Saturday 9 May 2026 Ascot

60,000gns yearling; Lucky Vega half-brother to five winners; got on top towards the finish in Ascot contest (6f, good) and looks a plausible Royal Ascot hope; respected.

100,000gns yearling by Havana Grey, out of 1m 2yo winner; promising third of ten at Ascot (6f, good; 2-1 favourite) two weeks ago, briefly looking a threat; open to improvement and looks the one to beat.

Weakened in the closing stages when sixth of ten in an Ascot novice (6f, good) 18 days ago; this looks easier and although he is bred to need further, he's still of serious interest.

20-1 when always in rear on recent debut at Ascot (6f, good); takes on some very interesting newcomers today but he's the only one with experience and it will be no surprise if he takes a sizeable step forward.

Nothing exciting on his debut and went backwards from it at Ascot a fortnight ago; yard ended a dry run recently but 0-5 with 2yos this spring and he needs a deal more.

160,000gns yearling; by Frankel out of 4.5f-1m winner (including 2yo/Australian Group 1; RPR 110); yard's 2yo runners this term feature a couple of debut scorers (SPs 5-1 and 18-1); reasonably interesting.

Night Of Thunder half-brother to 6f-8.6f winner Commander Of Life (including 2yo; RPR 86), out of 7f AW 2yo scorer (81); potentially the least forward, being a May foal who is effectively the youngest contender.

Strong in the market at 5-2 when runner-up on debut at Ascot (6f, good) this month, having made the running; the winner has followed up and he sets a useful standard for the rest to aim at.

42,000gns foal, 62,000gns yearling; by Showcasing out of 1m2f AW winning (RPR 94) half-sister to Listed scorers in Britain (7f) and Australia (1m4f); others have stronger-looking overall credentials.

Off the mark in 1m2f Newmarket maiden last May; the Sandringham over C&D last June was a brutal start to her handicap career but a strong-finishing fifth of 12 at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good) next time, when blocked in her run, suggested this mark was within reach; had excuses on last two starts and has a big run in her under favourable conditions.

Outclassed rivals on sole 2yo start, over 1m at Yarmouth (soft); had a much stiffer task when returning in a Group 3 last August, where she was struck into, but she was nowhere near justifying short odds on Newcastle AW (1m2f) in October; goes handicapping with potential but queries.

Progressive in 2025, coming right away for a 1m Redcar win on yard debut before following up on Kempton AW (7f); races freely and saw too much daylight at Newmarket (1m, good) in October but, hanging on well for third, she lost nothing in defeat; up against it in a Listed AW race at Kempton in March but it was a good return; has another handicap in her.

No impact in sole turf start for the Crisfords, on handicap debut last September, but she fared much better over 1m on AW since, winning two of her last three starts; subsequently sold for 35,000gns; this may be needed.

Won on second and final 2yo start (1m, AW); seen only twice since but had a very tough task in attempting to give weight to a subsequent big improver at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last May and wasn't seen to best advantage over 7f on Kempton AW in March; could well play a part back at 1m.

Limited action so far but she ended 2025 in fine fettle, finding plenty to win a 7f Leicester novice (good) and was not at all hard pressed to win on handicap debut at Newcastle (1m, AW); useful comeback run when runner-up on Southwell AW in April and should come on for the outing; further improvement likely.

Lightly raced maiden; good handicap debut over 1m2f on AW in December; tricky again

Just three runs but her Sandown win (7f, soft) on second start turned out very useful form with the second doing really well after and the next three also successful since; her comeback third in a Nottingham novice (about 1m, good) was perfectly satisfactory; interesting newcomer to handicaps.

Complete turnaround on two modest turf runs when upped to about 1m on AW, well clear at Lingfield then winning with something to spare on handicap debut at Wolverhampton recently; up 6lb but she can rise further.

Nine course wins to his name from 22 starts here (3-7 over C&D); in good form of late, having spent last year in the grip of the handicapper, but that was over 7f and whether he still has the toe for 5f, at his age off this mark, is the question; yard also runs Woohoo.

Record of 3-5 on AW includes two stylish wins over 7f at Southwell for new yard; unfavourable draw played a part in him failing to transfer the form back to turf in the Victoria Cup when admittedly taking record in this sphere to 0-6.

Good second at Musselburgh (7f) with reappearance under his belt but is by no means certain to go one better off 103 in this deep field; has gained all handicap wins off marks in in the high-90s and still needs to prove he can break the triple-digit barrier.

Not particularly solid on his 7f/1m form for a few yards since leaving Ballydoyle; chance largely depends on the effects of new trip and first-time tongue-tie.

Not disgraced in the Victoria Cup last time but, generally speaking, is perhaps still on a difficult mark on turf; gained last three wins on Newcastle AW and has shown peak form there.

