July 10 / 16.45 Newmarket (July)

16.45

Good

Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £31190.5
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 1161 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unraced as a 2yo; impressive in two Kempton AW contests early this year, looking a 2,000 Guineas prospect; flopped in the Craven, having pulled too hard, but scored comfortably in first-time hood at Sandown (1m, good; Listed) since; talented colt who could well progress further with the headgear retained; respected even with 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Opera Ballo

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

Made all for 3l success in a particularly good edition of the bet365 Mile (Group 2) at Sandown most recently, defying a 5lb penalty for his Group 1 win at Meydan and taking record to 7-9, as well as reversing Newmarket autumn placings with Zeus Olympios; doesn't necessarily need to dominate up front; new rating puts him on a par with stablemate Notable Speech and even bigger figures may be on the way; respected.

7/2

1st

2

(2)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Opera Ballo

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Progressive colt who readily bagged Group 1 honours at Meydan (1m1f, good) three months ago, taking record to 6-8; however, appears to need further improvement to defy 5lb penalty and was no match for Zeus Olympios in last domestic outing.

8/1

2nd

5

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Opera Ballo

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Pulled too hard and flopped in the Craven but firmly back on track with a hood fitted since, winning Listed events over this trip at Sandown (good) and on the July course (good to firm); particularly impressive in the latter event and he holds a Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes entry; sets a fine standard to aim at.

8/11

Form: 6011 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
No better than midfield in two Meydan starts; 2-2 since racing in Britain, gamely landing the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; turf debut) last time, albeit fortuitously as the runner-up looked unlucky; faces a tougher task on these terms but is open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Arabian Story

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Saeed bin Suroor

No better than midfield in two Meydan starts; 2-2 since racing in Britain, gamely landing the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm; turf debut) last time, albeit fortuitously as the runner-up looked unlucky; faces a tougher task on these terms but is open to further improvement.

6/1

1st

5

(29)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Arabian Story

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Down the field in his Meydan races but returned from a break for British debut and he dominated throughout in that 1m maiden at Chelmsford, scoring by 3l; had the run of things that day and the handicapper has taken no chances, but he's a dark one on turf debut for a trainer who's had plenty of success at this meeting; a nagging concern is that only one recent winner emerged from a maiden or novice.

11/1

4

(5)

22nd May 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Arabian Story

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Showed ability when sixth in a 7f Meydan conditions race (dirt) in January; well below that level back there (1m) when last seen; if building on his original effort he should be involved but has that to prove.

8/1

Form: 6-11 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Kingman colt who is 2-2 this season, last time easily defying a penalty in C&D novice event (good to firm) that was won in 2021 by fellow Shadwell horse Baaeed, who followed up in this race en route to becoming a star performer; very promising and looks an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(15)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Elarak

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

Record of 3-9 includes two wins at the Newmarket tracks; good second, beaten only a neck, in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently; due to go up 3lb in future; strong contender.

7/2

2nd

6

(31)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Elarak

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

Low-mileage 4yo who was 3-5 last term, readily winning at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) final start; hindered by racing alone returned to that C&D last time; may still have more to offer and can't be written off; Billy Loughnane (up for first time) is a booking of note.

14/1

4th

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Elarak

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Made it 3-6 when winning a C&D handicap (good to firm) last September, making virtually all; gelded subsequently; reappeared with close fourth of eight in conditions race at Thirsk (7f, good) three weeks ago and could show the benefit of that outing today; this 4yo is firmly in calculations.

11/4

Form: 312-29

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Midfield in the French Derby last time, running creditably on the figures; has a solid record (3122) on home soil, clear second in the Feilden at the Craven meeting on the other course here (1m1f, good to soft; Listed) the final time; leading player at the weights returned to this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

King Of Cities

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Formerly trained by Richard Hannon but remained with same owner; produced his best performance in most recent domestic start, namely a narrow success in Group 3 at last year's Ebor festival at York (1m1f, good to firm); may have more to offer this term; respected.

3/1

1st

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

King Of Cities

9st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

3yo who was a close Listed second on his reappearance (1m1f, good to soft) then wasn't beaten far in mid-division in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft); things haven't panned out ideally when third in 1m Listed/Group 3 races the last twice (including on good to firm) and this extra furlong could be in his favour; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 28-394

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Ran well in the Solario and Royal Lodge last term; best effort since when fourth in the Diomed at Epsom (8.5f) most recently; therefore a useful colt who brings Group form to this assignment and, despite being 0-6 since debut success, can't be comfortably dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Royal Playwright

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Andrew Balding

Respectable fourth in this contest last year but showed better form, including success in conditions race and third-place finishes at Listed/Group level, over 1m2f/1m3f later in 2025; doesn't seem to be crying out for this drop back in trip on reappearance.

20/1

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

10

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Royal Playwright

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Landed a second career win in 1m2f Goodwood conditions race (soft) in October; 0-8 in Listed/Group races prior to that but placed on a few occasions and he should be in the mix here.

6/1

Form: 340-06

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Gelded prior to having no luck with the draw (ran okay in the circumstances) at Royal Ascot last time; best 2yo form, including placed efforts in the Superlative Stakes (at this meeting) and Curragh Group 1, gives him a fighting chance on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

This prominent racer was pipped by No Lunch (who has to give him 3lb now) in Saint-Cloud Group 2 on reappearance but has built on that with wins in Listed race at Longchamp and Group 3 at Epsom (both 1m, good to soft) in recent months; while his best RPRS have been achieved on good or softer his second on good to firm at last year's Newmarket July meeting was as good as anything he'd achieved at that stage; should go well.

8/1

1st

7

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Seagulls Eleven

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Appears versatile as regards ground; Group 3 winner at last year's Glorious Goodwood and better than ever in two French races this term, making all at Longchamp (1m Listed) latest; reasonably solid in current form returned to home soil, and further progress is possible.

4/1

8th

10

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hugo Palmer

3yo who has done well since being gelded, finishing second in a Listed race at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) then beating his three rivals to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, soft); supplemented for this race at a cost of £40,000 but could be vulnerable in this grade.

25/1

Form: 512-3

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Unexposed gelding whose sole outing this season resulted in a good effort in 1m handicap on the other track here; however, has the worst chance at the weights upped in grade and is rated markedly lower than stable first string Opera Ballo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(6)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Spectacular View

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Unexposed gelding whose sole outing this season resulted in a good effort in 1m handicap on the other track here; however, has the worst chance at the weights upped in grade and is rated markedly lower than stable first string Opera Ballo.

33/1

3rd

5

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:55 Newmarket

Spectacular View

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Handicap debutant whose 2yo novice form has substance, especially AW win at Chelmsford where he beat the subsequent Esher Cup winner who now has a mark of 92; looks well treated.

9/4

Non-runners

Brian

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Opera Ballo

SPOTLIGHT:

Elarak

RP RATINGS:

King Of Cities

POSTDATA:

Royal Playwright

Daily Mail:

Seagulls Eleven

The Times:

Opera Ballo

Telegraph:

Opera Ballo

D Express:

Opera Ballo

The Sun:

Opera Ballo

LAMBOURN:

Elarak

The Star:

Elarak

Daily Record:

Elarak

TOPSPEED:

King Of Cities

The Guardian:

King Of Cities

Daily Mirror:

King Of Cities