Sunday 12th July, 2026 Stack to aim high with Nola Soul

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Nola Soul is being targeted at the Curragh’s Futurity Stakes in late August, as Fozzy Stack aims to “shoot for the stars” with his talented Royal Ascot scorer.

The son of Justify has shown plenty of quality in the early stages of his career, beating subsequent Windsor Castle Stakes winner King Of Cloughan at Leopardstown on debut before landing the Chesham Stakes in taking fashion at the Royal meeting.

His handler is now eyeing two further outings this term, beginning in the Group Two event often dominated by Aidan O’Brien and last year won by Constitution River.

Stack said: “He’s fine and in good shape. We’re probably aiming him at the Futurity at the Curragh on the third weekend in August. That’s where we’ll go if all goes according to plan.

“He’s a nice prospect and I’d imagine he’ll only have another two runs this year, the first one being the Futurity and then wherever we end up after that, all being well you’d hope it will be one of those nice Group Ones towards the back-end.

“If you shoot for the stars, hopefully we’ll land on the moon.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Thesecretadversary adds Prix Jean Prat to Ascot gains

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Royal Ascot hero Thesecretadversary scooped top honours in Deauville with a brilliant front-running success in the Prix Jean Prat.

Fozzy Stack’s Jersey Stakes scorer had previously fallen short when tackling Group One events, hitting trouble in running at Woodbine last year and also not showing his true colours in both the Newmarket and Curragh editions of the 2000 Guineas.

However, with his tail-up and confidence high following victory over seven furlongs at the Royal meeting, he excelled once again at that distance under Christophe Soumillon who was deputising for usual pilot, the suspended Seamie Heffernan.

Thesecretadversary was still full of running at the line as Aidan O’Brien’s running-on True Love finished strongly to make it an Irish-trained one-two. Christopher Head’s Nighttime was best of the home team in third.

Stack told Sky Sports Racing: “That was great and we thought he would run well but we were taking on two Guineas winners which is tough, especially one away from home and another who doesn’t live too far from us.

“It’s a great day and I would like to thank the Rupert and Magnier families (owners) for sending us this horse and his last two days have been unbelievable.

“Seamie spoke to Christophe earlier and told him about the horse and Christophe asked if I would mind if he made the running as there was no pace. I said don’t fight with him and just don’t get beat and he carried that out to perfection!

“This horse has a great constitution and he’s very tough. Both Christophe and Seamie have said they see six furlongs as no problem and he’s getting quicker. For a horse we thought would get a mile and maybe a little bit with it, he’s getting quicker.

“We trained his grandmother (Scream Blue Murder) and she was a sprinter and a lot of the family have been sprinters so maybe he’s returning to type.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this and get home and we’ll make a plan.

“He’s been on the go since just before Ascot as a two-year-old and has been to Canada and we’ve thrown a lot of things at him but he keeps coming back.”

The victory continues a fine run for Stack who also sent out exciting juvenile Nola Soul to win at Royal Ascot and Stack added: “If you said to me a month ago I would have had two Royal Ascot winners and then a Group One at Deauville I would have said ‘stop it’, it’s amazing.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Owen could let Ranga Tang loose in Goodwood Cup

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

After a fine effort in defeat at Royal Ascot, Ranga Tang could evoke memories of staying great Big Orange if taking up his option of the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup later this month.

The James Owen-trained son of Lope De Vega headed to the Queen’s Vase on the back of a win at Salisbury and almost caused a 40-1 shock when reeled in late by Joseph O’Brien’s highly regarded Limestone.

Connections are now keen to dip their toe into the deepest waters of the staying division on the Sussex Downs on July 28 and a race owners the Gredley family enjoyed success in both 2015 and 2016 with Michael Bell’s Gold Cup-winning Big Orange.

Owen said: “Ranga Tang will probably go to Goodwood for their big race. He’s a horse we think an awful lot of and I’m just glad he showed it at Ascot. He stays forever and will be a lovely horse for the future.

“I think on the back of his run at Ascot and with the allowance three-year-olds get, then if the ground is nice the Goodwood Cup looks ideal. Three-year-olds have a good record in the race and if he runs well there he could be a St Leger horse. We’ve huge hopes for him.”