Produced form figures of 1211 once upped to 7f last term; has posted two duck eggs this season but raced further back than usual on reappearance and was unfavourably drawn in the Victoria Cup latest; may prove resurgent.

Ties in with Golden Mind on Musselburgh running but the pair of them are facing a stiffer assignment in this major prize; remains useful on turf but a lower mark in this sphere reflects that his peak form, namely dual Listed honours, has been shown on AW.

His only turf wins came in a Royal Ascot handicap and Newbury Group 3, but they were in 2023 and he needs the cards to drop right for his late bids; scored on AW in January but subsequent form, including when 40-1 in the Victoria Cup last Saturday, isn't good enough.

Broadly progressive for previous yard but proved disappointing in this race last year, having raced freely; ran well in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot next time; not particularly solid on his 2026 form for new stable and it remains to be seen whether he settles returned to this C&D.

Looks well treated on this year's AW form but failed to transfer it back to turf (in Group 3) last time when bidding for a 6f hat-trick, and still has a weaker strike-rate in this sphere; bit to prove back at 7f and doesn't look the percentage call.

Seen only twice, both times on AW, last term for new yard; made a winning reappearance off current mark in this contest (on good ground) two years ago on first start during a brief spell with Charlie Fellowes; fighting chance in repeat bid, assuming he's in top form.

Group 3 winner in France as a 2yo in 2024; below best figures in AW handicap and Meydan Group 2 during the winter on his only two starts for David O'Meara; needs to prove he retains full ability and, unless the betting speaks favourably, best watched on this debut for another new yard.

Lightly raced 4yo whose reduced mark appeals on form as recent as last June, but he was disappointing on his final two starts last season and (following wind/gelding operations) it was the same story on his recent return.

Campaigned on AW since December, proving consistent until coming up a tad short on finals day last time; has loads of Ascot form but three defeats in this race (finishing positions 074) suggest he can be opposed, especially now aged eight.

Six-time winner, including in first-time blinkers at Glorious Goodwood; close third at Haydock (7f) with reappearance under his belt, paving the way nicely for a crack at this prize; has made the frame in both C&D attempts; possibilities in new headgear (visor).

Record of 3-14 for James Owen, reaching a useful standard but proving rather difficult to place after the third success ruined his mark; sold for 52,000gns and gelded since last run; probably still too high in the weights for this level of competition.

Lightly raced 4yo who ties in with Great Acclaim on a stable/seasonal debut effort at Haydock that took his form figures over 7f to 1135; may resume progress with that outing under his belt; one to consider, especially if the market signals speak positively.

Ended last season with a win and second-place finish, enhancing his good record at Ascot; two attempts at this race comprise a creditable fourth in 2024 and narrow success last year; impossible to dismiss, despite being an 8yo who is on another new career-high mark.

Low-mileage 4yo who was gelded prior to justifying favouritism with 1l success at Kempton (7f) on AW/seasonal debut, opening his handicap account and taking overall record to 3-9; this Wathnan Racing runner may well be capable of further improvement; ties in closely with Mudbir on Sandown running last July; major contender.

Effective on turf but still has a better strike-rate on AW and ended his rather truncated 2025 campaign with defeats (admittedly not entirely disgraced) in major handicaps over this C&D, finishing sixth then ninth; needs to raise his game on reappearance.

Well-bred colt whose record of 3-6 overall and 2-3 in handicaps (7f) features a narrow win at Glorious Goodwood; hindered by traffic issues at same venue when last seen (effort best forgiven); cheekpieces worn that day are retained; beat Defence Minister by half a length at Sandown last July; still open to further progress and remains of strong interest.

Campaigned mostly over 6f, winning four times for previous yard; 2-5 on grass; mixed results on AW for new stable; ran respectably in sole 7f attempt but chance of landing this hot handicap partly depends on the effects of first-time headgear.

Useful handicapper at about 1m, winning five times; did well to finish third in the Lincoln at Doncaster in sole outing this term, having come from a difficult position; each-way possibilities, provided he copes with the drop back to 7f for first time since his early days.

Gained his final win for previous yard and sole placed effort for current stable over 7f; overall record at this trip is 2-5; gelded prior to never landing a blow in another 6f event on seasonal debut; could go well, with this step back up in distance a plausible plus.

Low-mileage 4yo who is 2-5, all at about 1m on AW/turf, this year for new stable; prevailed at Epsom (good) returned to this sphere most recently, despite taking a good hold; may settle better and show further progress in this big-field scenario over a stiff 7f; not ruled out.

