September 06 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Good

Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £22967.55
  • 1m 0f 37y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 01864

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Three creditable efforts since a Brighton maiden win in the spring but he's beginning to look exposed; one-paced fourth of seven in French Group 3 (7f, good) last time; should stay 1m but others have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(19)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Bourbon Blues

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Brian Meehan

Group placed as 2yo and he's run well in top 3yo only handicaps over 1m2f this summer, finishing second of 14 at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm; probably acts on good to soft) off this mark last time; respected with Oisin Murphy taking the reins for the first time.

16/1

2nd

1

(7)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Bourbon Blues

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Brian Meehan

Third in 1m1f Listed race on reappearance and a rallying sixth of 16 in 1m2f handicap at Royal Ascot; drop back to 1m was probably against him on latest start but he's pretty exposed compared to many of today's rivals.

16/1

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

OUR TIP

Form: 1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bred to be smart and made a striking impression when winning seven-runner maiden at Newbury (1m, good; 2-1 joint-favourite; runner-up successful since) three weeks ago, easily pulling clear from over 1f out; has some Group-race entries and looks an excellent prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(4)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Bow Echo

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Only scraped home from a closing Gstaad in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (good to firm) last time but the race didn't go fully smoothly and he also perhaps hit the front sooner than ideal over that stiff 1m; beat that rival more impressively at Newmarket on reappearance to become, on RPRs, the joint-best 2,000 Guineas winner since Frankel; still unbeaten (5-5) and, given his general trajectory, remains an exciting miler who could dominate this division for the rest of the season.

11/10

1st

1

(2)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Bow Echo

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Hugely progressive and unbeaten in his four races, all over 1m on good/firmer; impressively bagged Classic honours at Newmarket in sole start this term, earning an RPR that makes him the joint-best 2,000 Guineas winner since Frankel; the next two home - Gstaad and Distant Storm - franked the form by filling the first two places in the Irish version; sets a tall standard, accordingly, and his trajectory brings the tantalising prospect of even bigger figures; massively exciting colt.

8/11

1st

4

(15)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Bow Echo

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Son of 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder and from the family of Dubawi; three from three last term, all starts over 1m, driven out for 1l success in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket (good to firm; Group 2) the final time; that wasn't necessarily a star performance but he keeps getting the job done and commands major respect, being a progressive colt who has a perfect record and has had a "faultless spring" according to his trainer; furthermore, he's already proven over C&D.

7/2

20/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Saw off two Godolphin runners when making winning debut in novice at Newmarket (1m, good to firm; 12-1) last month, never far away after sluggish start and always doing enough; this is tougher but his yard is having a good season with its 2yos and improvement seems likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Glacius

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Sole 3yo in this field and is open to further improvement; ran well behind Bow Echo in one of his 2yo races; good third in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm; Group 3) on reappearance; adds interest.

11/2

3rd

5

(5)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Glacius

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Won on debut at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last August before Listed fourth at Haydock (1m, good), and he rallied for close third in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last October when last seen; he's the only one of these who hasn't run this year and it's a tough assignment on his comeback, but his latest form reads well and he has potential at 1m2f.

25/1

3

(7)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Glacius

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Has shown fairly useful form in winning on the July course here and finishing fourth in Haydock Listed contest, both over 1m; however, needs improvement on bare ratings in this field.

20/1

Form: 21

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-bred son of Kingman who was unlucky at Sandown on debut before going one better there later in July (7f, good; pulled clear with runner-up); missed the Group 3 Solario over the same C&D in August due to the soft ground; should stay at least 1m; exciting type with lots of untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(8)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Haydock

Publish

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well-bred son of Kingman who was unlucky at Sandown on debut before going one better there later in July (7f, good; pulled clear with runner-up); missed the Group 3 Solario over the same C&D in August due to the soft ground; should stay at least 1m; exciting type with lots of untapped potential.

11/10

7

(1)

24th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Sandown

Publish

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Unlucky second in interesting C&D novice event (good to firm) that comprised only newcomers, finishing nicely once in the clear and leaving the impression he'd have won but for a prolonged lack of daylight; leading claims.

