Vicario Might Sneak Black Type At York

Royal Dubai rewarded our loyalty with a superb win last weekend, advised at 28/1 (R4 applied). Unfortunately, that was as good as it got. Tango Flare blew the start, Ardisia ran respectably but missed a place and I have no explanation for Ain’t Nobody’s dire effort.

The King George is the main event this weekend but there’ll be no Goliath priced winner in this renewal with just five declared. We are also racing on the Knavesmire on Friday and Saturday and an Ed Walker trained filly might be able to sneak some black type at massive odds in the Listed Lyric Fillies’ Stakes on Friday evening.

Ready To Step Up In Trip

This filly is a half-sister to our old pal Makarova, a mare we backed at tasty odds when she won the Abbaye. She’s also a full sister to Nina Bailarina, who was placed in a 6f G3 for this yard. Hardly a candidate for 10.5f on breeding but on the evidence of her last two runs over 1m, including in a listed heat at Pontefract 17 days ago, she looks ready for this longer trip.

The first of those runs over 1m was a staying on third in a handicap at this venue off 83. She raced a bit keenly that day but last time at Pontefract she settled a lot better and she ran on well from the back to nick fifth, 6.25l behind the winner Royal Dress but only 0.75l behind the third Imperial Quarter, a 14/1 shot here. Vicario is 66s.

PJ McDonald takes the ride and he is 6/41 with another 17 top 4 finishes when riding for Ed Walker. That’s a frame hitting strike rate of over 50%, hopefully he can enhance that on Vicario and nick some precious black type in the process at odds of 66/1.

7.48 York Tip: Vicario e/w @ 66/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Newmarket July Meeting Thursday Tip

Last weekend was finished off in fitting fashion by Daylight. She wasn’t disgraced in the Jean Prat, she just didn’t quite see out the 7f. I was going to preview the live ITV races at Newmarket tomorrow but after looking at the card, no thanks. However, at least there is one decent betting heat, the sprint handicap at 3.00, and I am going to chance two in that at decent prices.

3.00 Newmarket - bet365 Handicap (Heritage)

There are two that interest me here and the first one is The Strikin Viking. Trained by Newmarket based handler Hamad Al Jehani, this horse is making his handicap debut. Highly tried last year, his two best efforts were a 0.5l second to Henri Matisse in the G2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh (6f, gd-sft) and a 0.5l second in the G2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood (6f, gd-fm). 

His last two starts of 2024 weren’t up to much and he also disappointed when nearer last than first in a 5.5f Chantilly G3 on his sole run of 2025. He now switches to handicaps off a mark of 103 and while it is hard to argue he is thrown in on recent performances, I think odds of 40/1 are a bit dismissive of his chance.

However, given that he ran so well at Goodwood last year, my fear is that this might be a tune up for the Stewards’ Cup at that venue next month. He’s 50s for that at the moment with one firm, if he wins or runs well here, those odds will tumble. I’ll have a small e/w bet on him just in case, but the other one that looks a shade too big in here is Kevin Ryan’s American Style.

Style Can Strike

By Washington DC, this gelding is having a fine season. A winner off 78 at Ripon on his reappearance, he has backed that up with solid efforts on the Rowley course at Newmarket (twice) and last time out at York when fifth behind Hucklesbrook. He is now 11lb better off with that rival so he may well be able to close the 3.75l gap.

On his previous start he finished 1l behind Marchogian on the Rowley course, from whom he was getting 2lb. He gets 7lb from him here and he has already reversed the form (at York last time), yet he is 22/1 and Marchogian is 14/1. Go figure.

Josephine Gordon got a good tune out of this lad that day at Newmarket and she is back in the plate today. Now, it must be said that American Style does need to pull out a bit more to win this off his current mark but from what we have seen so far this season, he is almost guaranteed to run his race and if he does, it should be good enough for a place and you never know, he might even win.

At odds of 22/1, he is well worth backing e/w and I’ll also be having a half-stakes e/w bet on The Strikin Viking at 40s. Hopefully we can nick some place money.

2025 Newmarket July Meeting Thursday Tip: American Style e/w @ 22/1 NAP; 0.5pt e/w The Strikin Viking e/w @ 40/1 (both 5 places)

-DaveStevos

Daylight Could Shine At Deauville

Saturday was an unmitigated disaster. It was a complete and utter shitshow with absolutely zero positives. To be fair, we’ve had a decent few weeks so we were due a dud of a day.

In an attempt to salvage some dignity from the weekend, I am going to back Daylight in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Trained by Patrice Cottier, this horse can be backed at 33/1 but I’m not sure she should be as big as that, especially if the forecast rain materialises.

Last season, this daughter of Earthlight posted some rock solid efforts in defeat at the top table. Campaigned exclusively at 6f, she won two of her first three starts, including a G3 at Deauville. She then finished a 1.5l third behind Whistlejacket and Rashabar in the G1 Prix Morny, again at Deauville, and followed that up with a fine 3l second behind superstar filly Lake Victoria in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.

Two Runs

This season, she has had two runs. In the first one, her first try at 7f over this C&D, Cottier used her stablemate Kaadi as a ‘pacemaker’. However, the entire field basically ignored her and sat 8-10 lengths behind and I think Barzalona mistimed his challenge and got to the front way too soon. Daylight subsequently faded into third in the last 100 yards.

On her second start of the season, Daylight ran in the French 1000 Guineas and the 1m trip probably just stretched her. She wasn’t disgraced in seventh and in the end, she was just over 4l behind the first two. The bookies weren’t impressed by that run though and she has been completely written off by them.

Optimum Trip

It looks like seven furlongs is this filly’s optimum distance and that is what she gets today. Her course form figures read 133 and looking at how she has been campaigned, I’d imagine her whole season has been geared towards this race.

Mickael Barzalona is back on board and hopefully, he has learned his lesson from hitting the front far too early the last time he rode. If he can time his challenge right, and get a clear run, Daylight can hopefully hit the frame at odds of 33/1.

2025 Prix Jean Prat Tip: Daylight e/w @ 33/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Preview & Tips

Today we had to make do with seconds at 16s and 18s (NAP). My Northumberland Plate and Vase selections ran stinkers and Stanage was out for a Saturday stroll. Jancis had no excuses in the Pretty Polly, she simply wasn’t good enough. I was on the fence about doing a preview for Sunday’s card. The feature race itself is the only Group race on the card, which is a disgrace, but I do like a couple in the handicaps and in the Listed sprint. My 2025 Irish Derby Meeting tips are below.

1.15 – Dubai Duty Free Handicap (100 = 9st12lb)

He has shortened up a bit but even at 18/1, I think Triple Double A is capable of running big here off a mark of 78. The British raider, part owned by Alex Ferguson, is a rare Irish runner for Hugo Palmer. He has a decent record on these shores with three winners from 11 runners and hopefully, this son of Mohaather can give him another one.

We backed this horse for the Silver Bowl at Haydock back in May and he just missed the place money for us in fifth. The way he finished that day over 1m suggested he would be suited by further, as did his run at Chester last time out, and he gets that here.

Today’s distance of 1m1f should be right up his street and should enjoy the ground and track too. Palmer has booked Andy Slattery to ride and the bit of rain that fell on Saturday won’t inconvenience him. At odds of 18/1, Triple Double A is the e/w selection.

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Tip: Triple Double A e/w @ 18/1 (4 places) NAP

1.50 – Dubai Duty Free Festival Handicap (100 = 10st)

I had my eye on Tom Gibney’s Booyea for this race but unfortunately, last year’s winner’s price has collapsed. Another option at a decent price is the Johnston horse Urban Sprawl but as regular readers know, my record when tipping his horses is atrocious.

Power Under Me would make more appeal if the rain gets properly into the ground but on good, he looks vulnerable back in a handicap. It is impossible to know what to expect from Spoken Truth after 252 days off so that leaves the veteran, I Am Superman.

A Grade 2 winner in his heyday, this 9yo isn’t getting any younger but he has run excellent races in two of his last three starts and on the evidence of his staying on 2.5l fifth of 19 at Cork last time out, he looks ready for the step back up to a mile.

Keithen Kennedy claims 5lb again so he is effectively in off 84 here. At Naas in April he was beaten 1.5l off 94 (with a 3lb claimer on) so we know he is still capable of running well off this mark. At odds of 16/1, I Am Superman is worth chancing e/w, hopefully he can roll back the years.

