June 18 / 16.45 Ascot

16.45

Good To Firm

King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £390093.91
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 17 runners
ITV
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King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1st
8 (17)
Asfoora

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 9-2044 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Four Group wins at about 5f in Australia where she more than held her own in top company; showed bright speed for a long way when fourth to Kerdos in a recent Group 2 at Haydock, where soft ground was probably more testing than the same official surface she won on in her home country; a likely improver since that first British run and, given the fine Australian record with sprinters at this meeting, she could ruffle local feathers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(5)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Asfoora

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Lemos De Souza

Carries a 5lb penalty today and she was down the field on her comeback at Newmarket three weeks ago; however, she may have needed that run and is entitled to respect having won two 5f Group 1s last season, namely the Nunthorpe at York (good to firm) and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp (very soft).

6/1

10th

1

(11)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Asfoora

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Lemos De Souza

Superb Australian 7yo who has had a career to be proud of, with multiple wins in home country and Europe, laying down the law in the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot in 2024 and adding further top-level wins in the Nunthorpe (good to firm) at York and the Abbaye (very soft) at Longchamp in 2025; has stayed in Britain over the winter but connections expect her to improve for the run and that the stiff uphill finish will test her.

5/1

7th

9

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Asfoora

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Henry Dwyer

Top-class Australian mare, highly durable, winner of 11 of her 27 races; landed the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot last year; could only dead-heat for fifth in this season's edition and was well below best at Goodwood (She's Quality, second); returned to form with a vengeance when taking the Nunthorpe in emphatic; sets the standard; two wins on soft in 2023.

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.55

Form: 1151-2 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Often leads; suited by good and quicker ground; usually kept to flat tracks such as Haydock, where a 3-3 record includes the Group 1 Sprint Cup (6f); lacked the necessary pace when fifth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe over 5f at York in August but this more searching test on his first Ascot run offers hope that he can bridge the gap with the 5f specialists.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(9)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Regional

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Still capable of classy form, having been placed in the last two runnings of the 5f Group 1 at Royal Ascot; however, he's on a losing run, being 0-8 since landing the Sprint Cup at Haydock in 2023; getting on and returns to action as an 8yo.

14/1

3

(3)

30th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Beverley

Regional

9st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Has made into a high-class, dependable sprinter and he wasn't beaten far in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) in June; far from disgraced in another Group 1 at Deauville last time when the extended 6f possibly stretched his stamina; all his wins have come on good ground or firmer so rain could jeopardise his chance, but he's the one to beat on form in first-time blinkers.

13/8

8

(3)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Newbury

Regional

9st 9lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Group 1 win over 6f in 2023; fourth, behind a couple of reopposing rivals, in this race 12 months ago; two good runs this year (Meydan/Royal Ascot) and returning to 6f no bad thing; should be in the thick of it.

9/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.35

Form: 1011-1 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Mostly leads; handles all ground; had one off day as a 2yo, against the older sprinters at York, but otherwise carried all before him over 5f after his debut, his rivals not detaining him for long in the Windsor Castle here and he won two Group races before hanging on for a Grade 1 success in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; did all that was asked against inferior rivals on York comeback but now needs to prove his mettle back against all ages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(14)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Big Evs

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Tough-hearted sprinter; more than a match for most 5f sprinters, whatever the place or ground, although speed is his weapon and he found less than Asfoora in the King Charles III at Ascot in June before gaining his revenge at Goodwood, where Asfoora ran under a penalty; slight query about whether this is absolutely his track, having run poorly in this last year and been just workmanlike against lesser rivals on return; otherwise hard to fault.

9/2

1st

9

(7)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Big Evs

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Versatile ground-wise; very productive and speedy colt whose 2yo campaign culminated in Breeders' Cup win; defied top weight in Listed grade on reappearance, then creditable third in the Royal Ascot event won by Asfoora; this return to a sharper 5f looks ideal, indeed he made all in the Molecomb at this meeting 12 months ago; respected.

