August 03 / 15.52 Chester

15.52

Good

Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £22684
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 861244

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ex-French colt who has form figures of 1244 since dropped to sprinting, the success in Deauville Listed event (good to soft); ran well in Group 3 there (on debut for new yard) most recently; incurs 3lb penalty but is favourably drawn and again has frame possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(4)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Ayr

Toyotomi

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David O’Meara

Ex-French; took time to acclimatise and was down the field in the Gold Cup last autumn but of more interest now, having been quite impressive at Goodwood (6f, soft) in June and seriously hampered at the Curragh (6f, yielding) last week on second run back from a break; Oisin Murphy up for the first time; likely to be suited by this thorough test and has a solid chance.

5/1

10th

7

(12)

13th Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

13:45 Curragh

Toyotomi

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Former French Listed winner scored for this yard in soft-ground Goodwood handicap in June and didn't run badly over same C&D last month, having travelled well; any rain would help his cause.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0-6555 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who is a dual scorer at Chester; however, has raced mainly at about 7f since early last season and failed to land a serious blow, even on a stiff track, when dropped back to 6f on latest outing; upped in grade and may be tapped for toe.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Divine Libra

9st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

It's 18 runs since she scored over C&D and she comes here on the back of a below-par ninth in 7f Southwell handicap last month; not easy to make a case for.

6/1

9th

13

(11)

16th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:40 Southwell (AW)

Divine Libra

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Three-time winner but now on a lengthy losing run and connections reverted to blinkers last time at Goodwood; needs to turn a corner.

20/1

11th

16

(4)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Goodwood

Divine Libra

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Beaten on his last 16 starts going back to May 2024 and he didn't deliver on a hint he was on the way back at Chester in May when beaten 7l at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 25 days ago; just 1lb above his last winning mark, however, and first-time blinkers might help him put his best foot forward.

18/1

Form: 191000 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who is a six-time winner at Chester, most recently in May; three duck eggs at the totally contrasting Ascot since and he should be well suited by the return to this venue; faces a difficult task at the weights but his course record bodes well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(9)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

15:17 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

C&D win at the May meeting off a 1lb higher mark; not so good since, including when well backed over 6f here three weeks ago; conditions should be fine but a lower draw would have been preferred.

6/1

7th

1

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 17y

Class 3

17:00 Chester

Roman Dragon

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Hugo Palmer

Back to the mark off which he won a 5f handicap at the May meeting; not had optimal conditions since but returning to 6f and dropping in class could see a revival from this eight-time course winner.

5/1

6th

3

(6)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Eight course wins to his name, the latest in May (5f, good) off a 2lb lower mark; had form over 7f in his youth but this year's two C&D runs haven't been convincing.

16/1

Form: 37-678

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Good chance on peak form, namely placed efforts at Newmarket (Listed) and Ascot (Group 3) last August/October; fourth in this race 12 months ago; far from solid on 2025 results, however, and it's over two years since his last success; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes off higher marks in the spring; however, his form has gone the wrong way subsequently and he needs to turn things around.

9/1

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Russet Gold

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes at Leicester and York (also 6f) in the spring but his last two starts haven't been as promising; nicely treated and he does have form here so a revival isn't out of the question.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in Listed/Group races in 2024; on a three-year losing spell but his Class 2 form this term for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts; possibilities off current mark back down in grade.

5/1

11/2

Form: 6-3590

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Unraced on soft/heavy; took record to 2-2 with Windsor Castle (Listed) win at Royal Ascot last term; campaigned at Group level since, with mixed results, the pick of them when third at Ascot and fifth at Haydock this spring (both 6f); possibilities from plum draw returned to this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

22nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Beverley

Aint Nobody

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Runner-up in last season's Group 1 Nunthorpe at York and he would be hard to beat on these terms if returning to that level; 2026 campaign has been fairly disappointing but the return to faster ground will help.

9/4

7th

2

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Aint Nobody

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Last summer's Nunthorpe second was a clear personal best; this season has been a struggle, including in this season's Nunthorpe nine days ago (first run after a gelding operation); not sure he wants the ground too testing and others look stronger.

7/1

13th

1

(6)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Aint Nobody

10st 1lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Rose far above his previous form when second of 17 to Asfoora in this race (100-1) last year in first-time cheekpieces but their effect was fleeting and subsequent runs, including in a handicap, don't offer much hope today; has now been gelded.

