May 01 / 14.35 Ascot

14.35

Good To Firm

Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (A Gold Cup Trial)

  • Prize money: £53874.5
  • 1m 7f 209y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (A Gold Cup Trial)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 43212- D

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
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.
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

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 8117-2 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Much improved last year, best effort to land the Group 1 Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f, soft) in October; close second in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m, good) was a fine start to this campaign and his run on good to firm at Royal Ascot last June, although subsequently eclipsed, looked excellent at the time; needs respect but concedes weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Caballo De Mar

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Registered Group 1 wins at Longchamp last October (2m4f Cadran, very soft) and this May (near 2m, soft) and every bit as good when short-headed at Ascot (good to firm) earlier in May; 7-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) nine weeks ago and raced in second for a long way before cracking in the final 2f (vet reported signs of heat stress); concedes 3lb all round today but tried to go head-to-head with the best stayers around last time and they are now absent; good chance if back to form.

2/1

11th

3

(11)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Caballo De Mar

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Huge improver last term, including second in the 1m6f handicap at this meeting and winning two Group events in the autumn, notably the Group 1 Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f, very soft); every bit as good this season, as he gave Sweet William 2lb when short-headed here (2m, good to firm) and followed that with a narrow Group 1 win at Longchamp; today's company demands a bit more but the thorough test of stamina will suit and he's one to take seriously.

10/1

2nd

1

(7)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Caballo De Mar

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: George Scott

Much improved last year, best effort to land the Group 1 Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f, soft) in October; close second in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m, good) was a fine start to this campaign and his run on good to firm at Royal Ascot last June, although subsequently eclipsed, looked excellent at the time; needs respect but concedes weight all round.

7/2

12/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 50211- D

Last run: 218 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won 1m6f handicap at Goodwood (good to firm) last August and a first crack at 2m suited her even better when she led over 1f out to score at 20-1 in a Listed race at Newmarket (good) in September; today's Group 3 should demand plenty more but she could still have untapped potential at 2m+.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Miss Alpilles

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Suited by step up to 2m when Listed winner on final start last term and she's played creditable supporting roles in Group events this term; best form when 11l fifth at 80-1 behind Scandinavia and Trawlerman in the 2m4f Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last time; needs to find extra and headgear is given a go.

66/1

5th

11

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Miss Alpilles

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Suited by step up to 2m when winning a Listed event at Newmarket (good) on final start last term; 40-1 and perhaps in need of the race when she ran out of steam behind Sweet William and Caballo De Mar here (2m; beaten 8l) on reappearance, and staying-on second at York (1m6f) next time was better, but there is nothing in her form which suggests she is up to today's task.

100/1

2nd

4

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:15 York

Miss Alpilles

9st 2lb

J: George Downing

T: Ed Walker

Upwardly mobile 5yo who seemed suited by the step up to 2m when winning Listed race at Newmarket (good) last autumn; ran creditably against male rivals when 8l third of eight in Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot on return; today's drop back in distance isn't an obvious positive but she may have more in the tank and should give a good account of herself.

4/1

Form: 9366-8 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
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.
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

5/1

Form: 2632-2

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
No win since Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) in 2024 but he ran very well in 1m4f Group races on first three starts last season and returned to that form when a close second in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) 11 weeks ago; that puts him back in the picture even though he's unraced over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 61y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Tabletalk

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Tom Clover

Won the Melrose Handicap at York in August 2024; 0-10 since but runner-up in six of those races, including at York (1m6f) on last two starts in close finishes also involving Mount Atlas (who now carries a 3lb penalty); the lack of a recent win has become frustrating, particularly as he had the initiative for most of the closing stages last time, losing it in the last three strides; cheekpieces (tried once last term, runner-up) return; second to Dubai Honour in terms of form.

3/1

2nd

5

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Tabletalk

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Won the Melrose Handicap over C&D in August 2024; 0-9 since but he was runner-up in five of those races, including when beaten a neck in C&D Listed event four weeks ago, narrowly in front of Mount Atlas; the lack of a recent win is a touch frustrating but he's clearly a leading contender.

15/8

2nd

6

(3)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Tabletalk

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Won the Melrose Handicap here in 2024 (good to firm; for 3yos) and another good run over C&D (good to firm) when third in this last year, 4l behind Al Qareem; not at his best at Ascot last month following a break, and there's a suspicion he may find one or two too good even if back to his peak, but he might not be far away.

