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
View Course
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

4th

10

(11)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Completely Random

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Harry Charlton

Finished eighth behind Two Tribes in this race 12 months ago when 4lb lower; he is a better horse now, as emphasised by two 6f AW wins in January and a fine second in the Wokingham (cheekpieces first time) but he finished behind Two Tribes at Ascot last week and others look more appealing for win purposes.

14/1

13th

2

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Ascot

Completely Random

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Harry Charlton

Returned to form when dropped back in trip in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in the Wokingham here (6f, good to firm) last month, finishing fast under Ryan Moore for a head second; on that evidence the return to 7f could be a good move and he's one to consider.

9/1

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

7th

10

(6)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Goodwood

Strike Red

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Held on narrowly from Ferrous in the Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton last time; has performed well twice in the Stewards' Cup over C&D; may remain competitive.

9/1

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

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

5

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Trilby

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

C&D winner last spring who has largely been in good nick since cheekpieces went on in May, winning at Haydock (his fourth win there) and also at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; has never won off a mark this high but he ran well from it at Hamilton last time and soft ground would hold no fears; should be on the premises.

9/2

4th

2

(12)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has won twice this year (both when ridden by P J McDonald), at Haydock (5f, soft) in May and Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) last time, but that was a 0-105 and he wasn't best drawn; drops back down in grade and should have this run to suit.

10/1

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

11th

1

(11)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Germanic

10st 1lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Best form has been on AW, with a career high at Newcastle in January (5f); 0-12 on grass and well down the field in a Class 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest.

12/1

19th

8

(14)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Germanic

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

All three wins and best form have been on the AW, delivering a career high at Newcastle in January (5f AW); lower turf mark sees him 2lb higher here but he is 0-11 on grass and lacks a recent run.

50/1

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

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

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Rousing Encore

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.

6/1

19th

14

(18)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won a good C&D handicap last year and also successful at Ayr last September; 0-7 in 2026 but he retains all his ability and ran well for third (of 17) at Ayr 19 days ago; high draw a potential stumbling block.

12/1

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

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

3rd

2

(1)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Commanche Falls

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Runner-up twice in a row in Bahrain (6f, good/good to firm) in January; this 9yo hasn't shone on his three starts since and his losing sequence goes back to September 2023, but perhaps the drop back in grade will trigger a revival for this C&D winner; not ruled out.

7/1

11th

5

(15)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Veteran who ran a cracker behind a stablemate over C&D at last season's Ebor meeting; runner-up twice in Bahrain in January; low-key return to Britain last week; on a good mark but this is a tough race in which to try and rebound.

25/1

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

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

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

6th

13

(14)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Fivethousandtoone

8st 12lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

He is a better horse on AW than turf; a much lower mark in this sphere reflects that but his 1-28 record on the grass doesn't mark him down as the likely winner of this.

25/1

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

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

9th

1

(1)

3rd Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:49 Salisbury

Havana Pusey

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John Gallagher

7f has been her optimum trip and she can blow the start, so there is risk attached; however, she showed good speed with a back-to-form second at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last month and is not ruled out; has run well on good to soft ground but has struggled when encountering soft.

11/2

2nd

4

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:35 Newbury

Havana Pusey

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: John Gallagher

Often blows the start; everything clicked when she won at Yarmouth (7f, good) in April but she's been more miss than hit otherwise this year; others have less to prove.

16/1

9th

5

(8)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Havana Pusey

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: John Gallagher

C&D handicap winner who was third to Royal Velvet in a Group 3 at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) in May; however, this exposed 6yo faces a tougher assignment in today's line-up and was ninth of 13 in this race 12 months ago; blew the start at Newmarket last time; hood/tongue-tie are applied.

50/1

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

+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