Tomorrow / 18.10 Ascot

18.10

Good To Firm

Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £61848
  • 1m 6f 34y
  • Class 2
  • 19 runners
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Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 1126-7 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Ascending

9st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

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.

16/1

7

(24)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Ascending

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Landed the Cork Derby (1m4f, good) in May off 93 and followed up in the Ascot Stakes off 95 (2m4f, gd-fm); runner up in the Ebor on latest off 98; can give another good account off 3lb higher.

8/1

Form: 355-27

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Not a prolific winner, with his waiting tactics, and never involved when 7-1 for last year's 1m4f Duke of Edinburgh at this meeting; however, it would be unwise not to recall his fourth in the Ebor at York last August (1m6f, good to firm) off a 1lb higher mark and he was unsuited by the steady pace last time out (1m4f); could get competitive should this pan out favourably; stable won this in 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(1)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Stressfree

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten a head in this race last year and fourth of 22 here in the Ebor in August; began 2026 with another solid effort, when second at Ripon; not a prolific winner with his waiting tactics but big each-way chance.

6/1

2nd

1

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Stressfree

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Smart handicapper who won at Haydock (1m4f, good) off 4lb lower last May and recorded several good efforts in defeat later in 2025; has gone well fresh before.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 2115-6

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Had a ball last year after being gelded, winning three of his six starts and as good as ever when a close fifth stepped up to 1m6f at Haydock in September; however, he is a 6yo and perhaps high in the weights now, a suspicion seemingly confirmed by his York run a month ago; there's no obvious significance in the return of cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(11)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Paddy The Squire

9st 10lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Iain Jardine

Short-headed on 2024 reappearance and won it last year; thrived last season when winning three races and not far away in the other three, including at this track; highly respected for that campaign, and first-time-out record, but the handicapper reacted and he now needs to resume improvement.

10/1

5th

3

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Paddy The Squire

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

5yo who has thrived this season and made it two 1m4f wins in a row when powering ahead at Hamilton (good to firm) a fortnight ago; also effective here (and on soft ground) and has hinted he could be even better now tackling 1m6f for the first time; trainer won this in 2015 and 2017; player.

15/2

Form: 4353-1

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
After just the solitary run at two he made steady progress last season and delivered a clear personal best when reeling in the front-running Gamrai in a 1m4f Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting (good to firm; first run since gelded) on reappearance; up just 4lb and this return to a longer trip won't bother him; hard to knock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Daiquiri Bay

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Sole win in eight runs was a Chester maiden; best efforts, however, when third in both the 1m6f Melrose at York (good to firm; led over 2f out) and another valuable handicap over C&D (good; finishing strongly) in October; gelded soon afterwards; interesting prospect as 4yo.

5/1

3rd

1

(5)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Newmarket

Daiquiri Bay

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Alan King

Sole win in seven runs was a Chester maiden; good third in the 1m6f Melrose at York (good to firm) on penultimate start, having led over 2f out; failed to back that up at Ascot two weeks later, when soft ground rather than the 1m4f could have been the issue; one to consider.

8/1

Form: 41637-

Last run: 318 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ran surprisingly well to finish so close in last year's Queen's Vase over C&D but perhaps flattered by that given subsequent defeats (Group 3 and strong handicap); gelded prior to tailing off on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham in November and absent since; the return of cheekpieces is no bad thing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

(14)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Hallelujah U

8st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Wore cheekpieces on last three outings, all on good to firm; won a 1m4f Thirsk handicap on first occasion and he's 23lb higher today thanks mostly to his staying-on sixth in the 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot; failed to confirm that improvement in 1m5f Newmarket Group 3 on latest start, admittedly not disgraced but that makes others look a bit more solid today.

16/1

3rd

2

(1)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket (July)

Hallelujah U

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: James Owen

Wore cheekpieces the last twice, winning a Thirsk handicap (1m4f) then appearing to improve markedly with staying-on sixth in the 1m6f Queen's Vase when upped further in trip; latter effort ties him in with a few of today's rivals; may have more to offer in the retained headgear.

