July 22 / 15.40 Newmarket (July)

15.40

Good

Lettergold Handicap

  • Prize money: £13500
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Lettergold Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 454223 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-2 over C&D and rarely runs a bad race, again giving his all when third of 15 at Sandown (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago (Indemnify and Maysong behind); remains on a career-high mark, but likely to run his race and his record here makes him worthy of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has won five times on the July Course here, including two this year; 0-9 on this track but latest fifth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire was highly creditable; another who can't be discounted.

11/1

4th

8

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has won five times on the July Course here, including two this year; 0-9 on this track but latest fifth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire was highly creditable; another who can't be discounted.

11/1

5th

23

(11)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Dutch Decoy

8st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

8yo who has run well in this race previously and won two in a row on the other Newmarket course in July; however, he's finished no better than fifth across his last five outings and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

33/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 050641 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Had dropped 9lb below his last winning mark when making all over C&D (good to soft) last month (handles fast ground too); an uncontested lead is far from certain here, but he remains favourably treated on previous form despite a 5lb rise so still has to make the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(21)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Hafeet Alain

9st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

9yo who looked as good as ever when making all with something to spare at Sandown (1m, good) in May on his sole run this season; however, he's never defied a mark this high and may be vulnerable in this hot contest.

28/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 176267 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Successful from 1lb lower on the Rowley Mile (1m, good to soft) in April and has run some fine races since, including when sixth of 29 in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last month; latest York effort can be forgiven (met plenty of trouble at a crucial stage) and return to 1m looks a positive; no headgear today, but still a major contender.
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

10/1

Form: 1-270

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Easily won his only start as a 2yo and ran well when runner-up on his Newmarket reappearance, but found the Dante a bit too warm the following month; not for the first time he pulled too hard when well held in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) last month, so the return to 1m could be a good move.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Liberty Lane

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently; a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; 2026 started in downbeat fashion (similar to last year) in Listed race and his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; this is also a new trip (unraced beyond an extended 1m2f) but he's bred to get it and has a chance on best form; ground the chief worry.

10/1

1

(4)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Liberty Lane

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Won the Cambridgeshire here (1m1f, soft) last autumn; also scored in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m2f, good) this May and respectable 2l fourth of six to Damysus in 1m1f course Group 3 (good to firm) three weeks ago; unlikely to be far away despite his 3lb penalty.

7/2

1

(4)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Liberty Lane

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Won the Cambridgeshire here (1m1f, soft) last autumn; also scored in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m2f, good) this May and respectable 2l fourth of six to Damysus in 1m1f course Group 3 (good to firm) three weeks ago; unlikely to be far away despite his 3lb penalty.

7/2

8/1

Form: 1-1310 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won his final start as a 2yo and two of his first three since returning, firstly on the Rowley Mile (1m, soft) in May and at Chester (7.6f, good) last month; only 12th of the 29 runners in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last time, but found himself in a difficult position before finishing well; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

8th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Saxon King

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charles Hills

In good form after returning in May including wins at Newmarket (1m, soft) and Chester (7.7f, good), but out of the frame in his last three starts; may not want the ground to dry out too much and probably needs further than this now in any case.

3/1

5th

9

(7)

26th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Saxon King

8st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charles Hills

Progressive against his own age group, winning two of his first three starts (1m, soft/about 7f, good) before having a troubled run in the Britannia at Royal Ascot; however, he wasn't the same horse at Newmarket in July and an easy 7f may be a bare minimum for him.

5/1

Form: 120-15 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo who won twice for Roger Varian, the latest on his Sandown reappearance (1m, good; first start since being gelded) in May; not beaten far into fifth of 15 on stable debut over the same C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago, but needs to find a bit more from the same mark; hood given a go; yard also runs Maysong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Sandown

Indemnify

10st 1lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Won a 1m handicap here (good ground) in May on his final start for Roger Varian and has shaped well back here (1m again) on two of his three subsequent starts for current yard; may need to get the breaks from the inside stall but he's one to be interested in from his mark and the drop to 7f shouldn't pose a problem for one who tends to race freely.

5/1

4th

6

(2)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:45 Sandown

Indemnify

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Below par at Newmarket last time but the hood adopted that day is now left off, and he'd previously run two good races in a row over this C&D, with a win and a good fifth of 15 (the latter on stable debut); not ruled out.

