April 26 / 14.05 Leicester

14.05

Good

Carling King Richard III Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Carling King Richard III Cup Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6254-1 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ran well on good to firm at Newmarket last May; gained his first handicap win when surging to the front in the final furlong in a 5f handicap at Southwell three weeks ago; 6lb rise against stronger opposition asks a stiffer question but it is highly likely he has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

19

(18)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Completely Random

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Harry Charlton

Best form when dead-heating for 6f Listed AW win in January, making it 2-2 for Ryan Moore; no serious inroads back on turf since, in a Group 3 and the 7f Victoria Cup on this course, but he did come from off the pace to finish a close fifth of 28 in this race (good to firm) last year and he shouldn't be overlooked back over C&D in first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

10th

5

(21)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Completely Random

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Charlton

Looks well treated on this year's AW form but failed to transfer it back to turf (in Group 3) last time when bidding for a 6f hat-trick, and still has a weaker strike-rate in this sphere; bit to prove back at 7f and doesn't look the percentage call.

20/1

11th

2

(13)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Completely Random

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Harry Charlton

Dead-heated with Diligent Harry in Listed grade to complete a Lingfield 6f double in January and take AW record to 4-8; effective when fresh but is by no means certain to transfer the improvement back to turf; only 1-9 in this sphere; tongue-tie applied.

12/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 9019-6 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Usually manages to bag at least one nice prize a year and in 2024 it was a valuable York sprint in October (6f, soft; strong form); low-key return to action at Southwell three weeks ago and may need a bit more weight off his back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(7)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Strike Red

9st 5lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

8yo who can be in and out but he won at Leicester (6f, good to firm) in April and has run well in defeat on his last two starts, at Epsom (6f, soft) and Newcastle (6f, AW); he was a close second of 14 last time and this C&D winner can be in the mix if he's once more on a going day.

11/2

2nd

14

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Strike Red

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Twice a C&D winner; ended losing run with a hard-fought success at Leicester in April and he ran creditably at Epsom on Derby day; minor money perhaps his best hope.

14/1

4th

13

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Strike Red

8st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Has lost his form a bit in two starts since an April success and is far from certain to raise his game much, having been beaten in this race for the last three years (finishing positions 756).

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 3004-8 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Had some smart handicap form last year, placed at Royal Ascot and twice at Glorious Goodwood (including third in the Stewards' Cup); 3lb lower today and he should be sharper with his Doncaster reappearance behind him; best form on good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Billyjoh

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

His losing sequence goes back 22 races to February 2024; however, he's often run well in the interim and he's been given a bit of help from the handicapper ahead of this reappearance; can be in the mix if fully tuned up.

10/1

8th

11

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

13:30 York

Billyjoh

8st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

5yo whose 31 starts have been at 5f-7f and his losing spell goes back to February 2024; however, he's run many big races in the interim, most recently at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in August when finishing strongly for a share of third, and on that evidence this first crack at 1m is well worth a go.

8/1

5/1

Form: 210-01 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made fine progress last year while leaving the impression there was still a fair bit more in the tank; endured a miserable run through on his Doncaster return but had no problem justifying favouritism in a 5f Beverley handicap ten days ago; 4lb rise less of a concern than quicker ground and deeper opposition; likely he's up to this level but would be more appealing on slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

Trilby

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Had his ideal conditions when gaining his fourth win at Haydock last month (5f, soft) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; solid third of 20 off this 5lb higher mark at York last time (5f, good; fifth has won since); stall 2 perhaps not ideal but one with a chance.

3/1

3rd

19

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces when picking up nicely to collar a back-to-form rival (pair clear) at Haydock (5f, soft) on Thursday; 5lb penalty in a deeper race but a bigger factor could be that the ground is unlikely to be as testing this time (has won on good but seems most potent when the mud is flying).

10/1

1st

5

(1)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Trilby

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Returned to form when second at Beverley (5f, good) last month; sixth of seven there since (5f, good to soft) but beaten less than 2l and he's a three-time winner here (6f/5f, good-heavy); could be bang there now back here in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

12/1

Form: 12308-

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Only raced six times for William Haggas, mainly at 7f (won an AW novice) but showing speed in the York handicap won by Strike Red on his first 6f run; sold for 140,000gns soon after; interesting recruit for his new yard but something to prove on good/faster.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

8st 10lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Strong 6f form here until a disappointing run eight days ago, tanking through the race but finding little off the bridle; should be fine back at 5f and he remains on a dangerous mark.

7/2

9th

7

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Germanic

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Julie Camacho

Has turf form but starting to look like an AW specialist, rewarding market support when seeing off Heavenly Heather and 11 others over C&D two months ago; weighted to confirm the form with his old adversary and he is still 2lb lower than for his fine C&D second last May; strong claims.

5/1

7

(13)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Germanic

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Began his time with Julie Camacho with two solid runs in the spring, notably when second of 13 at Newcastle (6f); things have gone south since, albeit in top sprints, and a wind operation didn't arrest the slide at Haydock four weeks ago; cheekpieces return (ran well over 7f here in one previous use); stable also runs Solar Aclaim.

20/1

14/1

Form: 1335-5 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Did well for Ruth Carr in the second half of 2024 and still has some handicapping scope; closely matched with Havana Pusey on their Newbury meeting but that opponent had the benefit of a recent run; each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rousing Encore

10st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Dual C&D winner; finished well for fourth at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) in May but has rather mixed record since returned to turf in April and never really got involved at York last time.

9/1

18th

2

(18)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Rousing Encore

10st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Tends to come from well off the pace and sometimes meets trouble; did well in the circumstances when a never-nearer fourth of 14 at Carlisle two weeks ago; won over C&D last spring; big player if the gaps appear.

