July 26 / 14.25 Ascot

14.25

Good To Firm

John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 1m 7f 209y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 5512 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made his debut in May and improved for a clearcut maiden win when upped in trip at Goodwood in June; hot favourite for handicap debut here (again 1m6f on good) 13 days ago and launched a strong challenge from well off the pace but was held off by a head; up 3lb but he's an appealing candidate for 2m and further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(9)

21st Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Tactician

8st 6lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

in rear on outer, in touch with leaders after 8f

6/4

6th

8

(8)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Tactician

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Won maiden at Goodwood in June, went close at Ascot (again 1m6f) next time and got up in the final strides for another Ascot handicap (2m) on latest outing, all on good; up another 5lb and drops back in trip, which may not suit, but he is firmly on an upward curve; trainer won two recent Melroses.

7/1

1st

9

(6)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:25 Ascot

Tactician

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Made his debut in May and improved for a clearcut maiden win when upped in trip at Goodwood in June; hot favourite for handicap debut here (again 1m6f on good) 13 days ago and launched a strong challenge from well off the pace but was held off by a head; up 3lb but he's an appealing candidate for 2m and further improvement.

6/5

9/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 311641

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won in the spring on first two handicap starts (1m4f/1m3f, AW) and resumed her improvement in a big way when comfortably taking 11-runner race from the front at Newbury (1m5f, good) last Friday; has 6lb penalty (due go up another 2lb) and needs to be taken seriously despite the uncertainty of this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 3

16:28 Southwell (AW)

Attila The Honey

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

led, headed over 5f out

15/2

7th

6

(7)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Attila The Honey

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

3yo who made all in good style at Newbury (13.2f, good) last month and was a good second at Ascot (2m, good) seven days later; flopped at Glorious Goodwood but the track/busy spell were possible excuses and she could bounce back with a bold show following a 17-day break.

8/1

9th

5

(12)

31st Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Attila The Honey

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Won three of her six handicaps; scored comfortably from the front at Newbury (1m5f, good) 12 days ago and beat all except the hot favourite at Ascot (2m, good) five days ago; up another 2lb but the step back down in trip asks the chief question.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 25-225

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Mostly progressive; can race freely but he made a strong late bid when short-headed over 1m6f at Goodwood on penultimate outing and ran on from out the back (slowly away after blindfold was removed late) when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (AW) last time on step up to 2m; usual cheekpieces were removed for those last two outings; 2m now looks worth pursuing and it would not be a great surprise if improvement is resumed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(2)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:47 Ascot

True Legend

10st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

steadied start, held up in rear, steady headway from 4f out, waiting for room home turn, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went second inside final 110yds

9/2

9th

4

(2)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Goodwood

True Legend

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Unraced on soft; can race freely but has run well at 1m6f and 2m this season; strong late bid when short-headed by Tides Of War over C&D in May, followed by fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) and close third last Friday at Ascot (2m); usual cheekpieces (absent for last three starts) are back; a leading contender.

8/1

3rd

1

(8)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:25 Ascot

True Legend

10st 4lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Mostly progressive; can race freely but he made a strong late bid when short-headed over 1m6f at Goodwood on penultimate outing and ran on from out the back (slowly away after blindfold was removed late) when fifth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (AW) last time on step up to 2m; usual cheekpieces were removed for those last two outings; 2m now looks worth pursuing and it would not be a great surprise if improvement is resumed.

7/2

Form: 60-965

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
2022 was her year when winning five handicaps at Hamilton and a Listed race at Abu Dhabi; now on a losing run, during which she's failed to manage a place; well down the weights but the encouragement shown on penultimate start was not fulfilled on latest; now goes beyond 1m6f for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

3

(4)

5th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Wickywickywheels

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

0-7 and generally disappointing on turf for new stable this year; needs to up her game to land this prize and her only previous AW experience was a down-the-field finish on Dundalk's Polytrack in 2021.

9/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: -54140

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Wolverhampton AW (upped to 1m6f) in March saw his first win since he was a 2yo; ran creditably over 2m at Newcastle next time but soundly beaten in the Northumberland Plate over that C&D three months later; needs peak form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

14:10 Market Rasen

Howth

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Tom Lacey

Record of 4-7 over hurdles but this is tougher than usual and he could have run a lot better back from a break at Newton Abbot; others appeal more.