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Tip: I Am Superman e/w @ 16/1 (4 places) NB

2.25 – Dash Stakes (Listed)

Before the season started I was 100% sure My Mate Alfie would mature into a G1 sprinter this year. So far, that hasn’t been the case. Ok, he wasn’t disgraced in either start this year, in a 5f Listed heat at Naas or a 6f G2 here last time but for me, he has been a bit disappointing. He only really hit top form when winning this race last season, so maybe he will show his true colours. If he does, he should win.

Big Gossey was a shade unlucky not to win for us at 33s last time but the bookies have not taken any chances with the legend of a grey here. The only one that makes appeal at a big price here is the rag, Tango Flare.

Strong Pace Will Suit

Trained by Pat Foley, he came up short behind King Cuan at Fairyhouse last time in a race he had won for the previous two years. I’m not sure the way that three runner race was run suited him and the son of Fulbright should be seen to better effect here, granted he gets a strongly run race.

He got to within 1.5l of My Mate Alfie in the Bold Lad over C&D (good) last season and he’s just 1lb worse off with that rival here so theoretically, he shouldn’t be too far away from him if repeating that level of form. He got even closer to that rival when finishing a 0.75l third behind him in this race last season when conceding 7lb.

This looks a stronger renewal on paper but quite a few of them have questions to answer on recent showings and with odds of 25/1 on offer, a small e/w interest on Tango Flare is advised.

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Tip: Tango Flare e/w @ 25/1 (4 places)

3.30 – Rockingham Handicap (Premier)

I previewed this race (and the Ragusa) for the Racing Post spotlights and it is a really tricky race. In the end I plumped for the 2023 winner Harry’s Hill. He’s already been nibbled at in the market, his trainer says this has been the long term plan and he's well drawn so hopefully, he does the business.

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Tip: Harry’s Hill e/w @ 12/1 (4 places)

4.10 – Irish Derby (Group 1)

This is a race that does my head in. Back in 2018 I tipped a horse that is sadly no longer with us (The Pentagon) and I am still bitter over the ride he was given. It’s worth having a look at if you have five minutes to spare. The last time I backed the winner was when Trading Leather won in 2013 but to be fair, Sunway ran a cracker in it last year for us at 20/1 so hopefully, we can sneak a place again with Sir Dinadan.

He looks the Ralph Beckett second string on jockey bookings but I think the step up to 1m4f is really going to suit the son of Camelot. He travelled extremely well in a 1m1f Listed race at Goodwood last time out and while he proved no match for his stablemate Amiloc (who franked the form at Ascot), he kept on honestly after being outpaced and this extra furlong may enable him to go even closer.

Stamina

His sire won this race and while his dam was a modest 7f performer, she is out of a sister to the French St Leger winner Amilynx so there is stamina on both sides of his pedigree. Richard Kingscote picks up the ride and he is 115/615 for Beckett and if you put £1 win on all of his rides, you’d be +79.14.

Clearly, Longbourn is going to be extremely difficult to beat and the chances are, it’ll probably be a Coolmore 1-2-3 but I don’t think Beckett would be running this horse unless he thought he could be competitive so at 66/1, Sir Dinadan is a speculative e/w selection.

2025 Irish Derby Meeting Tip: Sir Dinadan e/w @ 66/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Irish Pretty Polly Stakes Ante-Post Tip

What a week of racing it was at Royal Ascot (apart from Saturday...). We nailed two winners, Docklands at 25/1 and Cercene at 100/1 and we also had them in our ante-post e/w lucky 15, both advised at 25s.

This weekend the focus switches to the Curragh in Ireland for what is a huge weekend on the racing calendar. The Irish Derby is supposedly the showpiece on Sunday but for me, the Pretty Polly on Saturday is a much more appealing race from an each way punting perspective.

The Aidan O’Brien trained 3yo Whirl currently heads the Pretty Polly market at around 2/1. Rated 113, she was a neck runner up behind her stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Epsom Oaks last time out. Previously an easy winner of a G3 at York over an extended 10f (gd-fm), she will get a hefty weight for age allowance from her older rivals but 3yos have won only one of the last eight renewals of this race (Iridessa in 2019) so that has to be a concern for her supporters.

Next Best In Betting

Kalpana is the next best in the betting and she is a serious filly. Rated 118, she won the Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot (11.5f, soft) last October and she ran a blinder here behind Los Angeles and Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May (10.5f, good). With improvement likely to be forthcoming from that comeback run, if I were backing one of the market leaders it would most certainly be her.

However, we are in the business of finding horses that represent each way value at bigger odds and for me, Jancis fits the bill. Trained by Willie McCreery, this lightly raced 4yo ran a fine race in the G2 Lanwades Stakes over 1m here back in late May.

She was dropped out and held up for a customary late run in that contest but she just got caught in a pocket between the 3f and 2f markers and Declan McDonogh had to wait longer than ideal to get stuck into her. By the time she got into the clear the leaders had flown, but she kept on pretty strongly to just miss out on third and in the end, she was only 3l behind the winner Porta Fortuna.

Back Up In Trip

On the evidence of that run, she looks well worth a go over this 1m2f trip. She has already proven she stays 9.5f, going down by 0.5l on her seasonal return over that trip in a Listed heat at Gowran in early May when she might just have needed the run.

Not only does that last run suggest she wants 1m2f, the dam side of her pedigree does too. She is out of a mare who won over 1m4f on fast ground and her grand-dam, Blameless, is a half-sister to the G2 winner Desert Fire who showed his best form at 9f-11.5f.

Last season, Jancis’ two wins came on good and good to yielding ground so she should get her optimum conditions on Saturday. As regards who will ride, I’d imagine Billy Lee will be on one of Twomey’s entries so it’ll probably be either McDonogh again or possibly Nathan Crosse. Hopefully whoever is jocked up on Saturday can chart a clear passage and if they do, Jancis may be able to hit the frame at odds of 20/1.

2025 Irish Pretty Polly Stakes Ante-Post Tip: Jancis e/w @ 20/1 

-DaveStevos

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Preview & Tips

Cardiff By The Sea landed our e/w NB with a place in the Queen Mary on Day 2. My 2025 Royal Ascot Thursday tips are below.

2.30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

A 5f burn up kicks off proceedings on Day 3 and sixteen juveniles have been declared. The Ballydoyle No Nay Never colt Charles Darwin heads the betting at around 13/8 and his chance is obvious. He looked an exciting prospect when hosing up over 6f on soft ground at Navan and he followed up in a four runner race at Naas, beating Cardiff By The Sea by 3.25l over 5f on good ground.

The worry for me with this horse is whether he’ll be comfortable on rattling quick ground. His full brother Blackbeard came into the Coventry Stakes with a similar reputation in 2022 and lost his unbeaten record on good to firm ground. Maybe he’ll be fine, but at the prices I believe he might be worth taking on.

The one that interests me at a price is the Andrew Balding trained Comical Point. By Blue Point, this colt got off the mark at the first attempt in a modest looking maiden at Salisbury last month. The form is certainly nothing special on paper but Balding’s two year olds often need their debut runs so when he has a first time out winner, they are usually pretty useful.

Back in 2021, Berkshire Shadow won a similar sort of maiden at Newbury on debut and then went on to win the Coventry on his next start. He ran to an RPR of 84 on his first day at school and Comical Point ran to 82. Oisin Murphy, who also rode Berkshire Shadow, gets the leg up and while his draw in stall 6 is on the low side, with just sixteen runners it shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience. At odds of 28/1, Comical Point is the e/w selection.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Comical Point e/w @ 28/1 (4 places)

3.05 – King George V Stakes Handicap (Heritage)

A high draw has usually been a plus in this 1m4f handicap for the 3yos. This is reflected in the market though with the top three in the betting drawn 21, 20 and 17. The one I like is also drawn high but he is a much bigger price at odds of 22/1.

As regular readers know, I am usually reluctant to back horses on their handicap debuts. However, these 3yo only races are usually full of handicap debutants so I am going to make an exception with the Joseph O’Brien trained Omni Man.

He gets in here off a mark of 90 and that could prove to be lenient. On his seasonal reappearance, his second ever run, he went close at Navan (8f, good) behind Mississippi River, to whom he was conceding 5lb. That horse has since run well in handicaps off 85 and 90. In second that day was Zahrann, and he is now rated 105 after winning a Listed heat at Leopardstown on his next start.

Omni Man probably didn’t appreciate the soft ground when beaten at Cork on his next start but the step up to 10.5f and return to quicker conditions saw him hose up in a four runner maiden at Roscommon where he beat an 85 rated rival by over seven lengths.