11/4

3rd

12

(6)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Ascot

Big Evs

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

Mostly leads; handles all ground; had one off day as a 2yo, against the older sprinters at York, but otherwise carried all before him over 5f after his debut, his rivals not detaining him for long in the Windsor Castle here and he won two Group races before hanging on for a Grade 1 success in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; did all that was asked against inferior rivals on York comeback but now needs to prove his mettle back against all ages.

7/2

Form: 130-91 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Very effective at 6f and her persevering close third to Regional in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in the autumn didn't suggest she was longing for a return to 5f; however she never gave her rider any anxiety when impressive in a 5f Listed race back at Haydock (good) ten days ago which opens some interesting doors, even though this will clearly take more winning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Believing

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

In foal to Frankel; sold to new owners for 3,000,000gns last December and broke her Group 1 duck with Meydan success (6f) on reappearance; didn't live up to market expectations returned to 5f at Royal Ascot, albeit not ideally drawn; normally consistent and made the frame in several top sprints prior to her Dubai performance; likely to rebound.

9/1

14

(1)

17th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Believing

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

Very reliable mare who stood a tough 2024 season with fortitude, regularly on the premises in the top sprints, including when fourth, having every chance, in this one (the first of two runs at the meeting); she achieved more when going down only narrowly from a poor draw in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) in August; sold for 3,000,000gns in December; returned to action with a Group 1 win at Meydan (6f) in April and she looks set for another big run at the top level.

9/2

2nd

13

(1)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Believing

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

raced far side, midfield, headway inside final furlong, went second inside final 110yds, ran on well towards finish

7/2

9/1

Form: 18-851 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Best handicap form when a tight second in the big 5f race (good to firm) here last year; came on a ton later, impressing with the way he extricated himself from cramped surroundings in a Listed Beverley race (good), then a close eighth in the Group 1 Abbaye; needed first two runs in 2024 but he set to work with a will when beating a top front-runner in a Haydock Group 2 (5f, soft) in May and this stiffer track can suit even better; trainer won this with the sire in 2016 and fields another progressive one today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:26 Naas

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Classy sprinter for Clive Cox and won a Listed and a Group 2 for that yard; decent run on debut for this yard at Dundalk before disappointing in Cork Listed race next time on soft; much better over C&D last time when a 2.75l sixth behind Mission Central.

14/1

6th

8

(1)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Naas

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Classy sprinter for Clive Cox and won a Listed and a Group 2 for that yard; decent run on debut for this stable at Dundalk in February, but behind a few of these when tailed off at Cork last time; needs to leave that well behind.

25/1

9th

4

(2)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:02 Cork

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Hasn't won since taking the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2024 when with Clive Cox; posted a reasonable debut run for this yard at Dundalk and this ground will suit but needs a return to his best to score.

16/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 9940-4 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has yet to win above handicap company but the full story is that he's run some terrific races against the best sprinters and has finished second and fourth in this race (good to firm and good) for the last two years, under Ryan Moore each time; optimistic to think he can win it at this stage but he could easily go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(8)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Twilight Calls

9st 1lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Richard Spencer

Losing run goes back nearly four years; no impact in sprint handicaps on turf at Meydan this year and makes a very belated AW debut on his return to Britain.

25/1

13

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Twilight Calls

9st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Spencer

Something of an enigma but his ability has never been in question; hasn't managed a win since April 2022 but he ran a cracker in the Stewards' Cup, coming home in fifth but doing best of the far-side group; failed to back it up behind Northern Ticker at York four weeks ago and risky, even with Warren Fentiman taking off a useful 5lb.

16/1

8

(11)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Twilight Calls

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Richard Spencer

Competitive in Group 1s in his prime; not the force of old but his mark has dropped and he was first in the far-side group when fifth to stablemate Two Tribes in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood last time; a long losing sequence is a concern but he'll be very dangerous if building on Goodwood.