Ranga Tang may have fallen just short at the Royal meeting, but joining him in action at the Qatar Goodwood Festival could well be Owen’s Royal Hunt Cup hero Rogue Diplomat.

The four-year-old, who was beaten a nose when searching a five-timer in the Lincoln earlier this season, has continued to thrive and while holding an entry for the Coral Golden Mile handicap at Goodwood, the Newmarket handler would have no qualms about stepping up in grade to take up his option of the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes on the opening day of the meeting.

“He’s got a lot of options but going to Goodwood is the main plan and he has a few entries there,” said Owen.

“We’ll see and he’s been busy enough and he’s one I think will improve in the autumn. So he’ll either go to Goodwood or we might just travel with him again. But he’s trained very well since Ascot and will be running before the end of the month hopefully.

“We wouldn’t be scared of going into Pattern company with him now and if he was to go to Goodwood, the Lennox Stakes would be one of the options we are looking at.

“Deciding where to go is a nice problem to have and this horse is not the finished article yet. I would be very disappointed if he couldn’t mix it in Pattern company.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Daiquiri Bay has Ebor riches in his sights

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Daiquiri Bay will head straight to York in a bid to supplement his brilliant victory at Royal Ascot in the Sky Bet Ebor.

Alan King’s four-year-old was a consistent performer last term, including when third in the Melrose Stakes over the same track and trip as the Ebor, but has taken his form to the next level this season after being gelded.

Since returning with victory over a mile and a half at Newmarket, he beat the same rival, Gamrai, when upped in distance for the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting and is now being readied to seek not only a 2026 hat-trick but a slice of the £500,000 on offer in the Knavesmire’s feature handicap on August 22.

“He’s in great form and will go straight for the Ebor,” said King, with Daiquiri Bay as short as 12-1 with some bookmakers.

“He’s just having a little break now after Ascot and we’ll build him back up for York. I’m very happy with him at the moment and we’re just ticking away quietly.

“He ran well at York in the Melrose last year and it looked the obvious place to go – if it ever rains again and if we can get him on easier ground I think you’ll see an even better horse.

“I think gelding him has made a real difference and he’s settled down beautifully for that.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Fraser setting sights on Goodwood after dramatic weekend

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

After surviving a bite from an unruly rival when registering a double at Ascot on Saturday, nothing can dampen the spirits of Kaiya Fraser as he now looks ahead to more golden opportunities at the Qatar Goodwood Festival later this month.

Fraser’s performance in the saddle was one of the highlights at Ascot this weekend but not before there was remarkable drama ahead of the the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Novice Stakes when the withdrawn Mr Twig took out his frustration by biting the jockey and sending him crashing to the turf while waiting to load aboard eventual winner Dr Rascal.

Although in some discomfort – and with the 23-year-old admitting he remains sore from the bizarre incident – thankfully he was was able haul himself off the floor to steer Oliver Cole’s youngster to an impressive all-the-way success.

Fraser said: “Michael Bell’s horse (Mr Twig) was messing about in the stalls and they’ve pulled him out, but as they’ve pulled him out of the gates he’s got loose and run around and then out of nowhere grabbed a hold of my thigh.

“He didn’t give me a chance and my horse got a bit nervous after that and kind of ran off and he got loose. Michael Bell’s horse gave me a sore leg and it’s still a bit sore now. It was a crazy couple of minutes but luckily we were able to get back in the stalls and go and win the race.”

Fraser enjoyed a red-letter weekend in Berkshire, with a win on Friday meaning he was successful on three of his four mounts at the track over the course of two days.

It continues a fine run for the young rider who has notched 32 winners this term and is making the most of his budding relationships with key allies in the training ranks.

“It’s always special to ride a winner at Ascot, let alone two and on a Saturday as well,” continued Fraser.

“I was delighted but I was going into the weekend knowing I had some great chances and luckily I’ve had a great weekend and everyone is happy. I’ve got to ride some nice horses over the last few days.”

He went on: “It’s going well this season and I’ve got a lot of great connections thanks to my agent James Forrest and I’m getting put up on some nice horses.

“Harry Eustace has been my boss for over three years now and I like to think we have a great relationship and I also have a great relationship with Rebecca Menzies who started using me when I was an apprentice, and I ride the majority of hers.”

