July 12 / 16.00 Newmarket (July)

16.00

Good To Firm

bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 018

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has reached a fairly useful standard over 6f, winning easily at Brighton then not disgraced (eighth of 20) in the Coventry at Royal Ascot; this extra furlong needs to prompt improvement, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

(8)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Bourbon Blues

8st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Brian Meehan

3yo who is capable of useful form, most recently a rallying sixth in Royal Ascot handicap (1m2f); however, he still hasn't added to his early 2yo success and isn't crying out for this drop back in trip.

20/1

6th

1

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Bourbon Blues

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Brian Meehan

Reappeared with creditable third of seven in 1m1f Listed race at Newmarket; short of room at a crucial stage in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good; 16-1) and basically given an easy time from over 1f out, so he's a good deal better than last of ten in that hot contest suggests; however, after 11 races, he is more exposed than most of today's rivals.

33/1

10th

1

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Bourbon Blues

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Brian Meehan

Basically progressive as 2yo, ending with best form over 1m2f/1m1f, and he reappeared with a creditable third of seven in 1m1f Listed race at Newmarket one month ago; after ten races, though, he may well be more exposed than a lot of today's rivals.

20/1

OUR TIP

8/13

Form: 1 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ballydoyle colt who was 4-9 and got on top close home at Leopardstown (7f, good) eight weeks ago, beating the subsequent Chesham runner-up, pair clear; looks potentially smart and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(8)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Italy

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

0-5 since winning on debut at Leopardstown (7f, good) last May and he could do with settling better, while Ryan Moore rides stablemate Endorsement; however, he's run some big races in defeat and could build on April's reappearance fourth in the Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding; Endorsement second); might have a part to play.

6/1

4th

5

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

Italy

9st 5lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: A P O’Brien

Split the ill-fated Gewan and Distant Storm in the Acomb at York; then ran well behind Zavateri and stablemate Gstaad in National Stakes at the Curragh; repeated a hard-pulling tendency in the Dewhurst; needs to settle better to do full justice to his ability; hooded now for seasonal debut.

10/1

8th

5

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Italy

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Ties in with several of today's rivals on his consistent Group form since debut win; split Gewan and Distant Storm in the Acomb at York on penultimate start, then ran well behind Zavateri and stablemate Gstaad in National Stakes at the Curragh; took a good hold both times, so there's potential for an even bigger effort if he settles better.

9/1

Form: 231

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt who proved suited by the step up to 6.5f (from 5f) at Newbury most recently and could well build on that win; bred to rate higher, being half-brother to a Group 3 scorer for his yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:52 Newmarket (July)

Moonfall

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Promising profile included a Newbury novice win (extended 6f) last summer but it went into orbit, after running better than the bare result on Chester reappearance, when he got to the front over 1f out in the Britannia at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) and held off allcomers; a 7lb rise may not interrupt his progress over 1m.

5/2

1st

27

(28)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Moonfall

8st 10lb

J: Zac Lloyd

T: George Boughey

Contested a Group 2 last season after winning his novice; gelded in December; his comeback run at Chester was seriously promising when he had to be dropped in from a wide draw, then found trouble up the straight yet was beaten only 2l behind a shorter-priced stablemate; he's way better than that bare form and gets in off the same mark; possibilities.

10/1

5th

5

(12)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

15:40 Chester

Moonfall

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: George Boughey

Absent and gelded since finishing last of seven in Newmarket Group 2 last July; solid novice form otherwise, culminating in Newbury success from the front (6.5f, good); may still have more to offer and looks interesting dropped back in class.

7/1

Form: 1337

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Creditable seventh in the Coventry at Royal Ascot but is now 0-3 since debut win and looking a touch exposed, at least over sprint trips; it remains to be seen whether this longer distance helps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(3)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 York

Raakeb

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Beaten five times since his debut win but has performed creditably when highly tried and being carried left by an errant rival did him no favours in the Super Sprint (had top weight); returning to 6f is a major positive and his stable has a great record in this race.

