April 29 / 15.05 Leicester

15.05

Soft

Madri Excepcional King Richard III Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 1m 0f 53y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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Madri Excepcional King Richard III Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 4271-5 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt who still has low mileage; ended last season with a ready win at Haydock (1m, heavy); beaten favourite in the Lincoln on reappearance, though wasn't entirely disgraced on form (finished fifth); remains open to further improvement; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Al Mubhir

9st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Smart at his best for William Haggas, winning a Listed race at Sandown (1m2f, good) in July 2024; campaigned solely in Australia in 2025 and well beaten on his last two starts; potentially well handicapped back in Britain for a new yard after wind surgery, but he carries obvious risks.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 3316-4

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Last three wins at 7f; respectable fourth over same trip at Redcar on seasonal debut, confirming that he's suited by soft ground; something to prove back up in trip (his 1m record isn't fully convincing).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(1)

25th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 4

16:43 Redcar

Wobwobwob

9st 5lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Six-time winner, notably the 2023 Ayr Silver Cup, but two years have passed since the last victory; retained ability in a mixed 2025 campaign and he should be sharper with a run under his belt; drying ground won't be in his favour here though.

12/1

12th

10

(2)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

15:57 Pontefract

Wobwobwob

8st 5lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

One of the oldest contenders in this field and has done his winning over 6f/7f, mostly on ground softer than good; could well be tapped for toe in this belated first attempt at the minimum trip.

20/1

1

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:30 Doncaster

Wobwobwob

10st 2lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Without a win since May 2024 but runner-up on three of his last four starts (6f/7f, good to soft/heavy) and his turn may well be near.

13/2

Form: 5-3431 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Scored comfortably at Redcar (1m, soft) last week, building on his close third in the Spring Mile; in great form and should remain at the top of his game (consistent sort); back on career-high mark but receives weight all round; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(13)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Maysong

9st 4lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Last run at Kempton saw him finish a close second off a 15lb higher mark and that was as recent as March; likely to exploit his drop in the weights at some point but perhaps in a less competitive race than this.

12/1

6th

6

(7)

19th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 3y

Class 5

17:00 Yarmouth

Maysong

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Has looked on the downgrade in recent times, coming 16lb down the weights this year; hasn't looked to see out 1m2f the past twice, though, and a better showing wouldn't surprise back in the usual cheekpieces.

20/1

5th

5

(4)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Newmarket (July)

Maysong

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alice Haynes

Usually seen over 1m and a return to 1m2f ten days ago did not yield anything; 12lb lower than at start of the year but others have more pressing claims.

12/1

Form: 37/49- D

Last run: 150 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Seen only twice last year, both times on AW in the autumn, and his form dipped the second time; useful on his day and returns to turf off a competitive mark; thereabouts if running to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

Form: /0700- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
C&D winner off this mark in 2020 and landed the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot in 2021; however, badly lost his form and developed a habit of starting slowly last season; needs to stage a big turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Ascot

Dashing Roger

9st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: William Stone

C&D winner (good to soft) just over four years ago; on a losing run since going back-to-back at Nottingham and Newmarket (both heavy at around 1m) in the autumn of 2023 and recent efforts are not enough to tempt despite this falling mark.

16/1

6th

8

(8)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:38 Newmarket (July)

Dashing Roger

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: William Stone

Continues to drop down the weights but this 8yo struggled in the main last season and it was the same story on last month's reappearance; needs to turn things around.

33/1

Form: 2-0426 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 8st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on AW since late 2021, best finishing position this year when second at Southwell (1m) on penultimate start; effective on turf in the past but hasn't won in this sphere since 2019.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(4)

15th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 0lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Herrington

in touch with leaders, in rear after 2f

20/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

8th

1

(8)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Alexander James

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

dwelt start

6/1

Form: 302-81 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Not far behind Al Mubhir in the Lincoln; evidently suited by the removal of usual headgear at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) last week, recording his first success since joining this yard; acts on heavy; enters calculations despite going back up 6lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

10yo who won this in 2023; frequently runs well in quality handicaps and he's 5lb lower than when a cracking third in the Royal Hunt Cup last June; scratched from the Lincoln when running a temperature on his intended comeback last month and he tends to improve for a run these days; also winless since 2023.

15/2

11th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who has drawn a blank since winning on the July Course in summer 2023 and needs everything to drop right but he often runs extremely well in defeat, including when third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June; another respectable effort when sixth of 20 in Balmoral at Ascot (1m, good) a fortnight ago; not discounted in this slightly easier race.

6/1

Form: 92-231 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

(11)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Notre Belle Bete

9st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Beaten favourite in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 1lb higher; only seen twice this year, looking to retain all his ability in useful turf races; can go well fresh; not ruled out.

10/1

14th

2

(11)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Notre Belle Bete

9st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Beaten favourite in the corresponding race 12 months ago when rated 1lb higher; only seen twice this year, looking to retain all his ability in useful turf races; can go well fresh; not ruled out.

10/1

5th

12

(6)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

18:40 Ascot

Notre Belle Bete

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Four-time AW winner; has comparable form on turf but he took his record in this sphere to 0-17 when a creditable fourth of 15 in Epsom handicap (8.5f; good to soft) on reappearance 18 days ago; cheekpieces back on; it's unlikely that a first success on the grass will arrive now.

33/1

Non-runners

Notre Belle Bete

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.30
Straight Forecast £9.09
Tricast £30.31
Trifecta £34.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Mubhir

TOPSPEED:

Wobwobwob

Daily Mirror:

Aerion Power

POSTDATA:

Maysong

RP Ratings:

Al Mubhir

NEWMARKET:

Al Mubhir

The Times:

Al Mubhir

Telegraph:

Al Mubhir

Daily Mail:

Al Mubhir

D Express:

Al Mubhir

The Sun:

Al Mubhir

Daily Record:

Al Mubhir

The Guardian:

Wobwobwob

The Star:

Wobwobwob