August 22 / 14.25 York

14.25

Good To Firm

Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £141775
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
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Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

4/7 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.15

Form: 23-511 C

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) two months ago, winning by 7l; favourite that day, having gone head to head with the best stayers around in 2023 and 2024; the one to beat, though the 3lb penalty and probably the shorter trip make his task a bit more difficult.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Trawlerman

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

High class, a thorough stayer and a right battler, the powerful combination of which were seen to prime effect here as a 7yo last year when he made the running (he doesn't have to) to win the Gold Cup on good to firm by 7l, having been a close second the year before; just as good when he won here on final start last term; it's seemingly been touch and go whether he defends his crown, as he has been denied a preliminary run this time round and has developed a rare eye problem which makes him sensitive to sunlight, but he's the one to beat if judged on those sterling performances of 2025.

7/2

3

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Trawlerman

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup here (2m4f) this June, winning by 7l; that's his career-best form but several runs are not far behind it, including his two other wins this season; latest was from Sweet William at York (2m); won this race in 2023, fair third last year and very much the one to beat this time.

4/9

1st

1

(4)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Trawlerman

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) two months ago, winning by 7l; favourite that day, having gone head to head with the best stayers around in 2023 and 2024; the one to beat, though the 3lb penalty and probably the shorter trip make his task a bit more difficult.

4/7

6/1

  • Place: £1.65

Form: 12-343 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he took well to the visor last season and nearly always gives his running; one exception was behind Trawlerman in this year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, in which he was ridden much closer to the pace than usual; reverted to more patient tactics when third in the Goodwood Cup and has been bang there on both his visits to York; the same looks likely today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Sweet William

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Third and fourth in the last two renewals of this race and his 19l defeat last year was the only time in his career that he's finished out of the top three; being ridden closer to the pace that day seemingly backfired, as he's usually smuggled into each-way contention in the closing stages; beat Caballo De Mar (who gave 2lb) in one tight finish this year and not quite able to reel in Dubai Future in another; probably as good as ever but winning the Gold Cup may again prove a bit beyond him.

16/1

2nd

1

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Sweet William

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won this in 2024 and has added three more Group-race wins, the latest on reappearance in this month's Sagaro Stakes at Ascot (2m, good to firm) where he was clear with subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar; leading claims despite 5lb penalty.

Evs

1st

2

(9)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Sweet William

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he nearly always gives his running, including at this track; he did not have the top stayers to worry about last September when winning his second Doncaster Cup and the same seems to apply today, so he's a leading player.

2/1

14/1

Form: 5-5832

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
So nearly sprung a 33-1 surprise on stable debut in this race last year (good) when his strong finish took him within short head of victory; backed up that form the following month (2m, soft); a notch or two below it this year, including when nearly 10l behind Trawlerman at Sandown (2m) in May but his short-head defeat with first-time cheekpieces there last time was more like it; could be on his way back and needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(1)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Al Nayyir

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

While his form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; however, he twice found Trawlerman far too strong for him in Britain last season and couldn't match Rahiebb late on in last month's Yorkshire Cup; unraced beyond 2m but it's hard to envisage the new trip working sufficiently in his favour.

66/1

2nd

1

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Al Nayyir

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

While form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; third in a 2m Group 2 there in March when last seen; wore cheekpieces on last four starts; should be thereabouts.

13/2

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Al Nayyir

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

So nearly sprung a 33-1 surprise on stable debut in this race last year (good) when his strong finish took him within short head of victory; backed up that form the following month (2m, soft); a notch or two below it this year, including when nearly 10l behind Trawlerman at Sandown (2m) in May but his short-head defeat with first-time cheekpieces there last time was more like it; could be on his way back and needs a second look.

