May 17 / 14.00 Newbury

14.00

Good

Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.45

Form: 1-32

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 132 reflect a solid start to his career, most recently running well under a penalty in useful novice event over C&D (good) switched to turf from AW; looks the type to do well in handicaps and this looks a good starting point, being kept to Newbury; strong credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Saddadd

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Progressive colt whose record is 4-8 and who has never finished out of the first three; beaten over 3l by similar type Gethin at Newbury early last season but holds a fighting chance in the rematch, having roughly caught up with that rival in terms of ratings; creditable third to sibling Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (first Group 1 attempt) most recently; particularly interesting returned to Sandown, being 2-2 over C&D, namely wins in a useful handicap last August (soft) and this year's Gordon Richards Stakes (good).

13/2

3rd

6

(6)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Saddadd

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Rose through the ranks last season, winning back-to-back handicaps at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) and Sandown (1m2f, soft); took the next step forward when landing Group 3 honours at Sandown (1m2f, good) on seasonal return (a race commonly won by high-class performers); enters the big league now but further improvement is by no means ruled out for a four-year-old having just his eighth start.

6/1

11/1

  • Place: £2.65

Form: 5-1231 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 1231 (on AW/turf) this year, the latest performance in Class 3 handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm); upped further in grade but he's steadily progressive and receives weight all round; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

(19)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Lightening Mann

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Bang there in 1m2f handicaps on last four starts, winning by a neck at Newmarket on third occasion and beaten by a neck when front-running on latest (both on good to firm); while that might suggest he's a bit exposed, the latest race was the London Gold Cup at Newbury, always a strong contest, and it looks like 1m4f will suit him.

12/1

2nd

10

(10)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Newbury

Lightening Mann

8st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Has form figures of 1231 (on AW/turf) this year, the latest performance in Class 3 handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm); upped further in grade but he's steadily progressive and receives weight all round; could go well.

11/1

2nd

10

(10)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Newbury

Lightening Mann

8st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Has form figures of 1231 (on AW/turf) this year, the latest performance in Class 3 handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm); upped further in grade but he's steadily progressive and receives weight all round; could go well.

11/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.45

Form: 3-146

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Showed promise over 7f in sole turf run (debut); ties in with Saddadd on penultimate AW effort (1m) but that rival has less to prove in this scenario; pedigree suggests he's not guaranteed to improve for this new trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

8

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Quai De Bethune

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Progressive 3yo for Andrew Balding in the first half of last year, culminating in a win in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); changed hands for 775,000gns the following month; failed to settle and shaped as though he needed the run when a nevertheless-respectable sixth on last month's comeback and stable debut at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft); the first-time hood could help and he's an intriguing contender.

11/1

6th

7

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Quai De Bethune

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Unraced on softer than good; London Gold Cup third at Newbury last May was a promising start to handicap life and he built on that with a last-gasp win from out the back at Royal Ascot (again 1m2f on good to firm); unraced since, having left Andrew Balding for 775,000gns that July and been gelded in September; 7lb higher than at Royal Ascot but he's had just six races.

14/1

1st

10

(14)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Quai De Bethune

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Came up well short in two valuable conditions stakes races on AW (having won a maiden) but the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) five weeks ago was a step forward, rather outpaced by the winner 2f out but keeping on well to go down by under 2l; up 2lb but more to offer.

9/1

Form: 313 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Late foal who made his debut in April; won at Kempton (1m2f, AW) next time and subsequent Newmarket Listed effort ties him in with stablemate Nebras; looks the type who should still be capable of further improvement; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:12 Ascot

Ernst Blofeld

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Fourth at Newmarket (1m4f, good) on seasonal/stable debut gave encouragement again, followed by a decisive win at Kempton (1m4f, AW) in May; 14-1 but it looked as if 1m6f stretched him when seventh of 16 at Royal Ascot (good to firm; every chance 2f out) and he probably remained in form; needs a close look back at 1m4f.

2/1

7th

15

(10)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

His form eventually ran cold for the Gosdens last season but he's back on the up for his new yard, following his pleasing comeback at Newmarket with a decisive win at Kempton where he swept by late on (1m4f, AW); has low enough mileage to believe he'll cope fine with a 7lb rise and, despite not being Wathnan's first string on jockey arrangements, he's one to consider.

10/1

1st

6

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Novice win came here; signed off for the Gosdens with two poor runs but his reappearance run at Newmarket 12 days ago, following a gelding operation, was promising and strongly suggested that the new trip of 1m4f is what he wants; Billy Loughnane, who is 1-2 for the yard, takes over.

7/1

Form: 7-22

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Turn looks near, having finished second at Redcar and Leicester this term, both over 1m2f on good ground; goes into deeper waters at this level but is open to progress now handicapping and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(11)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Asmen Warrior

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Below par in first-time blinkers at Epsom last month but the good to soft ground may not have suited and he's back in a visor today, in which he went close at Windsor (1m, good to firm) in May; has an each-way shout.

7/1

15th

15

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Asmen Warrior

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

Won a Salisbury maiden (1m2f, good to firm) last June when sporting first-time cheekpieces for previous yard; yet to score for current stable but he's been placed on six of those seven starts and it was a narrow defeat when second of ten at Windsor (1m, good to firm; visored) under Silvestre De Sousa latest; soft going would ask a question but he's well drawn to go forward and newly fitted blinkers might eke out more.

