August 23 / 14.25 York

14.25

Good To Firm

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £141775
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.55

Form: 10-243 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Attentions concentrated on the Flat since his runaway handicap win at Royal Ascot last June; has not quite lived up to that dazzling display, this term running respectably in the Yorkshire Cup here and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, seemingly stretched by 2m4f (good to firm) in the latter, before a lesser show at the Curragh five weeks ago; big player if back at his peak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Vauban

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

11/2

1st

7

(4)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Vauban

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

Attentions concentrated on the Flat since his runaway handicap win at Royal Ascot last June; has not quite lived up to that dazzling display, this term running respectably in the Yorkshire Cup here and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, seemingly stretched by 2m4f (good to firm) in the latter, before a lesser show at the Curragh five weeks ago; big player if back at his peak.

3/1

3rd

7

(3)

20th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Vauban

9st 11lb

J: Colin Keane

T: W P Mullins

midfield, headway and chased clear leader 3f out, 8 lengths down when lost second inside final furlong, kept on

5/2

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £7.15

Form: 4-2425

Last run: 89 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Has spent most of his career in Dubai, with a chunk in France as well last year; smart in both, with his 66-1 second in the Dubai Gold Cup (2m, good) this March the icing on the cake after two French Listed wins; ran poorly at Longchamp in May on his only start since and has now changed stables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Al Nayyir

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

While form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; third in a 2m Group 2 there in March when last seen; wore cheekpieces on last four starts; should be thereabouts.

13/2

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Al Nayyir

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

So nearly sprung a 33-1 surprise on stable debut in this race last year (good) when his strong finish took him within short head of victory; backed up that form the following month (2m, soft); a notch or two below it this year, including when nearly 10l behind Trawlerman at Sandown (2m) in May but his short-head defeat with first-time cheekpieces there last time was more like it; could be on his way back and needs a second look.

14/1

2

(6)

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:45 Sandown

Al Nayyir

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Campaigned in better races this term, hindered by steady pace over C&D (behind Coltrane) most recently; best form gives him a respectable chance back down in grade; possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear.

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.45

Form: 35-373

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his five races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only disappointing show and he followed that with career-best form when third in the 2m Goodwood Cup late last month; effective here and he's one of the several leading candidates on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Gregory

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his six races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only flop; career-best form in the Goodwood Cup next time, beaten a head by Sweet William for second; third at York (again 2m on good) last time was not at that level but some of the stars of the division are missing today and he has to be considered seriously.

11/4

3rd

3

(1)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Gregory

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his five races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only disappointing show and he followed that with career-best form when third in the 2m Goodwood Cup late last month; effective here and he's one of the several leading candidates on form.

9/2

3rd

3

(2)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Gregory

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; ran creditably while put in his place on next three starts, including when third in the Yorkshire Cup at York in May when shaping as if further would suit; failed to prove that with a tame show in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (15-2), which was disappointing notwithstanding the 2m4f; this is his first go at 2m.

9/1

Form: 8-2722

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Career-best form to be runner-up at York (1m6f Group 3, good to soft), Sandown (2m Listed, good) and Goodwood (1m6f Group 2, good to firm) in three of her four races this term; those two Group races were against her own sex and she faces a significantly stiffer task today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Night Sparkle

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In career-best form when at 1m6f-2m this season for three seconds and a fourth; the last two of those races were Group 2s at Goodwood (1m6f second against her own sex; ahead of Grateful) and York (2m fourth against the males) and she should be bang there once again.

7/2

4th

8

(7)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Night Sparkle

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Career-best form to be runner-up at York (1m6f Group 3, good to soft), Sandown (2m Listed, good) and Goodwood (1m6f Group 2, good to firm) in three of her four races this term; those two Group races were against her own sex and she faces a significantly stiffer task today.