Fraser’s fine run could now put him in the spotlight at the Qatar Goodwood Festival where he will be hoping for a less eventful precursor to Dr Rascal putting his unbeaten record on the line in the Vintage Stakes.

The jockey will also have a trump card up his sleeve in the form of Menzies’ Molecomb-bound speedball Adonius, who has blitzed his way to three impressive victories so far this year with Fraser in the plate.

He added: “I’m looking forward to Goodwood and it has always been one of the targets for Adonius, he’s very quick and obviously I’ve picked up this nice horse for Mr Oliver Cole, Dr Rascal, who is two from two now and showed how much ability he had at Ascot.

“I think after everything that happened you could see how much of a good mentality he has which is one of his main attributes.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Hanlon pays tribute as Hewick bows out

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

With the curtain coming down on the fairytale career of Hewick, John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has expressed his gratitude for the “amazing journey” his family went on alongside the pint-sized bargain buy who captured the hearts of the racing world.

Famously bought for just €850, Hewick’s remarkable rise to prominence provided Hanlon and his family with memories to treasure and at the age of 11 he bows out having won 12 of his 51 career starts under rules, but most importantly with his place in racing folklore firmly secured.

Hanlon said: “It’s been an amazing journey and the trip with him has been unreal. From his younger days, to Durham Nationals, to those days in American, Sandown and Kempton it’s been unbelievable and he’s given me memories that for the rest of the my life I’ll never forget.

“He has been here for the last nine years. Paddy is 19 now and Sean is 16 and Hewick has basically grown up with them. Paddy can remember him as a young horse and can remember the day we bought him.

“He was an unreal horse for our yard, Rachel Blackmore has won on him, Gavin Sheehan was absolutely brilliant on him and he was great alongside Jordan Gainsford, he’s been a star for a lot of people.

“It’s only when you go back and look through your phone at all the messages that have been appearing that you get a sense of how popular he really was, it’s been amazing and I’ve never known people follow a horse so much

“Whenever I’ve gone racing in the last few years people just want to talk to me about Hewick. I guess with me being a small trainer it added to it and people would come from England to see the horse and we never stopped anyone seeing the horse.”

From lowly beginnings, the Hewick journey to the top began to gain traction somewhat remarkably at Sedgefield when winning the Durham National in the autumn of 2021 and ever since was a one-way ticket to racing stardom, stopping off at the likes of Far Hills in America, Sandown, Galway and Kempton along the way.

Flagship victories in Sandown’s bet365 Gold Cup and Oaksey Chase sandwiched an emotional triumph on home soil in the Galway Plate and conquering the American Grand National. However, the crowning moment came on Boxing Day 2023 when Hewick came from the clouds to claim King George VI Chase glory.

Hanlon added: “To go to America and win an American Grand National, to win a Galway Plate in my own country and then to go to Kempton and win the King George was special. Every trainer in the world wants to win a King George and we are lucky enough to have done it.

“I remember being called back to America for the Eclipse Awards and you can never dream a horse of ours would be nominated for the American Horse of the Year Awards. I think he’s the only National Hunt horse in Ireland to win an Eclipse Award and that’s just brilliant.”

The Hewick story came full circle when son Paddy Hanlon took up the reins for the final two victories of his career, with the 19-year-old also in the saddle for his emotional swansong at Cork on Friday evening.

Hanlon now intends on giving Hewick one last moment in the spotlight when throwing an open invitation retirement party next month, before he heads off to enjoy retirement with loyal owner T J McDonald.

“It was very special when Paddy won on him in Thurles and I think we were a bit unlucky in some of his later races,” continued Hanlon. “He needed good fast ground and I really fancied him in the Liverpool Hurdle and then the skies opened two hours before the race and it took away his chance.

“I just felt now was the right time to bow out and if anything happened to the horse I wouldn’t be happy. He’s out in one piece and he’s out in the field bucking and kicking. He’s going to enjoy the rest of his life and will be going to live with his owner TJ in Naas and will be well, well minded.

“We’re going to have a retirement party towards the end of August and people have already been emailing asking what date so they can make arrangements to come over, that’s the sort of love people have for Hewick.