14/1

7/1

Form: -31211 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Front-running 6yo who has pulled out more time and time again, with 11 wins now to his credit; three of them were this season and he's never been in better form, taking a Listed race and Group 3 on last two outings, both at this track; however, he reverts to a higher level and 1m6f or a testing 1m4f has hitherto appeared his ideal fit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Uncharacteristically below par when well beaten at Chester last month and the track wasn't an excuse; four Group 3/Listed wins last year, including when making all in this under a 5lb penalty (same today), and he reappeared with a Listed win at Musselburgh in April; leading claims if back on song.

2/1

5th

2

(8)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Al Qareem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Justified favouritism in Listed grade at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on seasonal debut, making it five wins from his last nine starts and taking overall record to 13-36; Chester record reads 112, most recently running creditably in this race 12 months ago; again likely to give his running.

9/1

1st

1

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-runner who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins; the four last season (April-October) included career-best form; unraced here; has never won first time out but he has run creditably and is the clear form pick.

4/5

15/2

Form: 3-4482

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Sole win (eight races) remains a 2yo maiden; Group assignments all five starts since, his most competitive displays when a close, front-running fourth in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and second of five in another 1m6f Group 2 at the Curragh last time; may well stay 2m but had no answer to the Curragh winner and needs big improvement from today's new trip and/or first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:26 Leopardstown

Shackleton

9st 3lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Hasn't added to Currah 2yo maiden win but some good efforts in smart company, notably Queens Vase fourth and second behind Al Riffa in Group 2 Curragh Cup (1m6f, good); stamina test of 2m1f Irish Cesarewitch seemed beyond him last time and now takes a marked drop in trip.

9/1

8

(26)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Shackleton

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Third of three for yard and Lordan rides; not beaten far behind Carmers in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot in June; good second behind Al Riffa in the Curragh Cup (1m6f, good) on penultimate; weakened over 2m latest; stamina a query on handicap debut.

14/1

5th

6

(2)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Shackleton

8st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Sole win (eight races) remains a 2yo maiden; Group assignments all five starts since, his most competitive displays when a close, front-running fourth in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and second of five in another 1m6f Group 2 at the Curragh last time; may well stay 2m but had no answer to the Curragh winner and needs big improvement from today's new trip and/or first-time headgear.

15/2

Form: /11936 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Given his first crack at 2m in the Dubai Gold Cup this April when he showed far too much toe for his rivals in a steadily run race; held up in rear with a hood added when he emerged in a well-beaten third to Trawlerman in the 2m4f Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, which was well short of his best form, as was his his sixth of eight in the 2m Goodwood Cup; today's stamina test is also likely to ask him too big a question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(5)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Dubai Future

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

10yo who has generally fared much better in the Middle East than in Britain but showed far too much toe for the others when stealing a march on Sweet William in 2m Group 3 at Sandown on latest start (hung on by a neck); never remotely near the principals when 14l third in this last year and he's probably not the out-and-out stayer that's required to win it.

50/1

1st

3

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Dubai Future

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Won Group 3 (1m6f, good) and Group 2 (2m, good) races at Meydan early last year and he's very much of interest on that form; however, not at the same level subsequently and he was a soundly beaten fourth behind Sweet William in the Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot (2m, good to firm) recently.

20/1

4th

6

(5)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Dubai Future

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Has delivered smart efforts almost every season since 2020 (missed 2024) and last year's win in the 2m Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan was one of his best; that campaign went the wrong way and he did not perk up when returning for Dubai Gold Cup (20-1) five weeks ago, but holds a cracking chance if returning to his best.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.80
Straight Forecast £3.42
Trifecta £13.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Trawlerman

D Express:

Shackleton

POSTDATA:

Sweet William

Daily Mirror:

Al Qareem

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Nayyir

TOPSPEED:

Trawlerman

NEWMARKET:

Trawlerman

The Times:

Trawlerman

Telegraph:

Trawlerman

The Guardian:

Trawlerman

Daily Mail:

Trawlerman

The Sun:

Trawlerman

The Star:

Trawlerman

Daily Record:

Trawlerman