April 25 / 14.25 Sandown

14.25

Good

bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 1m 1f 209y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 21123- D BF

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Six Group 3 wins (1m2f-1m5f) in total, including last August at Glorious Goodwood and Newbury; first run on heavy ground when well below form on final outing; big chance on best of his 2024 form but he was not at that level first time out in the last two seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 1

16:02 Beverley

Al Aasy

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Dual Group 3 scorer at Sandown (1m2f) and Goodwood (1m4f) in 2025; resumed from six months off with a very good second of six in Newbury's John Porter Stakes in April so this veteran looks the one to beat dropped into Listed company here.

8/13

2nd

3

(5)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Al Aasy

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Held up; eight Group 3 wins are already in the bag, including this race in 2021 (his only appearance in it); has a slightly mixed reappearance record but he was almost as good as ever with his two wins last term, including first time out, and a return to that level would make this 9yo the one to beat.

5/2

9th

1

(4)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Al Aasy

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: William Haggas

4-8 at Newbury but he was a below-form third in this race last year on heavy going (acts on soft); Sandown in April and Glorious Goodwood in August made it eight Group 3 wins now in total; held up as usual in Ireland last time but he did not get run of the race; the chance of heavy ground is far more of a concern but he has a leading form chance if the ground is okay.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 2813-7

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Failed to achieve the same success last year that he had as a 2yo but still made all in a Group 3 at Newmarket (1m5f) in July and good third in a German Group 1 (1m4f) in November; ran poorly on reappearance at Newbury 13 days ago, with the ground (good, good to firm in places) possibly to blame but he needs to put that way behind him; drops back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Ancient Wisdom

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

No win since the 2024 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket but runner-up in Listed race at Goodwood (1m2f, good to soft; beaten a neck) and Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f, soft) last autumn; below-form 5l third in 1m4f Kempton Listed race (AW debut) in December when last seen; wears first-time cheekpieces; Buick seemingly prefers Arabian Light.

16/1

2nd

2

(6)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Ancient Wisdom

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Group 1 Futurity winner (on heavy ground) on this weekend as a 2yo; smart form on his day in a mixed record since, this season's plus points being his close second to Al Aasy in April and the narrow defeat when finishing strongly in Listed race at Goodwood last time (first run as a gelding); they were over 1m2f but last season's best efforts were at 1m4f and 1m5f; player if this is another of his good days.

11/4

2nd

1

(7)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Ancient Wisdom

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Group 1 winner (on heavy ground) as a 2yo; fell short of Classic standard last term but bagged Group 3 honours and ran well at that level on penultimate start (1m2f, good; at Sandown); gelded since facing a stiffer task in the Coronation Cup; leading player on ratings.

9/4

OUR TIP
3rd
3 (6)
Almaqam

5/2

Form: 11632- C

Last run: 202 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Started 2024 with two wins, latterly in a Listed race here; probably does not need testing ground, although it was soft again when he went close in 1m2f Group 2 at Longchamp in October; major player on that and, after just six races, he looks set for further improvement this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Almaqam

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Last season concluded with fine third in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good; about 2l behind runner-up Ombudsman) and this 5yo looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on his reappearance, with subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller 2l back in second and a disappointing Minnie Hauk in fifth; today's company is even hotter but he might not be far away if the fast ground isn't an issue.

11/2

1st

1

(7)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Almaqam

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Closest to Minnie Hauk on ratings, although that rival has the benefit of race-fitness and a fillies allowance; made all to beat subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman at Sandown (1m2f, good) last season but had the benefit of a run; good placed efforts in Group 2s at York (10.5f, good) and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft); signed off last term with a cracking run to take third in a Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day (1m2f, good); there is likely more to come to this term from the British raider.

5/1

13/2

Form: 6201-1 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Mixed form last autumn in Australia but 2-2 for his new stable after a 1m2f Listed event at Lingfield on New Year's Eve and 1m3f Group 3 Winter Derby at Southwell two months ago; unraced on firmer than good and the 3lb penalty may require a career-best if some of today's rivals return on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Leopardstown

Royal Champion

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the Group 3 Winter Derby at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February before creditable fourth in the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (1m2f, good); down the field in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Group 1 debut and first encounter with fast ground; brought form to a new level with Group 2 win at York; still plenty to prove in top grade.

14/1

4

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

14:40 York

Royal Champion

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the Group 3 Winter Derby at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February before creditable fourth under a 3lb penalty in the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (1m2f, good), when a neck behind Almaqam; down the field at Royal Ascot but in a Group 1 on his first encounter with fast ground; could be thereabouts now back down in grade and with slower ground expected.

