July 12 / 14.50 Newmarket (July)

14.50

Good To Firm

bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 17-103 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Record of 4-7 over 7f includes a success on the other course here in May and it's best to forgive his most recent effort at this trip (something looked amiss); good third in the Wokingham over 6f last time; due to go up 2lb in future; largely progressive and remains of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Ten Pounds

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Joey Ramsden

5-10 at 6f/7f for Harry Charlton; unplaced all four outings since joining current stable, finishing in midfield in Victoria Cup at Ascot most recently; unproven at 5f; wears headgear for the first time; others appeal more.

14/1

13th

4

(29)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Ten Pounds

9st 10lb

J: Andrea Pinna

T: Joey Ramsden

Broadly progressive for previous yard but proved disappointing in this race last year, having raced freely; ran well in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot next time; not particularly solid on his 2026 form for new stable and it remains to be seen whether he settles returned to this C&D.

25/1

8th

2

(11)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Ten Pounds

9st 10lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Joey Ramsden

Record of 5-10 for Harry Charlton and his last win was in a conditions event at Kempton (6f, AW) in October; ran without his declared tongue-tie when fourth on stable debut at Southwell in January but he finished down the field in another Class 2 handicap at Newcastle two weeks later; conditions should be fine on this return to turf but he needs to step up again after another break.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: -31814 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Record of 6-9 over 7f includes wins at Haydock and Chester this season; respectable fourth in Royal Ascot handicap most recently but is held by Akkadian Thunder on that effort and remains on career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Myal

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Likeable 5yo with a good (7-18) strike-rate; shaped well in Listed event at Doncaster on reappearance and dug deep to win conditions race at Thirsk (7f, good) next time; may not have reached his ceiling and is high on the list.

6/1

1st

4

(7)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Thirsk

Myal

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Most progressive in the last couple of years, winning six 7f handicaps, with the first gained off of a rating of 67; another career-best effort when second in 7f Redcar Listed race (good to soft) on his final 4yo start; should be spot on for this after finishing fifth of 12 in a 6f Doncaster Listed event on his reappearance 13 days ago.

8/1

5th

10

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Myal

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Unplaced first four starts but most progressive since, winning six of his 12 races and running a cracker when second in Listed event at Redcar last autumn; may not have reached his limit just yet but all his successes have come at 7f and he doesn't have an obvious chance on the ratings.

28/1

Form: 23-112 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has shown useful and progressive form over 6f this term for new stable, winning twice on the other Newmarket track then strong-finishing second (nearly got up) in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot; due to go up 3lb in future; looks ready for this step back up in distance and commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

More Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Usually held up in rear; raced at 1m1f/1m2f for previous stable; record of 4-6 (over 6f/7f) last term for new yard featured wins in a major handicap at Newmarket and Group 2 at Newbury, both on good to firm ground; respectable fourth in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) on final start; shapes as if this new trip is worth exploring and may rate higher still.

7/1

1st

4

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

More Thunder

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

So nearly got up in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in hat-trick bid and those progressive efforts over 6f were followed by his Bunbury Cup win at Newmarket over 7f, this time getting the better of a narrow verdict; those last two races were on good to firm; better still is needed from him but he looks sure to taste Group-race success at some point and it could be today.

11/4

4

(13)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

More Thunder

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Has shown useful and progressive form over 6f this term for new stable, winning twice on the other Newmarket track then strong-finishing second (nearly got up) in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot; due to go up 3lb in future; looks ready for this step back up in distance and commands respect.

11/8

Form: -10347

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Useful 1m handicapper who won the Spring Cup on reappearance and ran creditably in the Royal Hunt Cup most recently; something to prove off current mark back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tough and consistent sort who won the C&D Spring Cup on 2025 reappearance but couldn't get a clear run in it this time round; third in this race last year and 9lb higher today but he's an each-way contender.

10/1

18th

3

(11)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tough and consistent sort who won this race (good ground) on his reappearance 12 months ago and finished second in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot in the autumn; starts the new season on a career-high mark but he's impossible to rule out.

16/1

2nd

3

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Ebts Guard

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Acts on soft; has mostly run well in warm 7f/1m handicaps this season, never better than when dead-heating for second in a valuable event at Ascot 11 days ago; this first Listed assignment makes for a different scenario but he has the form to be not far away.

11/2

Form: 048-93 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Went close at Newcastle (6f) two weeks ago on debut for new yard, taking AW record to 11113; effective at 7f; only 1-10 on turf and doesn't look the percentage call in this major handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(9)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

16:52 Chester

Hes A Monster

10st 2lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Went close at Newcastle on debut for new yard, taking AW record to 11113; came up well short in the Bunbury Cup since and is only 1-11 on turf; not the percentage call.

14/1

6

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Hes A Monster

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Went close at Newcastle (6f) two weeks ago on debut for new yard, taking AW record to 11113; effective at 7f; only 1-10 on turf and doesn't look the percentage call in this major handicap.

