May 31 / 15.33 Haydock

15.33

Good To Soft

Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 0m 7f 37y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2

Form: 83127- CD BF

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and runner-up in Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) next time; carries 5lb penalty and may improve for this reappearance outing but he's a class act who is entitled to respect; won this in 2021 and close third in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(10)

29th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Kinross

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

8yo who is a two-time Group 1 winner and has an excellent record in this race, with form figures of 1213; reappeared with head second to Ten Bob Tony in Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock (7f, good) two months ago when carrying a 5lb penalty; no penalty today and he has leading claims.

3/1

1

(9)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kinross

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and runner-up in Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) next time; carries 5lb penalty and may improve for this reappearance outing but he's a class act who is entitled to respect; won this in 2021 and close third in 2022.

11/2

2nd

1

(9)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kinross

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and runner-up in Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) next time; carries 5lb penalty and may improve for this reappearance outing but he's a class act who is entitled to respect; won this in 2021 and close third in 2022.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 5549-1 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket (7f, soft) in 2023; 0-4 last year; reappeared in C&D Listed race (good to firm) last month having been gelded and he returned to form to make all on that drop back in trip; tougher assignment today but he could have more to offer at this distance; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Alyanaabi

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Gelded before reappearing in May with a Listed win at Haydock (7f, good to firm); however, he needs a bigger performance to take this and three lesser runs have followed in Group races; the last two were in blinkers, which are now joined by a tongue-tie.

18/1

6th

1

(9)

29th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Alyanaabi

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Gelded before reappearing in May and winning a Listed race at Haydock (7f, good to firm); however, he needs a bigger performance if he's to take this and two lesser runs have followed in Group 3 races (7f/6f, good/AW); the latest was in first-time blinkers, which are retained.

25/1

3

(6)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Alyanaabi

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

0-4 over 1m+ last year; dropped in trip and made all in 7f Listed race at Haydock in May but didn't give his running in Group 3 over same C&D three weeks later; now runs in a sprint for the first time since his (winning) debut and also tackles the AW for the first time, so he has a bit to prove, although first-time blinkers could have a positive effect.

11/2

Form: 5140-9 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last year and below par in 6f Group 1s on latest two outings, most recently on last month's reappearance at Meydan; however, he's back up in trip and back down in grade today and is the one to beat if rediscovering last year's best form, when winning the Group 1 Lockinge (1m, good) and Group 2 Lennox (good); ran well on soft in 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Audience

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Group 1 Lockinge winner in 2024 but on a 12-race losing sequence and he ran badly on his last three starts in Dubai early this year; this is a drop in grade but he's proving increasingly hard to predict.

25/1

1

(4)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Audience

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Not disgraced in similar event at Doncaster last time but continues below his peak form, namely wins in the Lockinge and Lennox last term; still needs to raise his game.

5/1

3rd

1

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Audience

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Smart over 7f/1m on his day; runner-up in this contest in 2023 and won the Lockinge and the Lennox last year; not in the same form since and the switch to blinkers (retained) had no effect last time; the need for a revival continues.

16/1

Form: 03116- CD

Last run: 213 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Improved form last autumn, winning Ascot handicap (7f, soft) off a lofty mark and following up in Redcar Listed race (7f, soft); disappointing last October when last seen but, with the recent rain a positive, he's an each-way possible if back on song on this return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Greys Monument

9st 13lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

Suited by ground softer than good; proved resurgent last time in Redcar Listed contest he'd won a year earlier; on a workable mark returned to handicap level and Jack Dace takes off a bonus 5lb; shortlisted.

13/2

4th

1

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:56 Redcar

Greys Monument

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Came good in the mud last autumn, winning an Ascot handicap in September and following up in this race; hasn't come close to that level this season, including back on soft ground in that same Ascot handicap four weeks ago, but still no surprise were he to revive in refitted blinkers.

11/2

1

(7)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Greys Monument

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Two 7f soft-ground wins last term were kicked off in a similar handicap on the Saturday of this meeting one year ago; followed that up with a Redcar Listed success under Rossa Ryan one month later; hasn't matched that in two starts this term but this tends to be his time of year and he stays 1m; respected down to his last winning mark.

12/1

Form: 2646-4 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced half-brother to Frankel and went very close in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last June (7f, good to firm); could improve for this month's reappearance here (2l fourth of five in Listed race) but others have greater substance to their claims; peak efforts on fast ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(12)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kikkuli

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Harry Charlton

Lightly raced half-brother to Frankel and went very close in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last June (7f, good to firm); could improve for this month's reappearance here (2l fourth of five in Listed race) but others have greater substance to their claims; peak efforts on fast ground.

