luxury this time, but is just 3lb higher and remains unexposed in staying handicaps on the AW.

11/4

1st

2

(2)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

14:14 Southwell (AW)

Skycutter

10st 0lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, he's run well to finish third at Southwell (1m4f) and Wolverhampton (1m6f) in last two starts; should go well again and he could be a big factor if he gets a good pace.

9/2

3rd

5

(7)

3rd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Skycutter

9st 9lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Useful jumper; 25lb higher when joining this yard and, after five defeats at big prices, the money came for him at Southwell 17 days ago (1m4f); fared better in third on that occasion and he's handicapped to go well.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.00
Straight Forecast £37.52
Tricast £289.17
Trifecta £380.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hamish

The Star:

Lone Eagle

RP Ratings:

Hamish

TOPSPEED:

Hamish

POSTDATA:

Hamish

NEWMARKET:

Hamish

The Times:

Hamish

Telegraph:

Hamish

The Guardian:

Hamish

Daily Mail:

Hamish

D Express:

Hamish

Daily Mirror:

Hamish

The Sun:

Hamish

Daily Record:

Hamish