12/1

33/1

Form: 466-72 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
A Listed success is the highest winning level she's achieved but she wasn't far away in Group 1s over 5f at York (good to firm) in August and Longchamp (good to soft) in October; needs an extra push for blinkers replacing cheekpieces to have a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

(3)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Makarova

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

raced far side, midfield, good headway over 1f out, ran on well and went third towards finish

20/1

7th

12

(9)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Makarova

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Walker

Creditable fourth of 16 in this race last year but she's finished behind a few of these rivals since, including at Royal Ascot and when third to Believing at the Curragh last month; will do well to be involved.

25/1

Form: 31-517 CD

Last run: 80 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Best form when winning the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in 2021 but this level has asked too much of him in Britain since and his latest domestic win came in a C&D Listed race (good) in October; hard pressed to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:35 Lingfield (AW)

Emaraaty Ana

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

High-class sprinter in his younger days, enjoying Group 1 success in the 2021 Sprint Cup at Haydock; had some strong form last year too and although he struggled in Dubai last month, getting dropped 7lb will help; this represents an easier assignment and he's one for the shortlist.

10/1

2nd

3

(3)

24th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Beverley

Emaraaty Ana

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Won a local Group 3 in Qatar (6f, good) in February on second start for this yard and returned to form with very close Listed third over C&D (good to firm) last month; unproven on slow ground; he'll be tough to beat if reproducing that latest form.

Evs

3rd

5

(7)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Beverley

Emaraaty Ana

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Jamie Osborne

Collected a big prize in Qatar (6f, good; local Group 3) in February on only his second outing for this stable, but hasn't repeated that form in two runs since returning to Britain and now has something to prove.

7/1

33/1

Form: 221-35 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Has won on good to firm but suited by slower than good and it was soft when he gave Big Evs some grief in a Group 3 at Goodwood in August, forcing that one to pull out the stops in order to hold on; sole win since came in a 6f Listed race at York in October and although the return to 5f shouldn't be a problem, the state of the going might be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Purosangue

9st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Robert Cowell

Made late headway from the rear over 5f at Pontefract on stable/seasonal debut; interesting back up in trip, despite still being on a long losing spell; remains attractively treated on plenty of form.

8/1

4th

3

(8)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

15:57 Pontefract

Purosangue

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Capable of useful form for Andrew Balding; close fourth when favourite for last year's Ayr Gold Cup; hasn't won since 2023 but looks interesting off current mark in this field on debut for new yard; remains with same owner; drops back to 5f for first time since good second (joint-best effort) in Sandown Group 3 in July 2024.

6/1

11

(7)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Purosangue

8st 12lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Andrew Balding

Only 2-20 and but knows what these big-field handicaps are all about and was bang there when favourite for the Ayr Gold Cup two weeks ago (6f, soft; first-time cheekpieces); things didn't go to plan when he tried 7f once before; possible.

14/1

20/1

Form: 4-1133 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Improved an already useful AW strike-rate with Listed wins at 6f and 5f in 2024 and it's baffling that he has yet to win on turf in 14 attempts, considering how well he's run in Group company (ground ranging from good to firm to good to soft) at home and abroad; a good run is not beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Diligent Harry

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Good strike-rate on AW includes a Listed sprint double at Lingfield this year; has lots of good form on turf, including very close third in this race two years ago and respectable fourth in Newmarket Group 3 last time; still a maiden (0-19) in this sphere, however.

20/1

4th

4

(14)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Diligent Harry

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Good strike-rate on AW includes a Listed sprint double at Lingfield this year, sharing the spoils with Completely Random on reappearance; similar to that rival, looks far from guaranteed to maintain the form back on turf; 0-18 in this sphere.

