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

29

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Black Forza

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Reserve; won 6f Group 2 at Goodwood (good to firm) as a 2yo; sparingly raced with mixed results since and has plenty to prove after a low-key Listed run on reappearance at Naas (5f); no aids latest; has worn blinkers, first-time cheekpieces today.

50/1

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

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

6th

1

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

The Strikin Viking

10st 2lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Has been on his travels, winning a Group 3 at Baden-Baden (6f, soft) last August but finishing unplaced at Woodbine, Meydan and Doha in the meantime; returns from another five months off and hard to know how well handicapped he is; stable also runs Garfield Shadow.

10/1

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

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

7th

2

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 4

15:55 Doncaster

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Good and bad in five runs for this yard, but wasn't beaten far the last time at Newcastle (1m) and on the evidence of that run this far is worth exploring.

7/1

4th

7

(14)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Intrusively

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Down the field on three of his four starts for this yard, including at Doncaster three weeks ago on latest outing; however, prior to that he caught the eye with a close fourth at Nottingham and he's 4lb lower today; capable of going well.

10/1

4th

10

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Intrusively

9st 3lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His sole win was in a maiden in August 2024 but he turned things around with a close fourth at Nottingham (8.3f, good) last month; didn't get the best of runs in that race and has claims if he can back that up.

6/1

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

5th

2

(8)

5th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Tropical Storm

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Hasn't been at his best since a Listed win at York last May but he's on a reduced mark and showed some spark when third at Goodwood in May; he's had wind surgery since a midfield finish at York later in May and it will be no surprise if he runs well on AW debut.

8/1

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

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