14/1

7th

8

(6)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Royal Champion

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the 1m2f Listed Wolferton at this meeting in 2023; mixed form last autumn in Australia, before registering Listed and Group 3 wins on the British AW this winter for his new stable; close, keeping-on fourth of seven in Sandown Group 3 (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) in April was another good effort but he needs markedly better to upset the best of today's rivals.

50/1

Form: 42135-

Last run: 188 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Group 3 win at York (1m1f) last August; beaten a neck in the Nassau at Goodwood (1m2f) the time before and also ran well when beaten 3l in further Group 1 assignments at Newmarket (1m) and Ascot (1m2f) on final two outings; big chance if she returns in that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

See The Fire

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it's likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.

16/1

1st

5

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Pulverised her seven rivals in this on her second outing of last season, scoring by a whopping 12l on good to firm; couldn't quite reproduce that high-class RPR at Group 1 level in five subsequent outings in 2025 but mostly ran well, including a close second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); didn't have much to spare at the line when 1-3 for a 1m2f Nottingham Listed race on reappearance but cruised through most of that contest and will likely be a lot closer to her best this time; again the one to beat in this.

6/5

1st

5

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:55 Nottingham

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Smart filly who is a Group 3 and Group 2 winner at York (1m1f/1m2f); has plenty of Group 1 form, including placed efforts at Royal Ascot (against males) and Longchamp (close second) last season; takes on some unexposed and interesting rivals but sets a high standard for them to aim at; respected back down sharply in class.

2/5

Form: 11/1-4 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won his last three races as a 2yo and took the Classic Trial in good style on this card (1m2f, good to soft) on reappearance last year; made all for the last two of those wins; all looked bright at that stage but he was not seen again until below form, never dangerous, in Group 2 at Meydan (1m4f, good; should stay) eight weeks ago; could build on that and is not dismissed even though he seems the stable second string to Ancient Wisdom.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Arabian Crown

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Missed most of 2024 and a narrow Listed win at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) last August was the only time that he's recaptured his best; even that isn't nearly enough to win this and he trailed in last behind Tenability on reappearance at Goodwood last month; stablemate of Rebel's Romance and might make the running.

33/1

5th

2

(2)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

16:45 Goodwood

Arabian Crown

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

2024 Sandown Classic Trial winner (good to soft) who missed the rest of that season; underwhelming on first four starts last year and ran particularly poorly at Glorious Goodwood (sole visit here) but he ended that campaign by winning narrowly in a four-runner Listed race at Windsor in August; needs to build on that but should stay 1m4f.

7/2

1

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 1

18:15 Windsor

Arabian Crown

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

Prominent in the market for last year's Epsom Derby after winning the Sandown Classic Trial (1m2f, good to soft), but not seen again until Meydan in March this year; hasn't really threatened in four Group races since returning and ran particularly poorly at Goodwood (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; this is a drop in grade but he still has plenty to prove; entered in the Irish St Leger.

5/2

Form: 1/325- D

Last run: 160 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden and two handicaps on varied ground in May/June 2023 and, on second run after a long layoff, he was beaten a nose in Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) in November on penultimate start; might still be capable of better but he needs to be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Peace Man

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Edged out by Bolster in this race on soft ground 12 months ago; below that level in three outings this year, although he might have needed it after a break when behind Bolster and Okeechobee at Goodwood latest; first-time cheekpieces go on.

14/1

5

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Peace Man

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Edged out by Bolster in this race on soft ground 12 months ago; below that level in three outings this year, although he might have needed it after a break when behind Bolster and Okeechobee at Goodwood latest; first-time cheekpieces go on.

14/1

8th

6

(5)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Peace Man

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Below par in last three appearances, latest over C&D four months ago; progressive previously and ties in closely with Bolster on Newmarket Listed running (1m2f, soft) last November; possibilities if back to that form.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £92.10
Straight Forecast £87.58
Trifecta £321.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Almaqam

RP RATINGS:

See The Fire

POSTDATA:

Arabian Crown

The Guardian:

Royal Champion

Daily Mail:

Al Aasy

LAMBOURN:

Almaqam

Telegraph:

Almaqam

D Express:

Almaqam

Daily Mirror:

Almaqam

The Star:

Almaqam

TOPSPEED:

See The Fire

The Times:

See The Fire

The Sun:

See The Fire

NEWMARKET:

Arabian Crown

Daily Record:

Arabian Crown