“We’ve got to try to find another one now and it’s going to be very hard to get one like him. He kept a lot of people going and it’s amazing the friends I’ve made and people I’ve had the pleasure to meet thanks to this horse.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 No added pressure for Boughey as Sussex clash looms for Echo

By Gideon Brooks, Press Association

George Boughey is feeling no added pressure to keep superstar colt Bow Echo unbeaten this season as he prepares to put his record on the line again in a red-hot Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

The three-year-old son of Night Of Thunder looks set to face his stiffest test yet in the Group One spectacular on the Sussex Downs on July 29 against the best older horses and familiar faces from the Classic generation.

And while Boughey admitted his 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner makes things easy for him at home, he conceded he has a growing public fan club willing him to keep his flawless record intact.

“The whole story of an unbeaten horse always captures the public imagination and we are really looking forward to taking on the older horses for the first time at Goodwood. But I don’t think there is more pressure on me,” he said.

“As I’ve said a number of times he makes my job very easy. He is a very straightforward animal to train and he takes his work well. Consistency with anything in life makes people’s lives easier.

“He just eats, sleeps and trains and has hit every target so far. We have been very lucky that has been the case and hopefully it carries on that way.”

Boughey fired the starting gun on his Sussex Stakes bid with a first piece of serious work since he beat Gstaad for the second time this season by a short head in a rough but thrilling St James’s Palace.

It delivered a second Group One following his runaway Guineas success and a fifth win out of five following his unbeaten two-year-old campaign culminated with a win in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket.

After watching the colt go through his paces, Boughey reported it was “all systems go” for Glorious Goodwood.

“He is in great shape and we couldn’t be much happier with him. He is a very consistent horse whose work has always been very strong and that certainly hasn’t changed. It is all systems go and everyone is very happy with him.”

Sunday 12th July, 2026 Hatteen given Gordon aim after Doncaster romp

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Hatteen could put his St Leger credentials to the test in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes, with his free ticket to the Doncaster Classic ready and waiting to be stamped following his victory at the track on Thursday.

Andrew Balding’s son of Lope De Vega relished the step up to a mile and a half when opening his account in the Betfred St Leger Trial Novice Stakes and is getting better with every start, leaving connections delighted with his progress.

Alison Begley, UK racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing said: “He was very impressive and had been working well at home.

“The step up in distance to a mile and a half suited. The likelihood is he’ll run in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood next and that will tell us more where we’re heading with him in regards a target for the rest of the season.”

Hatteen’s victory came on the same afternoon the form of his previous Newbury second to the King and Queen’s Point Of Law was further franked when that colt won Newmarket’s Group Three Bahrain Trophy.

The duo could clash again in Classic company at Town Moor in September if both continuing on their current upward trajectories, but for now the Hatteen team are willing to take it “one step at a time”.

Begley added: “The form of when he was second at Newbury is working very well and Andrew has said he has just kept on improving.

“He’s a proper middle-distance type of improving colt which is exciting and we have been thrilled with him. He deserved his win after being second a few times.

“The Leger would be considered for him depending what happens at Goodwood, but he’s going up into Pattern company now and we’ll have to take one step at a time and see after he’s run in the Gordon Stakes where we’re heading with him.”

Saturday 11th July, 2026 ‘Top class’ Venetian Sun loses little in July Cup defeat

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Venetian Sun may have just fallen short in her bid to supplement Royal Ascot glory in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes but Karl Burke left Newmarket content his sprinting star has again cemented her top-class status.

The participation of the Commonwealth Cup winner had been in some doubt due to the quick going on the July course and although connections elected to roll the dice with the six-time winner, she drifted from the position at the head of the betting she had held all week to odds of 6-1 at the off.

However, supporters who remained loyal were rewarded with a fine run for their money in defeat, as she chased down the impressive winner Comanche Brave to within a length – a performance that had Burke looking ahead to unleashing the daughter of Starman with ease in the ground later in the season.

“She’s a top-class filly and proved that today and I just hope when the autumn comes we get the rain we’re not getting now,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been ground dependent and she’s raced on this ground as a two-year-old, but every time she’s been running and winning Cliff (Lee) has come in and said she feels the ground.