7/1

2nd

2

(3)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

17:00 Windsor

Asmen Warrior

9st 7lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

Record is only 1-12 and most of his form is over middle distances; however, looks a possible danger at this level provided he's suited by returning to 1m for first time since debut.

4/1

Form: 43-2

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has moved in the right direction (form figures 432) in 7f novice events, finishing strongly at Wolverhampton (AW) most recently; dam's side suggests this new trip will suit, and the Charlton stable has a good record in this race; hood applied; interesting handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

25th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Pontefract

Wave Rider

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Harry Charlton

Solid in three handicaps since winning his maiden at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) and despite being beaten about 7l last time the headline-grabbing winner took up over six of them; looks likely to make his presence felt.

5/2

3

(2)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 212y

Class 3

14:10 Ascot

Wave Rider

9st 6lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Harry Charlton

Competitive in two handicaps since winning his maiden at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) and his Hamilton conqueror last time was unexposed; has a race in him off this mark and he's proven on soft ground.

9/2

5

(2)

12th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

19:10 Hamilton

Wave Rider

9st 7lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Harry Charlton

Only 3l away in Newbury's always-strong London Gold Cup before coming from off the pace to win a Sandown maiden by 3l (1m2f, good to firm); strong in the betting for a Racing League handicap at Yarmouth where the ground was soft and he endured a wide trip; remains of interest.

5/2

Form: 622-16

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Opened his account in most recent AW attempt, then posted a respectable midfield effort in Sandown handicap (1m2f, good) on the switch to turf; not fully exposed but improvement is certainly needed to land this prize.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(2)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Circus Of Rome

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Third win last term was clearcut over 1m4f here in August and he ran creditably over 1m6f on turf next time; it's not that hard to forgive this season, given the 1m2f/1m, although he has raced a bit freely; looked the type to make progress this year and this is an eye-catching rethink on trip.

7/2

11th

2

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Circus Of Rome

10st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Campaigned over further since the start of last term and gained his handicap double at about 1m4f (stays 1m6f); never dangerous over 1m2f on reappearance; drop back to 1m looks a big negative.

20/1

5th

2

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Circus Of Rome

9st 7lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Enjoyed a very good 2025 (three-time 9.5f to 1m4f winner) and he signed off with a good sixth in 1m6f Ascot listed race in October when set a lot to do; hood goes on and can't be ruled out on his seasonal return.

6/1

7/2

Form: 215-

Last run: 217 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ballydoyle colt whose promise over 1m last term featured a Punchestown maiden win (on good ground) and creditable effort in Newmarket Group 3 won by smart stablemate Delacroix who has developed into a major Derby contender; could be well treated and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:35 Stratford

Genealogy

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Had wind surgery since failing to land the odds at Worcester (2m; bled from nose) last time on debut for Faye Bramley; form for Irish yards featured a success on the Flat and good second over hurdles; major contender provided he's back on song.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Worcester

Genealogy

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Useful Flat racer who came second in a good-quality Ascot juvenile hurdle (1m7f, soft; also suited by good ground) for Denis Hogan in January; his two runs either side of that weren't quite as good but he still has strong claims on this stable debut.

2/5

10th

4

(3)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 100y

19:45 Cork

Genealogy

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over 1m for Aidan O'Brien at two; easily pick of three hurdle runs for this yard when second in Ascot handicap (soft), most recently never counted on Flat return in 1m6f Curragh conditions event early this month; cheekpieces now tried and back in trip on return to handicap company.

14/1

33/1

Form: 317-8

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Registered a novice win at Ascot (7f, soft) last September; has failed to beat a rival in two races (Group 2 and Listed) over 1m/1m1f at Newmarket since; enough to prove in this good handicap upped further in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:12 Chester

Law Of Design

10st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

Sole win from 13 starts was in a four-runner novice at Ascot (7f, soft) in September 2024; well handicapped on his old form but he's been well held in his last five runs and has something to prove after another break.

14/1

9th

9

(5)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Law Of Design

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ian Williams

Some fair turf form for Brian Meehan, but despite plummeting in the weights has shown little in three AW starts for this yard, failing to beat a rival over 7f here in January; cheekpieces given a go, but some way down the stable's pecking order.

16/1

5th

1

(8)

12th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Law Of Design

9st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Yet to fire for his new yard but he met some traffic issues when last of eight in 7f Southwell handicap 20 days ago; he was a fair 7f winner at his best for Brian Meehan so possibilities on his first go on Polytrack.

16/1

Non-runners

Nebras

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.60
Straight Forecast £43.31
Tricast £710.04
Trifecta £447.60

Selections

The Times:

Asmen Warrior

D Express:

Circus Of Rome

SPOTLIGHT:

Saddadd

Daily Mirror:

Genealogy

The Guardian:

Wave Rider

TOPSPEED:

Lightening Mann

NEWMARKET:

Ernst Blofeld

RP RATINGS:

Nebras

The Sun:

Circus Of Rome

POSTDATA:

Saddadd

Telegraph:

Asmen Warrior

The Star:

Asmen Warrior

Daily Record:

Genealogy

Daily Mail:

Wave Rider

LAMBOURN:

Lightening Mann