By Invincible Spirit, he is a half-brother to winners at up to 1m6f on the Flat and 2m5f over jumps, including Jack Darcy who won a G2 over 12.5f. That suggests he’ll relish this step up in trip and he’ll also have the assistance of the top class Dylan Browne-McMonagle in the saddle. He’s been drawn in 16, which is another positive, so at 22/1 Omni Man has to be worth chancing e/w.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Omni Man e/w @ 22/1 (5 places)

3.40 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)

Hennry De Bromhead had a lovely winner here earlier in the week and I think Hollys Graces might outrun her odds for him in this 1m4f Group 2. This daughter of Australia first came to my attention when I was doing the Racing Post spotlights for her debut over 7f at Dundalk last September. She had shown a nice bit of promise in a barrier trial in August and she duly went and won first time up.

That form has taken a few knocks since but she could only beat what was in front of her. She was left off for the winter after that run and reappeared in the Listed Oaks Trial at Naas last month. She was held up and she got outpaced when the leaders turned the screw in the home straight but I thought she kept on pretty nicely and she was far from disgraced, finishing 5.5l behind the winner.

Her pedigree suggests she’ll relish the step up to 1m4f, as did that run at Naas. I also think the quick ground at Ascot will be right up her alley and as an added bonus, De Bromhead has secured the services of Colin Keane. This doesn’t look the strongest of Group 2s, hopefully Hollys Graces can hit the frame at odds of 33/1.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Hollys Graces e/w @ 33/1

4.20 – Gold Cup (Group 1)

I am not a huge fan of these staying races. Usually, the market principals come to the fore and with Kyprios now retired, this looks a good opportunity for either Trawlerman, Illinois or Sweet William to get their heads in front. If I were having a bet, I’d probably side with Sweet William at the prices but at around 8/1, he’s just a shade too short for this blog.

I am happy to just watch this race. No bet.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: No bet

5.00 – Britannia Stakes Handicap (Heritage)

A battle charge. Thirty 3yo runners over the straight mile and usually, a high draw is favoured. The one I’ll be taking a chance on at a working man’s price is the Ian Williams trained son of Blue Point, Supido.

Formerly trained in France by Philippe Decouz, this gelding showed some smart form as a juvenile. Placed in a 7f listed heat at Vichy last July and beaten just 1.5l when fifth in a G3 at Baden Baden, both over 7f, he won his only start at a mile in a conditions race at Saint-Malo in August.

Current connections bought him for 90 grand at the Arqana sales in October and he started out for Williams in a Chester handicap over 7.5f (good) early last month. Billy Loughnane, who also rides today, dropped him out early, switched very wide in the straight and his mount ran on very nicely in the closing furlong to finish a never nearer fifth.

Loughnane wasn’t overly hard on Supido and it looked like a prep run for a bigger prize to my eye. He’s been handed a nice draw in stall 31, Ian Williams has been amongst the winners and on the evidence of that Chester run, this horse is more than capable of winning off his mark of 93. At odds of 50/1, Supido is the each way selection.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Supido e/w @ 50/1 (4 places 1/4 odds) NB

5.35 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

A few of the Derby also rans line up in this 10f Group 3 but the one I am going to take a chance on is having his first start in stakes company. Arabian Force, trained by William Haggas, steps up in class after winning a pair of novices, at Wetherby (1m, gd-fm) and then at Salisbury (1m2f, gd-fm).

Beaten on debut at Kempton in April, the money came for him on his second start at Wetherby and he duly obliged, though he was pushed to the pin of his collar by Hymnbook, a winner of a maiden since. Haggas stepped him up in trip at Salisbury and, despite still looking a bit green, he hacked up by 5l, beating Gladius, since a winner off 87 in a handicap.

He’s bred to be a stakes horse, being by a top notch sire and out of a sister to Rizeena, the winner of the 2014 Coronation Stakes at this venue. Tom Marquand (10/48 with 14 top 4s for ths owner) takes over in the plate and this horse will relish the quick conditions in Berkshire. At odds of 20/1, Arabian Force is worth backing e/w.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Arabian Force e/w @ 20/1

6.10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap (Class 2)

Four of the five runnings of this race have been won by horses drawn 24 or higher. The favourite, last year’s winner English Oak, has a nice draw in stall 27 but he’s far too short for this blog. My nemesis, and the 2023 winner, Witch Hunter has been drawn in stall 8 so he looks to be up against it but with me not tipping him, his chance is massively enhanced.

The one I’ll take a chance on from stall 25 is Divine Libra. Trained by Charlie Hills, this 5yo son of Dark Angel finished sixth of 26 in this race last year off 95. He was beaten 6.25l for the win but he didn’t get the clearest of runs and he was only 2l behind Carrytheone in third.

Divine Libra is back for a repeat bid off 1lb lower and he had a lovely prep run at Chester last month. Top Aussie pilot James McDonald comes in for the ride and he hasn’t been beaten that far on his two previous runs over C&D on good to firm ground. He was beaten 0.75l off this mark at Chester last year so he is capable of going close off this mark and if he gets a bit of luck in running, Divine Libra can hopefully hit the frame at odds of 16/1.

2025 Royal Ascot Thursday Tip: Divine Libra e/w @ 16/1 (6 places) NAP

-DaveStevos

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Preview & Tips

We fired in a 25/1 winner on Day 1, my 2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday tips are below.

2.30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)

A nice and easy start to the day with a 25 runner race for 2yo fillies. The one I am interested in here at around 16/1 is the Fozzy Stack trained filly, Cardiff By The Sea. This daughter of St Mark’s Basilica was thrown in at the deep end on debut at Naas.

She took on a talented Ballydoyle colt who had won his maiden by almost 6l at Navan on his previous start and he is now 13/8 for the Norfolk. Cardiff By The Sea kept the 1/14fav honest, and while she was beaten over 3l in the end, she should improve massively for that initial experience.

Her pedigree suggests that she is the type for Royal Ascot too. Her half-bother, Al Qudra, was beaten just a length in the Coventry Stakes last year and is now rated 110. Her dam won a 5f Listed race as a 2yo too, so she is bred to be a smart 2yo and the booking of Oisin Murphy also catches the eye.

With four places on offer, Cardiff By The Sea is worth backing e/w at odds of 16/1.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Cardiff By The Sea e/w @ 16/1 (4 places) NB

3.05 – Queen’s Vase (Group 2)

This looks a pretty open renewal. Of those at the top of the market Paddy Twomey’s unbeaten Wootton Bassett colt Carmers probably has the most solid profile as he is already a 1m5f winner at listed level and another furlong shouldn’t pose any problems.

Quite a few will need to improve plenty for the step up to 1m6f and after he produced a career best upped to 1m4f on his last start at Leopardstown, perhaps Titanium Emperor will improve even further for the extra two furlongs here.

Unraced at two, this son of Night Of Thunder had previously raced exclusively at a mile. He won his debut at Dundalk impressively at that distance and he wasn’t disgraced in a 1m listed race at Newcastle on his second start.

Last time out he stepped up to 1m4f and after getting a shade outpaced, he ran on pretty takingly in the final furlong to finish fourth, 4l behind the winner Zahrann who is 8/1 for the King Edward VII stakes. On that evidence this trip is definitely worth a go and while his pedigree may say otherwise, sometimes you just have to trust your eye. At odds of 66/1 a small e/w interest on Titanium Emperor is advised.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Titanium Emperor e/w @ 66/1

3.40 – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)

This has the look of a race that will be dominated by the horses at the top of the market. We backed Fallen Angel on her seasonal return at Newbury last month and while she didn’t win or place, it was a run full of promise and I was hoping she’d go for a G1 on her next start so we’d get a decent price for her again. However, Karl Burke has gone for an easier option and she could be the one to be on.

Cinderella’s Dream returned from a winter break in Dubai with a dominant win at Newmarket and she, along with One Look, look the main dangers. Last year’s winner Running Lion can’t be discounted either dropped back to a mile.

The French raider Start of Day could go well at a price returned to quick ground but he needs to improve a chunk to be competitive with the top rated ones in here. I am going to leave her alone and just watch this race, there’s plenty more opportunities throughout the week. No bet.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: No Bet

4.20 – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

Anmaat and Los Angeles renew rivalries in this 1m2f Group 1 after their thrilling tussle in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Anmaat travelled like a dream throughout the race and when he drew upsides the Ballydoyle horse, it looked a case of how far he would win by, but Los Angeles dug deep and found more and repelled the challenge of the Burrow horse by half a length.  

Anmaat did beat Los Angeles in the Champion Stakes here last year but that was on soft ground. He handles quicker conditions fine but whether he has the willingness to knuckle down for a dogfight like Los Angeles has is the burning question. On what we saw at the Curragh, you’d have to fancy Los Angeles to uphold the form.

