July 26 / 15.35 Ascot

15.35

Good To Firm

John Guest Racing Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
John Guest Racing Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.00
  • Place: £3.50

Form: U813

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Redcar (1m2f, soft) in May and better form when third of 13 in a novice at Kempton (1m4f, AW) 16 days ago, albeit with Mutaawid in another league; has 13lb swing in the weights with that impressive winner for a beating of just over 6l, so has his chance in theory of reversing those places; also these are early days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Mount Atlas

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who is an improved performer this season and registered career-best form when a close third in C&D Listed race last time, a neck behind Tabletalk; should be bang there once again.

13/8

3rd

4

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who has been an improved performer on his two starts this season, going close behind Al Qareem at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft; Listed, same terms today) then runner-up in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester (13.3f, good) in which Al Qareem flopped; he's firmly in calculations.

3/1

2nd

6

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Close second in Listed events at Chester (12.5f) last September and Musselburgh (1m6f) on reappearance, latter behind Al Qareem who gave 5lb and is now better off; further behind that opponent when fifth of six in this race last year; needs a personal best.

25/1

2nd
4 (5)
Insanity

10/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 2815-1 D

Last run: 95 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Underwhelming over hurdles but he's won two of his five races on the Flat, including when edging in front close home at Windsor (11.4f) in April last time; stays 1m4f well; up 4lb but could still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Insanity

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

C&D winner who mostly ran well last season and did so again when second at Pontefract (1m2f) on reappearance this April; each-way chance if he can avoid trouble from an inside stall.

25/1

2nd

2

(9)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Insanity

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Soundly beaten on final run last term but on heavy ground, and it was a campaign in which he frequently ran really well, going close off this mark at York (1m2f, good) in October; won on his reappearance in 2024; respected.

11/2

4

(5)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Insanity

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Alan King

Won at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June and has run really well in defeat over 1m4f (good to firm) on his last two starts, most recently beaten a neck here; this progressive 5yo could give another good account although the drop back in trip may well prove to be a negative.

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 3-10

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
1m2f maiden winner on Chelmsford AW in May; much better form in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to soft) eight weeks ago, albeit beaten 19l into tenth of 16 facing that very stiff task at 100-1; makes his handicap debut and has had only three starts, so should still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Tabletalk

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Won the Melrose Handicap over C&D in August 2024; 0-9 since but he was runner-up in five of those races, including when beaten a neck in C&D Listed event four weeks ago, narrowly in front of Mount Atlas; the lack of a recent win is a touch frustrating but he's clearly a leading contender.

15/8

2nd

6

(3)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Tabletalk

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Won the Melrose Handicap here in 2024 (good to firm; for 3yos) and another good run over C&D (good to firm) when third in this last year, 4l behind Al Qareem; not at his best at Ascot last month following a break, and there's a suspicion he may find one or two too good even if back to his peak, but he might not be far away.

7/1

5th

7

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Tabletalk

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

No win since Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) in 2024 but he ran very well in 1m4f Group races on first three starts last season and returned to that form when a close second in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) 11 weeks ago; that puts him back in the picture even though he's unraced over this far.

5/1

Form: 5921 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
St Leger entry; unraced on firmer than good; found improvement when upped in trip with headgear on the last two of his four starts, switched to blinkers when off the mark in a novice at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on latest; seen in a radically new light given the way he shot clear from over 1f out that day, so he's one to be interested in on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(8)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Mutaawid

9st 10lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Blinkers reinstated for last two starts, on first occasion making most to score by 6l in a six-runner race at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm); had this 10lb higher mark when fair fifth of 13 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) two weeks ago, galloping on as if a return to this trip (he won a 1m4f novice last term) would be okay; needs to resume improvement, though.

14/1

5th

2

(5)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Mutaawid

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Came up shy in his first three handicaps but, with blinkers reinstated, he made most to score by 6l in a six-runner race at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) on latest; more to prove on softer ground and given he's 10lb higher in a much stronger race.

4/1

2

(5)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

18:15 Newmarket

Mutaawid

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

6l novice win at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last July with first-time blinkers; has come up shy in handicaps on all three starts since, absent since August (gelded) when fifth of 11 at Goodwood 15 days ago; kept hanging in the closing stages that day and the blinkers are reinstated; unraced on firmer than good; this is a small field but others are still a bit more persuasive.

