April 23 / 14.45 Epsom

14.45

Good

Betfred Blue Riband Trial (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £28355
  • 1m 2f 17y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred Blue Riband Trial (Listed Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.10
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 5241-

Last run: 208 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Built upon his previous promise to win big-field Newmarket maiden (1m, good to firm) last September on his fourth start; this Sea The Stars colt is in good hands to continue to progress and could be suited by the step up in trip, but others have more substance to their form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bellum Justum

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Seemingly ring-rusty on Group 3 return at Newbury two weeks ago, the same story as in 2025 when he followed that race with a win at this meeting in a four-runner 1m4f Group 2 with first-time cheekpieces; they were kept for two modest efforts last June but have not been called on this season; this is his first handicap and he has a big chance if springing back to his best.

7/1

5th

4

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Bellum Justum

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Group 2 at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last May in first-time cheekpieces, which were kept for two modest efforts in June but not today; first run since a gelding operation in September; ring-rusty on his 2025 reappearance in this race and the market may reveal whether the same is expected this time.

12/1

9th

3

(9)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Bellum Justum

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Displayed improved form in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) when winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; flopped in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom subsequently but was reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground; he could be just the type of older horse his trainer excels with and he's not ruled out.

25/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 16-

Last run: 206 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Got up in final strides on debut at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last August before another creditable run when 4l sixth of nine in Group 2 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm); his dam is from a classy family and this Camelot colt could relish the step up in trip on today's reappearance; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Roger Varian

Unraced on soft; record of 0-7 since debut success but is heading back in the right direction, having posted form figures of 432 this term, latest effort in notable handicap at Hamilton (1m4f, good to firm); turn looks near.

11/4

1

(1)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

Defiance

9st 12lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who has returned this season having been gelded, keeping on well for fourth at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) and doing likewise when third of 18 at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good); this step back up in trip looks the right move and he's high on the list.

9/4

10

(17)

29th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Defiance

9st 1lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who was not seen last year after a Group 2 at Royal Ascot; 11-2 for handicap debut on Oaks day at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on reappearance, hanging left on the camber but making late headway into fourth of 13, up with his best form; has the same mark today and clear chance he can build on that performance.

4/1

Form: 2122-

Last run: 192 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won Leopardstown maiden (1m, good) last August and runner-up in Group races at the Curragh (1m, yielding to soft) and Newmarket (1m, soft) the next twice; he's a brother to 1m4f Royal Ascot winner Okita Soushi and there's plenty to like about his claims now up in trip on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(1)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

17:40 Ascot

Chief Little Rock

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Building up a useful CV and his comfortable all-the-way Group 3 win at the Curragh (1m2f, good/yielding) last month was a personal best; galloped on strongly that day and should stay this extra 2f; another plausible candidate for Aidan O'Brien.

9/1

1st

1

(7)

26th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Chief Little Rock

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

made virtually all, clear before halfway, ridden under 2f out, pushed out, comfortably

4/1

1st

1

(7)

26th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Chief Little Rock

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

made virtually all, clear before halfway, ridden under 2f out, pushed out, comfortably

4/1

3/1

Form: 126- BF

Last run: 192 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in Group 3 at Newmarket last October when last seen, but soft ground may not have suited on that final run for Andrew Balding; before that he was a Listed runner-up at Salisbury (1m, good) behind a winner who followed up in a Group 3, and his dam was a 1m2f Canadian Grade 1 winner so there's optimism regarding this trip; interesting contender on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(16)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Arabic Legend

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, disputed lead

10/1

2nd

1

(8)

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Arabic Legend

9st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

prominent, led after 1f, clear when ridden under 2f out, headed but kept on inside final furlong, no match for winner

5/1

Form: 11-

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won by a head on debut at Newbury (7f, heavy) last September and followed up by a nose in Newmarket novice (1m, soft) in October; goes up in grade and others have better form but his dam was a Listed-placed 1m4f winner and he could have plenty more left in the tank, especially now up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(6)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 179y

Class 3

17:02 Leicester

Feigning Madness

10st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Lightly raced since winning both races at two; ran okay in two Group 3s to start this season but has struggled to land a blow in 2m4f/1m6f handicaps the last twice; in calmer waters here but with a bit to prove.

10/1

8th

9

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Feigning Madness

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

4yo who has had only seven races and acts on any going; fourth in 1m4f Group 3 at Newbury on reappearance hinted he may have staying potential; although running creditably, his subsequent 2m Group 3 and 2m4f Royal Ascot handicap didn't really prove his stamina and he now has his first go at 1m6f; whatever his ideal trip may be, he needs some improvement.

12/1

11th

6

(14)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Feigning Madness

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

4yo who has had only six races; keeping on for fourth over 1m4f at Newbury (good) on 2025 reappearance hinted he may have staying potential; that wasn't confirmed over 2m here (good to firm) later in April, in his third Group 3, but that was a slowly run race and this is his first handicap.

28/1

Form: 343-

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All three starts were on AW towards end of last year; displayed ability in defeat each time, finishing third on stable debut at Wolverhampton (8.6f) when last seen, and the step up in trip may be a plus for this half-brother to a 1m4f/1m6f winner, but bundles of improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(2)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

14:25 Chester

Bur Dubai

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

made all, travelled strongly, increased tempo over 3f out, shaken up and went clear home turn, went further clear over 1f out, unchallenged

11/4

3rd

2

(6)

6th Jun 2024

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:55 Hamilton

Bur Dubai

9st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

in touch with leaders, went second after 2f, lost second inside final furlong, soon no extra

3/1

2nd

5

(3)

1st May 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Bur Dubai

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Broadly similar efforts in a trio of 1m maidens on synthetics last backend, and remains to be seen whether the RPR of 90 for last week's 5l sixth of six in a slowly run Blue Riband Trial (good) flatters him; winning exploits of one half-sibling at 1m4f and beyond offer encouragement.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £86.00
Straight Forecast £84.53
Trifecta £175.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Chief Little Rock

NEWMARKET:

Defiance

Daily Mail:

Feigning Madness

SPOTLIGHT:

Arabic Legend

Telegraph:

Bellum Justum

The Star:

Feigning Madness

The Times:

Defiance

Daily Mirror:

Defiance

TOPSPEED:

Chief Little Rock

POSTDATA:

Chief Little Rock

The Guardian:

Chief Little Rock

Daily Record:

Chief Little Rock

D Express:

Arabic Legend