Overpriced

The overpriced one in here is, without a doubt, Royal Champion. Karl Burke’s son of Shamardal has yet to race on good to firm but his best form is on good so he should relish quick conditions. He finished fourth in a 10f Sandown G2 in April on his return from a couple of months off and he was only 1.5l behind the winner Al Aasy.

Just ahead of him in third was Almaqam, and he won a G3 easily on his next start. See The Fire was 0.5l behind Royal Champion in fifth in receipt of 6lb, she is only getting 3lb here yet Royal Champion is over ten times her price. Now, she did admittedly win a G2 easily at York since but Royal Champion is also entitled to come on for that run and another plus is that he won the Wolferton over C&D last year.

Obviously, the top two in the market are the ones to beat but there isn’t much between the rest of them so at odds of 66/1, Royal Champion is the each way selection.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Royal Champion e/w @ 66/1

5.00 – Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (Heritage)

The one I am interested in for this year’s Royal Hunt Cup is the Kevin Ryan trained Hi Royal. This gelding boasted some extremely smart form as a 3yo. He was beaten just 1.75l by Chaldean in the 2000 Guineas when a 125/1 shot and he proved that was no fluke with a 2.75l third in the Irish version three weeks later.

Unfortunately, the son of Kodiac somewhat lost his way after that Irish Guineas run. He did show some of his old spark on his seasonal reappearance in the G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (9f, good) last year but again, his form tailed off.

At the end of last season he was gelded and he reappeared in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, running off a mark of 102 on his handicap debut. He ran a stormer behind Flight Plan, taking a while to get going but running on strongly up the inside to get second, 0.5l behind the winner.

The handicapper has given him a 2lb rise for that, which is fair, and I am hoping that he’ll be able to back that up on just his second handicap start. His overall profile suggests that is not a given but hopefully the gelding operation will help him become a more consistent horse. Billy Loughnane is 4/24 with 12 top 4 finishes for this owner, hopefully he can steer Hi Royal into the money at odds of 22/1.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Hi Royal e/w @ 22/1 (6 places)

5.35 – Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap (Class 2)

We backed Julia Augusta last year when she ran a cracker at this meeting in the G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. She was only beaten 4.75l by Running Lion but she lost her way in the second part of the season.

David O’Meara lowered her sights on her seasonal reappearance at Epsom twelve days ago, pitching her into a handicap. Running off 97, she ran a fine race to finish third despite racing keenly and she should improve plenty for that first run for 205 days.

The assessor has left her mark alone and on her run here last year (and her G3 third at Epsom) she is surely capable of making an impact off this rating. Danny Tudhope takes the ride, quick ground is fine and at odds of 20/1, Julia Augusta is the each way selection.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Julia Augusta e/w @ 20/1 (6 places) NAP

6.10 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

Jonny Portman is enjoying a bit of a purple patch at the moment and his son of Galileo Gold, Gorey Gold, could go well for him at a price in this 5f listed sprint. After a promising fifth on debut in a class 2 maiden at Windsor (6f, gd-fm) last month, he absolutely hacked up dropped back to 5.5f at Bath two weeks later.

This gelding hasn’t got the most illustrious of pedigrees but he clearly has a fair amount of ability and he could be very well suited by a strongly run race over a stiff five furlongs. This is obviously a big step up in class against some well-bred sorts from powerful stables but that Bath run was impressive and he deserves a shot at this type of race.

Portman has had five winners from his last sixteen runners, hopefully Gorey Gold can make his presence felt for him here at odds of 28/1.

2025 Royal Ascot Wednesday Tip: Gorey Gold e/w @ 28/1 (4 places)

-DaveStevos

2025 Prix De Diane Preview & Tip

Last year we were a whisker away from landing a 40/1 winner in this race with Survie. All the talk ahead of this year’s renewal has been about Shes Perfect, who, despite the protestations of high profile figures like Matt Chapman, was rightly demoted to second in the French 1000 Guineas last month.

The general consensus seems to be that she will stay this extra two furlongs but that remains to be seen. Her sire Sioux Nation's progeny have had just 4 wins from 75 runners at 10f-11f (3/32 winners to runners). 

She’s a half-sister to four winners and one of them has won over 1m4f on the flat and at 2m3f over hurdles, which is a plus, but the other three did their winning at 6f-1m. The jury is out for me regarding her stamina and if a gun was put to my head, I would guess she won’t stay, especially on soft ground.

Interesting Outsider

Can anything crash the Prix De Diane party at a price? Stephane Pasquier almost sprang a surprise for us last year on Survie and I think his mount Rosa Salvaje might be capable of outrunning her odds for Christopher Head, the trainer of the 2023 winner Blue Rose Cen.

This filly has a pretty different profile to that winner and this will be her first run at the top table. She came up short behind Shes Perfect and Zarigana on her seasonal reappearance in a Longchamp G3 but that was over a mile and she simply got outpaced in the final furlong after being ridden with restraint, which I am not sure she enjoyed. A month later she stepped up to this trip for the first time over this C&D in a lesser race and she made all to win by 1.5L.

Clearly, this is a far tougher assignment but she showed last season she could be competitive at stakes level when splitting subsequent Goffs Millions winner Apples And Bananas and the Epsom Derby runner up Lazy Griff (3.5l behind) in a Listed race at Deauville (1m, soft) in August of last year.

Pedigree

Is she bred to win a G1? Well, her US sire Maximum Security is from the Northern Dancer line and she is among his first crop of 3yos. Her grand-dam, Downthedustyoad, won a Grade 1 at Santa Anita so while she isn’t regally bred, there is at least a G1 winner in there.

We already know for sure she stays 10.5f and we know she has experience of this track. She’s been handed a decent draw in stall 5 so if she gets away well, hopefully Pasquier will be able to get to the front and dictate the pace.

Even if Merrily is there to act as a pacemaker for Coolmore, I don’t think Rosa Salvaje will be inconvenienced by slotting in behind if she does go hell for leather from the front and given that her stamina is assured, a strongly run race might play to her strengths. This looks a pretty open renewal to me and while she clearly needs to improve on what she has shown to date, that is not impossible. At odds of 40/1, Rosa Salvaje is the e/w selection.

2025 Prix De Diane Tip: Rosa Salvaje e/w @ 40/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post E/W Lucky 15

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the Flat season. In just over a week some the world’s best racehorses will fight it out for honours at Ascot’s Royal Meeting and I am hoping to find a few big priced winners. I have been studying the form and I have four fancies for a 2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post e/w Lucky 15 (and four e/w singles), find out who I am backing below.

Day 1 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)

This looks like it could be a cracking renewal. There’s been a couple of shock results in this 1m Group 1 in recent years, including Accidental Agent at 33/1 in 2018 who long time followers will remember fondly. Triple Time won at 33s in 2023 and this year I am hoping that Docklands can spring a surprise.

Trained by Harry Eustace, this race has always been the plan for the son of Massaat. He ran an absolutely massive race in it last year to finish a 2.25l second behind Charyn and that wasn’t his first good run at this venue. He has run at Ascot six times during his career and has posted form figures of 113222.

Clearly, he is something of a course specialist and he acts on quick and soft ground so whatever the weather does won’t be a concern. He has run crackers in both starts this season, albeit at a lower level than this, finishing a 0.5l second to Sardinian Warrior over C&D in a Listed race on his seasonal reappearance and he was a 0.75l third behind Persica in the G3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom last week when not getting the clearest of runs.

With an official rating of 113, he needs to improve to trouble the top rated ones in here but I think, if the race goes his way on a track he loves, he is capable of running to 120. Will that be good enough to win? Maybe not, but it should be enough to get a place and if one or two of the principals aren’t firing, you never know what might happen. At odds of 25/1, Docklands is worth backing e/w.

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post Tip: Docklands e/w @ 25/1

Day 1 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

Adrian Murray rarely sends horses to Ascot unless they have a realistic chance and he has nominated Power Blue as his best hope of a winner this year. I also think Arizona Blaze has a huge chance and he almost made this preview, but he’s still entered in two different races so I am going to hold off backing him until his target is confirmed.

Power Blue, by rookie sire Space Blues, made a nice impression on debut when winning by over 3.75l at the Curragh (5f, soft). Murray wasted no time in stepping him up in grade and six weeks later he ran well in defeat in a listed heat behind the hugely promising filly Lady Iman, again over 5f. He was conceding 5lb to her and was beaten 1.5l and she went on to land a G3 on her next start.

