April 25 / 13.50 Sandown

13.50

Good

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 7622-1 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Gelded following his promising (but winless) 2yo campaign and won a maiden at Kempton (1m, AW) this month; makes handicap debut on a fair mark and his illustrious pedigree provides hope he'll have more left in the tank.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(14)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Fifth Column

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

A regular in notable handicaps, bagging three (over 1m) during his progressive period last term and proving resurgent when close second to Erzindjan at Newmarket (1m1f) latest start; first home in the unfavoured group in the Britannia at this meeting 12 months ago; looks set to go well.

12/1

2nd

4

(12)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Fifth Column

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

1m winner at Newmarket and York last summer but failed to shine on last two outings, when co-second favourite for the C&D Cambridgeshire on first occasion; only mid-division when 13-2 in the Spring Cup at Newbury two weeks ago but not beaten far and the draw looked a problem; not ruled out.

8/1

11th

7

(4)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Fifth Column

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Below par on his last two 3yo starts but he'd previously won competitive 1m events at Newmarket and York (both good to firm) in the summer, and he did well to prevail at York after having to wait for a run; only 3lb higher here and he'll be a major player if ready to roll after six months off.

10/1

Form: 412- BF

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July on second start and returned from break with short-head second in Redcar novice (7f, soft) last October; has potential off his opening mark, especially now back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(16)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Seraph Gabriel

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July; terrific battling performance when short-headed at Redcar (7f, soft) in October and he again took second when failing to get run of the race in Esher Cup at Sandown (1m, good) on seasonal/handicap debut; up 4lb but it looks as if he'll stay and is capable of better for sure.

3/1

2nd

2

(2)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Seraph Gabriel

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July on second start and returned from break with short-head second in Redcar novice (7f, soft) last October; has potential off his opening mark, especially now back up in trip.

11/4

2nd

2

(2)

25th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Seraph Gabriel

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last July on second start and returned from break with short-head second in Redcar novice (7f, soft) last October; has potential off his opening mark, especially now back up in trip.

11/4

Form: 916-

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Made all at Newmarket (7f, good) last August on second start; weakened in Listed race at Haydock (1m, good) in September but he now goes handicapping off a realistic mark and remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 1

13:25 Haydock

The Lost King

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Strike-rate of 5-13, with four of those wins coming in eight races since gelded; tackles his first Group race after back-to-back wins in 1m handicaps at York, the latest gained in convincing fashion on good to soft (unraced on slower); with the wind in his sails he's not easily dismissed.

7/1

1st

5

(15)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

The Lost King

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Added to his two AW wins early this year when scoring over C&D (good to firm) last month; 6lb higher in hotter race today but this lightly raced 4yo is progressive; unraced on slow turf but dam's family excelled on it.

10/1

1st

7

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

The Lost King

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Well beaten at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last month but he was in good heart previously, finishing fourth at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm) two starts ago where the trip appeared to stretch him; possible player.

7/1

Form: 616-31 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Improved for his reappearance run and made it 2-6 when easily making all in handicap at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) last Saturday; the other win came on good ground; under a 6lb penalty this afternoon he's 4lb ahead of the handicapper and could prove tough to catch.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

18

(2)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Thunder Wonder

9st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Charlie Johnston

Inconsistent and his losing sequence is up to 11 races; however, he was a close third off this reduced mark at Musselburgh (1m1f, good) last time and is an each-way contender if backing up that performance.

10/1

3rd

6

(7)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 3

15:00 Musselburgh

Thunder Wonder

9st 4lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Can lead; 2-2 on this course in 2025, over 1m (good to soft) and 1m1f (good) but he hasn't been at full strength this year, including when back over C&D in April; this is a drop in grade from Newmarket in May but a complete revival is up in the air; yard runs two.

12/1

8th

13

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Thunder Wonder

8st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Won at Musselburgh last April and June; failed to make a serious impact since, albeit fourth of 12 back at Musselburgh three weeks ago; non-runner at Redcar on Thursday.