20/1

3rd

4

(1)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Hes A Monster

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

4-4 on AW when trained by Archie Watson, including a 7f handicap win at Chelmsford off a 3lb higher mark; 2024 was disappointing and he was also well held on his reappearance in Qatar in January; should be of more interest back on AW starting out for a new stable.

40/1

Form: 3-8712 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Back in top form since stepped back up to 7f, readily winning from Billyjoh at Doncaster then second in Royal Ascot handicap; nicely ahead of the assessor (future mark is 4lb higher) and appears to have a big prize in him; booking of William Buick cements the strong case; huge player.
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: -22429 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Scored four times in 2024 and has proved consistent this season, better than bare result from unfavourable draw at Royal Ascot most recently; record over C&D reads 2211, the wins last August; remains on career-high mark but holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Run Boy Run

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Several good efforts in defeat against top 6f handicappers this year but he never shifted much in the weights and the return to soft ground may have made the difference when he made nearly all to win the Ayr Gold Cup recently; serious rain would bring him into the reckoning.

12/1

15

(6)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Run Boy Run

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Yet to win this year but he's run some mighty races in defeat, in the frame in the Stewards' Cup and last week's Portland (only run out of second in the closing stages); should run his race again but there will probably be a few stronger.

16/1

11

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Run Boy Run

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Fourth to stablemate Two Tribes in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood but then ran poorly in another big field at York and doesn't look to have much in hand of the handicapper.

18/1

Form: 6-1021 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Mostly in good form over 6f this term but is 2lb badly in under a penalty for recent Salisbury win and isn't crying out for the return to 7f, for all that he's a C&D scorer; down the field in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Dark Thirty

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Returned to form to win big-field handicap at York (6f, good) this month on third stable start, going one better than in the same race 12 months previously; a 6lb rise shouldn't be enough to prevent another big run.

11/2

1st

20

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Dark Thirty

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Soundly beaten this spring on first two starts for new yard; however, he's 1lb lower than when second of 16 in this race last year for Richard Hannon, and he won here in 2023; capable of bouncing back with a bold show.

12/1

7th

10

(7)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Dark Thirty

8st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: John & Sean Quinn

Had two attempts at this race when with Richard Hannon, winning off 4lb higher in 2024 and losing his chance with a poor start last year; likely player if back to best in this second outing for new stable.

14/1

Form: 4-8320

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ran well behind Akkadian Thunder at Doncaster, then hindered by poor draw at Royal Ascot; however, losing run is mounting up and he still has an inferior strike-rate on turf compared to AW.
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

Form: 30-268 D BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

14/1

Form: 1960-9 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Record of only 1-11 for current stable but gained the win in this race (off 4lb lower) last year, albeit having been in obviously better form at the time; chance of a repeat depends on whether he takes a big step forward from reappearance run (folded tamely and well held over 1m here).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

28

(11)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Aalto

8st 12lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Ian Williams

Good 7f handicapper but has achieved his peak RPRs in the last two runnings of the Bunbury Cup, winning in 2024 and going very close in 2025; may be more interesting when going for a third attempt at Newmarket in July; his Ascot record isn't convincing.

20/1

21

(15)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Aalto

8st 10lb

J: Reserve

T: Ian Williams

Reserve; won the Bunbury Cup (7f, good) last July and went very close in that same race this year (good to firm); should be fine at 1m but those Newmarket efforts have been his standout performances in the last two seasons and it's probably best to look elsewhere; wears a first-time hood.

100/1

Form: 610160 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper and remains attractively treated on turf, with AW mark 4lb higher; however, never figured last time and this is a step back up in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(7)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Our Havana

8st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since; doesn't look as if he's about to add to his tally.

25/1

9th

9

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Our Havana

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Richard Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf in the spring but hasn't been in quite the same form since, midfield at Thirsk most recently; goes back up in grade and needs to raise his game.

33/1

3

(10)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Thirsk

Our Havana

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard Fahey

Has developed into a useful 7f handicapper, including a Musselburgh win (good) in May; hasn't managed to reproduce that in three outings since but this is a bit easier than the Bunbury Cup he contested last time and Warren Fentiman takes 5lb off; not discounted.

20/1

Non-runners

Golden Mind

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £61.20
Straight Forecast £76.28
Tricast £997.98
Trifecta £1501.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

More Thunder

SPOTLIGHT:

Akkadian Thunder

The Guardian:

Ebt's Guard

THE NORTH:

Golden Mind

Daily Mirror:

Run Boy Run

TOPSPEED:

More Thunder

POSTDATA:

More Thunder

NEWMARKET:

More Thunder

The Times:

More Thunder

Telegraph:

More Thunder

Daily Mail:

More Thunder

D Express:

More Thunder

The Sun:

More Thunder

The Star:

More Thunder

Daily Record:

Akkadian Thunder