August 01 / 14.25 Goodwood

14.25

Good To Firm

Markel Richmond Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (IRE Incentive Race)

  • Prize money: £99242.5
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Markel Richmond Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (IRE Incentive Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.95
  • Place: £3.15

Form: 51 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice-raced colt; proved suited by drop to 6f at Fairyhouse (good) last time, beating a subsequent winner, and brings potential to this higher grade; his Irish yard landed the Molecomb here in 2020; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(6)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:26 Naas

Black Forza

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Winner of a Goodwood Group 2 in 2024; sparingly raced last year, well beaten in a Curragh Group 3 (6f, good); some better efforts twice at Dundalk but more needed here and lacks a run.

18/1

10th

2

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Black Forza

10st 0lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: M D O’Callaghan

Won a Goodwood Group 2 last year before a 5.75l fourth of 6 in the Middle Park Stakes; sparingly raced this year, well beaten on return in a Curragh Group 3 in August; better effort over C&D latest (behind Songhai) but this demands more.

20/1

3

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

17:35 Dundalk (AW)

Black Forza

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: M D O’Callaghan

Won a Goodwood Group 2 last season; not disgraced on ground plenty soft for him in the Middle Park last September; failed to beat a rival on sole start since at the Curragh; talented but probably best watched on AW debut.

7/1

5/4

  • Place: £1.15

Form: 12 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
High promise over 6f for Kevin Ryan, scoring comfortably at York (good to soft) then clear second in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh (yielding); bought by Wathnan Racing and moved to Hamad Al Jehani's yard since; leading contender on form and should have even more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

The Strikin Viking

9st 1lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Solid start to his career comprised a maiden success and two close seconds at Group 2 level; not in anything like the same form since, comfortably held in warm 3yo handicap most recently; chance depends on whether first-time hood prompts a turnaround.

14/1

2

(8)

10th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

The Strikin Viking

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Twice a runner-up in Group 2s last year; ended his 2yo campaign with a couple of lesser efforts though and he made a low-key return at Chantilly (5.5f, good to soft; Group 3) in April; up against it on his handicap debut.

33/1

7th

5

(7)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:47 Newmarket

The Strikin Viking

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Useful colt whose 6f form includes second-place finishes in Group 2 races at the Curragh (for previous yard) and Goodwood; ruined his chance by racing too freely in the Gimcrack last time and may benefit from this drop in trip; top on ratings.

7/2

33/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 232

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt who has consistent placed form, close second at Ayr (6f, good) most recently; however, unlikely to open his account in this field, being towards the bottom on bare figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Intrusively

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Third in 2yo Group 2 in 2024; ran respectably off a falling mark on a few occasions last season but he's struggled in two 1m handicaps (good to soft/good to firm) this spring; has plenty to prove and overall record is now 1-14.

20/1

9th

6

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:42 Redcar

Intrusively

9st 2lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Third in 2yo Group 2 in 2024; unable to reproduce that promise last season and well beaten in last month's Spring Mile on stable/seasonal debut; however, he has a reduced mark to work with and his new trainer may well find the key to him sooner rather than later; the returning visor may be a plus.

11/1

Form: 312 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Progressive gelding who brings Group 2 form, having performed well in the July Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to soft) most recently; won on good to firm there the time before; clear possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(7)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 1

15:20 Redcar

Billboard Star

8st 11lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Sole win was in a Newmarket novice (6f, good to firm) in June but he's run some good races when highly tried since including a front-running third of six in Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, heavy) last month; just about sets the standard at the weights and he's strongly respected on this drop in class.

11/4

3rd

2

(5)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Billboard Star

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

led, edged left over 2f out, lost two places over 1f out, disputing third final 110yds, kept on

10/1

10th

3

(4)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Billboard Star

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Thereabouts in Group 2 races the last twice, finishing a solid second in the July Stakes at Newmarket (strong form) then close fourth in the Richmond at Goodwood; ties in with The Strikin Viking on latter effort; useful gelding but needs extra to land this contest.

16/1

8/1

Form: 41 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both outings at Newbury (6f, good to firm); promising fourth to King Of Bears on debut, then won well later in July; suitably bred, being by Mehmas who landed this prize in 2016; big run looks plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(13)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

The Waco Kid

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Hugo Palmer

Group 3 win last season didn't help his handicap mark and this season is turning into a struggle, with this headgear combination tried last time at Chester.

