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

18th

18

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Ten Pounds

9st 3lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Joey Ramsden

All races over 7f until running a screamer in a close third of 28 (good to firm) in this race last year; ready winner of his next 6f start, on the AW last October; has had some trip and aids switches for new yard but looked back on a better path when a close, staying-on second in a 5f Carlisle Listed race (first-time cheekpieces replaced regular tongue-tie) last time; 3lb well in and has a big run in him back over C&D.

10/1

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

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

7th

2

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Myal

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Likeable 5yo who has a strike-rate of 7-19 and was runner-up behind an impressive winner in a Listed race at Haydock (7f, good) in May; should be in the mix again and his only previous visit to Chester resulted in a C&D win.

13/2

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

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

4th

5

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

More Thunder

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Usually held up; did very well over 6f/7f last term, including summer wins in a major handicap and Group 2; made a cracking first attempt at 1m when 2l second to Notable Speech in the Lockinge at Newbury on reappearance and backed that up by filling the same position in the Queen Anne at the Royal meeting (straight 1m, good to firm); the reopposing Zeus Olympios was behind him on both occasions; sets a good standard.

6/4

2nd

5

(9)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

More Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Usually held up in rear; did very well over 6f/7f last term, including summer wins in a major handicap and Group 2, as well as nearly landing the Wokingham at this meeting; made a cracking first attempt at 1m when only 2l behind Notable Speech (who got first run) in the Lockinge at Newbury on reappearance, taking form figures for current yard to 1121142 and suggesting he's set for another productive campaign; plausibly still improving and promises to be suited by this return to a stiffer course; major contender.

7/2

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

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

3rd

3

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Ebts Guard

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Similar type to Cerulean Bay in that he ran creditably in the Royal Hunt Cup (fourth) last time but is getting little help from the assessor, having proved largely consistent since his last win; solid contender all the same.

11/1

4th

8

(32)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Dual winner at Ascot; hindered by trouble in the Spring Cup on reappearance and ran creditably kept to Newbury last time; far from disgraced when seventh in this contest last year but has a stiffer mark this time and his ceiling has seemingly been reached already.

25/1

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

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

5th

3

(4)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Akkadian Thunder

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

In good form last June, winning off this mark over C&D (good) before an excellent second at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm); some fair efforts this season and on a good mark now; not out of it.

4/1

6th

7

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Akkadian Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten on his last 14 starts and he's been expensive to follow in that time, but he was denied a clear run at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month and again ran well when fifth of 19 at York (7f, good) last time; could be thereabouts.

11/2

5th

5

(13)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Akkadian Thunder

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

His losing sequence is up to 13 but he's 4lb lower than when runner-up at Royal Ascot last June and was denied a clear run when third at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last Saturday; bang there if getting the breaks.

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

4th

1

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Run Boy Run

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Made all to win the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) last September; good form in Dubai earlier in the year, winning a 5f handicap before a Group 3 second (6f) in February; 40-1 and well held in the Wokingham latest; others preferred for win purposes.

20/1

17th

3

(16)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Run Boy Run

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

These big-field 6f handicaps suit him down to the ground, and having finished fourth in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood (good to soft) and the Portland at Doncaster (extended 5f, good) he led home 24 rivals in the Ayr Gold Cup (soft) last September; mostly in good form at Meydan this year but he's 10lb higher than at Ayr which is a big burden to carry.

33/1

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

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

2nd

6

(20)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

Dark Thirty

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Ex-Richard Hannon; off the mark for the Quinn team when making virtually all in a 22-runner handicap at York Dante meeting (6f, good); bounced straight back from a lesser run at Thirsk when second at Ripon; made all for a 6f Chester win three weeks ago; stable won this with Mr Wagyu in 2022.

8/1

1st

2

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

15:03 Chester

Dark Thirty

10st 0lb

J: Jason Watson

T: John & Sean Quinn

Ex-Richard Hannon; off the mark for the Quinn team when making virtually all in a 22-runner handicap at York Dante meeting (6f, good) in May and bounced straight back from a lesser run at Thirsk when 2l second of seven at Ripon (6f, good) nine days ago; same mark this afternoon; bold show likely from a handy draw.

6/1

2nd

2

(3)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Dark Thirty

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Ex-Richard Hannon; off the mark for the Quinn team in a 22-runner handicap off 6lb lower at York in May (6f, good); lesser run at Thirsk last time; could bounce back

11/2

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

1st

13

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Aalto

8st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Showed career-best form in this race in 2024 (won by 2l) and 2025 (beaten only a nose), both off higher marks; posted a resurgent effort, behind Dark Tornado, returned to this C&D latest start; respected.

100/30

2nd

10

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Aalto

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Infrequent winner but he is well handicapped, has strong C&D form and his latest York run is easy to strike a line through; Ryan Moore retains the ride; dangerous if getting the breaks.

7/2

14th

8

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Aalto

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

His peak RPRs have come in the last two runnings of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July (win/close second); however, he was an encouraging ninth of 28 on reappearance in the Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, good) and positives today are his reduced mark and the booking of Ryan Moore.

5/1

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

16th

11

(19)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:10 York

Our Havana

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Ended 2025 quietly but that resulted in a drop in the weights and he bounced back to form when pipping Lir Speciale over C&D four weeks ago; that was his first run after a wind operation and he retains handicapping scope despite a 3lb rise; drawn widest.

8/1

1st

5

(16)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Our Havana

9st 12lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Recorded useful wins on AW and turf last spring; not in the same form later in 2025 but has dipped back to a good mark as a result and he's gone well fresh before; no surprise were he to stage a revival back from wind surgery.

16/1

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

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