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

3rd

3

(3)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Myal

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Flagbearer for his stable and second in this last year; best form this term when winning at Thirsk and second at Haydock (Listed) in the spring but below par behind some of these rivals on his last two starts.

14/1

4th

3

(7)

18th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:07 Newbury

Myal

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Flagbearer for his stable; best form this term when winning at Thirsk and second at Haydock (Listed) in the spring; faced stiff task in Doncaster Group 2 last Saturday and has a better chance on these terms.

20/1

7th

2

(4)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

14:55 Doncaster

Myal

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Steph Hollinshead

Useful 7f performer and flagbearer for his stable; best form this term when winning at Thirsk and second at Haydock (Listed) in the spring; the only C&D scorer in this field but faces a stiff task upped in grade, being bottom on ratings.

33/1

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

7th

3

(4)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Ascot

More Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Campaigned mostly on good/firmer; hit the line strongly in Group 2 at Doncaster when dropped back in trip last time, taking 7f record to 3-4 and strike-rate for current yard to 5-11; 0-4 over 1m otherwise this term but creditable second-place finishes in two top races, including the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, bring him into the reckoning.

15/2

1st

1

(6)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

14:55 Doncaster

More Thunder

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Campaigned over 1m (on good/firmer) this season, mostly at the top level, best efforts when second in the Lockinge and Queen Anne; failed to produce his customary strong finish in the Marois most recently and this may be the right time to drop back in trip; landed a major handicap and Group 2 over 7f last term; top on the figures.

11/10

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

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

6

(21)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Beaten 13 times since his last win last August but he's run several mighty races in the meantime, including when beaten a neck in this last year and when third of 17 to Scoville at Doncaster (1m, good) last time; this two-time course winner could be firmly in the mix once more.

12/1

3rd

3

(3)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Ebts Guard

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Ran well in the face of a tough task when fourth in Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (soft) a fortnight ago and he returns to a handicap on a mark 2lb lower than when fourth of 28 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm); has an each-way shout.

16/1

4th

2

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Ebts Guard

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Has lots of form in major handicaps, including a good effort over C&D last year; consistent in the main but faces a stiffer assignment upped to Group level for the first time.

20/1

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

14th

1

(5)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Hes A Monster

10st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Hamad Al Jehani

He has won on turf but AW suits him best and he took his record to 5-6 on artificial surfaces when running away with a 7f Deauville event 378 days ago; can go well fresh but others have stronger claims.

20/1

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

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

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

17th

12

(23)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Run Boy Run

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Teak-tough effort to take this race on soft ground 12 months ago; in good form in Dubai in February and his Ascot fourth (5f, good to firm) in July was a career-best RPR; two runs at Glorious Goodwood were respectable and he is 3lb lower than when midfield in the Stewards' Cup; new blinkers replace usual visor; sure to be primed for a bold bid.

20/1

15th

7

(24)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Run Boy Run

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Richard Spencer

Finished fourth behind stablemate Two Tribes in this race 12 months ago when 8lb lower and enjoyed his finest hour when making most to win the Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) last September; successful in Dubai early in the year and although his results have been mixed since returning to Britain, he retains plenty of ability; down the field over 5f here on Tuesday when a change of tactics failed to bear fruit; better can be expected today.

25/1

14th

2

(17)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Run Boy Run

9st 10lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Richard Spencer

Made all in last season's Ayr Gold Cup (6f, soft) and competes off the same mark here after taking Toby Moore's claim into account; won over 5f at Meydan during the winter and gave it a good shot last time at Ascot (5f); finished fourth in last year's Stewards' Cup so handles this track; respected.

10/1

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

12th

1

(3)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:28 Ripon

Dark Thirty

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: John & Sean Quinn

Dual 6f winner at York and Chester this summer; got back on track with third of 24 in 6f handicap at the Curragh 13 days ago so must enter calculations off a 2lb lower mark.

5/1

3rd

2

(16)

13th Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

13:45 Curragh

Dark Thirty

9st 9lb

J: Sam Coen

T: John & Sean Quinn

Coaxed back to his best by the Quinns this year, winning 6f handicaps here and at Chester before narrow defeat to Sondad in the Scurry Handicap; both recent efforts below best however so needs to bounce back but meets Sondad on 8lb better terms.

14/1

14th

4

(13)

19th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Dark Thirty

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Coaxed back to his best by the Quinns this year, winning 6f handicaps here and at Chester and then running a fine race in a hot sprint handicap at the Curragh last month; weakened in the closing stages of the Stewards' Cup, a race in which he was 5lb well in, and a personal best is needed to defy this highest mark of his career over the shortest trip he will have tackled.

18/1

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

18th

18

(3)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Aalto

8st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Ian Williams

Has gained his only two British wins in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket but since the latest one in July he has been placed twice over C&D and an unlucky second at Newbury (flew home from a difficult position, amid interrupted passage); each-way possibilities.

12/1

2nd

5

(1)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Aalto

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ian Williams

Landed a second Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in July; has followed that with two creditable thirds at Ascot (including the International) and a bold bid is on the cards under Ryan Moore.

6/1

3rd

1

(4)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Ascot

Aalto

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ian Williams

His last two wins have come in the 2024 and 2026 runnings of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket but he proved his effectiveness at Ascot when third of 16 in the International Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in July; strong claims.

7/2

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

12th

11

(11)

13th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:47 Leicester

Our Havana

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Built up a good strike-rate during a one-year period that culminated in April 2025; inconsistent since, as demonstrated by his failure to back up the form of a 2026 reappearance success; others preferred.

33/1

9th

11

(2)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Our Havana

9st 6lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Returned from a 231-day absence to win a C&D handicap in June off just 2lb lower; two disappointing runs have followed and the cheekpieces tried last time are quickly replaced by a first-time visor.

28/1

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