“The only time she has run on soft ground was in the Temple Stakes at Haydock and she showed what she could do then.”

Deauville’s Prix Maurice de Gheest could prove a next port of call for Venetian Sun if she recovers sufficiently from her Newmarket exertions, but Burke is also eyeing major assignments at Haydock, Ascot and Stateside at the Breeders’ Cup before the season ends.

“There’s three races in the autumn, but we have to think about the French race first and if she comes out of this well then that’s a possibility,” continued Burke.

“That’s just short of six and a half furlongs on a flat track as well so it’s a possibility and we’ll just do what is best for her.”

It was Satono Reve who was the 2-1 favourite following Venetian Sun’s pre-race drift, but the Japanese raider’s wait for an elusive victory on British soil continues as he again had to settle for a place on the podium in third.

His jockey Christophe Lemaire said: “He travelled well, really comfortably and very relaxed. I was pleased with the way he was running, but unfortunately he didn’t pick up very well when I asked him.

“He stayed on with his beautiful stride, but could not gear up really which is a bit disappointing. He fought on until the end.”

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien relished watching his son Donnacha take home the spoils but also nominated York’s Nunthorpe Stakes and a drop back to five furlongs for his King Charles III Stakes winner Mission Central after he failed to feature at the business end testing the waters at six furlongs.

O’Brien: “Ryan (Moore) just felt he maybe got hung up on the fast pace early, but he ran OK. They went very fast and he jumped quick and he was just there on the pace.

“I’d say he might be better going back to five furlongs. I’m not sure, but York and the Nunthorpe is there for him.

“I’m delighted for Donnacha, it’s unbelievable and he’s done an incredible job with the horse. He ran well in Hong Kong and has progressed with every run, he was a little unlucky the last day at Royal Ascot.”

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Billy Loughnane steers Comanche Brave to July Cup glory

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Billy Loughnane’s exceptional season continued at Newmarket on Saturday as he steered Irish raider Comanche Brave to a brilliant sprinting success in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes.

It was the 2000 Guineas-winning jockey who jumped at the chance to partner Donnacha O’Brien’s four-year-old – who had taken on the challenge of Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong earlier in the year and had dazzled on home soil at the Curragh before not being disgraced at Royal Ascot.

Japanese raider Satono Reve attempted to keep it simple on the front end carrying dreams of replicating Agnes World’s victory in this race 26 years ago, with Aidan O’Brien’s Mission Central also among those up on the pace early on.

But the eye was always drawn to 11-1 chance Comanche Brave as he breezed effortlessly into contention and slipped an extra gear when meeting the rising ground to see off the running-on Venetian Sun by a length. Satono Reve was a further neck back in third.

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Al Hudaiba denies Abraham Lincoln with Superlative performance

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Al Hudaiba edged Abraham Lincoln in a thrilling finish to the battle of racing’s superpowers in Newmarket’s Boodles Superlative Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien’s Abraham Lincoln was the 8-13 favourite to follow up his impressive Curragh victory on debut and add his name to a roll of honour that includes distinguished Ballydoyle luminary City Of Troy.

It appeared the son of Wootton Bassett was about to create another taking impression when Ryan Moore kicked for home with a furlong to run.

However, William Buick was conjuring an exceptional finishing display from Charlie Appleby’s dual winner, whose race experience saw him answer every call from his jockey and hunt down Abraham Lincoln in the final stride to shade a short-head verdict at 5-2.

Al Hudaiba would be unbeaten in four starts had he not thrown away certain victory when unshipping Tom Marquand at Yarmouth, and Appleby said: “He’s a horse with a lot of talent and in the first half of the race we were happy with where we were, but Will said he started to shift underneath him and it’s a job to stay on, let alone trying to get him to gallop out – he said staying on is the hardest part.

“I wasn’t confident when they get as close as that, especially with the luck I’ve had over recent weeks, but I was sort of confident when he got his head down and started to gallop because he has got a lot of ability this horse, we’ve seen that at home.

“Full credit to the lads at home just for staying on him. Billy (Loughnane) has ridden him a few times for us and he puts some shapes in!

“I hope he’ll grow out of it, whether we need to put something around his head (headgear) to make him concentrate a bit harder, I don’t know. He’s one of those horses that finds life very easy because he has that engine there, but if he’s going to go up into the bigger leagues he’s going to have to concentrate a bit harder.”