25/1

Form: 4025-2

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Kempton (7f, AW) last June and runner-up in Southwell handicap (1m, AW) this month on reappearance, having been gelded (albeit no match for the winner Dividend); could improve for that latest outing but his best form has come on AW so there's a question to answer back on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

8

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Tilted Kilt

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: William Knight

Both his wins have come on the AW but he wasn't disgraced when eighth of 17 on turf at York (7f, good; 22-1) four weeks ago; stepping back up to 1m should be a help; each-way possibilities.

12/1

8th

12

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Tilted Kilt

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: William Knight

Both his wins have come on AW but he handles turf, albeit best grass runs have come on good going; two disappointing efforts since his Southwell win in April and others are more convincing.

33/1

12th

10

(12)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Tilted Kilt

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: William Knight

Has gained both wins on AW, including on reappearance; has bits of fairly useful form on turf but produced one of his lesser efforts last time, taking record in this sphere to 0-9; others preferred.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 501-11 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won 7f maiden here (good to firm) last June on his second outing and has won on AW on his last three starts (all 1m), in handicaps the last twice; needs to transfer his improvement back to turf but he's clearly thriving and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Dividend

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland

Unraced on slow ground; won two handicaps in a row at Meydan (1m1f/9.5f, good) in February before Group 2 second there (1m1f, good) and he returned from a break with good third in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); things haven't gone to plan on his two starts since but a line can be put through Goodwood as he got no run; interesting contender.

20/1

7th

6

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Dividend

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won two handicaps in a row at Meydan (1m1f/9.5f, good) in February before Group 2 second there (1m1f, good); returned from break with good third in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); flopped at Sandown four weeks ago but very much of interest on his earlier form.

8/1

6th

2

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Dividend

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

In great form since wearing cheekpieces, completing a handicap double at Meydan then running well in better races, latest at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm; Listed) back on home soil; solid claims in the retained headgear.

11/2

Form: 31-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) last November on second run and returned with solid third in 8.6f novice there recently; open to further improvement and not ruled out in first-time tongue-tie on handicap/turf debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

4th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

17:18 Lingfield (AW)

Penfolds Grange

9st 10lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Mark Pattinson

Regressive gelding who's been as far as 1m2f and runs over this trip for the first time since his 2yo debut for Harry Eustace; happier on the AW than turf but is some way down the pecking order after his Epsom blowout (eased).

16/1

9th

1

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 113y

Class 5

18:20 Epsom

Penfolds Grange

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Mark Pattinson

The only impact he made in three turf races (last April-July) came when third on good ground at Chester, which is up with his best AW form; pretty reliable with his minor AW honours this year, so needs considering.

4/1

3rd

5

(3)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Kempton (AW)

Penfolds Grange

9st 11lb

J: Alfie Redman

T: Mark Pattinson

Back-to-back seconds over C&D and shaped as if still in form when sixth to Joseph over 2f further at Lingfield last time; not out of this; trainer/owner also represented by Forca Timao.

12/1

Form: 3-3311

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on fifth start in Wolverhampton novice (8.6f, AW) last month and he followed up in a 9.4f handicap there; faces tougher opposition now back down in trip on turf debut but he's progressive and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

San Juanito

9st 10lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Mike Murphy

Two AW wins for former stable but he's struggled in his last five runs and was tailed off over C&D (80-1) last time; continues to drop down the weights but he has a lot to prove.

33/1

13th

10

(6)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

San Juanito

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Mike Murphy

Two AW wins for former stable; latest turf run is not the race to judge him on but, even so, he comes here with plenty to prove.

33/1

9th

3

(5)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:42 Nottingham

San Juanito

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Mike Murphy

Two AW wins for the Crisfords but much more to prove on turf; absent since a midfield finish on his stable debut in December; enough to prove.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £11.18
Tricast £42.50

Selections

The Times:

Seraph Gabriel

SPOTLIGHT:

Thunder Wonder

NEWMARKET:

Fifth Column

Daily Mirror:

Dividend

POSTDATA:

San Juanito

LAMBOURN:

The Lost King

The Sun:

Fifth Column

Telegraph:

Seraph Gabriel

The Guardian:

Seraph Gabriel

Daily Mail:

Seraph Gabriel

D Express:

Seraph Gabriel

RP RATINGS:

Thunder Wonder

TOPSPEED:

Thunder Wonder

The Star:

Thunder Wonder

Daily Record:

Dividend