8/1

Form: -64077 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Close up in a Saudi Arabian 1m7f handicap in February (last run in a tongue-tie that now returns) but that form is none too persuasive in a race of this nature and he's hardly hit the ground running back in Britain; only eighth in this last year off 2lb higher; one for the optimists.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Real Dream

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Fourth in handicap in Saudi Arabia on second start this year but has not beaten a rival in two runs back in Britain; difficult to recommend.

25/1

7th

8

(5)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Real Dream

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ian Williams

Best effort this year, but still below peak form, when close fourth to Sons And Lovers in Group 2 handicap at Riyadh; failed to beat a rival on AW last time, hasn't won since 2023 and faces a much stiffer assignment on these terms.

66/1

Form: 7606-0 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 7yo; won a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 over 2m here in April 2025 on his stable debut but failed to kick on and he needed to run a lot better than he did at Newmarket in early May (1m6f) to be seriously considered here; the hood and blinkers are new additions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(9)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Yashin

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

Started 2025 with a bang for new connections when winning a slowly run, four-runner Group 3 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in April; remote with ambitious targets on next three starts and although sixth of 11 in 2m handicap at Chester in September was an upturn, markedly better is required to win this..

12/1

Form: 124-12 BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Late developer who ran once as a 2yo; the waves made last season have gathered scale in handicaps this year, as he backed up his comfortable AW win (1m3f) with a length defeat by Daiquiri Bay at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm; led for the most part); he clearly needs to find more again (off 2lb higher) to gain his revenge on the winner but these Gosden runners have a tendency to get better and better; the stable has won this twice since 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Gamrai

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won a maiden at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) on reappearance last term, before failing to go on in his next two starts; however, he was gelded later in the autumn and led 2f out for an impressive 3l win when back in action five weeks ago in useful handicap at Kempton (1m3f, AW); 9lb higher today but likely to stay 1m4f and, after just five races, could still have potential.

15/8

1st

10

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Gamrai

8st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won a maiden at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in August on reappearance last term; no further progress when favourite in his only two subsequent starts (handicap debut on latest) but gelded later in the autumn and, after just four races, he should retain potential.

8/1

Form: -13109 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW (3-36 on turf) earlier this year but this is a different ball game altogether and his run at Carlisle 17 days ago was no more than average; plenty of others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Enemy

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ian Williams

Durable veteran who won twice on the AW early this year; however, he was soundly beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday and faces some unexposed rivals on his return to turf.

25/1

10th

3

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Enemy

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Snapped a losing sequence at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in January before close third at Wolverhampton (2m), and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) latest; this 9yo is in a more competitive race today but there remains mileage in his mark judged on his old form; might not be far away.

14/1

Form: 1321-1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made his debut only just over a year ago; firmly on the upgrade when signing off last season with a handicap win at Haydock (1m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) and following up on his reappearance at Hamilton (1m5f, good; no headgear) where the narrow margin of victory masked his superiority (he overcame trouble); he's up a further 8lb but the improvement could keep coming; James Doyle prefers him over Wathnan's other pair; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Valiancy

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: William Haggas

Made debut last May and all six runs were on good ground; maiden winner here who was increasingly competitive coming from behind in his three handicaps, winning in first-time cheekpieces from Ride The Thunder at Haydock (1m6f) in September when last seen; up 7lb, back slightly in trip and no headgear, but he's still one to note.

