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
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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

13th

1

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Annaf

9st 12lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Appleby

Group 3 winner at Ascot (6f, soft) last October and he's versatile ground-wise; down to a dangerous mark but he hasn't been at the top of his game on his four runs this year, in handicaps on the last two occasions, and he needs to turn things around in a first-time tongue-tie and reapplied cheekpieces.

14/1

13th

1

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Annaf

9st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Successful in major handicap in 2023 and a few Group races since but balance of 2026 form suggests he's unlikely to defy top weight in this field.

14/1

6th

1

(12)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Annaf

9st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Ended last season with a game win in Group 3 at Ascot (6f, soft) in October; repeatedly met trouble when only seventh in Saudi Arabia (a race he'd won two years earlier) in February and things didn't really go his way again in a Listed race at Doncaster last month; has possibilities on this drop back in class and his last handicap win was off 1lb higher.

16/1

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

7

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

A tremendous campaigner over the years with two Stewards' Cups to his name; in and out this season and only twelfth in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago, but he has clear possibilities on his fast-finishing second to stablemate Northern Ticker over C&D in August; 1lb lower today.

16/1

8

(16)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Commanche Falls

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Two years since his last win but this dual Stewards' Cup winner is more realistically treated these days and he gave his younger stablemate Northern Ticker a race at York last month; not so good at Doncaster last week and he will do well to win this race in his fourth attempt (seventh in 2021, runner-up in 2022 and sixth last year).

16/1

3

(2)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Hasn't won for just over two years and whether the extra half-furlong suits remains to be seen, but he kept on well for a head second of 20 at York (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago and that performance bodes well for a prominent showing today; versatile ground-wise.

13/2

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

2nd

4

(13)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Juan Les Pins

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Ended a lengthy losing run at Newcastle in March and added to his tally with a Thirsk win last month (6f, good); better form when a close third in a Class 3 at Newbury three weeks ago and a 1lb rise is manageable; conditions won't be an issue having finished third in a Wokingham in his prime; high on the list.

11/2

3rd

16

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Newbury

Juan Les Pins

8st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

He had dropped a long way in the weights prior to popping up at Newcastle (5f) last month; ran well at Doncaster ten days later and back on the scoresheet with a Thirsk win last week (6f, good); won that apprentice race (no penalty today) last time with more authority than the winning margin might suggest but he is up in class today.

10/1

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

2nd

7

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Rumstar

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Acts on flat tracks but he comes into his own when tackling a stiff test at 5f, as when winning this race last year, taking C&D record to 2-2, and roaring home to win a Group 3 at Sandown (good to firm) in July; cheekpieces worn in October are discarded; yard in form; not to be underestimated.

5/1

6th

1

(10)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 34y

Class 1

13:30 Newbury

Rumstar

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Three-time winner at Group 3 level, two of them this year, including when defying a penalty at Sandown in July (5f, good to firm); ran a stormer when fifth in the Nunthorpe four weeks ago; versatile ground-wise and he should make another bold bid.

3/1

5th

5

(14)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Rumstar

10st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Can look good over 5f, as when winning either side of a winter break and, more recently, when outstaying She's Quality in a Group 3 at Sandown (good to firm) in July; however, he's had some wobbles too and his fifth to Arizona Blaze in a Group 2 at the Curragh last time was one of them; quite capable of a good show on his best form and has been supplemented.

14/1

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

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

8th

4

(12)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Jumby

9st 6lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

C&D winner who could only beat one home in this race when it was staged as a Class 2 last year; managed a handful of creditable efforts subsequently but it's hard to ignore his last win came back in June 2023 (7f Group 3); returns on reduced mark.

20/1

18

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Jumby

8st 9lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

He didn't get much luck last time at Newbury (7f, good to soft) off this much reduced mark; the type who could go well with Oliver Carmichael taking off 7lb, but confidence would be greater on faster ground.

25/1

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