40/1

3rd

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Switched to hurdles for new yard last May-September and won four of his six starts (all on good ground), two of them over C&D (one a handicap); held in fourth of six at Plumpton last September when last seen but retains potential; yard among the winners and he could go well back from a break.

9/2

4th

1

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Howth

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Useful Flat stayer who has won a handicap over hurdles (off 8lb lower) and has since made it 4-5 in this discipline when defying penalties in a 2m1f good-ground novice at Newton Abbot; he was entitled to win that and probably with greater ease than he did, but he's a likeable type.

11/8

Form: 148-15

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in March and back on the Flat (Hamilton 1m5f) in May; disappointing on latest start and cheekpieces are now given a go; he's also back to about 2m, over which he was soundly beaten last September but won last June; may well need a career best and 5lb claimer is called on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

18:43 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

11st 9lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Handled testing conditions best, bounding clear to make it 2-3 over C&D (soft; a 23l winner) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted, and he's now 9lb higher moving up into a Class 4; still enters calculations though, with 10lb claimer Gregor Walkingshaw retaining the ride.

7/4

1st

1

9th May 2026

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:47 Hexham

Two Auld Pals

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Not really firing on all cylinders when last seen in the winter but returns from 12-week break on a good mark and is versatile regarding ground; gained his only hurdle win over C&D; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

12

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Two Auld Pals

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Five-time Flat winner who has a consistent profile over hurdles; handles soft ground but has a bit to find with He's Bresilian on last month's Ayr form.

10/1

20/1

Form: -12453 D BF

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Back up to 2m on AW this year, starting with a win in January and holding his form well since; absent 107 days; has previously looked as effective on turf but a bit extra will be needed to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

15th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Red Flyer

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Karen Jewell

Dry since a C&D win off 12lb higher early last year and will need to put a couple of below-par efforts behind him; the return to Polytrack will help, though, and he can never be ruled out round here.

5/1

10

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Goodwood

Red Flyer

9st 1lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Karen Jewell

Some respectable efforts this year; however, form dipped sharply last time (in race won by Macari) and his losing run is mounting up.

20/1

8/1

Form: -55212 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Comfortably made all at Kempton (2m, AW) in June and neck second at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) 18 days later; unraced on firmer than good; reliable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(8)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Zoran

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Emma Lavelle

Tailed off at Southwell last time which was too bad to be true as does have form there; he's won twice here and ran well over C&D in December behind one who scored impressively last week; considered under Oisin Murphy.

11/4

12

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Zoran

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Won at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November and also successful on AW in January; unseated early when an 8-1 chance for his return to hurdling at Statford (Supreme Yeats runner-up in that race).

10/1

Form: -95455

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
1m6f Listed winner at Meydan in January 2023; short of his best in 2024, however, and others are preferred despite his major fall in the weights; did not persuade for stamina on his three attempts at 2m+ (2021).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:25 Ascot

Global Heat

10st 2lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Saeed bin Suroor

1m6f Listed winner at Meydan in January 2023; short of his best in 2024, however, and others are preferred despite his major fall in the weights; did not persuade for stamina on his three attempts at 2m+ (2021).

16/1

5th

1

(2)

4th Jul 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:35 Kempton (AW)

Global Heat

9st 11lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Saeed bin Suroor

prominent

16/1

5th

1

(10)

5th Jun 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Global Heat

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Effective at 1m4f-1m6f; thrown in on form up to last June but tailed off at Royal Ascot and, after seven months off, below form in his three races this year; Lingfield fourth of six last month was not sufficiently encouraging and this is his first AW race for over two years.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £4.09
Tricast £7.23
Trifecta £9.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tactician

RP RATINGS:

Attila The Honey

POSTDATA:

True Legend

TOPSPEED:

Tactician

The Times:

Tactician

Telegraph:

Tactician

The Guardian:

Tactician

Daily Mail:

Tactician

The Sun:

Tactician

Daily Record:

Tactician

D Express:

Attila The Honey

Daily Mirror:

Attila The Honey

The Star:

Attila The Honey

NEWMARKET:

True Legend