Today / 13.50 York

13.50

Good

Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap (For Female Amateur Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £12222.5
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap (For Female Amateur Jockeys) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

OUR TIP

Form: 18-586 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Below best this season for new yard but last month's 4l sixth of ten at Ripon (1m2f, good) was a step back in the right direction and he continues to drop down the weights; won over 1m4f last August; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Prince Of The Seas

9st 10lb

J: Jack Dace

T: David O’Meara

Narrow win at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) for Ralph Beckett last summer; not disgraced on 1m4f course reappearance for new yard but went backwards from that at the York Dante meeting since; the first-time cheekpieces he wore there are quickly discarded; also down in trip.

16/1

8th

8

(8)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Prince Of The Seas

9st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Two good runs last August included a narrow win at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) but he was soundly beaten on starts either side of those; sold out of Ralph Beckett's stable for 30,000gns in October and not disgraced on reappearance at Ripon 18 days ago; tongue tied last four starts and now also tries cheekpieces; others are a bit more persuasive.

14/1

Form: 4164-5 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Two wins last year (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good to firm) and reappeared with close fifth of eight at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; Brodie Hampson is a positive booking; could build on that latest effort provided the reapplied cheekpieces aren't a negative (pulled up over hurdles when worn once previously).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Arqoob

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Lucy Wadham

Exposed 8yo but he's still capable of useful form and scored at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last March; also won over 1m6f on the July course (good to firm; first-time blinkers) in August; returns on a stiff-enough mark with no headgear but they might go a solid gallop which can help.

14/1

4

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Arqoob

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Recently won on the Flat in first-time blinkers and then ran respectably in a valuable handicap at Doncaster; returns to hurdling in fair form and he's on a handy mark.

7/2

Form: 7646-0 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Awarded this race last year when also ridden by Becky Smith, and 6lb lower this time around; can't be totally written off but he's gone the wrong way over the last 12 months and was well beaten at 100-1 here last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

(12)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Chillingham

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Promoted to first in 1m4f handicap here (good to firm) last June and he races off 2lb lower today; however, he wasn't at his best last year on his final few runs for Edward Bethell, and failed to threaten over hurdles in the winter on his first two starts for this yard; may be best watched.

50/1

Form: 039368

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Good third over 1m4f on Kempton AW in March and again ran well when filling the same position at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; a case can be made on those efforts but subsequent evidence suggests he's gone off the boil.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 2

16:07 Redcar

Parlando

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ian Williams

Five-time winner who has been operating close to his best in defeat this year but not last time at Epsom when in first-time cheekpieces; even if back on song, others are more intriguing.

25/1

6th

4

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Parlando

8st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ian Williams

Two AW wins in December and returned to turf with 3l third of eight at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last Tuesday; might not be far away but there's a suspicion that this exposed 7yo might find a few too good; cheekpieces go on.

8/1

Form: 544226 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Often a slow starter; couldn't get into it at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but runner-up twice in a row at Hamilton (1m5f/1m3f, good) before that; could be involved if today's race pans out favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(5)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Humble Spark

8st 3lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Tough 6yo with seven wins to his name; beaten favourite at Hamilton (1m3f, good) last time but shaped quite nicely, keeping on into second place after a slow start and meeting trouble; place possibilities again at the very least.

10/1

Form: /461-4

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced Flat/hurdle winner in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell; close fourth on stable debut at Hamilton (1m3f, good) four weeks ago and Irish amateur Georgie Benson is on board; could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 4

18:45 Hamilton

Secret Force

9st 11lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

1m3f Flat and 2m hurdle wins last autumn on first two runs for Gavin Cromwell but pulled up one month ago on handicap hurdle debut when wearing tongue-strap and cheekpieces for the first time; the latter are not retained on this first run for new yard (same owner); could have more to offer on Flat.

7/1

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Ayr

Secret Force

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

On his first two runs for this yard he won a 1m3f handicap on heavy and a 3yo hurdle on good to yielding; not so good since, albeit at Grade 2 and Listed level; might yet do better again and canny Irish trainer fits two new forms of headgear for this handicap debut; interesting.

7/2

Form: 161443

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
His last three wins have come in amateur riders' races, the latest at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW), and he shaped when staying on for third at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) ten days ago as though this trip, over which he's unraced, may be within range; first-time hood replaces cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(10)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:18 Nottingham

No Knee Never

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Four wins on the AW in Class 6 company since December (6f-8.5f); respectable efforts on his last two outings but he possibly didn't quite get home over this trip at Ripon last month; each-way contender.

11/1

4th

5

(8)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

No Knee Never

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: James Owen

Four wins (6f to 8.6f) on AW since December; perhaps stretched by 1m2f when only fourth at Ripon a fortnight ago; returning to a mile should help but a career best is needed to defy this mark.

10/1

Form: -51424

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Three nursery wins last year (7.4f-8.4f) and back on the scoresheet at Haydock (1m, good to firm) in April; again ran well when fourth at Nottingham (1m2f, good) recently; in the mix if seeing out this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(6)

31st May 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 3

16:55 Nottingham

Dunkeld Dreamer

8st 9lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

In form and although beaten 8l into second at Hamilton (1m1f, good) the winner looked way ahead of her mark; has finished runner-up over C&D and can run well again.

5/1

2nd

7

(6)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 3

17:45 Hamilton

Dunkeld Dreamer

8st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Resumed winning ways at Haydock (1m) in April and she backed it up with a good fourth of nine in 7.5f Beverley handicap 13 days ago; in the mix off an unchanged mark.

5/1

Form: 7-9210

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
3yo who was runner-up at Epsom (8.5f, good) in April then went one better Salisbury (good) on her first crack at 1m2f; disappointing at Chester seven days later but that run may have come too soon; stayed on well at Salisbury and could be suited by the step up to 1m4f; in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:38 Chester

Mayaada

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Ollie Sangster

After 12 races, for two wins, she should be far more exposed than today's rivals; however, her best form was on last two outings when second at Epsom (8.5f, good) and winning with a steady late bid at Salisbury (upped to 1m2f, good; 4lb higher today) and that earns respect.

5/1

1st

3

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 201y

Class 5

20:15 Salisbury

Mayaada

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ollie Sangster

7f maiden win at Epsom last summer (only four ran); well beaten on her reappearance but she fared better when second of six back at Epsom last month (8.5f, good); stamina for this trip has to be taken on trust and less-exposed rivals may have her measure.

9/2

Betting Forcast

14/1 Prince Of The Seas, 11/2 Arqoob, 5/1 Chillingham, 12/1 Parlando, 5/1 Humble Spark, 7/2 Secret Force, 12/1 No Knee Never, 5/1 Dunkeld Dreamer, 9/1 Mayaada

Verdict

The 3yo MAYAADA stayed on well to win over 1m2f at Salisbury last month and her subsequent run at Chester may have come too soon. She earns the vote ahead of No Knee Never, who may also be suited by the step up in trip. Secret Force was a promising fourth on his first run for Adrian Keatley and is another to consider.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Humble Spark

Daily Mirror:

Secret Force

SPOTLIGHT:

Mayaada

TOPSPEED:

Chillingham

NEWMARKET:

Arqoob

The Guardian:

Dunkeld Dreamer

The Times:

Mayaada

The Sun:

Secret Force

The Star:

Secret Force

Daily Mail:

Chillingham

POSTDATA:

Humble Spark

D Express:

Humble Spark

Daily Record:

Humble Spark

Telegraph:

Arqoob