Last time out, again at the Curragh, Power Blue stepped up to 6f for the first time in the G3 Marble Hill. We backed him that day and he pushed Albert Einstein to the pin of his collar, eventually going down by 0.75l. The Ballydoyle horse was installed as the 6/4 fav for the Coventry after that effort, but he’s been ruled out of the Royal Meeting.

When I went to look at the odds this afternoon, I thought Power Blue would be 6/1 or 7/1 max. To my amazement, he is chalked up at 25s with a couple of firms. At those odds, he has to be worth backing e/w.

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post Tip: Power Blue e/w @ 25/1

Day 4 – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)

Karl Burke has previous in this race. He won it with Quiet Reflection in 2016, he had a fourth in 2021, a third in 2023 and in 2025, I think Leovanni is capable of running big for him in this 6f sprint which is restricted to 3yos only.

He has three entered this year and the one that looks to be his main hope is last year’s Queen Mary winner, Leovanni. By Kodi Bear, this filly won her first two starts at 5f last year (including that Queen Mary here) then ran a cracker upped to 6f when third behind Celandine in the G2 Lowther Stakes at York. She ran poorly in the Cheveley Park on her final start of 2024 but in her defence, the ground was soft.

Leovanni made her seasonal reappearance in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock over 5f last month. We backed the winner Balmoral Lady, who got a dream run up the inner, but Leovanni didn’t enjoy such luck in running.

She only got daylight around three quarters of a furlong from home and by that stage the leaders had flown. However, once Buick pushed her out, she made up lots of ground in the last 100 yards or so and the way she finished suggests to me that she will relish the stiffer test at Ascot.

This is her only entry, so she is almost certain to run and the only worry would be if we had a wet week and the ground was soft. The long range forecast, for what it is worth, says that we should be racing on fast ground so hopefully, for once, it is right. At odds of 25/1, Leovanni is the e/w pick.

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post Tip: Leovanni e/w @ 25/1

Day 4 – Coronation Stakes (Group 1)

News broke earlier today that Lake Victoria would not be running at Royal Ascot. We have already backed Cercene ante-post for this race at 100s and while those odds are now gone, I do think she is still overpriced at the 25s that is still available with a couple of firms.

Basically, I think we’ll see the best of this filly when she gets a strongly run race on quick ground at a mile and she should get that at Ascot. I am going to include her in our e/w lucky 15, my full reasoning for fancying her can be read via this link. If you have already backed her at 100s, then there's no need to go in for another single. 

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post Tip: Cercene e/w @ 25/1

2025 Royal Ascot Ante-Post E/W Lucky 15

Queen Anne Stakes – Docklands e/w @ 25/1

Coventry Stakes – Power Blue e/w @ 25/1

Commonwealth Cup – Leovanni e/w @ 25/1

Coronation Stakes – Cercene e/w @ 25/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tips

I have already posted tips for the Oaks and Derby, you can check them out here. I’ll be covering Friday’s card on my own blog and Saturday’s action on the TXMarkets blog. Hopefully we can follow up on our 11/1 winning NAP last week, 2025 Epsom Oaks Day previews and tips are below.

1.30 – Surrey Stakes (Listed)

First of all, the weather. There was 6mm of rain at Epsom on Thursday morning and at the time of writing there were still showers in the air. How much they get remains to be seen but I imagine we might be racing on good to soft tomorrow. It certainly won’t be rattling quick.

The opening race on Derby weekend is this 7f Listed heat. Thankfully for us each way players, eight are due to go to post so we may as well have a go at one at a decent price. The one that fits the bill is the Adrian Keatley trained Francisco’s Piece.

By Mayson, this colt remains had a busy campaign at two. A winner on debut at Pontefract in May, he added a listed race at Chantilly in June before running poorly at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood on good to firm ground.

Mid-Season Break

After a mid-season break, he came back for a backend campaign on softer ground and he placed in two listed races at 6f and 5.5f before shaping like he was ready for a step up to 7f on his final start of 2024 in a 6f listed race at Doncaster in October. He’s also related to a couple of 1m winners so that’s another indication that he should get this trip.

He now gets that extra furlong and Tom Marquand, who rode when he was short headed in a valuable novice at York last year, gets the leg up. Francisco’s Piece returns with his yard in excellent form. Ok, Keatley has had just one winner in the last fortnight but the form figures of his runners since May 28 read 4232201. At odds of 20/1, Francisco’s Piece is the e/w selection.

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tip: Francisco’s Piece e/w @ 20/1 NB

2.05 – Woodcote Stakes (Class 2)

This class 2 conditions race for the 2yos rarely throws up a shock winner. Since 2005, only three horses at double figure odds have won but at the prices we play at, a place will do and I think Too Darn Good is interesting stepping up to 6f after a highly promising debut at Bath two weeks ago.

By Too Darn Hot, this colt had to come wide and got a bit outpaced around 2f out in that maiden but once Rob Hornby gave him a tap with the persuader around a furlong out, he picked up well and ran on strongly in the closing stages for a 2.25l fourth.

Dam Listed Winner

His dam was a listed winner over 5f and she herself is out of a listed 5f winner so there is lots of speed in his pedigree but Too Darn Hot has hopefully added enough stamina to ensure that 6f will be within his compass. It’s harder to predict whether he’ll handle a slight ease in the ground but his pedigree suggests it’s not out of the question.

Charlie Hills has had seventeen previous 2yo runners at Epsom and while only one of them won, nine others finished in the first four (seven in the first three). Hopefully Too Darn Good can hit the frame for him here at odds of 40/1.

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tip: Too Darn Good e/w @ 40/1

2.40 – Coronation Cup (Group 1)

Just seven runners in this 1m4f Group 1 and it looks like a contest that will be dominated by the market leaders. The rain is in Caldangan’s favour and the French raider could be a tough nut to crack. Jan Brueghel is next best in the betting and one could argue that Bellum Justum is overpriced given that only a neck separated the two of them when they met at Goodwood last year.

However, with just two places on offer I’ll swerve this race. No bet.

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tip: No Bet

3.15 – Nifty Fifty Handicap (Class 2)

Given his record fresh and his liking for a bit of easy ground, the locally trained C&D winner Simply Sondheim might be worth taking a chance on at a price in this 1m2f handicap. George Baker’s 6yo was pulled up lame when last seen at Doncaster in November but he’s had plenty of time to recover and with such a big pot on offer, there’s a good chance that Baker has targeted this.

Simply Sondheim’s only previous run here resulted in victory, admittedly on heavy ground. However, he has won on good to soft too and once there is some sort of an ease, he’ll be fine. He is 5lb higher than he was when winning here last September but he probably ran to 95+ that day so he should be capable of nicking some place money off 93 if he is ready to go for his return.

He won first time out in 2023 for George Boughey and he ran a fine race first time up last year for Baker when finishing fourth at Kempton. At odds of 22/1, Simply Sondheim is worth chancing e/w for small stakes.

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tip: Simply Sondheim e/w @ 22/1 (4 places)

4.00 – Betfred Oaks (Group 1)

We have already backed Revoir at 10/1 for the Oaks and you can read why via the link provided in the introduction. The rain shouldn’t be an issue for her, hopefully she puts her best hoof forward and runs a big race.

2025 Epsom Oaks Day Tip: Revoir already advised e/w @ 10/1 NAP

-DaveStevos

2025 Epsom Derby & Oaks Ante-Post Tips

I said earlier on Twitter that my record in the Derby is poor but it seems I was being a touch harsh on myself. Last year I tipped Deira Mile for four places at 25/1 (NB) and he got the place so it hasn’t all been bad. I’m going to try to find a bit of e/w value in both races, my 2025 Epsom Derby and Oaks ante-post fancies are below, e/w singles and a small e/w double recommended. 

Friday – Epsom Oaks (Group 1)

Just nine fillies remained in the field for the Epsom Oaks on Sunday and Desert Flower is a warm order to maintain her unbeaten record. Rated 117, she has won G1s on her last two starts at a mile and now steps up markedly in trip to 1m4f. Will she stay? The jury is out for me.

Her sire Night Of Thunder was a top miler and his progeny have a winner to runner strike rate of 53% at 7f-9f. At 12-13f, that drops to 25%. Her dam was a 7f-1m1f winner that failed to stay 1m2f so whether her stamina will hold out remains to be seen. At the prices, I’d most definitely be a layer rather than a backer.

Beckett Can Strike

The last time I backed the winner in this race was back in 2013 when Talent won for Ralph Beckett. This year he runs Revoir and while she isn’t a huge price, I think she represents a bit of value at 10/1. Yes, she was narrowly beaten by Qilin Queen on her seasonal return in a Listed heat at Newbury over 1m2f but that was just the second run of her life and at this longer trip, she can reverse that form.