Lightly raced 4yo who has a largely solid record and is 2-4 on turf; gelded prior to respectable effort in big field at Newmarket on seasonal debut, taking form figures since upped to 7f to 216; may still have more to offer; big run looks plausible.

Good 7f handicapper but has achieved his peak RPRs in the last two runnings of the Bunbury Cup, winning in 2024 and going very close in 2025; may be more interesting when going for a third attempt at Newmarket in July; his Ascot record isn't convincing.

Two-time Group winner over 7f but is on a near three-year losing spell and current mark reflects that he's not the force of old (admittedly showed bits of useful form in 2025); needs to step up on reappearance effort; failed to shine in the last two runnings of this contest.

The winner of eight of his 22 starts, the latest success coming at Kempton (1m4f) off a 2lb lower mark; ended 2025 with a couple of lesser runs and might be best watched on return.

Came up well short at Group level last summer but resumed his progression back in calmer waters with a 1m4f Newbury handicap debut success (good to firm) last August; this low-mileage sort has the potential for better again in 2026.

Edged out St Leger runner-up Rahiebb in Haydock novice (11.6f, good) last spring; badly hampered when well-held fourth to Amiloc in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f) next time and not too hard to forgive a heavy defeat behind that same rival in the King Edward VII over C&D at the Royal meeting (good to firm); off since (gelded); a very interesting handicap newcomer, particularly if the betting speaks in his favour.

Won over 1m in France; picked up for 72,000euros by these shrewd connections and wasn't disgraced when seventh of 14 on first start for them and for nearly a year at Ascot recently (1m4f; 50-1); cheekpieces retained; should step forward but has plenty of ground to make up on the second Bulletin.

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.

Ready winner on debut last year (1m2f, Polytrack) and ran to an RPR in the 90s each start after; returned from nearly eight months off with lacklustre effort at Ascot and is suddenly best watched; cheekpieces return.

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

Yet to finish out of the frame and his last win was achieved here; stall 14 might not be terminal over this trip but the handicapper may now have his measure.

Won at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) for Mick Appleby last September and bounced back from below-par efforts to end 2025 when making a successful start for the Henrietta Knight stable over 1m4f at Thirsk (good) four weeks ago; did that readily but this looks significantly tougher than that five-runner affair.

A useful 1m5f Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott last year; only fair form at best in four hurdle outings for this yard since, including when well-held sixth on Stratford handicap debut in that sphere four weeks ago; returns to the Flat with something to prove; first-time cheekpieces go on.

All the rage in the betting for both starts this term; the line came a touch too soon for his strong finish at Newbury (1m2f) on handicap/seasonal debut, while trying to come from further off the pace did not work out at Ascot on the step up to 1m4f but he did muster some late headway (despite hanging right); that sees him upped further in trip today with first-time headgear; it will be interesting to see whether his backers dare go in again.

Pair of 1m2f novice wins on good to firm at the start of last summer; disappointed in handicaps on final two starts last year but got his career back on track when third of nine in 1m4f Kempton handicap on reappearance 33 days ago; subsequently gelded; surprise if he's reached his limit after six starts.

Won Southwell maiden (1m4f, AW) on debut last autumn and best of the rest behind superstar hurdler Constitution Hill in Kempton novice (1m4f again) on his return in March; on the back of that he was sent off 11-10 favourite for his 2m Newbury handicap and turf debut three weeks ago but pulled too hard; retains potential back down in trip, but the outside stall has the potential to make life awkward.

Winning handicap debut at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last August; didn't fire in the same way back at Kempton (1m3f) next time but resumed his progression in no uncertain terms when close second in valuable 3yo handicap at Newmarket (1m4f, good) on final start, form which was strongly boosted last weekend by the winner (Yabher) and third (Daiquiri Bay); could have a big say if the betting suggests he's ready to roll after 211 days off.

Now 0-6 but he's posted progressive RPRs when runner-up on all three starts since joining George Boughey; the form of his latest 1m2f Newmarket second has been boosted by subsequent wins for the third and fourth (the winner also a creditable third in a Listed race); if he can pull out only a little more for the addition of cheekpieces he could take a bit of stopping.

Had plenty to do turning for home but picked up well to make a winning debut at Wolverhampton (8.5f, AW) in December; bettered that form when fourth under a penalty in a stronger race at Southwell (1m) four months later; his pedigree suggests he should benefit from this longer trip on handicap and turf debut; likely improver.

Six-race maiden but he looked unlucky not to collect on his 1m3f Kempton reappearance in April, just failing have been denied a clear run; has looked a little ungainly on occasions but he's talented enough to win races.

In need of the experience but kept on well to collar the useful Generic close home on his 1m Kempton debut in March; only sixth to the same rival at Yarmouth (1m again) 17 days later but retains potential now handicapping; wears first-time cheekpieces.