7/1

100/1

Form: 24/68-

Last run: 391 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
A novice event remains his only win from ten races but he was fourth in the 2024 Derby and St Leger; well held in Saudi Arabia and Dubai on his only two starts last year, left Owen Burrows for 16,000gns last October and gelded last month; some caution has to be advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Deira Mile

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Jessica Bedi

Fourth in the 2024 Derby and St Leger; however, well held in Saudi Arabia and Dubai on his only two starts last year, left Owen Burrows for 16,000gns last October, gelded and never dangerous in 2m Ascot Group 3 (150-1) on return, so he seems to be swimming against the tide in this good race.

50/1

6th

5

(4)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Deira Mile

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Jessica Bedi

A novice event remains his only win from ten races but he was fourth in the 2024 Derby and St Leger; well held in Saudi Arabia and Dubai on his only two starts last year, left Owen Burrows for 16,000gns last October and gelded last month; some caution has to be advised.

100/1

4th

1

(6)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Deira Mile

9st 3lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Owen Burrows

Unraced on firmer than good; fourth in Group 1 Futurity here (1m, heavy) last October; sole win was a novice event but he came from last (over 5f out) to fourth in a 16-runner race for the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to soft) next time and also stayed on when beaten a neck in Listed contest at Windsor (11.4f, soft) three weeks ago; wore cheekpieces in those last two starts but now tries blinkers; the trip makes some appeal but he does need to improve.

16/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: /1126- C

Last run: 215 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Landed the Cork Derby (1m4f) last May and a Royal Ascot handicap (2m4f) last June, before his excellent second in the Ebor Handicap at York (1m6f) in August; not disgraced on final start but needs a serious advance to mix it with the best of these in today's Group 3.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

18

(9)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Ascending

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Henry De Bromhead

Unraced on the soft on Flat for nearly two years; progressive last season, most notably on good to firm with his win at Royal Ascot (2m4f) and second in this race; failed to shine at Ascot on first two starts this season (every chance over 1f out at the Royal meeting) before never dangerous when 40-1 in a recent Leopardstown Group 3; off the same mark as 12 months ago, however, this Irish St Leger entry could be dangerous to dismiss.

22/1

6th

1

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Leopardstown

Ascending

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Progressive last season, completing a hat-trick in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes; continued on the upgrade when second to Ethical Diamond in the Ebor at York (1m6f); has failed to recapture his best form in two trips to Ascot this season; was getting 6lb from the Mullins horse in the Ebor, now rated 20lb inferior.

20/1

10th

1

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Ascending

9st 12lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won the Cork Derby over 1m4f before following up in the 2m4f handicap on this card 12 months ago (good to firm) and that golden spell continued when second in the Ebor at York (1m6f); only 2lb higher than at York so he's not handicapped out of this, and last month's run in a Group 3 after 215 days away should have brought him on fitness-wise; respected.

10/1

9/2

Form: 2117-3

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and ran well when third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February; runner-up Tabletalk conceded him 11lb that day and it's only 1lb today, but this 4yo should retain potential for 2m+.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Tarriance

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Melrose on this card last year before a creditable last of seven in the soft-ground St Leger (sole run on softer than good); returned to a handicap off this mark at Glorious Goodwood (again 1m6f on good to firm) three weeks ago for a good fourth of 13 to Hopewell Rock, challenging smoothly over 2f out; that was after 11 weeks off and much more encouraging again.

7/1

4th

1

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Tarriance

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

The future looked bright when he won the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August but he's not built on that significantly; well held back in Britain for two Group races this May when last seen; off 12lb higher than in the Melrose, this return to a handicap may also be tough.

12/1

5th

7

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Tarriance

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the C&D Melrose Handicap (good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and creditable third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February, but he needs to bounce back with a big career best after his heavy defeat in 2m Ascot Group 3 (9-1) two weeks ago.

25/1

Non-runners

Beylerbeyi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.10
Straight Forecast £4.40
Tricast £69.84
Trifecta £56.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Tarriance

SPOTLIGHT:

Tabletalk

RP RATINGS:

Sweet William

POSTDATA:

Caballo De Mar

LAMBOURN:

Miss Alpilles

The Times:

Beylerbeyi

Daily Mail:

Tarriance

D Express:

Tarriance

The Star:

Tarriance

Daily Record:

Caballo De Mar

NEWMARKET:

Tabletalk

The Guardian:

Tabletalk

Daily Mirror:

Tabletalk

TOPSPEED:

Sweet William

The Sun:

Sweet William