July 13 / 14.20 Ascot

14.20

Soft

Anne Cowley Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £79394
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Anne Cowley Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 11-1 C

Last run: 73 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two; won both his novices last season and confirmed himself a colt of immense promise when getting up late in the day in a C&D Listed race in early May (good to soft); that form looks all the stronger now with the two he beat filling the frame behind Charyn in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot; with further progress likely, he makes considerable appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Quddwah

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won the Group 2 Summer Mile (good) on the round course here last term and he's bagged Listed and Group 3 races in France this season (1m, soft); went very close in Longchamp Group 2 (1m, very soft) a fortnight ago; however, his Group 1 form-figures read 4506 and others are preferred.

66/1

10th

9

(7)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Quddwah

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Dual winner over 1m at Ascot (Listed and Group 2); made all at Longchamp (Listed) on seasonal debut, taking record to 5-7; the two defeats came at the top level last term, running creditably in the Marois then below par in soft-ground QEII; has something to find in this field but may still rate higher, being lightly raced and well bred (both parents won Group 1 races).

25/1

16/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 3114-0 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo who won his first two starts for this yard last year, a 1m2f Glorious Goodwood handicap (good to soft) and a Grade 3 on firm ground in America; had a penalty when reappearing in the Wolferton here last month but never gave himself a hope by going off too fast; wouldn't be a lost cause if returning to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Ancient Rome

10st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Charles Hills

He's fully 7lb lower than when a close third at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) last July but was soundly beaten on his final three outings last season and it's been the same story on his two starts this term.

33/1

7th

3

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Ancient Rome

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Often held up in rear, so he saw very little daylight when 50-1 off career-low mark in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April; dropped another 2lb since but he last won in September 2023 and failed to make an impact in all but one of his races in 2025, so does not look the percentage call.

12/1

6/1

Form: 214-55 D BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two but did well at three, dead-heating in a Group 3 at Salisbury (1m, good) before finishing fourth in a French Group 2 (1m, good to soft); may have needed his comeback race and a combination of Epsom's gradients and the first-time hood were feasible excuses when performing below expectations in the Diomed; should have a bigger run in him but he'll need to settle (often keen).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

28th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:12 Pontefract

Embesto

9st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Shared the spoils in Salisbury Group 3 during his first season last year; good third in Group 2 event at Ascot (1m, good) most recently, showing he's back in top form; commands respect.

13/8

3rd

4

(7)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Embesto

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

taken down early, took keen hold, prominent, led 2f out, headed over 1f out

6/1

5th

2

(7)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Embesto

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Dead-heated in Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury (1m, good) last August and good fourth in French Group 2 next time (1m, good to soft); below-par fifth at Newmarket on reappearance but may have needed the run and a first-time hood could help this headstrong sort settle better; remains lightly raced and this 4yo could still have more to offer; one to be interested in.

7/2

12/1

Form: -21512 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Did well to win a couple of races in Dubai earlier this year (1m1f/1m handicaps) and he was best of the rest behind runaway winner Royal Scotsman in the Group 3 Diomed at Epsom (extended 1m, good to soft) on last month's return to Britain; wouldn't put a line through him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Royal Dubai

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Left the Bottis after penultimate start; only second race over as far as 1m2f when straight back to his best in five-runner Listed race at Newbury (good to firm) three weeks ago, asserting in the final 1f; needs to find a bit extra in this company but that was a cracking start for his new stable.

100/30

1st

7

(7)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Peak efforts were in June/July last year, including when second in the 8.5f Group 3 Diomed at Epsom, a race in which he underperformed on latest outing; left the Bottis since; has only once raced over this far (2023, bit below form) and balance of form suggests this will be a tough task.

20/1

7

(4)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:35 Epsom

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marco Botti

Finished behind Docklands at Ascot last time but, unlike that rival, already has Epsom form having finished second in this race 12 months ago (good to soft; one of his best efforts); still seeking first Group win but has each-way claims back in the Diomed.

12/1

18/1

Form: 121-20 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bought for 340,000euros last October after winning three times in France (1m/1m1f); fitted with cheekpieces since moving yards and was clear of the rest when pipped in a handicap at Epsom's Derby meeting before performing a long way below expectations in the Royal Hunt Cup; faster ground could have been a factor in that failure and he may yet have a career best lurking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Beshtani

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Three French wins (1m/1m1f) in 2023; smart form over about 1m in two of his runs last year for new connections but not seen since a modest display last September; a leading contender if he returns at the top of his game.

12/1

8th

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Beshtani

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Three French wins (1m/1m1f) in 2023; smart form over about 1m in two of his runs last year for new connections but not seen since a modest display last September; a leading contender if he returns at the top of his game.

12/1

7th

1

(6)

18th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:23 Sandown

Beshtani

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Recruited for 340,000euros last October after winning three times in France (1m/1m1f); only blip this season came on ground too fast at Royal Ascot, either side of which he was pipped in a handicap at Epsom's Derby meeting and finished a highly commendable fifth (beaten under 2l) in a 1m Group 2 at Ascot won by the Jacques Le Marois fourth Quddwah; cheekpieces applied in Britain are now joined by tongue-tie; player.

3/1

Form: 426-12 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Has returned in career-best form, winning a 1m good-ground handicap at Newbury before finishing runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup here for a second successive season; might well have won this year's race with a more straightforward run through and new BHA mark elevates him to pole position in this Group 2; very solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Goodwood

Sonny Liston

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Acts on soft and good to firm; has the makings of a Group performer judged on his smart handicap form this term, notably close second off top weight in the Royal Hunt Cup; prominent for a long way in the Sussex Stakes over C&D most recently, fading only inside the final furlong; major player back down in class.

7/2

5th

3

(5)

31st Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Sonny Liston

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

pressed leader

20/1

6th

8

(5)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Sonny Liston

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

held up in rear, some headway 2f out, no extra from 1f out

3/1

OUR TIP

11/1

Form: 00-114

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced; made pretty much all for this season's 1m2f handicap wins at Pontefract (soft) and Epsom (good to soft); ridden with a little more patience when beaten just under 6l on his promotion to Group 3 level at the Curragh; expect a more positive ride this afternoon returned to 1m and he might not go down without a fight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(9)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Bolster

9st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Four wins in 2024 included this race on good to soft, with the other three on soft; performed near his best only a couple of times last season, which has been followed by gelding and wind operations; also now wears first-time headgear; some warning signals and he's not slipped far in the weights.

12/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

Non-runners

Epictetus, Sparks Fly

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.50
Straight Forecast £25.38
Tricast £141.44
Trifecta £171.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Quddwah

RP RATINGS:

Sonny Liston

TOPSPEED:

Sparks Fly

Telegraph:

Royal Dubai

NEWMARKET:

Quddwah

The Times:

Quddwah

Daily Mail:

Quddwah

D Express:

Quddwah

The Sun:

Quddwah

The Star:

Quddwah

Daily Record:

Quddwah

POSTDATA:

Sonny Liston

The Guardian:

Sonny Liston

Daily Mirror:

Sonny Liston