Made debut in February; advanced his RPR on all three starts in maiden/novice events and made a winning handicap debut at Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) last Saturday; that was just a five-runner race and he is 9lb higher today, including 4lb out of the handicap, but the win came in pretty taking style.

Ended 2025 firmly on the up with a pair of 1m handicap wins last October and improved again to complete the hat-trick in 1m2f Doncaster handicap (good to firm) on reappearance a fortnight ago; raised 8lb but there should be more to come; leading stable won this with a 4yo in the Strawbridge silks last season.

Won a fast-ground Salisbury novice over this trip for Kublers last summer; remote third in a soft-ground handicap and down the field in a Listed race on her final two outings last year; the betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations on return for new trainer (same owner).

1m2f AW maiden winner last August on her final start for Peter Chapple-Hyam but always behind in 1m3f Southwell handicap on her recent return for Ian Williams; can only be watched after that.

Second win for Stuart Williams when getting up on the line over 1m6f at Newmarket (good to firm) last August; not seen since, though, and possibly best watched racing short of 1m3f for the first time on her return.

Winner of an AW novice over the extended 1m at Wolverhampton last autumn; beaten at short odds on both starts since but recent handicap debut second back at Wolverhampton was creditable and she remains one who could have a bigger performance in her; steps up in trip for her return to turf.

Justified short-priced favouritism in 1m novice at Southwell on New Year's Day; matched that RPR when fifth under a penalty at Yarmouth (1m2f, good) four weeks ago; the second and third haven't done much for that form since but she still brings unexposed potential to this handicap debut.

Isn't going to be up to justifying her Oaks entry but it suggests her top yard thinks a bit of her and she has to be of interest setting out in handicaps from a mark in the mid-70s.

Big step forward when making a winning handicap debut at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) in a first-time hood (retained) 18 days ago, edging out a next-time-out winner with the pair 3.5l clear; a 6lb rise may not stop her with further progress likely.

Made all at Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) on handicap/seasonal debut, building on her 2yo efforts, and looks the type to progress further; bred to be suited by this longer distance; upped in class but receives plenty of weight all round; shortlisted.

Ran well on his stable debut at Kempton (6f) in March but he was down the field, albeit in Class 3 company, at Newbury three weeks ago; now tongue tied; others appeal more.

Winner of five 6f handicaps on turf/AW last year; latest performance was a bit better than it looked and she is now back to her last winning mark, but this trip does appear to stretch her.

Far from straightforward and his best form has come on AW; two good runs and three poor runs since joining Ruth Carr, his latest Newcastle fourth (blinkered first time) falling into the former category; not the most solid option but he is better than this level on his day and it is always worth a second look when Billy Loughnane is booked for the stable (four wins and four seconds from 22 rides).

Runner-up three times in a row over 7f on AW in the winter and returned to form with a win at Kempton (7f, AW) last month; unproven over 6f and 0-10 on turf, but placed on grass a few times and is not ruled out.

His two wins for Ross Burdon have come at a lower level; disappointed at Kempton when last seen and although he is relatively unexposed at 6f, he will need a clear personal best to take this after 108 days off.

Made all for an easy win at Epsom (7f) last summer; fair return last month; needs more

Beat Winged Messenger in a big-field 6f handicap at York last summer and he is 11lb better off with that rival today; went close at Southwell in April but he wasn't in the same form at Ascot 16 days ago; should be winning soon but perhaps not today.

Not without his quirks but he has plenty of ability for one of his rating and everything clicked in a Class 6 handicap at Salisbury last June (6f, good to firm); three second placings followed and he should be sharper with last week's return to action under his belt; the start will remain a concern but he is not discounted back at 6f.

Generally performed with great credit last season, including a 6f Hamilton win in May off the same mark as today; never involved in either start this year but his stable's good recent form provides some hope.

Yet to win a handicap and he finished down the field on his seasonal return at Southwell in February; down in the weights but he has more to prove than many of these.

Back to his last winning mark and his first two runs in 2026 were respectable; eligible for weaker races than this and easy enough to look elsewhere.

Off the mark at the ninth attempt when winning a 6f novice at Lingfield (AW) in December; upped 4lb for that but he is unexposed as a sprinter and he makes more appeal than many.

Ended 2025 with a 6f win at Chelmsford in December; 2lb higher mark and stronger opposition might find him out back from five months off.

Off the mark in a 6f handicap at Southwell last month; finished behind Dicko The Legend when fifth back at Southwell ten days ago; improvement essential but the booking of Oisin Murphy catches the eye.

Chance on this winter's AW best but he failed to fire back on turf at Goodwood last week (5f); return to 6f can help but others are stronger.