August 04 / 16.05 Chester

16.05

Good

Liverpool Airport Faster, Easier, Friendlier Queensferry Stakes (Listed)

  • Prize money: £28010
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Liverpool Airport Faster, Easier, Friendlier Queensferry Stakes (Listed)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0-8609 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Climbed through the ranks and won seven handicaps last season (6f-7f); his improvement has levelled off now and he didn't fire on his last two outings but he's well drawn here and the refitted hood may help him to settle better than last time; has a fighting chance on these terms if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Multiple winner, most recently when sent over to Qatar in February, but his form has regressed since and this is a difficult task even if a revival materialises; gained his C&D wins at handicap/Listed level; yet to score above Group 3.

33/1

11th

11

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Quinault

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner who has a strike-rate of 12-34 overall and 3-4 at York, the most recent course success in 7f Group 3 last June (equally effective at 6f); ties in with some of today's opponents on penultimate effort; removal of usual hood backfired last time; likely to go well.

10/1

6th

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner whose 12 wins include a Group 3 at York (7f, good) last June; he was an excellent third of 19 in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot (6f) in October; has since run up to his best in a 5f AW race at Newcastle in January and it will be interesting to see how he gets on back at this trip on turf with his regular hood discarded; ran creditably in 6f Group 3 at Newmarket last time.

8/1

13/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: -62211 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Fast-improving 3yo who was emphatic winner of 7f handicap here (good) in June and followed up with Listed success over that trip here (good to soft) last month; has 3lb penalty today and is not sure to benefit from the drop back in trip but still needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(10)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Al Shabab Storm

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Michael Appleby

Smart on his day and his third at Wolverhampton (6f) last July saw him record an RPR of 115; down the field in two runs for Mick Appleby this year and he now drops to 5f for the first time in his career; tongue tied for the first time.

25/1

12th

2

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Al Shabab Storm

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Finished down the field on stable/seasonal debut at Chester (7.5f) this month but that doesn't tell the full story as he ran well for a long way from his wide draw and was hampered late on; he's dropped to an attractive mark and is just the type his new trainer does very well with.

14/1

12th

1

(10)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Al Shabab Storm

9st 12lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Michael Appleby

Won a 7f Listed race here (good to soft) for Andrew Balding in 2024; still capable of smart performances for Marco Botti last year but wasn't at his best on final two starts, including in a course seller; sold for 45,000gns in October; a Group 1 entry at Royal Ascot suggests new connections are hopeful he retains all his ability.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 71-220 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with soft-ground Listed win at Newmarket and was runner-up twice in this grade in May (all 6f); needs to rebound from a disappointing Group 3 run last month but has a good draw here and features prominently in calulations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(8)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Funny Story

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Found late reserves to win this race (soft) 12 months ago but her form this year has been rather ragged; ran well enough for a long way back over C&D recently but her finish lacked the conviction of old and the fitting of headgear raises questions.

13/2

4th

1

(5)

26th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Newmarket

Funny Story

9st 12lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

raced in fourth, headway over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, weakened towards finish

5/1

4th

7

(5)

24th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Newmarket (July)

Funny Story

8st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Runner-up in 6f Listed races on the other course here and at Salisbury in the spring, but she hasn't been quite on song since, even allowing for some interference when third to Quinault at Chester last time; needs to bounce back but she's certainly a contender on her best form.

8/1

Form: 27-370

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who probably posted a career-best effort when close third on seasonal debut at Ascot (6f, good) in May; not quite in same form on his two subsequent 5f starts, though, and is not favoured by the weights or the draw here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Russet Gold

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes at Leicester and York (also 6f) in the spring but his last two starts haven't been as promising; nicely treated and he does have form here so a revival isn't out of the question.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in Listed/Group races in 2024; on a three-year losing spell but his Class 2 form this term for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts; possibilities off current mark back down in grade.

5/1

8th

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 20 starts going back to June 2023 but he's shown promise in fifth this spring on his first two starts for this yard, most recently behind a couple of these in a big field at York (6f, good); he continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away.

