July 13 / 15.45 York

15.45

Good To Soft

John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 1m 5f 188y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 17-634

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Unable to threaten in two Group 3 races this spring and the same in 1m6f handicap at Royal Ascot, but he gradually worked his way into a creditable fourth of 16 in the latter; no ground worries but he has a bit to find with most of these on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:17 Bangor-on-Dee

Alsakib

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very smart Flat horse for Andrew Balding; had wind surgery after his one blip over hurdles and then won at Musselburgh despite a slipping saddle (2m1f, good to soft); carries a penalty but looks a major player.

5/2

1st

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Alsakib

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat in 2024; promising second on hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December; took backwards step at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in January but has had wind surgery since and he's a key player if back on song; versatile ground-wise.

2/1

4th

4

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

13:17 Catterick

Alsakib

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding in July 2024; promising second on last month's hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) and this step up in trip may well be a positive; he's one to consider.

5/2

OUR TIP
2nd
1 (5)
Al Qareem

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 12-245 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; equalled his career-best form when pipped on reappearance and, having underperformed in the Yorkshire Cup here, he ran respectably in France on latest outing; peak efforts at about 1m4f but he has won over 1m7f; a leading contender if he's at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Al Qareem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Justified favouritism in Listed grade at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on seasonal debut, making it five wins from his last nine starts and taking overall record to 13-36; Chester record reads 112, most recently running creditably in this race 12 months ago; again likely to give his running.

9/1

1st

1

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-runner who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins; the four last season (April-October) included career-best form; unraced here; has never won first time out but he has run creditably and is the clear form pick.

4/5

1

(5)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Al Qareem

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-running 6yo who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins now to his credit, including three of his four starts at Ascot; latest was over 1m4f two weeks ago, with three 1m6f wins earlier this season; he's never been at his best over this far, admittedly with stiff tasks but it's hard to ignore that Trawlerman gave him 3lb and a comprehensive beating at York in August.

12/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.40

Form: 120-87 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Very productive and progressive for two and a half years before tailing off in Ascot Gold Cup last June on final 6yo start; two handicaps this year don't suggest he's about to strike.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February and posted a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month; must enter calculations in refitted cheekpieces.

3/1

3rd

1

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Wise Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Adam Nicol

Won this prize in 2023 and had a fruitful Flat/hurdles campaign last winter before his close fourth in this; while he did not make an impact in either of his Flat runs this winter, latest hurdles form was his best in that sphere; 8lb lower than the 2025 renewal and a case can certainly be made.

13/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Runner-up here (2m, soft) last February and back on song when third at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on an attractive mark judged on his very useful Flat form, but he needs to raise his game if he's to take this.

12/1

7/2

Form: 27-362

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Seems to need ground softer than good; finished upsides Al Qareem in Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f) and stayed on well when back-to-form, short-head second to Klondike at levels in Listed race here (1m6f); firmly in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(9)

2nd Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

19:15 Gowran Park

Salt Bay

9st 5lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

100/30

7th

7

(9)

2nd Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

19:15 Gowran Park

Salt Bay

9st 5lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

100/30

7th

13

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 150y

13:40 Navan

Salt Bay

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

in touch with leaders, weakened gradually from 2 out

11/4

10/1

Form: 0133-0 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
The ground was good to firm when fifth in the 2022 Ascot Gold Cup but he's been a far more potent force when the mud is flying; close third in the Cesarewitch on penultimate start last term; needs to leave his Northumberland Plate reappearance run way behind him but perhaps AW provides an excuse; whether good to soft is testing enough poses a question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:32 Ayr

Tashkhan

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

A very useful four-time winner on the Flat, he got off to a winning start over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; stayed on well to snatch third up in trip in a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; holds obvious credentials back down in grade.

2/1

Form: 247-41 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
4yo who has had just six races; reappeared with a rallying fourth in handicap here (1m4f, good) and improved one month later when making all in five-runner Listed race back at York (good to soft) on the step up to 1m6f; held on in the latter by just a short head from Salt Bay at level weights but probably has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(4)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:00 Leopardstown

Klondike

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

towards rear, still plenty to do 1f out, ran on well final 110yds, not reach leaders

5/2

6th

5

(1)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Klondike

9st 0lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: William Haggas

disputed lead early, prominent after 1f

3/1

1st

2

(1)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Klondike

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: William Haggas

Won 1m3f maiden (soft) on debut last April; improved form in defeat in Listed race and 1m5f Group 3 on next two starts, before a lesser show in Group 3 last August; given wind surgery three days later and reappeared with creditable fourth of 13 in handicap here (1m4f, good) one month ago; has a bit to find but today's longer trip can suit and this lightly raced 4yo remains open to progress.

3/1

Form: 94-443 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Has raced mostly on good/firmer; won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York in an excellent 3yo campaign but has failed to hit the same heights since and this year's form does not look good enough, flattering to deceive 2f out in 1m4f Listed race on latest outing; needs a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(4)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Deauville Legend

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

held up in rear

14/1

3rd

5

(2)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Deauville Legend

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: James Ferguson

in rear

12/1

4th

2

(3)

9th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

17:05 Goodwood

Deauville Legend

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

Raced mostly on good/firmer; solid 2022 campaign featured a C&D second, Great Voltigeur win and fourth in the Melbourne Cup; unable to repeat that form during a light 2023 season and below-form fourth in Group 3 at Chester with first-time blinkers on 2024 reappearance; sights are lowered.

3/1

Form: 262-56 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
3yo wins came in a handicap (here) and Listed race and he's not quite cracked it at Group level; not disgraced on reappearance when the run may have been needed, but he ran a shocker in another Group 3 (2m but not beaten by the trip) in May; stays 1m6f well; a leading player on peak form and his stable did well at Newmarket yesterday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Chesspiece

9st 0lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

prominent early, in touch with leaders after 1f, smooth headway and went second 6f out

10/1

6th

6

(2)

23rd May 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

19:07 Sandown

Chesspiece

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

disputed lead, prominent after 2f, lost ground over 3f out, weakened and eased 2f out

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.70
Straight Forecast £25.88
Tricast £903.88
Trifecta £928.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Klondike

D Express:

Salt Bay

POSTDATA:

Al Qareem

TOPSPEED:

Tashkhan

RP RATINGS:

Chesspiece

Daily Mirror:

Salt Bay

Daily Record:

Salt Bay

NEWMARKET:

Klondike

Telegraph:

Klondike

Daily Mail:

Klondike

The Sun:

Klondike

The Star:

Klondike

The Guardian:

Al Qareem

The Times:

Tashkhan