14/1

1st

1

(6)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 1

13:25 Lingfield (AW)

Diligent Harry

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Smart on turf but AW is his thing and he added another Listed win to his tally when dead-heating in the Kachy Stakes (6f) here three weeks ago; has a penalty to shoulder but that was also the case when he won the corresponding race in 2024 (run at Southwell); a lower draw would have been preferable but he looks set to go well again.

2/1

9/1

Form: 1115-6 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Found major improvement after being gelded and having a hood fitted, crowning 3yo season with a luckless fifth of 18 in the Group 1 Abbaye (5f, good to soft; effective on good to firm); since sold for £1,000,000; no serious threat when sixth behind Kerdos on reappearance at Haydock (5f, soft) in May but he can do a lot better on this less testing ground if none the worse for the hood being discarded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Rogue Lightning

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Globetrotting gelding whose last win came in Qatar (6f, good) in February 2025 when Washington Heights was second; has run respectably on his two outings this season, fourth in French Group 3 (5f, soft) on latest; should be thereabouts under optimum conditions.

11/2

9th

5

(10)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Rogue Lightning

9st 8lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tom Clover

Has shown very useful form on home soil and internationally, including a success in Qatar and close second in US Grade 2 this year; below par last time and faces a stiffer assignment on this return to British racing; gained last domestic win in 2023.

40/1

7th

8

(6)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rogue Lightning

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Acts on good to firm and good to soft; generally progressive 2023 campaign culminated in close fifth in the Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; best effort this term when second to Starlust at York last time; may resume his improvement with hood now reapplied (3-5 in this headgear); interesting.

20/1

12th
13 (16)
Kylian

50/1

Form: 1365-4 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly outclassed his rivals in a 5f Listed race at Sandown (good) last July but a strong-finishing third to Big Evs at Goodwood (5f, soft) next time was too little, too late; ended season with a lesser effort behind that rival at Doncaster and it was the same story, this time from the front, on debut for new yard at York in May; aiming high today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

15:53 Windsor

Kylian

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

Useful for previous yards; 0-4 this term for new stable but penultimate effort shows that he retains plenty of ability and today's assignment looks a touch easier than his latest one.

7/1

13th

3

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Kylian

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

6f German Listed win for Archie Watson last June and looked as good as ever when 1l third of 13 to Strike Red in recent Leicester handicap (good to firm), when back up to 6f on his third run for this yard; may not be far away.

16/1

3rd

4

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Kylian

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Robert Cowell

Listed winner (5f/6f) for his previous yards and he's run respectably in two 5f handicaps for his new trainer this spring; needs to find some extra spark but he's edging down the weights and this step back up in trip looks a good move.

14/1

Form: -37713 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Busy as 2yo with three wins to go with two close calls in Group races on AW and turf; hadn't looked an obvious improver for his 3yo season but he touched off Vadream when the 33-1 winner of a Group 3 at Newmarket (5f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in May; reality perhaps set in when third to Kerdos at Haydock (5f, soft) since and this asks a bigger question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Seven Questions

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Acts on any ground; on a losing spell that goes back to Group 3 success two years ago but is on a very attractive mark and his Class 2 form this term includes a couple of respectable efforts; this combination of a drop in grade and assistance of Jamie Spencer (up for first time; regular jockey for the owner) may be the time to catch him.

7/2

4th

9

(1)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Seven Questions

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Robert Cowell

Disappointing favourite at Ripon last time, taking record for current yard to 0-10, but his reappearance was encouraging and he has become very attractively handicapped; peak mark was 18lb higher and earned by bagging Group 3 honours at Newmarket two years ago; has the plum draw and can't be written off.

9/2

6th

1

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Seven Questions

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

Losing spell goes back to his Palace House success two years ago but he has a reduced mark to work with as a result and he ran well when third on his Pontefract reappearance (5f, good to soft) 18 days ago; player if he can build on that.