11/2

6th

1

(8)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 34y

Class 2

15:30 Newbury

Raakeb

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

0-4 since debut win (5f, good) but form is on an upward curve, and he ran well facing a stiff task when fifth of seven in Group 2 at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last week; will need another personal best under top weight.

14/1

4

(4)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Raakeb

9st 3lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

Creditable seventh in the Coventry at Royal Ascot but is now 0-3 since debut win and looking a touch exposed, at least over sprint trips; it remains to be seen whether this longer distance helps.

25/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dubawi colt who justified favouritism, with something to spare, in Sandown maiden (7f, good) that his stable won in 2021 with Native Trail who followed up in this contest; open to any amount of progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Saba Desert

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

Presents a dilemma as he looked a plausible Dewhurst prospect with his Group 2 Superlative win on the July course here (beat Italy) but subsequently flopped badly, finishing last of six, in the Group 1 National Stakes; chance partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

25/1

6th

5

(2)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

15:50 Curragh

Saba Desert

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Dubawi colt, grandson of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Gossamer; landed odds on debut in Sandown maiden over this trip in June and followed up in Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, avoiding interference on near side then hanging left once hitting the front (beating Italy 1.25l); still a work in progress with likely more to offer and following the same path as yard's 2021 winner Native Trail.

100/30

5

(2)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Saba Desert

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Dubawi colt who justified favouritism, with something to spare, in Sandown maiden (7f, good) that his stable won in 2021 with Native Trail who followed up in this contest; open to any amount of progress.

7/2

Form: 12 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won well at Haydock and nearly defied a penalty in C&D contest, narrowly failing to collar a bigger-priced stablemate (newcomer); William Buick prefers Saba Desert but this colt retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charlie Appleby

Raced four times last year, finishing third in the Group 2 Superlative at this meeting (7f, good to firm) and going close in a Canadian Grade 1 (1m, firm) in September; this is his first run since and William Buick rides Morris Dancer, but it will be no surprise to see a big performance.

5/1

6

(3)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Won well at Haydock and nearly defied a penalty in C&D contest, narrowly failing to collar a bigger-priced stablemate (newcomer); William Buick prefers Saba Desert but this colt retains potential.

8/1

2

(4)

21st Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:38 Newmarket (July)

Wild Desert

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Charlie Appleby

Too Darn Hot half-brother to two Group 1 winners, including stablemate Shadow Of Light; justified favouritism with a 5l success in Haydock contest (7f, good to firm) and looks a bright prospect; commands respect.

10/11

Form: 14

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Registered a solid win at Chelmsford (6f, AW) then ran well in the Chesham at Royal Ascot (7f); looks a fairly useful filly but, upped further in class, may struggle to beat some promising colts in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Venetian Lace

9st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Second to Precise in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile last October (good; no match for the winner) and returned with fine third in the 1,000 Guineas (1m, good to firm; Fillies' Mile third Evolutionist in second); failed to settle when tailed off over 1m4f in the Oaks last month (when reportedly unsuited by the slow ground); drops back in trip but with something to find.

20/1

9th

9

(8)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Epsom

Venetian Lace

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

0-6 since debut win on AW last June and unproven on slow ground; however, she was a fine second in a red-hot running of the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October and reappeared with an excellent third in the 1,000 Guineas there (1m) last month; made the running on her last two starts; by Derby winner Masar and rallied in the closing stages last time, so it's possible that this sizeable step up in trip will suit; not ruled out.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £10.05

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Italy

NEWMARKET:

Saba Desert

RP RATINGS:

Wild Desert

TOPSPEED:

Raakeb

Daily Mail:

Saba Desert

The Star:

Saba Desert

POSTDATA:

Wild Desert

The Times:

Italy

Telegraph:

Italy

The Guardian:

Italy

D Express:

Italy

Daily Mirror:

Italy

The Sun:

Italy

Daily Record:

Italy