October 11 / 13.15 Newmarket

13.15

Good

Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 1m 1f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
View Course
Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

OUR TIP

Form: -11334 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Held up; Meydan improvement (mostly on on fast ground) was backed up when third in 1m1f Group 3 here in April but, after 116 days off, it's his fourth of seven in Haydock Group 3 (1m2f, good) nine weeks ago on latest start which makes him a leading contender on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

First Conquest

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Held up; Meydan improvement (mostly on on fast ground) was backed up when third in 1m1f Group 3 here in April but, after 116 days off, it's his fourth of seven in Haydock Group 3 (1m2f, good) nine weeks ago on latest start which makes him a leading contender on form.

4/1

4th

1

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

First Conquest

9st 10lb

J: David Probert

T: Charlie Appleby

Won handicap debut at 2024 Newmarket July meeting and next seen adding 1m1f handicap and 1m2f Group 3 wins at Meydan in January; ran creditably in defeat since in a Group 2 there and Group 3 at Newmarket but today's company demands much better, including as he gives weight to all; off 116 days.

16/1

3rd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

First Conquest

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

Low-mileage 4yo who is 2-3 at the Newmarket tracks and 3-4 since wearing a hood; campaigned at Meydan this year, unsuited by steady pace when beaten favourite in Group 2 most recently; incurs 3lb penalty for Group 3 success the time before but may still have further progress in him.

13/2

Form: 531043 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won the Cambridgeshire Handicap over C&D (soft) last September and second in this race next time; also scored in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m2f, good) this May and creditable third in Listed race at Ayr last month; big shout on form but, judged on his four attempts on it, ground firmer than good would be a substantial worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Liberty Lane

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently; a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; 2026 started in downbeat fashion (similar to last year) in Listed race and his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; this is also a new trip (unraced beyond an extended 1m2f) but he's bred to get it and has a chance on best form; ground the chief worry.

10/1

1

(4)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Liberty Lane

9st 9lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Won the Cambridgeshire here (1m1f, soft) last autumn; also scored in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m2f, good) this May and respectable 2l fourth of six to Damysus in 1m1f course Group 3 (good to firm) three weeks ago; unlikely to be far away despite his 3lb penalty.

7/2

Form: 4/33-0

Last run: 116 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Minor honours in Group 3 and Listed race at Royal Ascot 2023 and 2024, both on good to firm; however, he was not so hot at that meeting this year, wearing first-time cheekpieces after a year's absence; very lightly raced for his age and he has a chance if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Torito

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: John & Thady Gosden

Minor honours in Group 3 and Listed race at Royal Ascot 2023 and 2024; however, he was not so hot at that meeting this year and finished last of six in 1m1f course Group 3 last time after a further four months off; plenty to prove at present.

11/1

7

(9)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Torito

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: John & Thady Gosden

Minor honours in Group 3 and Listed race at Royal Ascot 2023 and 2024; however, he was not so hot at that meeting this year and finished last of six in 1m1f course Group 3 last time after a further four months off; plenty to prove at present.

11/1

3

(6)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Torito

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: John & Thady Gosden

Minor honours in Group 3 and Listed race at Royal Ascot 2023 and 2024, both on good to firm; however, he was not so hot at that meeting this year, wearing first-time cheekpieces after a year's absence; very lightly raced for his age and he has a chance if back on song.

11/1

Form: 1-3201

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Third in the Sandown Classic Trial in April and second in Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) in May; ran poorly in the Derby but bounced right back when readily landing a 1m2f Listed race at Deauville in August; needs another step forward to take this and the drop back in trip might not be ideal, but he surely retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Damysus

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Frankel colt who comfortably defied a 3lb penalty in Group 3 event at Newmarket (good) on seasonal debut, completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick and taking overall record to 4-7; gave the impression he'll be as effective returned to 1m; progressing well and his stable has landed this prize five times, including the last two years; commands respect.

3/1

1st

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Damysus

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Third in good-ground Sandown Classic Trial and second in Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) last spring; finished last in the Derby but firmly back on track when landing a 1m2f Listed race at Deauville (good to soft) in August and signed off with Group 3 C&D win in October; carries 3lb penalty but holds a Group 1 Lockinge Stakes entry and he's the sort to kick on again this year.

6/4

4

(5)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Damysus

9st 1lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Third in the Sandown Classic Trial in April and second in Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) in May; ran poorly in the Derby but bounced right back when readily landing a 1m2f Listed race at Deauville in August; needs another step forward to take this and the drop back in trip might not be ideal, but he surely retains potential.

6/4

Form: 12114 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden and two handicaps from his five starts, the latest win at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f); good fourth of eight when upped to Group 3 at York (1m1f, good to firm) seven weeks ago; needs to maintain his progressive profile but that is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Gladius

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won a maiden and two handicaps from his five starts, the latest win at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f); good fourth of eight when upped to Group 3 at York (1m1f, good to firm) seven weeks ago; needs to maintain his progressive profile but that is possible.

3/1

4th

7

(8)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Gladius

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Has run four times, with his sole defeat coming at the hands of Wednesday's close Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force; made it 2-2 in handicaps when winning in a big field at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago (1m1f, good; has also won on good to firm); today's company demands further and sizeable improvement but that can't be ruled out from this progressive 3yo.

11/2

12

(13)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Gladius

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

His three runs have come on AW/good to firm; back to winning ways at Sandown (1m1f) in June on his first handicap start; did it in convincing fashion and this unexposed 3yo could take a 7lb rise in his stride.

5/2

Form: 21032

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won a three-runner maiden at Doncaster in May on second start; well beaten in the Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) in May, with better form for minor honours at 1m2f (on softer than good) in his two starts since but this race requires a chunk of improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Mister Rizz

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Won a three-runner maiden at Doncaster in May on second start; well beaten in the Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) in May, with better form for minor honours at 1m2f (on softer than good) in his two starts since but this race requires a chunk of improvement.

16/1

1

(2)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Mister Rizz

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Made debut in April and won at Doncaster (1m2f, good) on second start; returned from break with front-running Listed third at Deauville last month (1m2f, good to soft; unraced on softer) and he could still have more to offer after just four starts; player.

7/4

10th

4

(10)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:45 York

Mister Rizz

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Didn't race last year having had an injury, and not entered in the Derby; second to subsequent Esher Cup winner on debut at Kempton (1m, AW) last month and easily won three-runner maiden at 2-13 at Doncaster (1m2f, good) 12 days ago; takes huge leap in grade today but this 425,000gns yearling, whose dam won a Group 2, could have lots more to offer; not ruled out each-way.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.10
Straight Forecast £6.00
Trifecta £10.80

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Damysus

SPOTLIGHT:

First Conquest

The Guardian:

Gladius

POSTDATA:

Liberty Lane

LAMBOURN:

Mister Rizz

Telegraph:

Damysus

Daily Mirror:

Damysus

The Star:

Damysus

Daily Record:

Damysus

D Express:

Gladius

The Sun:

Gladius

RP RATINGS:

First Conquest

TOPSPEED:

First Conquest

The Times:

First Conquest

Daily Mail:

Liberty Lane