The assessor handed her a rating of 97 for that near miss so he thinks she has no chance here. I disagree and I think there could be heaps of improvement to come from her stepped up to 1m4f. Her sire, French Derby winner Study Of Man, has already produced a top class performer at this trip in Kalpana and her dam, Regardez, is a half-sister to the ill-fated Scope, a G1 winner over just short of 2m.

There’s a bit of rain forecast during the week at Epsom so there might be some cut in the ground but she won’t mind what the weather does. She won her maiden on heavy and it was good to firm at Newbury so it seems she handles any ground. At odds of 10/1, Revoir is the each way selection.

2025 Epsom Oaks Ante-Post Tip: Revoir e/w @ 10/1

Saturday – Epsom Derby (Group 1)

There should be a far bigger field in The Derby. Twenty were left in on Monday and all the money has been for the Ballydoyle Dubawi colt Delacroix. He has won both starts this season, in G3s over 1m2f at Leopardstown, and steps up to 1m4f for the first time. If, as expected, Ryan Moore rides, he will probably go off even shorter than the 11/4 he is now.

He’ll handle soft ground if the forecast rain arrives but it would be an unknown for the next three horses in the betting. The one I’ll take a punt on at a bigger price is the John Gosden trained Frankel colt, Nightwalker.

This lad has come up short in three stakes races at 8f-10.5f since winning his maiden at Yarmouth in September but, looking at how he has finished off those races, he could be a different proposition stepped up to 1m4f for the first time. His dam is a half-sister to the Leger winner Logician (who is also by Frankel) so his pedigree suggests he’ll improve for the longer trip too.

Outpaced

At York last time in the Dante he was drawn wide and dropped out. He travelled through the race lovely but got outpaced at the two furlong pole. However, he stayed on takingly in the final furlong and in the end he just missed third by less than half a length. He was closing on Damysus and Wimbledon Hawkeye all the way to the line and over this longer trip, he can turn that form around.

On his last start as a 2yo in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (1m, good to soft) he was also outpaced before running on nicely for third, 4l behind Delacroix and Stanhope Gardens. So, he has form with the right horses and while he has had five runs, I’m not sure we have seen the best of him yet. 

He reportedly handled the undulations of Epsom well in a piece of work last week and I am hoping the step up to 1m4f enables him to display his full ability. At odds of 25/1, Nightwalker is worth chancing e/w and I am also recommending a small e/w double with Revoir.

2025 Epsom Derby Tip: Nightwalker e/w @ 25/1

2025 Epsom Derby & Oaks E/W Double: Revoir @ 10/1 & Nightwalker @ 25/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Prix Du Jockey Club Tip

We backed Cercene for the Coronation Stakes yesterday and the 100s is now gone. She is now a best price of 50s, hopefully her preparation goes smoothly and she turns up in top form (preview here). This weekend, the Prix Du Jockey Club (aka The French Derby) is the highlight and I like the look of a lively outsider at 40/1.

Romanised is in the early stage of his career at stud and he had his first stakes winner last month with Zia Agnese, who landed the Group 3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud. That was a 10.5f contest and I think it might be worth taking a chance on another one of Romanised’s progeny, Curragh Camp, as he steps up to that trip for the first time.

Unraced at two because of a minor issue, he made a very pleasing debut on the AW track at Chantilly back in February, winning by 4l over 1m. On his next start at the same venue he was stepped up in trip to 9f and into listed company and he found just Toto Mo Cen too good. He was left with too much to do in that contest but he stayed on well.

Graffard kept him to that distance for his turf debut after a two month break, again at Chantilly, where he took his chance in the Group 3 Prix Du Guiche. Held up again, he was doing his best work at the finish under a very considerate Soumillon ride and in the end he ran on for third, finishing 2.5l behind Cualificar, who re-opposes here and is 7/1.

I think Curragh Camp is capable of getting much closer to that rival over this extended 1m2f. He has run like he is crying out for the longer trip on his last two starts and his pedigree suggests it will be right up his street too. He’s a half brother to a 12.5f winner and a 2m hurdle winner and his dam is by Sea The Stars.

He’s had just three starts so he is open to more improvement than some of his more experienced rivals and if the weather forecast is correct, he should get good ground, which his trainer is sure he needs. He has a nice draw in stall 5 and if Stephane Pasquier doesn’t get too far back, Curragh Camp can make his presence felt at odds of 40/1.

2025 Prix Du Jockey Club Tip: Curragh Camp e/w @ 40/1 (4 places Ladbrokes)

-DaveStevos

2025 Coronation Stakes Ante-Post Tip

We went close to landing four places from five bets at the Curragh on Sunday but in the end, we had to make do with three. One of those places came via Cercene in the Irish 1000 Guineas and while I was going to hold off on tipping her up for this race until her future plans become more concrete, only a couple of firms are still offering 100/1 so at the odds, it has to be worth the risk.

In my opinion, Cercene’s run in the Guineas was far, far better than it looked. Yes, she got the place in third but when tipping her for the race, I was banking on there being a strong early gallop. Instead, we got the opposite.

David Egan was allowed to sit at the front and dictate and he knew it was in his interests to stack them up behind and turn the race into a sprint in the last couple of furlongs. His plan almost worked to perfection but Lake Victoria had the necessary natural speed to reel in California Dreamer in the closing stages to land the spoils.

Cercene raced keenly just off the pace and did exceptionally well to finish best of the rest in third given how the race unfolded. I think she is much more likely to get a proper pace to aim at Ascot and I don’t believe we’ll see how good she actually is until she gets a race run to suit. A bit like Goliath last year. 

100/1 is an insult of a price and if they do go lickety split early, she is more than capable of closing the 4l gap to Lake Victoria. At the prices, Cercene has to be worth chancing e/w, hopefully she takes her chance and gives us a good run for our money.

2025 Coronation Stakes Ante-Post Tip: Cercene e/w @ 100/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas Meeting Tips

We failed to land a winner on Saturday but we couldn’t have come much closer. Arabian Dusk and Big Gossey were arguably unlucky not to win, as was the well backed Never Let Go but at least we got some e/w money at 28s, 20s and 33s. Cheers Again got no luck in running, the ground turned against Presence and we had two very frustrating fourths with Electric Storm and Rashabar.

On the upside, almost all of our bets were competitive so the radar is working to some extent. We go again tomorrow, my 2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas meeting tips are below.

1.55 – Marble Hill Stakes (Group 3)

Power Blue looks overpriced at 16/1 in this G3 for the 2yos. A winner of the opening 5f maiden at this venue back in March on soft, he ran to a similar level when getting to within 1.5l of Lady Iman in a Listed race back here earlier this month on good ground.

Ger Lyons’ filly has since boosted that form by winning a Group 3 at Naas and she is very well regarded by her trainer. Power Blue comes up against some unexposed types here, such as Albert Einstein and Andab, both of whom won on debut. However, they are stepping up in class and I am happy to take my chances on the sole horse in here that has already proved he can mix it at stakes level, especially when his odds are 16/1.

2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas meeting tip: Power Blue e/w @ 16/1

2.30 – Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group 2)

The returning Porta Fortuna is the top rated by some way here and if she can reproduce the form she showed at Newmarket in the Falmouth last summer, she should be up to giving weight and a beating to her rivals. However, if the rain that fell on Saturday has got into the ground, she might just be vulnerable.

One filly who certainly won’t mind a bit of an ease in the ground is Naomi Lapaglia. Bought for 475k Guineas in December, this 5yo daughter of Awtaad ran some excellent races in defeat in stakes company for Richard Spencer. It was a similar story on debut for Ger Lyons’ over this C&D when she finished a 2l third in the G3 Park Express behind One Look and Ecstatic.

Can she turn that form around? Well, a few of Lyons’ horses have needed the run on their returns whereas Paddy Twomey’s are usually gun barrel straight so I wouldn’t be surprised if she turned the tables with that rival. Will she be good enough to beat Porta Fortuna? Probably not, but if the ease in the ground causes her to fluff her lines, you never know. At odds of 10/1, Naomi Lapaglia is the e/w selection.

2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas meeting tip: Naomi Lapaglia e/w @ 10/1

3.05 – Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

The British raiders didn’t fare too badly yesterday and Royal Rhyme could give them more to shout about here. A five time winner, this son of Lope De Vega looks a shade too big to my eye at odds of 14/1.