7/4

9

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Valiancy

8st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: William Haggas

Made debut in May and all five runs have been on good ground; close third on handicap debut over C&D in July (Pole Star won) and clear second at Sandown (1m6f) last time when failing to reel in the clear leader; there's a suspicion we've yet to see the best of him and his trainer has won two of the last five runnings; could have a major part to play in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: 514-94

Last run: 129 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Only 1-10 for Andre Fabre, the win gained over 1m3f on good to soft last summer; has had only the two races for current stable and ran fairly well in the face of a stiff task in an Abu Dhabi Listed assignment in February latest (1m4f, good; wore tongue-tie; admittedly perhaps flattered from the front); it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue should he feature in the finish.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 337-36

Last run: 116 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Still looked a bit wet behind the ears when beaten under 4l into fifth in this 12 months ago (7-1) and has raised his game subsequently, notably when only just missing out in a 1m6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood and posting another placed effort at Meydan during the winter (1m4f, good); absent since below par in a Group 3 there in February; should have freshened up since with this presumably the plan; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(12)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Aeronautic

9st 8lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

One of seven for yard; fine efforts in staying handicaps at Ascot (1m6f, gd-fm), Goodwood (1m6f, gd-sft) and Leopardstown (1m5f, gd-yld) on last three starts; this step up in trip needs to eke out a bit more if he is to get his head in front.

16/1

5

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 5f 0y

18:05 Leopardstown

Aeronautic

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Won over C&D last summer, solid runs over same trip latest two runs this summer in big handicaps at Ascot and Goodwood, despite racing keenly; contender if settling better.

9/1

Form: 940-63

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Only 1-10 for Dermot Weld but was highly tried on occasions; made his debut for Richard Hughes in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) and, having broke well from his wide draw, he put up a bold show from the front only to be reeled in late in the day; a 2lb nudge is easy to stomach and dropping back to 1m6f could work given the cruising speed he showed at Chester.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(16)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Duraji

9st 0lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Sole win (ten starts) for Dermot Weld was a maiden in 2024; has tried Group/Listed races but his most competitive show last year came when fourth of 14 in 1m6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood, off 3lb higher than today; tried a hood on AW debut at Lingfield in February and has since changed stables (same owners); has a bit to prove and such a wide draw is unlikely to help.

33/1

6th

3

(4)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Duraji

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: D K Weld

All nine starts on turf; best effort last year when fourth of 14 in 1m6f Glorious Goodwood handicap off 1lb higher in August; well held in 2m Curragh Group 3 and 1m7f French Listed event when last seen in November; hooded first time on return.

10/1

Form: 971-32 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-9 overall and going the right way in handicaps, finishing a clear second (from the front) over 1m4f at York (good) last time behind a sharp Haggas improver whom he'd beaten over 1m6f on final run last season (good to soft; first run after gelding operation); this return to 1m6f has to be a good thing; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(3)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Sing Us A Song

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

Disappointed over 1m4f at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood last summer but returned from a gelding operation to win at Haydock (sole run at 1m6f, good to soft) in September; made a satisfactory reappearance at Epsom 15 days ago and is still lightly raced, so could have more to offer; good ground and softer would probably be better for him than good to firm.

4/1

3rd

1

(5)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Sing Us A Song

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

Won heavy-ground Goodwood maiden at two and it was a convincing success on last year's reappearance/handicap debut at Sandown (1m2f, good) one year ago; disappointed at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood subsequently but had been gelded when back on the scoresheet at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in September; drops in trip for this comeback but not fully exposed.

11/4

Form: 400-41

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
His form eventually ran cold for the Gosdens last season but he's back on the up for his new yard, following his pleasing comeback at Newmarket with a decisive win at Kempton where he swept by late on (1m4f, AW); has low enough mileage to believe he'll cope fine with a 7lb rise and, despite not being Wathnan's first string on jockey arrangements, he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Novice win came here; signed off for the Gosdens with two poor runs but his reappearance run at Newmarket 12 days ago, following a gelding operation, was promising and strongly suggested that the new trip of 1m4f is what he wants; Billy Loughnane, who is 1-2 for the yard, takes over.

7/1

4th

5

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Ernst Blofeld

9st 8lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Form tailed off sharply for the Gosdens but previously looked promising, a novice win at Kempton (AW) in April preceding good handicap debut fourth in valuable London Gold Cup at Newbury (also 1m2f, good to firm) in May; didn't run at two and has been gelded, so not one to dismiss on this return for new yard.