10/1

Form: 3-0613

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably sole start on good to firm; 0-8 in Group 1 races but has won five lesser Group contests and he's a leading contender on form; brother to the very smart Broome, who won at up to 2m, but he's not himself been beyond the extended 1m5f of his impressive Chester win in May; galloped on relentlessly that day, so has to be of major interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Point Lonsdale

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ran respectably sole start on good to firm; 0-8 in Group 1 races but has won five lesser Group contests and he's a leading contender on form; impressive over the extended 1m5f at Chester in May, galloping on relentlessly; first venture beyond that when disappointing favourite at York (2m) three weeks ago but he's nevertheless back for more in the Cup races and over an even longer trip this time; interesting to see whether his backers return.

9/2

5th

4

(5)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Point Lonsdale

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ran respectably sole start on good to firm; 0-8 in Group 1 races but has won five lesser Group contests and he's a leading contender on form; brother to the very smart Broome, who won at up to 2m, but he's not himself been beyond the extended 1m5f of his impressive Chester win in May; galloped on relentlessly that day, so has to be of major interest.

2/1

1st

6

(4)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:40 Chester

Point Lonsdale

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

prominent, went second over 2f out

2/1

Form: 116-54 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who gave his rivals the slip in this race two years ago and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and so were his two races this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:03 Salisbury

Quickthorn

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who won this race in 2021, on his way to four Group wins including the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and something has also been missing in his three races this term, but this is a step down in class and he should still be good enough.

8/13

6th

5

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Quickthorn

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who gave his rivals the slip in this race two years ago and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and so were his two races this term.

12/1

4th

1

(6)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:50 Sandown

Quickthorn

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who was a Listed winner at York (1m6f, good to firm) last June and gave his rivals the slip to follow up in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good to soft); his season ended with a lesser run, and his comeback was also disappointing, but this C&D winner has leading claims if back on song.

7/4

9/1

Form: 7-6341 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Unable to threaten in 1m4f/1m5f Group 3 races this spring; gradually worked his way into a creditable fourth of 16 in 1m6f handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm; acts on soft) next time and kept finding to get on top late on in a 1m6f Group 3 here (good to soft) six weeks ago; 2m now beckons and another improved showing, which is needed, is probably on its way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:17 Bangor-on-Dee

Alsakib

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very smart Flat horse for Andrew Balding; had wind surgery after his one blip over hurdles and then won at Musselburgh despite a slipping saddle (2m1f, good to soft); carries a penalty but looks a major player.

5/2

1st

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Alsakib

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat in 2024; promising second on hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December; took backwards step at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in January but has had wind surgery since and he's a key player if back on song; versatile ground-wise.

2/1

4th

4

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

13:17 Catterick

Alsakib

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding in July 2024; promising second on last month's hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) and this step up in trip may well be a positive; he's one to consider.

5/2

Form: 223111

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Broke the ice with wins at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) and Haydock (1m6f, good) this summer, before improving again with a narrow success at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) three weeks ago; dictated the pace last time and kept pulling out more in a bunched finish; that was terrifically game and suggested that 2m is well worth a go but marked further progress is required on this graduation from handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

1st

4

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

On a losing run of 13 since his hat-trick in summer 2024; has dropped in the weights, was thereabouts on occasions in 2025 and it can be argued that today's headgear switch will help, but there's a bit for him to prove on AW (it's only his third AW race) and others have more pressing claims.

12/1

40/1

Form: 133-05

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
The ground was good to firm when fifth in the 2022 Ascot Gold Cup but he's been a far more potent force when the mud is flying, including last autumn; needs to put this season's two runs (good to soft latest) way behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:32 Ayr

Tashkhan

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Brian Ellison

A very useful four-time winner on the Flat, he got off to a winning start over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December; stayed on well to snatch third up in trip in a Grade 2 at Haydock (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; holds obvious credentials back down in grade.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £116.50
Straight Forecast £156.54
Tricast £559.74
Trifecta £358.60

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Gregory

SPOTLIGHT:

Alsakib

RP RATINGS:

Point Lonsdale

The Star:

Align The Stars

The Times:

Tashkhan

POSTDATA:

Gregory

NEWMARKET:

Gregory

Telegraph:

Gregory

Daily Mail:

Alsakib

Daily Mirror:

Alsakib

The Sun:

Alsakib

The Guardian:

Point Lonsdale

D Express:

Point Lonsdale

Daily Record:

Point Lonsdale