11/1

6th

5

(10)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket (July)

Indemnify

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Unexposed 4yo who won twice for Roger Varian, the latest on his Sandown reappearance (1m, good; first start since being gelded) in May; not beaten far into fifth of 15 on stable debut over the same C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago, but needs to find a bit more from the same mark; hood given a go; yard also runs Maysong.

8/1

7th
13 (5)
Maysong

14/1

Form: 360137 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Ended a 16-race losing run at Redcar (1m, soft) in April and added another success at Sandown (1m, good to firm) last month when just getting the better of Dutch Decoy; finished behind that rival and Indemnify over the same C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back.
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

20/1

Form: 10-009 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won twice last season, but didn't show much in two starts at Meydan earlier in year and finished around 7l behind Maysong and Dutch Decoy at Sandown (1m, good to firm) last month; cheekpieces return but plenty more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

20/1

Form: 49-765

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two and highly tried after making a winning debut at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in April last year; only just beaten on his handicap debut over C&D (good to firm) last summer, but comfortably held since (in a tongue-tie the last twice) despite sliding down the weights; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:25 Nottingham

Bass Player

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Ended 2025 with two good runs but he has been well short of that level in two runs this year, a wind op before the latest making no difference; tongue tie returns; risky despite his reduced mark.

20/1

11th

9

(8)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

19:45 Ripon

Bass Player

8st 11lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

First win was on turf (7f) and last two have been on Tapeta (8.6f); reached the frame in two starts at Wolverhampton in December but he had a major blip there the following month; had another wind operation since and needs a major revival after four months off.

12/1

10th
11 (2)
Havana Blue

9/2

Form: 3-2811 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Bids for a hat-trick after wins on the Rowley Mile (7f, good) in May and this track (7f, good) last month; on the upgrade so 6lb higher mark not beyond reach, but his pedigree does raise doubts over the suitability of the extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(8)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Havana Blue

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

C&D winner; back from five months off with respectable sixth of ten in 7f Haydock handicap three weeks ago; can build on it from an easing mark.

11/1

6th

7

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 4

16:15 Haydock

Havana Blue

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Struggled last summer but underwent wind surgery in September and he ended 2025 with two solid AW runs; returns from a five-month break in a competitive race.

16/1

5th

7

(4)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Havana Blue

9st 6lb

J: John Fahy

T: Julie Camacho

Has dropped to a handy mark, but modest in three starts since a promising return from nine months off in June, including when last of 12 on AW debut at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) in September; has since had a third wind operation; enough to prove.

25/1

10/1

Form: 1-1211 D

Last run: 133 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner on dirt at Jebel Ali (1m/1m1f) in the winter, his only other success coming at Chelmsford (7f, AW) as a 2yo; well beaten in his only encounter with turf (at Meydan) and hard to assess, though his overall record does suggest this first start in 133 days may be needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

8/1

Form: 23-220 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Two wins over 7f last summer (including one here) and started off the year with two commendable silver medals at Meydan (1m1f/1m2f), but beaten a very long way when last of the 29 runners in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last month; has plenty to prove after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(1)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket (July)

One Nation

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Two wins over 7f last summer (including one here) and started off the year with two commendable silver medals at Meydan (1m1f/1m2f), but beaten a very long way when last of the 29 runners in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last month; has plenty to prove after that.

8/1

2

(32)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

One Nation

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Sole handicap win came off 15lb lower and he was beaten in two small-field events last autumn before jetting off to Dubai, where he was runner-up in both his races (1m1f Listed and 1m2f conditions event); couldn't call him well handicapped; goes on all ground.

22/1

3rd

1

(2)

19th Oct 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newmarket

One Nation

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charlie Appleby

held up in rear but in touch with leaders, pushed along and headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

4/1

Non-runners

Bear Force One

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.50
Straight Forecast £36.41
Tricast £245.81
Trifecta £401.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Hafeet Alain

Telegraph:

Havana Blue

The Times:

Dutch Decoy

SPOTLIGHT:

Bopedro

RP RATINGS:

Saxon King

NEWMARKET:

Indemnify

POSTDATA:

Maysong

Daily Mirror:

Havana Blue

The Star:

Havana Blue

The Sun:

Dutch Decoy

D Express:

Bopedro

The Guardian:

Hafeet Alain

Daily Mail:

Hafeet Alain

Daily Record:

Hafeet Alain