His sole win last season came in a 1m2f G3 at Sandown on soft ground on his seasonal reappearance. He failed to fire on rattling quick ground on his next four starts but a return to easier conditions saw him run a fine race to finish third behind Anmaat in the 1m2f Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Karl Burke’s charge made his seasonal return in the G1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp last month. He ran another fine race despite racing a bit keenly and he was beaten just 2.25l by Sosie.

White Birch is a cracking horse and is probably the one to beat but I think the rest of these are much of a muchness and with ground to suit and that sharpener in France under his belt, Royal Rhyme is worth backing e/w at odds of 14/1. Fingers crossed for a good sup of rain for him tonight.

2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas meeting tip: Royal Rhyme e/w @ 14/1

3.40 – Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1)

We have already bet Cercene for this race and she’s on the drift. I can’t believe she is 50s in a place now and I’ll be going in again at those odds.

As I mentioned in my original preview for this race, I think Tamam Desert has the potential to rate much higher than a 90 filly.

By Sea The Moon, her dam is a half-sister to Banimpire, a high class 3yo for Jim Bolger who won the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot a few years back. That filly ran well to finish a 2.25l fifth in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2011 so Tamam Desert has the pedigree, but does she have the ability?

I’m probably clutching at straws here but this filly has been on my radar ever since her debut. She looked a good horse that day despite finishing midfield and she managed to win at Galway second time up despite displaying plenty of greenness.

Shane Foley gave her something of an educational ride on her seasonal comeback in a 10.5f G3 at Naas, her first try in stakes company. It reminded me of the ride he gave Romanised at the same venue before he went on to cause a massive shock in the 2000 Guineas.

I think dropping back to 1m might suit this filly and while Cercene is my main hope, I am going to have a half-stakes e/w bet on Tamam Desert too at 150/1. Hopefully at least one of them can hit the frame.

2025 Curragh 1000 Guineas meeting tip: Tamam Desert 0.5pt e/w @ 150/1; Cercene already advised @ 25/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Curragh Saturday Tips

I have already posted a few e/w bets for Saturday on the TXMarkets blog, click here to see them. I also like a couple more bets at big odds at the Curragh tomorrow. See who I am backing below.

1.20 – Irish EBF Maiden (2yo)

Usually, I wouldn’t go near a maiden on a Saturday but I can’t resist having a go at Cool Azul in the opener at the Curragh. Andy Oliver has had only one juvenile runner this season and it ran poorly at Naas but he had a 2-3 with two first time out horses in a 3yo maiden at Navan last weekend and this horse is bred to be a speedy 2yo.

He is by the upwardly mobile sire Blue Point and out of an Iffraaj dam that won as a 2yo and went close first time out. His half-brother Last Crusader won on debut and was listed placed as a 2yo and his grand-dam is a half-sister to a 2yo Listed winner.

Billy Lee gets the leg up on Cool Azul and he is 10/80 with 21 top 4 finishes when riding 2yos for Oliver. Most of this yard’s 2yo winners have come at Dundalk but he’s had six at the Curragh and last season he had a 50/1 winner in the 2yo race on the Friday of this meeting. At 33/1, Cool Azul is worth taking a small chance on e/w.

2025 Curragh Saturday Tip: Cool Azul 0.5pt e/w @ 33/1

2.30 – Tulfarris Hotel Handicap (Premier)

He has to be forgiven a trio of below par runs this season but if he can rediscover the sort of form he was in this time last year, Cheers Again is surely capable of outrunning his odds of 25/1 effectively running off a mark of 75.

This horse first came to my attention when I was working for my other gig. I tipped him up for his penultimate start at Cork and he was backed off the boards before running poorly. The way he was ridden (prominently) suggested that connections had another day in mind and in hindsight, I should have known they’d more than likely be targeting a race at this venue.

A year ago, in the Emerald Mile on this card, Cheers Again was ridden more patiently but he endured a nightmare passage between the 2f and 1f markers. When he eventually got daylight he stayed on strongly for third but the leaders had flown. He was beaten 1.75l for the win off 89, he is effectively 15lb lower now and he looks well worth a go over this 1m2f trip.

At odds of 25/1, hopefully Cheers Again can hit the frame.

2025 Curragh Saturday Tip: Cheers Again e/w @ 25/1 (5 places)

4.15 – Emerald Mile Handicap (Premier)

Now that he is back on better ground for the first time this season, maybe Presence can outrun her long odds for Jessie Harrington and Keithen Kennedy.

The 4yo daughter of New Bay has struggled both starts this season on soft, over 1m here and over 1m2f at Cork. However, the last time she ran over 1m on good ground was at this track last October and she hacked up by 3.25l off a mark of 74.

After that run she was hiked up 9lb and she just missed out on black type in a 1m Listed heat at Naas, finishing fourth of 16 and beaten just 2.75l for the win. The handicapper raised her to 92 for that run but after her two poor runs this term, she is back down to 88 and with her rider’s claim, she is effectively running off 83.

Her career form figures on yielding or quicker read 34421 and she should get her favoured underfoot conditions here. At odds of 33/1, Presence is worth chancing e/w.

2025 Curragh & Haydock Saturday Tip: Presence e/w @ 33/1 (5 places)

-DaveStevos

2025 Irish 1000 & 2000 Guineas Tips

We managed to find another nice winner at the weekend with Eydon at 16s. This weekend is one of my favourite of the flat season with the Irish 1000 & 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. I have decided to post two ante-post selections before declarations for the 2000 tomorrow, find out who I am backing below.

2025 Irish 2000 Guineas

First up on Saturday are the colts and the one that stands out like a sore thumb is Rashabar. Odds of 20/1 about the British raider look very generous to me given the level of form he has shown. A shock winner of the Coventry Stakes at Ascot last year, he more than proved that was no fluke in his subsequent 2yo starts.

At Deauville in the 6f Prix Morny he pushed Whistlejacket the whole way. He coped well with the step up to 7f on his final 2yo start at Longchamp in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere when just a neck behind Camille Pissarro who has since finished third in the French Guineas. Behind him in fourth was Field Of Gold, the 4/5 fav here and runner up at Newmarket in the English 2000 Guineas last time out. Solid form.

On his seasonal return Rashabar was a neck behind Jonquil in the Greenham and he was beaten a head by Henri Matisse at Longchamp in the French Guineas. How Rashabar is such a big price is a head-scratcher. Yes, he is untried at a mile but I can’t see why he won’t get it. He’s by Holy Roman Emperor, the sire of the 2019 winner Romanised and his Camelot dam is a half to two 1m6f winners.

At odds of 20/1, Rashabar looks a cracking e/w bet.

2025 Irish 2000 Guineas Tip: Rashabar e/w @ 20/1

2025 Irish 1000 Guineas

The fillies take centre stage on Sunday and I am torn between two. Ever since her debut at Leopardstown I’ve thought Tamam Desert was a high-class filly. She may have finished tenth but the way she finished off her race suggested she had lots of ability. She won a maiden at Galway on her second start, overcoming greenness and her run on her seasonal return in a Naas listed heat did not dampen my enthusiasm for her.

I might back her on the day if there are extra places on offer but I have thought Cercene was an ideal type for this race ever since her maiden win at Naas last September and she has run crackers on both outings this term.

On her seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over 7f (we backed her) she met trouble in running and flew home to finish third, just 1.75l behind Swelter, the 4/1 second favourite here. If that race were over 1m, she would have beaten her.

The daughter of Australia, whose dam is a half-sister to the dam of the top class miler Mohaather, stepped up to a mile at this venue on her next start in the G3 Athasi Stakes. She was a bit keen early which didn’t help but she stayed on well to get back up for second, finishing 0.5l behind the winner Atsila.

If Cercene gets a strong early pace she will hopefully settle better. I think she has a very nice turn of foot and I can see her staying on fast and late in the final furlong. On that run behind Swelter she looks massively overpriced at 25/1 and at those odds, she has to be worth chancing e/w.

2025 Irish 1000 Guineas Tip: Cercene e/w @ 25/1; I am also recommending a small e/w double on Cercene and Rashabar.

-DaveStevos

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Preview

Rousing Encore landed the NB in fine style on Wednesday. However, the other three horses were bitterly disappointing so we had to make do with just the one winner. Hopefully we can add to it on Day 2. My 2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday preview and tips are below.

2.10 – Lindum York Handicap (Class 2)

The one I like at a big price in this sprint is the speedy Tees Spirit. Trained by Adrian Nicholls, this horse is a very talented performer on his day. A nine time winner, he won three times last season, all at five furlongs on fast ground.