11/4

Form: 51153- C

Last run: 335 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Progressed well on Flat last term for Michael Bell, notably with 1m2f Royal Ascot win (good to firm); took well to hurdling for new yard (same owners) and was ante-post favourite for the Triumph until put in his place by the top juvenile in January; a hood seemed to be needed in that sphere and is now used for the first time on Flat; needs to hit a new high but respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Burdett Road

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

2023 Royal Ascot winner who has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; his attentions were turned back to the Flat for four races (UAE and Saudi Arabia) this January-March and he wasn't in peak form, before 12l tenth at Royal Ascot (1m4f; restless in the stalls) continued that trend; falling in the weights but needs a revival.

40/1

10th

1

(11)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Burdett Road

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Won 1m2f handicap at this meeting in 2023 and has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; attentions were turned back to the Flat for four races (UAE and Saudi Arabia) this January-March and he wasn't in peak form, but edged down the weights as a result and this drop back in trip can help.

28/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Burdett Road

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: James Owen

Not in top form since returned to the Flat but solid hurdles record (1121322) suggests a resurgence is likely; ran creditably, albeit fortunate to finish second the way things panned out, in the Champion Hurdle when last seen in this sphere; has the best chance at the weights.

4/5

7/2

Form: 55-112 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
A revelation moving into 1m4f handicaps this year, winning in convincing style at Newbury (good to firm) and Newmarket (good); met his match back at Newmarket 13 days ago but went down by just a head, showing improved form, and he remains one to take seriously despite 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

26th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Newmarket

Wonder Kid

9st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

Won in convincing style over 1m4f at Newbury (good to firm) and Newmarket (good) in this season's first two handicaps; beaten a head at the Newmarket July meeting (good) but never got into it at Ascot (fair sixth) on latest outing; needs to bounce back and resume improvement.

6/1

6th

8

(9)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Wonder Kid

8st 5lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

A revelation moving into 1m4f handicaps this year, winning in convincing style at Newbury (good to firm) and Newmarket (good); met his match back at Newmarket 13 days ago but went down by just a head, showing improved form, and he remains one to take seriously despite 3lb rise.

7/2

2nd

11

(6)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Wonder Kid

8st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

Unplaced all three runs as a 2yo but he has been a revelation in handicaps this year, winning in convincing style at Newbury (good) and over this C&D (good to firm); the handicapper has taken umbrage, raising him a total of 14lb, but further progress is very much on the cards; leading contender.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 00-871 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
1m winner at this track in May 2023; failed to make a serious impact since until making all at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm; off 4lb lower) last month; back up 4lb but the idea of 1m4f does not seem ridiculous given the manner of that win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(4)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Chasing Aphrodite

9st 1lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

5yo who has won four of his 12 starts, the latest win coming at Sandown in June (1m2f, good to firm; made all); 1m4f stretched him at Ascot last time out and he can't be discounted now back down in trip, but he's inconsistent and others are a bit more compelling.

14/1

7th

3

(2)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Chasing Aphrodite

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Harry Eustace

1m winner at this track in May 2023; failed to make a serious impact since until making all at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm; off 4lb lower) last month; back up 4lb but the idea of 1m4f does not seem ridiculous given the manner of that win.

14/1

6/1

Form: 3-12 BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Narrowly justified favouritism in maiden at Newbury (1m2f, good) in May and second of 12 in novice at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) was creditable despite starting 10-11; still had something to learn and brings plenty of potential to this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Hosaamm

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Refused to race at Musselburgh in February when last seen so comes with a risk attached; however, prior to that he won a juvenile hurdle at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) and has potential off this opening mark in view of his useful Flat form (effective on soft in that code).

11/2

2nd

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Hosaamm

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Refused to race at Musselburgh in February when last seen so comes with a risk attached; however, prior to that he won a juvenile hurdle at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) and has potential off this opening mark in view of his useful Flat form (effective on soft in that code).

11/2

3

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 1

13:42 Musselburgh

Hosaamm

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Narrowly justified favouritism at Wetherby (second hurdles attempt) last time, adding to his Flat win; stiffer task upped in grade but may be capable of further improvement.

10/1

Non-runners

Alfred Boucher

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £175.10
Straight Forecast £209.74
Tricast £1912.41
Trifecta £621.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Mutaawid

SPOTLIGHT:

Wonder Kid

The Guardian:

Chasing Aphrodite

The Sun:

Mount Atlas

Daily Record:

Hosaamm

TOPSPEED:

Burdett Road

NEWMARKET:

Mutaawid

The Times:

Mutaawid

Telegraph:

Mutaawid

D Express:

Mutaawid

RP RATINGS:

Wonder Kid

Daily Mail:

Wonder Kid

Daily Mirror:

Wonder Kid

The Star:

Chasing Aphrodite