12/1

5

(12)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kikkuli

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Harry Charlton

Lightly raced half-brother to Frankel and went very close in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last June (7f, good to firm); could improve for this month's reappearance here (2l fourth of five in Listed race) but others have greater substance to their claims; peak efforts on fast ground.

12/1

4th

4

(2)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:55 Haydock

Kikkuli

9st 10lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Harry Charlton

Looked an exciting prospect when narrowly denied in last year's Jersey at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) on just his fourth start; that made his three subsequent defeats (including fourth to Tiber Flow in Hungerford at Newbury) a little underwhelming but no surprise were he to bounce back with a bang on reappearance for a stable in very good form.

2/1

Form: 716-12 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Listed winner at Deauville (7f, AW) last November and defied lofty mark in Kempton handicap (7f, AW) in March; also effective on turf and was second of six in a good conditions race at Thirsk last month; however, this 6yo needs to be better than ever if he's to take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Mount Athos

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

Running in this for the third time, finishing second in 2023 and 2025; on both occasions he arrived on the back of a 7f win at Kempton and he landed that same race yet again 23 days ago; should give it another good shot.

7/2

1st

1

(2)

18th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Mount Athos

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

James Doyle is 5-5 on him, three of those successes coming in this race (2023, 2024 and 2025); he's 2lb lower than last year but weakened into last place when back in a handicap over track and trip ten weeks ago.

7/2

6

(3)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Mount Athos

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: James Tate

Listed winner at Deauville (7f, AW) last November and defied lofty mark in Kempton handicap (7f, AW) in March; also effective on turf and was second of six in a good conditions race at Thirsk last month; however, this 6yo needs to be better than ever if he's to take this.

22/1

Form: 133-37 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Landed a 6f Listed hat-trick on slow ground last August/September and faced tough task in Group 1 at Meydan last month; has won over 7f in the past but 6f seems to be his optimum trip; sixth in this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Quinault

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner who has a strike-rate of 12-34 overall and 3-4 at York, the most recent course success in 7f Group 3 last June (equally effective at 6f); ties in with some of today's opponents on penultimate effort; removal of usual hood backfired last time; likely to go well.

10/1

6th

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner whose 12 wins include a Group 3 at York (7f, good) last June; he was an excellent third of 19 in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot (6f) in October; has since run up to his best in a 5f AW race at Newcastle in January and it will be interesting to see how he gets on back at this trip on turf with his regular hood discarded; ran creditably in 6f Group 3 at Newmarket last time.

8/1

3rd

9

(5)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Very useful front-runner whose strike-rate is 12-32; bagged Group 3 honours at York (7f) last June and a valuable pot at Doha (6f) most recently; unbeaten (4-4) in 6f contests on the Newmarket courses and has shown that he can win in sizeable fields; likely to make a bold bid back here.

9/1

Form: 61021-

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Fine second of 21 off big weight in York handicap (6f, soft) last October and went one better in Listed race at Doncaster (6f, soft); stamina to prove at 7f but he won a 6.5f sales race in his 2023 2yo campaign; excellent record on slow ground; worth a second look if such conditions prevail.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:56 Redcar

Room Service

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Soft-ground Listed winner last autumn; best effort this term when second to Quinault in 7f Group 3 at York (good) in June; ran poorly with cheekpieces added (retained) in a Doncaster Group 2 last month but he's a major player if back to anywhere near his best.

100/30

7th

5

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Room Service

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Best effort this term when second to Quinault at York (7f, good) on penultimate start; 2-2 at Doncaster, namely soft-ground wins in the sales race at this meeting in 2023 and Listed event last November; interesting back here, assuming he takes well to first-time headgear.

7/1

6

(11)

20th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Room Service

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Handles good ground, best form on soft, including Doncaster Listed win last autumn; made a sound return to action when 3l fourth of 12 in 7f Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock; ran to a similar standard when second in a 7f Group 3 at York last month.

6/1

Form: 1056-1 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Group 3 win at Deauville (6f, very soft) last August and reappeared with Listed win at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March; tackles 7f for the first time since September 2023 and it remains to be seen if this trip still suits, but he's in with a shout if seeing it out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Spycatcher

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Won a 6f Listed at Doncaster early last season (good to soft); ended 2025 in top form with convincing wins in Group 3 at Chantilly (very soft) and a Listed race at Doncaster (Montassib fifth); failed to uphold form with Montassib at the same venue on seasonal debut.

