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

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

1st

2

(7)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 1

14:50 Lingfield (AW)

Completely Random

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Harry Charlton

He returned from a 73-day break with an emphatic C&D win two weeks ago; held a class advantage over those rivals and that isn't the case here but he did finish his race off extremely strongly and he shouldn't be underestimated.

4/1

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)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Strike Red

8st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Soundly beaten behind Dark Thirty and others at York (6f, good) last time but his high draw proved to be a negative; won at Leicester (6f, good to firm) two starts ago and he could bounce back today and be involved.

9/1

10th

17

(17)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Strike Red

8st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Reappeared with close third at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month then snapped a losing run when winning at Leicester (6f, good to firm); there's still mileage in his mark judged on old form (including two C&D wins); chance.

14/1

1st

12

(8)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Strike Red

8st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

On lengthy losing but he's a smart handicapper on his day and he returned from five months off with a good third at Newcastle (6f, AW) two weeks ago; should benefit from that run and he remains well treated on his second in the Stewards' Cup last August; interesting contender.

6/1

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

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

6th

8

(3)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Trilby

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Last win came off a 6lb higher mark over C&D in April 2025 (good); runner-up in that equivalent race 11 days ago (good) and with rain about, could go well again.

7/2

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

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

15th

19

(11)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Merely fifth on his last two starts, following a very promising second on his reappearance at Newcastle (6f, AW); however, he won this last year (good to firm) and is handicapped to be in the mix if he's back on song.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

18:27 Doncaster

Rousing Encore

9st 7lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Not much room for manoeuvre off this mark but has resumed in good form, latterly when inclined to pull hard at Newmarket (6f) in a race not run to suit; usually ridden patiently these days but has made all more than once in the past; a lot may hinge on how things unfold early.

8/1

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

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

3

(2)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Commanche Falls

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Hasn't won for just over two years and whether the extra half-furlong suits remains to be seen, but he kept on well for a head second of 20 at York (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago and that performance bodes well for a prominent showing today; versatile ground-wise.

13/2

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

6th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

18:27 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Dual course winner (both 7f, good) who turned in a solid effort when second to a progressive rival on his C&D comeback (nudged up 2lb) in March; happiest coming from off a strong pace and the question is whether this will be run to suit on good to firm ground.

2/1

2nd

5

(1)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His last two wins have come at this track (7f); returns from a 141-day absence on a good mark, 6lb lower than when second at Royal Ascot last June (7f, good to firm); unplaced in each of his three seasonal debuts but he would have gone close at Leicester on last spring's return had he seen any daylight; the owners also run Sixtygeesbaby, while this 6yo is also one of three runners for David O'Meara.

11/1

5

(4)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 2y

Class 2

13:33 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Solid record at Doncaster comprises two wins over 7f and two placed efforts, including over 6.5f when a shade unlucky; return to this location looks a plus but the drop back to bare 6f may prove a negative.

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

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

2nd

13

(14)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Newcastle (AW)

Fivethousandtoone

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Three-time C&D winner, including this race in 2024 off a 2lb higher mark, and he has shaped well on his last two starts; he will need luck if it gets congested up the stands' rail but too much ability to rule out.

14/1

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

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

1st

1

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

16:28 Yarmouth

Havana Pusey

9st 11lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Gallagher

Last season went well in 6f/7f handicaps and was only 3l away in a Group 3 on one occasion; however, that campaign ended badly and her reappearance at the Craven meeting was no better.

10/1

14th

1

(13)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Havana Pusey

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Progressed last term; pick of her efforts came when fourth in AW Group 3 (6f) in June and when beating all bar Royal Velvet in July course handicap (7f, good to firm) the following month; will need to be near her best to make a winning seasonal debut but was beaten only a nose on last year's return.

33/1

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

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

8th

6

(2)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Sergeant Wilko

9st 6lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Promising reappearance after wind surgery when fourth of 14 over C&D in January but failed to build on that when only sixth of seven at Lingfield (6f) four weeks ago; bounce back needed.

11/1

6th

5

(7)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:12 Lingfield (AW)

Sergeant Wilko

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Kevin Ryan

Excelled as a 3yo but found the handicapper in command last year; promising reappearance at Newcastle six weeks ago (first run after wind surgery) and he is on a dangerous mark; widest stall to deal with but foolish to discount.

7/1

+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