10/1

Form: 429-23

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
It wasn't a strong Listed race in which she finished third at Goodwood (1m4f, good) and the steady pace casts further doubts about that form; the handicapper saw fit to raise her 5lb and that spells danger in this competitive race back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(3)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:50 Goodwood

Incensed

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Amanda Perrett

Underwent breathing surgery before making an encouraging return from six months off when runner-up in 1m4f Kempton handicap last month; this fairly useful 1m4f winner can take a step forward now.

14/1

2nd

2

(3)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

15:30 Kempton (AW)

Incensed

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Amanda Perrett

A good spell last summer for new yard included a C&D win in July but she faded badly over 1m6f at Goodwood on final start; had wind surgery since but this is likely to need her best form yet on seasonal return.

10/1

Form: 8-0451

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
First reserve; has never won away from Epsom, where he excelled on a mud-splattered Derby day ten days ago (1m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces); it's unwise to take that form at face value and a 6lb rise can find him out, especially on this forecast faster surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

(13)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Too Soon

8st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Housed in a stable that rarely misidentifies its geese as swans, so the fact he's been highly tried on occasions is interesting; 1-14 record is therefore frustrating but the win did come here as a juvenile (8.5f, heavy) and he gets first-time cheekpieces today; suspicion he's capable of a big run with Warren Fentiman an unusual booking for the yard.

10/1

5th

6

(1)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Too Soon

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

No win since 2yo, having come up short in Group races, Listed races and four handicaps; fourth of 14 off this mark at Ascot (1m4f) latest was his closest finish in that winless period and he kept on well, so some hope is revived.

14/1

Form: 39513-

Last run: 235 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; after a stint over hurdles (1-5) he's back with his former trainer for whom he finished fourth in the 1m4f 3yo handicap here two years ago (off 3lb lower); seems to retain all his ability and would have each-way prospects if getting a run; well beaten on the Flat in sole attempt in cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicapper on the Flat for George Boughey; off the mark on fourth hurdle start when taking Ludlow handicap in good style last time; drying ground suits; should go well despite 9lb rise.

9/4

1st

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:20 Ludlow

Fouroneohfever

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins for George Boughey at 1m2f/1m4f and useful in that scene; wouldn't have won but displayed some ability until falling at Sandown on hurdles debut in January; also offered something to work on in two starts the following month; Flat form makes this opening hurdle mark look dangerous.

6/5

Form: 8240-9 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; soft ground wouldn't have helped when well behind Too Soon at Epsom ten days ago on seasonal debut; had some solid form in strong 1m6f/2m handicaps last season but current mark is a tough one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Dancing In Paris

8st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

He hasn't won since August 2024 but ran some fine races in defeat last season, including when second of 14 at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) in August; those efforts have ensured his mark is holding up, however, and he makes his comeback over a trip probably short of his best these days.

14/1

Betting Forcast

10/1 Ascending, 16/1 Stressfree, 22/1 Paddy The Squire, 13/2 Daiquiri Bay, 33/1 Hallelujah U, 25/1 Real Dream, 50/1 Yashin, 6/1 Gamrai, 40/1 Enemy, 9/4 Valiancy, 25/1 Green Cape, 9/1 Aeronautic, 16/1 Duraji, 8/1 Sing Us A Song, 10/1 Ernst Blofeld, 25/1 Incensed, 20/1 Too Soon, 25/1 Fouroneohfever, 33/1 Dancing In Paris

Verdict

Ante-post punters have been all over Valiancy, the chosen one for James Doyle from three entries for owners Wathnan Racing and he could easily be the best handicapped of these. However, there's no shortage of alternatives and AERONAUTIC might be closer to the finished article now than he was when fifth in this 12 months ago, and he returns a fresh horse having been rested since contesting a Group race at Meydan in February. Gamrai could find the improvement that he'll need, though Daiquiri Bay was so strong late on when beating him fair and square at Newmarket that this return to 1m6f should benefit Alan King's gelding enormously.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Gamrai

SPOTLIGHT:

Aeronautic

TOPSPEED:

Dancing In Paris

POSTDATA:

Ascending