6/1

10th

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Spycatcher

10st 1lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Won this race 12 months ago (good to soft) when others including James's Delight met trouble; ended 2025 better than ever with convincing successes in Group 3 at Chantilly (very soft) and Listed race here (heavy; Montassib and Art Power unplaced); penalised this time but should go well again.

4/1

3rd

5

(9)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:12 Curragh

Spycatcher

9st 7lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Gained sixth win of his career in a 6f listed heat at Doncaster (gd-sft) in March; best run since a 1.75l second behind Beauvatier in a Deauville Group 3 (6f, soft); beaten just 2l when fifth in this last year; needs the forecast rain to come, can go well if it does.

7/1

Form: 84245- D

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Not at the top of his game on final two runs last autumn; however, before those he was runner-up in the Group 3 Prix du Pin at Longchamp (7f, soft) and that form has been firmly boosted by the winner; gelded since last seen and considered each-way on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Ten Bob Tony

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Reappeared last season with victory in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt over C&D and he signed off the campaign with a fine third in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp; might have needed the run when fourth in Listed event at the Curragh six weeks ago; versatile in terms of the ground; solid chance.

5/1

4th

2

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Ten Bob Tony

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Ed Walker

Reappeared last season with win in Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock (7f, good) in May; ran only three times subsequently; excellent display when third of 16 in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp in October (7f, very soft); found 6f inadequate at Group 1 level on final start.

7/2

12

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Ten Bob Tony

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Reappeared with win in Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock (7f, good) in May and came a creditable third of 16 in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) two weeks ago; however, he'll need a career best to come out on top in this strong field and he's been unplaced on both goes in sprints.

18/1

12/1

Form: 10021- D

Last run: 238 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was a good second of 16 in York handicap (1m, good to firm) last August then easily made all in the big-field Challenge Cup Handicap at Ascot (7f, soft) last October; has a much tougher assignment on this reappearance but he's unexposed over 7f and on slow ground; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Doncaster

Volterra

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

0-4 last season but this prominent-racer ran well more often than not, including when third in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock (7f, good) on his reappearance; also effective at 1m and on slow ground; there can be optimism he'll be at or close to the top of his game on this seasonal debut; chance.

4/1

3rd

6

(3)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:56 Redcar

Volterra

9st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Has a good 7f record, including a near miss in a Newbury Listed race on good to soft 15 days ago; everything points to a big run from this former C&D winner.

7/4

3

(1)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Newbury

Volterra

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Failed to get home over 1m in French race most recently; last two attempts over 7f comprise a very useful handicap win at Ascot (soft) and creditable third in Haydock Group 3 (good); major player back down in trip.

11/4

Form: 2236-1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Improved form towards end of last season (including on soft ground) and took another step forward to win Listed race for fillies and mares at Newmarket (6f, good) four weeks ago, making significant late headway to overhaul one who landed a Listed race here next time; her trainer excels with late-maturing types and she could be even better now back up to 7f; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Tiger Bay

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Henry Candy

Reappeared with a useful Listed win at Newmarket (6f, good) in May but has been found wanting in Group 3s since and looks best watched after being brought down in a bad accident at York last month.

22/1

9

(4)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Tiger Bay

9st 2lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Improved form when Listed winner against her own sex at Newmarket (6f, good) and that form has been firmly boosted by the clear runner-up Frost At Dawn; however, two lesser performances have followed in Group 3s at Haydock and here and she needs a much bigger run today.

16/1

4

(1)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:45 York

Tiger Bay

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Took a good step forward when winning a 6f Listed event at Newmarket in May; never a threat in a 7f Group 3 at Haydock since and likely vulnerable to the 3yos.

16/1

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Alyanaabi

Telegraph:

Volterra

RP RATINGS:

Audience

TOPSPEED:

Spycatcher

SPOTLIGHT:

Tiger Bay

POSTDATA:

Kinross

The Guardian:

Volterra

The Star:

Volterra

The Times:

Alyanaabi

Daily Mail:

Alyanaabi

D Express:

Alyanaabi

The Sun:

Alyanaabi

Daily Record:

Alyanaabi

NEWMARKET:

Audience

Daily Mirror:

Spycatcher