10/1

Form: 1-5178 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
5f Listed winner at Ascot (good) for Kevin Ryan in the autumn and collected big prize for new stable in Qatar (6f, good; local Group 3) in February; not disgraced in 5f Group 1 at Royal Ascot on latest outing and a likely contender in these calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(8)

28th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:35 Lingfield (AW)

Emaraaty Ana

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

High-class sprinter in his younger days, enjoying Group 1 success in the 2021 Sprint Cup at Haydock; had some strong form last year too and although he struggled in Dubai last month, getting dropped 7lb will help; this represents an easier assignment and he's one for the shortlist.

10/1

2nd

3

(3)

24th Sep 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Beverley

Emaraaty Ana

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Won a local Group 3 in Qatar (6f, good) in February on second start for this yard and returned to form with very close Listed third over C&D (good to firm) last month; unproven on slow ground; he'll be tough to beat if reproducing that latest form.

Evs

3rd

5

(7)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Beverley

Emaraaty Ana

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Jamie Osborne

Collected a big prize in Qatar (6f, good; local Group 3) in February on only his second outing for this stable, but hasn't repeated that form in two runs since returning to Britain and now has something to prove.

7/1

Form: 1-2316 D BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Displayed good turn of foot to seize control of Class 4 handicap at Lingfield (6f, AW) in June and, after only six runs, probably still has more improvement to come; raced too freely and disappointed at Windsor last time, though, and has a bit to find with the principals here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Queens Guard

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Good second over 5f here in August but two lesser efforts have followed; opposable on balance.

20/1

7th

6

(5)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Queens Guard

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Good second over 5f here in August but two lesser efforts have followed; opposable on balance.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 106/40 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Developed into very useful 6f performer in 2022, with the latest of three wins gained in a French Listed race; missed last season, though, and failed to build upon satisfactory reappearance run when in rear throughout in Wokingham at Royal Ascot; has the inside draw here but current ability is tricky to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

7

(11)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Harry Three

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Clive Cox

Progressive as a 3yo, winning two competitive handicaps (including C&D) before completing his hat-trick in a Listed race in France; had a lengthy absence before creditable fourth in a Salisbury Listed race in May; down the field twice since, though, and while the return of the hood can help, he's risky, especially if the ground is firmer than good (reportedly unsuited by the quick conditions when unplaced in the Wokingham).

16/1

7th

3

(1)

4th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

16:05 Chester

Harry Three

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Clive Cox

Developed into very useful 6f performer in 2022, with the latest of three wins gained in a French Listed race; missed last season, though, and failed to build upon satisfactory reappearance run when in rear throughout in Wokingham at Royal Ascot; has the inside draw here but current ability is tricky to gauge.

8/1

23th

5

(23)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Harry Three

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Clive Cox

His star rose fast in 2022, outgrowing handicaps with a wide-margin win at York (6f, good; has won on good to firm) before equally convincing in a French Listed race (good to soft) when making it 2-2 for Ryan Moore; chip removed from knee and missed 2023; gelded since; satisfactory return at Salisbury in May (without regular hood, as today) and as he's only 7lb above the York win he'd have plenty going for him if still the same horse.

9/1

20/1

Form: 07-000 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has some very smart form on his CV and is 2-2 at Chester but generally very disappointing since winning valuable prize at Qatar in February 2023 (same race won by Emaraaty Ana this year); last of 25 in Wokingham at Royal Ascot six weeks ago and has outside draw today; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Down Royal

Flaming Rib

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven wins abroad; rated 113 at his peak but nothing since 2023; may come forward from seasonal return at Leopardstown (7f, soft) when fifth of ten, but he remains risky.

16/1

Non-runners

Radio Goo Goo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.70
Straight Forecast £11.64
Trifecta £51.30

Selections

The Times:

Al Shabab Storm

RP RATINGS:

Emaraaty Ana

D Express:

Quinault

SPOTLIGHT:

Funny Story

Telegraph:

Al Shabab Storm

The Guardian:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Mail:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Mirror:

Al Shabab Storm

The Sun:

Al Shabab Storm

The Star:

Al Shabab Storm

Daily Record:

Al Shabab Storm

TOPSPEED:

Emaraaty Ana

POSTDATA:

Emaraaty Ana