4/5

14/1

Form: 1 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Became yet another 2yo winner for his stable when making a successful start over 7f here (good ground; 9-1; wandered when first hitting the front) last month; that basic form is probably just fair but he's bred to be at least as effective over 1m+ and open to plenty of improvement; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(6)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Shayem

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Showed a strike-rate of 3-4 as a 2yo; has gradually found his form this season and recorded a clearcut success in Newmarket Listed event (1m, good to firm) most recently, hitting the line strongly and building on his second-place finish in the German 2,000 Guineas; back in the zone and may rate higher still; one of the main contenders.

13/2

1st

6

(1)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Shayem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

2yo Listed winner at Pontefract (1m, soft) last October and he appeared suited by the drop back to 1m when runner-up in the German 2,000 Guineas (1m, good) in May, behind Title Role who followed up in a US Grade 1 last Saturday; entitled to respect.

7/2

4th

2

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Shayem

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Dante entry; progressive with 3-4 record in Britain last season, ending with a Listed win from the front at Pontefract (1m, soft); however, beaten a long way in Saudi Arabia this February and although back near his 2yo form in Listed race at Newmarket (1m1f, good; disputed lead 2f out) three weeks ago, that was good enough for only fifth of seven to Morshdi; major work to do.

16/1

Form: 61

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made his debut in the Chesham at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) and built on the promise there when beating nine rivals at Catterick (7f, soft; made virtually all) the following month; further improvement required but he's a promising colt and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

(16)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

13:55 York

Tailgunner Joe

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Dylan Cunha

Has failed to convince over 1m2f since returning to home soil; gelded prior to latest start; 1m winner during his campaign at Meydan and the return to this distance looks the angle with him.

16/1

7th

3

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Tailgunner Joe

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Better in Meydan campaign in December-March, including a 1m win and he shaped as if he stayed 1m1f on final start there; needs to rebound from a poor show at Newmarket (1m2f) in April and he was gelded the next day.

33/1

6th

3

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:17 Newmarket

Tailgunner Joe

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Dylan Cunha

Fair form on varied turf as 2yo; rather better in his seven-race campaign at Meydan in December-March, including a 1m win and he shaped as if he stayed 1m1f on latest start; needs to find extra but, unlike most of these, there are no doubts over his fitness.

8/1

Form: 41244 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Holding her form well, fourth in fillies' Group 3 events on her last two outings; rallied over 7f at Newmarket four weeks ago, giving hope that she'll stay this extra furlong; should give her running but she's up against some unexposed colts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:19 Newmarket (July)

Midnight Tango

8st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Belied 66-1 odds when close second in Ascot Group 3 (6f, good to firm) on seasonal debut in May and subsequent Group 1 defeat over that C&D at Royal meeting is not viewed too harshly; may yet have a bigger run in her but others in this field have more convincing profiles.

8/1

13th

19

(17)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Midnight Tango

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

0-6 in Group/Listed races since winning a maiden at Hamilton last June on her second start but she's often run well and was better than ever when a neck runner-up to Coppull in the Group 3 Trial over C&D (good to firm) on last month's return; each-way claims if backing up that performance.

33/1

2nd

8

(7)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Ascot

Midnight Tango

9st 0lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Ran well in Listed/Group 3 company last summer following her maiden win at Hamilton and her two lesser efforts at the end of the campaign can both be excused; this free-going filly shouldn't mind the return to sprinting but she will need to raise her game a notch.

33/1

Non-runners

Hes Waliim

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Publish

Telegraph:

Bow Echo

LAMBOURN:

Midnight Tango

TOPSPEED:

Bourbon Blues

The Guardian:

Bow Echo

Daily Mail:

Bow Echo

The Sun:

Bow Echo

The Star:

Bow Echo

RP RATINGS:

Publish

POSTDATA:

Publish

NEWMARKET:

Publish

The Times:

Publish

D Express:

Publish

Daily Mirror:

Publish

Daily Record:

Publish