He ran in this race last season when ridden by Mia Nicholls and he was beaten just 2.25l off a mark of 99. She was taking off 5lb so he was effectively running off 94, with Jack Nicholls taking off 7lb this time he is effectively a pound lower.

Jack has a fine record when riding for his Dad. He’s had twelve rides resulting in three wins and another six top four finishes. Yes, it’s a small sample size but so far, he has hit the frame in 75% of his rides for the yard. A recent spin at Ripon should have blown away any cobwebs, he’s nicely drawn and with five places on offer, Tees Spirit is worth chancing e/w at odds of 25/1.

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Tip: Tees Spirit e/w @ 25/1 (5 places) NAP

2.42 – Hambleton Handicap (Class 2)

Stanage is interesting at a price in this 1m handicap. Trained by Mick Easterby, who loves having winners on the Knavesmire, this son of Kingman disappointed on his last start at Newmarket. However, the drop to 6f was not in his favour and he had previously run really well over 7f on his first two starts for the yard.

In April he was beaten just 1.25l at the same venue off 87 over 7f and on his stable debut in March, he won at 25/1 over 7f at Doncaster in a first time hood and that goes back on for the first time since today.

Stanage went close in a 1m Windsor maiden on quick ground when trained by the Gosdens. His dam won at a mile and his brother Coppice won at a mile so there could be more to come at this trip. At odds of 16/1, Stanage is the e/w selection.

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Tip: Stanage e/w @ 16/1 (4 places)

3.13 – Middleton Stakes (Group 2)

Royal Dress was a money spinner for us last year and it is notable that Ben Coen has come over to resurrect their partnership. He gave her a peach when winning on her seasonal reappearance last season when we were on at 33/1. She has won first time up for the last two seasons but her very best form has come on ground with a bit of juice in it and her record on good to firm does not inspire confidence.

To be honest, it is hard to look past the claims of the top three or four in the market. See The Fire won over 9f on fast ground last year and both Beautiful Love and Nakheel have rock solid stakes form in the book. They’ll probably fight it out for the win so I’m happy to swerve this. No bet.

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Tip: No bet

3.45 – Dante Stakes (Group 2)

Ballydoyle won yet another stakes race with Whirl on Day 1 and The Lion In Winter is a short price to add another. A G3 winner over 7f here when last seen in August (Wimbledon Hawkeye second), he should be suited by the step up to 10.5f and his rivals will be hoping that he needs this run.

He is up against Wimbledon Hawkeye again here and that horse will be testing his Derby credentials stepping up to this trip for the first time. I think he is a fine horse and I think the longer distance will suit but it is only twelve days since he ran in the Guineas.

Alpine Train extended his unbeaten record to three, also at the Guineas meeting. He has won all of his starts by 3l or more and he is clearly an exciting prospect. He is also proven at the trip, which can’t be said for his two main market rivals.

Bigger Odds

Is there anything lurking at bigger odds? The one that catches my eye is Ed Walker’s Mister Rizz. Unraced at two, he was narrowly beaten at 13/8 on debut at Kempton (1m) but the much more experienced winner winner is now rated in the 90s so in hindsight, it was a fine effort.

He got off the mark in a three runner maiden in smooth style at Doncaster earlier this month and now takes a big step up in class. He’s certainly bred for this sort of standard, being by top sire Lope De Vega and out of a G2 winner, so he may be able to compete at this level. It’s a tough race but at odds of 40/1, Mister Rizz is worth chancing e/w for small stakes.

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Tip: Mister Rizz e/w @ 40/1

4.18 – Westow Stakes (Listed)

A rating of 93 leaves Sir Yoshi with a bit to find but he ran the best race of his life to finish a close third in a listed race over C&D last August. He finished 1.5l behind the winner Tropical Storm, a 7/2 shot here. 1.25l ahead of him in second was subsequent G1 winner Magnum Force, now rated 112. Mr Lightside was a neck behind him in fourth and he’s 6/1 here so surely, Sir Yoshi is too big at 16s.

He hasn’t repeated that level of form in three runs since but he hasn’t had 5f on good to firm ground. I’d imagine David Marnane has had this race circled in the calendar ever since that run here last year and his mark may underestimate his ability.

His three runs on good to firm have been excellent efforts, hopefully he can produce another one here. At odds of 16/1, Sir Yoshi is the e/w selection.

2025 York Dante Meeting Thursday Tip: Sir Yoshi e/w @ 16/1 NB

-DaveStevos

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Preview

Neither of our Longchamp fancies on Sunday managed to land a blow. We are back on home soil this week and we are in for some cracking racing on the Knavesmire. My 2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday preview and tips are below.

2.10 – Jorvik Handicap (Class 2)

This time two years ago I was on one of the worst runs of my tipping career and it was ended by Hayley Turner and Scampi in this contest at odds of 16/1. The same owners run La Pulga in the race this year and I think he is capable of outrunning his odds of 22/1 for Charlie Johnston and Jason Hart.

This son of Kodiac has got his head in front four times on turf, so he knows how to win. His last two victories on grass have come at 13f and 12f on good to firm ground off 82 and 85 respectively. He comes into this rated 90, so he’ll need a career best but the 6yo ran a cracker off this rating on his seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh when beaten just 2.75l and hopefully, he’ll come on for that run.

Admittedly, he has run twice at York before and they were tame efforts but he had excuses both times. On the first occasion, tacky ground over a mile didn’t suit and the second run came over two miles, a trip that probably stretches him. This time, he will have his optimum trip and ground and the last time he ran over 1m4f on good ground, he won by 4l. Hopefully he’s been lined up for this race. If he has, he might be able to hit the frame at odds of 22/1.

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Tip: La Pulga e/w @ 22/1 (4 places) NAP

2.42 – Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 2)

If he is in the mood and on a going day, Rousing Encore is more than capable of going well here off a mark of 82. Formerly trained by Richard Fahey, he has been pretty consistent since joining Ruth Carr and while he has finished sixth and fifth on his two starts this season, he hasn’t been beaten that far.

At Newbury on his seasonal reappearance he was beaten just 2.5l off 84 and at Leicester last month he was beaten 3.5l off 83. In that race he was ridden a lot more prominently than usual and I am not sure those tactics suit him.

For his last win, at Ayr in October, he was waited with in midfield and it was a similar gameplan when he was narrowly denied in a hot handicap at Doncaster in November. Hopefully, they’ll go a strong gallop here and James Sullivan will be able to get his mount to settle off the pace. If that happens, Rousing Encore can hopefully finish strongly for place money at least at odds of 20/1.

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Tip: Rousing Encore e/w @ 20/1 (5 places) NB

3.13 – Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (Group 2)

She admittedly has a bit to find on the figures but if she is fit for her seasonal reappearance, Rage Of Bamby is capable of outrunning her odds of 28/1. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, we backed this mare when she won over C&D last season.

She then went on to run with credit in three listed races, finishing a close second at Ayr behind Star Of Lady M and then winning at Newmarket, beating the 104 rated Marine Wave by a neck. She has run well fresh before, which is a plus, she has course form figures of 251 and she loves quick ground.

Inisherin and Elite Status will probably be tough to topple but with three places on offer, hopefully Rage Of Bamby can make a bold bid and hang on for a place. A small e/w bet is advised at odds of 28/1.

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Tip: Rage Of Bamby e/w @ 28/1

3.45 – Musidora Stakes (Group 3)

This will probably be another Group race win for Ballydoyle and with just seven runners, I am happy to leave it alone. No Bet.

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Tip: No Bet

4.18 – Conundrum Handicap (Class 3)

As regular readers will know, I am usually not a fan of handicap debutants. However, in these early season 3yo handicaps it is a different scenario because usually, a lot of the runners are having their first starts in handicap company.

The one I am going to chance at a decent price is the Tim Easterby trained Double Parked. This gelded son of Bated Breath didn’t show a whole lot in his first two runs as a 2yo. However, he has improved no end for a winter  break and after two fine efforts in Newcastle novices over 6f and 7f, he got off the mark on his return to the turf on good to firm ground at Redcar earlier this month.

In that Redcar race he beat Camino Del Ray off level weights by a head and that rival is rated 79. They pulled 12l clear of Evangelic in fourth, a 73 rated horse. The handicapper left Double Parked on the same mark of 75 after that win, which seems a bit generous, so there could be a bit of wriggle room off that rating. He has a nice draw in stall 8, Duran Fentiman prefers him to his stablemate and at odds of 22/1, Double Parked is the e/w selection.

2025 York Dante Meeting Wednesday Tip: Double Parked e/w @ 22/1 (4 places)

-DaveStevos