80/1

Form: 297-80 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Solid start to his career comprised a maiden success and two close seconds at Group 2 level; not in anything like the same form since, comfortably held in warm 3yo handicap most recently; chance depends on whether first-time hood prompts a turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(9)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:20 Doncaster

The Strikin Viking

9st 7lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Group 3 win in Germany (6f, soft) last August; not at his best this year but there have been excuses on last two starts (returning from a break, then 7f) and the handicapper is cutting him some slack; return to sprinting will help and he is on a dangerous mark; revival possible.

50/1

9th

2

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

The Strikin Viking

10st 2lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Group 3 win in Germany (6f, soft) last August; not at his best this year but the handicapper is cutting him some slack; stamina for 7f, even around here, has to be taken on trust.

25/1

6th

1

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:18 Pontefract

The Strikin Viking

10st 2lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Has been on his travels, winning a Group 3 at Baden-Baden (6f, soft) last August but finishing unplaced at Woodbine, Meydan and Doha in the meantime; returns from another five months off and hard to know how well handicapped he is; stable also runs Garfield Shadow.

10/1

Form: 00-623 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-9 for Ralph Beckett, both wins last season; best effort this term when second in Class 4 handicap at Salisbury in June; sold for 48,000gns since last run; this 4yo filly has the worst chance at the weights upped sharply in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(4)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Noel Fox

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Both wins on turf in 2024 when trained by Ralph Beckett; ran her best race for current yard when third of ten here (6f) on AW debut ten days ago; is at least as effective over 7f and should run well.

7/2

4

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Noel Fox

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Best of three runs for this yard when fourth of 14 at Haydock (5f) three weeks ago, keeping on; at least as effective over 6f and well treated on her best form for Ralph Beckett; AW debut.

7/1

6

(9)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Noel Fox

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

On a competitive mark on form as recent as June but hasn't been at the top of her game on her two outings for this yard; unproven on slow ground.

25/1

Form: 3415-3 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on good/firmer; record is 3-8; form last term featured a success in the Lowther (Group 2) where she beat the subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner; creditable third in Group 3 returned to York last month on reappearance; well drawn and has the best chance at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:45 York

Celandine

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Ed Walker

0-7 since winning the 2024 Lowther over C&D (good to firm) but her third to Sayidah Dariyan in this race last year is her peak RPR; hasn't fired in two outings this year (including fifth to Flora Of Bermuda at Newmarket) but this C&D does seem to bring out the best in her.

14/1

8th

7

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Celandine

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

0-6 since winning the Group 2 Lowther (6f, good to firm) as a 2yo, although she had an excuse (awkward leaving stalls, never a threat) in 6f Listed event at Newmarket (13-2) on reappearance; below par on two previous attempts at 5f, but not ruled out if on a going day for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:10 Newmarket

Celandine

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Disappointing in similar event over C&D when last seen and is 0-5 since winning the Lowther as a 2yo; however, this seasonal debut may be the time to catch her; good third to Sayidah Dariyan in Group 3 at York (6f) on 2025 reappearance.

9/1

Form: 210-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Had no luck when favourite for the Queen Mary on final start in truncated 2yo campaign; recorded a useful handicap win at Sandown (again over 5f; good) last month on seasonal debut and, having raced just four times, looks open to further improvement; ready for a crack at 6f; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(9)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Kassaya

8st 12lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred filly (a half-sister to the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean) who looked a smart prospect when winning 5f handicap at Sandown (5f, good; shaped well on soft) in July; has not gone on as anticipated in 6f Listed races since, and she's on a retrieval mission here.

16/1

6th

10

(11)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Kassaya

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Merely fifth of nine in Listed race at Chester last month but she may not have been suited by the track and this lightly raced 3yo had shown glimpses of serious promise previously; cost 1,000,000gns as a foal and is a half-sister to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean; could yet make her mark at this level.

8/1

12

(4)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Kassaya

8st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Had no luck when favourite for the Queen Mary on final start in truncated 2yo campaign; recorded a useful handicap win at Sandown (again over 5f; good) last month on seasonal debut and, having raced just four times, looks open to further improvement; ready for a crack at 6f; respected.

11/4

Non-runners

Invictus Gold, Habooba, Profit Refused

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £52.20
Straight Forecast £36.36
Trifecta £878.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Celandine

The Times:

Kassaya

RP RATINGS:

Celandine

TOPSPEED:

Celandine

POSTDATA:

Celandine

LAMBOURN:

Celandine

Telegraph:

Celandine

D Express:

Celandine

Daily Record:

Celandine

Daily Mail:

Kassaya

Daily Mirror:

Kassaya

The Sun:

Kassaya

The Star:

Kassaya