12/1

4th

5

(15)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Rousing Encore

9st 5lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Promising second on reappearance at Newcastle and better than the bare results suggest since, meeting significant trouble in running in a big field at York last time; could play a major role if getting the breaks.

11/1

Form: 34658- D

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Two-time Stewards' Cup winner; no win since 2023 where he won a Group 3 and twice in Listed company; did run some fair races in defeat last year though and he's not handicapped out of things on even his 2024 best; he has needed the run on his reappearance in recent times though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 6y

Class 2

19:15 Hamilton

Commanche Falls

10st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Michael Dods

9yo whose last win was in September 2023 and it's possible that he'll need this first outing since February; however, he won this in 2021 and showed spark when twice finishing second in Bahrain this January (6f, good/good to firm); not ruled out.

11/1

7

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:15 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

A tremendous campaigner over the years with two Stewards' Cups to his name; in and out this season and only twelfth in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago, but he has clear possibilities on his fast-finishing second to stablemate Northern Ticker over C&D in August; 1lb lower today.

16/1

8

(16)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Commanche Falls

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Two years since his last win but this dual Stewards' Cup winner is more realistically treated these days and he gave his younger stablemate Northern Ticker a race at York last month; not so good at Doncaster last week and he will do well to win this race in his fourth attempt (seventh in 2021, runner-up in 2022 and sixth last year).

16/1

Form: 10283-

Last run: 182 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
All 12 runs over further, winning over 1m as a 3yo and two 7f handicaps for this yard last season; ended 2024 with some promising runs but he does have to prove himself over 6f and he might need slower ground at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

In good form last June, winning off this mark over C&D (good) before an excellent second at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm); some fair efforts this season and on a good mark now; not out of it.

4/1

6th

7

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Akkadian Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on his last 14 starts and he's been expensive to follow in that time, but he was denied a clear run at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month and again ran well when fifth of 19 at York (7f, good) last time; could be thereabouts.

11/2

5th

5

(13)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Akkadian Thunder

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His losing sequence is up to 13 but he's 4lb lower than when runner-up at Royal Ascot last June and was denied a clear run when third at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last Saturday; bang there if getting the breaks.

16/1

Form: 0-7440 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Disappointed at Newcastle on Good Friday but that was a race in which little got into it from off the pace and he shouldn't be judged too harshly on it; infrequent turf winner but he's on a lowly mark in this sphere and 6f on good ground no problem; visor goes on for the first time since joining Tim Easterby; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Fivethousandtoone

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Faced with his optimum conditions but he is 3lb higher than for his win in this race last summer; each-way claims once again.

10/1

6th

8

(14)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Fivethousandtoone

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time AW winner, only 1-27 on grass; never the slightest threat on return to turf at Leicester; others have more convincing profiles.

16/1

11th

11

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Fivethousandtoone

8st 7lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time AW winner who has finished close up on Tapeta (5f/6f) in his last three runs; record of 1-26 on turf but he's on a lower mark in this sphere and he ran well in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon (6f, good to firm) last summer; dangerous.

8/1

Form: 020-24 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Conditions should suit and she has run with great credit in two runs this season, narrowly failing in a big field at Doncaster on her return and then doing best of those held up at Newbury two weeks ago; apprentice takes off a handy 3lb and she's a strong candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:15 Newmarket (July)

Havana Pusey

10st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Gallagher

Excellent second in this race (good to firm) last year, when conceding weight to a winner who went on to better things; back to form when outstaying Shallow at Yarmouth (7f, good; similar terms today) in April and has since run well in a Group 3; early stumble cost her at Musselburgh since but she shouldn't be far away back in a handicap.

12/1

7th

4

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 1

15:28 Musselburgh

Havana Pusey

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John Gallagher

Won a handicap at Yarmouth (7f, good) in April and another big run, despite an awkward start, when third in the Group 3 Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield last month (7f, good to firm; 1l behind runner-up Magic Basma); also effective on good to soft (yet to run well on soft); she could be thereabouts.

7/2

3rd

4

(2)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Lingfield

Havana Pusey

9st 6lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: John Gallagher

Tough mare who won two handicaps around this time last year, scoring at Windsor (6f, good to firm) and following up at Goodwood (7f, good) 18 days later; registered plenty of other good efforts last term and was back on the scoresheet with narrow win at Yarmouth (7f, good) 11 days ago; something to find on the figures but she's the type to make her presence felt.

10/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 11105- CD

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Four wins as a 3yo, including C&D and a big sprint handicap at Newmarket's July meeting; creditable effort behind Strike Red at York when last seen in October; gelded since; may well improve again this year but ground softer than good does seem to be the key to him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Sergeant Wilko

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Winless since his productive 2024 campaign; upped to 7f at Thirsk six weeks ago and put in a good front-running shift, picked off close home by the reopposing Brighton Boy; 3lb better off today but it won't be easy trying to boss this field.

8/1

2nd

5

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Sergeant Wilko

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Promising reappearance after wind surgery when fourth at Newcastle (6f) but has taken two backward steps since; has his first run beyond sprint distances here and needs to bounce back after seven weeks off.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.40
Straight Forecast £68.04
Tricast £675.81
Trifecta £576.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Completely Random

Telegraph:

Trilby

TOPSPEED:

Billyjoh

The Star:

Akkadian Thunder

POSTDATA:

Rousing Encore

The Times:

Strike Red

Daily Mail:

Commanche Falls

RP RATINGS:

Completely Random

The Guardian:

Completely Random

D Express:

Completely Random

Daily Record:

Completely Random

Daily Mirror:

Trilby