15.00
Good To SoftBetfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (Group 2)
- Prize money: £85065
- 2m 1f 197y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
12/1
Form: 3-2251 CD
Last run: 70 days
W: 9st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (3) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Stalwart of the staying scene, including with a win in this race in 2022 and a creditable fourth in 2024; both were on good to soft (beaten nearly 4l by Sweet William last year) and there was a lesser show on soft ground in the 2023 renewal; not quite as good as he was and he was dropped to a Listed race when winning ten weeks ago when last seen; major place contender if the ground isn't soft. |
12/1 |
|
3 (5) |
4th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class. |
9/2 |
|
5th 1 (6) |
19th Jun 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Stalwart of the top staying races who was at his best in 2023 but not far off it on two occasions in 2024, in a very mixed campaign; runner-up in two four-runner races this season, with latest start better than the first but he was still no match for Trawlerman; second and fifth in the last two Gold Cups and others will have to underperform if he's to win it. |
33/1 |
4/1
Form: 7/5-46
Last run: 20 days
W: 9st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 7 (2) |
20th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 5f 143y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Has some back-class on the Flat but the wheels came off big-time over hurdles for Willie Mullins and, after moving on for 15,000gns, he was tailed off at 50-1 on yard debut at Goodwood (1m6f; blinkers returned). |
66/1 |
|
7th 1 (3) |
23rd May 2026 Good To Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Sixth off 1lb higher in last year's 1m6f Ebor at York and third in the 2m2f Doncaster Cup; however, ended last season on a low note and pulled up in hot races for all three starts over hurdles this spring; left Willie Mullins for 15,000gns 16 days ago and blinkers (last worn in Germany in 2023) replace recent cheekpieces; which side he shows today remains to be seen. |
66/1 |
|
7 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 190y |
11st 10lb |
Classy sort on the Flat, third in last year's Doncaster Cup; 9yo has had just four runs over hurdles, winning Galway maiden last summer, but pulled up on both starts since last month's return, never featuring in Albert Bartlett and again in Grade 2 Fairyhouse novice (Generous Risk second); cheekpieces tried last time persisted with. |
33/1 |
9/1
Form: 433-61
Last run: 42 days
W: 9st 7lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (7) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Reliable staying handicapper who hit new heights when winning in grand style at Glorious Goodwood (2m4f) last time; more is required in his first Group race but he needs some respect following such a career best. |
9/1 |
|
1st 4 |
1st Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 97y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Solid 2024 campaign included fourth of 18 in this race (good to firm; fine on soft) off same mark as today; made a satisfactory reappearance this April and, likely to build on that, looks a strong each-way candidate. |
4/1 |
5/1
Form: -35445
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 (5) |
1st May 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Peak efforts were as a 3yo but reappearance at Meydan this January saw his first win since 2023; nearly won another 1m6f Group 3 there next time, before a headstrong display (set up big lead) saw him tail off in 2m Dubai Gold Cup five weeks ago; the latter was in blinkers (first time since September) which are unsurprisingly left off today; thereabouts if bouncing back. |
8/1 |
|
4 (8) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
No win since Group 1 as 2yo; good third, however, in the 14.5f St Leger here one year ago and only half a length behind Sweet William when trying 2m in the Goodwood Cup on penultimate outing; hampered at 1m4f latest; into new territory over this trip but Goodwood Cup suggests he is a serious player. |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 (4) |
29th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 12lb |
Probably okay on any going; runner-up in last season's Irish Derby and third in the St Leger; those are the clear highlights in form terms but his always-prominent fourth of 12 in Group 2 Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last month in first-time blinkers was much more like it again; this is a new trip but he's stuck to his task well on those best efforts over 1m4f/14.5f. |
12/1 |
11/8
Form: 2-3432 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 7lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 115
| 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 |
9st 4lb |
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 |
9st 9lb |
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 |
9st 9lb |
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 |
50/1
Form: 5930-6
Last run: 42 days
W: 9st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20th 2 (5) |
27th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Off since a mixed hurdles campaign ended in March; formerly very smart on Flat but he's not scored in this sphere since 2023, had a disappointing 2025 and all wins have been on soft or heavy ground; tailed off in this race in 2024. |
40/1 |
18/1
Form: 1719-3 C
Last run: 42 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 6 (13) |
9th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Thorough stayer who battled on for modest third in 2m4f handicap at Glorious Goodwood (soft) in August but then ran as though something was amiss in last month's Doncaster Cup; even if back on song, she might be a shade vulnerable back at 1m6f on drying ground here. |
12/1 |
|
7 (1) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Third win last term was in a slowly run 2m2f conditions stakes at Pontefract (soft) in October in tidy style; respectable, never-dangerous third in a handicap at Glorious Goodwood (2m4f) on reappearance but, despite being markedly better off at the weights, she clearly needs to improve upon that if she's to turn the tables on easy winner Kyle Of Lochalsh. |
18/1 |
8/1
Form: 8-1112 C BF
Last run: 50 days
W: 8st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 (4) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
8st 10lb |
Unraced on softer than good; emphatic wins in his first three handicaps, here on second occasion; the winning sequence ended on latest outing but he was a close second that day to the subsequent Melrose winner; has a fair bit to find on form but this 3yo should be open to further progress and he's a dark horse venturing beyond 14.5f for the first time. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 2 (1) |
24th Jul 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 3 |
9st 8lb |
Has been a textbook Prescott improver switched to handicaps this term, posting three emphatic wins, latest over C&D (good to firm); could well defy another big rise in the weights and complete the four-timer. |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 (3) |
4th Jul 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 4 |
9st 3lb |
Four 2yo runs at up to 8.5f barely scratched the surface of his potential and he ran out the comfortable winner of two handicaps last month, 1m4f at Ripon and an extended 1m6f at Doncaster last week; 10lb higher this time but still 2lb well in and he has more to offer as a stayer. |
10/11 |
Selections
NEWMARKET:
Sweet WilliamThe Times:
Sweet WilliamThe Guardian:
Sweet WilliamDaily Mirror:
Sweet WilliamThe Star:
Sweet WilliamDaily Record:
Sweet William