33/1

5th

7

(6)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:15 Chester

The Waco Kid

8st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Hugo Palmer

Won 7f 2yo Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last September; well handicapped on that form but he's found it difficult to get competitive this season, most recently well beaten at 40-1 in 7f handicap at Glorious Goodwood; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

14/1

15th

1

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

The Waco Kid

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

Useful last term, the highlight a Group 3 win at Newmarket (7f, soft); has much weaker claims on 2025 form and still needs to prove he's trained on; admittedly may derive some benefit from the switch to a handicap.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 313 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt who ran well in Listed grade at Newbury (6f, good) most recently, improving on his Ayr win; however, faces a stiffer assignment upped further in class, as his rating attests.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(13)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Big Cyril

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Useful form as a 2yo but struggled in his three runs last season; sold out of Alice Haynes's stable for 22,000gns last October; likely to come good for new connections off a reduced mark but this looks a pretty stiff task after eight months away.

33/1

5

(1)

28th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

19:05 Windsor

Big Cyril

9st 9lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Highly tried after his Ayr win (6f, good to firm) 13 months ago, placed in a Newbury Listed event before sixth of nine in a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood; reappeared with a heavy defeat in a Listed race at Newmarket in May and he couldn't make an impact when switched to a handicap at Salisbury (first run since gelded) last month; still unexposed but has bit to prove and needs to raise his game with cheekpieces added.

16/1

4

(5)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Salisbury

Big Cyril

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Alice Haynes

Highly tried after his Ayr win (6f, good to firm) 12 months ago, placed in a Newbury Listed event before sixth of nine in a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood; well beaten in 7f Listed race at Newmarket on reappearance eight weeks ago, after which he was gelded; makes handicap debut against useful opposition.

10/1

Form: 71 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts at Newbury, winning the latest (6f, good to firm) having travelled well through the race then drifted left in the closing stages; Cole stable has won this contest four times; potentially useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

King Of Bears

9st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

Absent since winning in first-time blinkers (retained) over C&D three months ago on second start for new yard and on AW; unexposed in this sphere and still has leeway in the handicap (peak mark was 16lb higher).

7/1

5th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

King Of Bears

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

In and out for George Scott this season but not disgraced over 7f at Chelmsford (AW debut) three weeks ago; can compete off a career-low mark so would have real possibilities if revitalised by a change of stable.

10/1

5th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newmarket

King Of Bears

9st 7lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Toomey

In and out for George Scott this season but not disgraced over 7f at Chelmsford (AW debut) three weeks ago; can compete off a career-low mark so would have real possibilities if revitalised by a change of stable.

10/1

Form: 522

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt who remains a maiden but is heading appreciably in the right direction, solid second in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) most recently; that form has received two notable boosts since; should have no problem with this easy 6f; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(8)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Tropical Storm

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

His best form is at 5f and he hasn't been at the top of his game since a Listed win at this meeting last May; however, he kept on well for third at Goodwood (5f, good) recently, suggesting the return to 6f is worth exploring, and his two career wins have both come here; a visor goes on.

10/1

3rd

7

(3)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Tropical Storm

9st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Bagged 5f York listed event last May; off seven months/gelded before posting an encouraging eighth of 14 in 5f Musselburgh handicap 27 days ago, nearest finish having lost ground when hampered soon after start; not without interest off a reduced mark.

6/1

8th

3

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 2

15:42 Musselburgh

Tropical Storm

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

More miss than hit in 2025, winning 5f Listed race at York (good to firm) in May but failing to make the frame otherwise; now returns from a gelding operation on a handy mark and with his stable in form; big chance if he's on a going day.

9/2

9th
1 (2)
Aparajeo

14/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tended to hang left but scored a shade cosily at Windsor (6f, good to firm) and his trainer's two Richmond winners had won at that venue en route to coming here; open to progress and looks an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Leicester

Aparajeo

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Clive Cox

Won in spite of some errant tendencies on his 2yo debut last July (6f, good to firm); struggled in a Group 2 next time and two handicap runs this summer (after a gelding operation) haven't been chock full of promise; edging down the weights but others look more appealing.

16/1

8

(2)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:12 Sandown

Aparajeo

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Slowly away and never involved on reappearance kept to 6f, making it two defeats since debut win; may rebound at some stage but pedigree suggests he's not screaming for this extra furlong.

16/1

1

(7)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Aparajeo

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Clive Cox

Overcame evident inexperience to win a Windsor novice (6f, good to firm) on his 2yo debut last July; last of nine in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood when last seen 314 days ago; gelded prior to his reappearance/handicap debut; unexposed.

6/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.90
Straight Forecast £18.91
Tricast £385.31
Trifecta £738.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Strikin Viking

SPOTLIGHT:

Tropical Storm

Daily Mail:

Aparajeo

Telegraph:

Black Forza

Daily Mirror:

The Waco Kid

The Star:

King Of Bears

The Times:

The Strikin Viking

The Guardian:

The Strikin Viking

Daily Record:

The Strikin Viking

TOPSPEED:

Tropical Storm

POSTDATA:

Tropical Storm

D Express:

Tropical Storm