5/2

14/1

Form: 152-24 CD

Last run: 94 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
This C&D revealed hidden depths when he won the Group 2 Norfolk (good to firm) and he later did really well to be a close second to Big Evs in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, considering he had a much less favourable passage than the winner; has tried his luck unsuccessfully on turf and dirt in the US this year and it's hard to know whether he's in the shape to take a hand now back with former trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Valiant Force

9st 5lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent over 5f in February; has struggled since then, most recently last Sunday at Naas; out of his depth here.

50/1

9th

5

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:26 Naas

Valiant Force

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent a 4.25l win over 5f in February; well beaten at Lingfield, Newcastle and when 7.5l behind Keke in a 6f handicap here last time; others arrive in better form.

14/1

10th

1

(10)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

18:15 Naas

Valiant Force

10st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Sole win on turf in the 2023 Norfolk Stakes; has won five conditions races at Dundalk since, the most recent a 4.25l win over 5f in February; well beaten at Lingfield and Newcastle the last twice and others arrive in better form.

10/1

Form: 3116-1 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
US-trained when making most to win the Group 2 Queen Mary (5f, good) here last year; met her match in Big Evs and Valiant Force in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile but that was her first run for over four months, so the gap between them could be much less on this debut for the Gosdens following a US stakes win in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

11th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Crimson Advocate

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

5f performer when trained in USA; form figures of 0211 for current yard, most recently beating Cinderella's Dream in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m Group 2; good to firm) to record a second Royal Ascot win and show career-best form; may rate higher still over this trip; respected.

100/30

2

(6)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Crimson Advocate

9st 2lb

J: James McDonald

T: John & Thady Gosden

US trained when winning Group 2 Queen Mary as a 2yo and a stakes event at Gulfstream Park last May; found things tough in Group 1 at last year's Royal Ascot (5f) but she reappeared with a near-miss behind Soprano at Kempton in March before gaining a narrow verdict in another 1m Listed event at Goodwood (good); this is a much stiffer test but she's done well since being reinvented as a miler and should have more to offer at this trip.

16/1

1st

5

(9)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Goodwood

Crimson Advocate

9st 7lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

steadied start, soon switched right

7/2

50/1

Form: 57-328 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Acts well on this track, winning a Group 3 over 6f in 2021, and she ran near her best when a close second to Seven Questions at Newmarket (5f, good) in May; however she wasn't herself behind Kerdos at Haydock since, when soft ground was ideal, and this doesn't look her race.
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

33/1

Form: 0-0017 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Group 3 winner at Sandown (good) last July whose later third in a Group 1 at the Curragh was undermined by the main contenders leaving their best form at home; yet to have a spring in his step on this track and he needs to find one to have any chance; usually hooded but not today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(2)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:02 Southwell (AW)

Equality

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charles Hills

Smart sprinter on his day; built on his return from a 510-day absence when fourth of six at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in December but he was slightly below that level at Newcastle (5f, AW) 39 days ago; now has his usual hood removed.

11/1

4th

2

(1)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Equality

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

Smart sprinter on his day; absent for 510 days prior to his reappearance at Southwell in November; well beaten there but latest Wolverhampton fourth was a step back in the right direction; not discounted.

11/2

8th

4

(3)

6th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Equality

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

In and out overall, but on a going day when winning this race last year (good ground) in emphatic fashion; also won Musselburgh handicap off top weight in March and has had possible excuses since (usual hood left off last time); could bounce back with the excellent Billy Loughnane a positive booking.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.00
Straight Forecast £32.20
Tricast £104.09
Trifecta £152.00

Selections

Telegraph:

Big Evs

SPOTLIGHT:

Kerdos

NEWMARKET:

Rogue Lightning

RP RATINGS:

Asfoora

TOPSPEED:

Regional

POSTDATA:

Believing

Daily Mail:

Twilight Calls

D Express:

Big Evs

The Sun:

Big Evs

Daily Record:

Big Evs

Daily Mirror:

Kerdos

The Times:

Rogue Lightning

The Guardian:

Asfoora

The Star:

Regional