Appleby, who was winning the Superlative for the third year in a row and seventh time in total, added: “I think we’ll look at the National Stakes in Ireland. I think the ground will potentially suit him there as one thing Will did say today was that he was feeling the ground.

“We’ll see over the coming weeks as the two-year-olds come out what other people have got and more importantly what else we might try to unearth at home.”

Of the runner-up, O’Brien said: “He ran a lovely race, he was just very green when he got there (the front) wasn’t he?

“He did it the first day as well – he got there and pulled up. We’ll just have to get there later!”

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Thesecretadversary bidding to show his worth in strong renewal of Prix Jean Prat

By Adam Morgan and Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Royal Ascot hero Thesecretadversary heads to France with Fozzy Stack hopeful of making his mark at the highest level in the Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Prix Jean Prat on Sunday.

The St Mark’s Basilica colt has been highly tried and not disgraced in his previous outings in Group One company and having justified the lofty regard in which he is held when landing the Jersey Stakes, returns to the top table in Deauville for one of the final three-year-old-only Group Ones of the season.

Stack said: “We’re happy with him and he seems to have come out of Ascot in good shape so we hope he can run well.

“He’s run in three Group Ones so far and we’ve felt in each one he hasn’t had a fair crack of the whip.

“In Canada he had no luck in running, at Newmarket in the 2000 Guineas he kind of beat himself and then he had no luck in running again at the Curragh, so hopefully we can get a clear crack at it and get to see where we stand.

“I think he’s adaptable over seven furlongs and a mile, but he obviously won well over seven furlongs last time and this is the last chance he will get to run against his peers.”

It has been Seamie Heffernan that has done the steering for all but one outing of Thesecretadversary’s career – including when successful at the Royal meeting – but Christophe Soumillon will deputise for the suspended Irishman in Deauville.

“Christophe is a great jockey worldwide and so when you get the opportunity to use a jockey like that on his home patch you have to take it,” continued Stack.

“Obviously he doesn’t know the horse that well, but Seamie will talk to him beforehand and we’ll try to fill him in as best we can.

“We’re lucky to be able to book a guy like Christophe and with Seamie being suspended we couldn’t have booked anyone better really.”

A strong challenge from Ireland is headed by Aidan O’Brien’s 1000 Guineas star True Love, who sidestepped another clash with stablemate Precise in Friday’s Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket to instead drop back in distance.

O’Brien said: “True Love is good, she’s in good form.

“She’s going back to seven furlongs, but we didn’t think dropping back was ever going to be a problem.”

Also returning to seven furlongs is Charlie Appleby’s Time To Turn who won the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes and Group Three Horris Hill over the trip at two and was runner-up to high-ranking stablemate Talk Of New York on his return in the Heron Stakes.

“He’s doing well and we’ve waited for the ground. We were going to run him in the Jersey, but the quick ground might have been against us,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.

“He’s in good order and it’s a very good race, but where else do I go with him?

“This is his trip I feel, so we’re looking forward to that.”

As is customary these days, French hopes are headed by the all-conquering Francis-Henri Graffard and Aga Khan Studs combination, with French 2000 Guineas scorer Rayif joined in the line-up by stablemate and Commonwealth Cup sixth Samangan.

Christopher Head’s four-time winner Nighttime also brings solid form to the table seeking his first Group One victory.

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Raammee lifts John Smith’s Cup for Varian and Dawson

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Raammee gave Roger Varian a third John Smith’s Cup with an impressive display in the York feature.

The lightly-raced four-year-old has only run four times, winning twice on the all-weather last term before finishing fourth then second in two handicap outings at Sandown this year and was sent off at 5-1 to land a telling strike on the Knavesmire.

Having travelled powerfully both into contention and then into the lead for big-race pilot Ray Dawson, Raammee faced a strong challenge from the running-on Hand Of God late into the piece, but had enough in reserve to hold on by three-quarters of a length.

It was a second time in the last three years the valuable handicap has gone Varian’s way, with Raammee joining Farraaj (2014) and Enfjaar (2024) on the race’s decorated roll of honour.

Dawson said: “I couldn’t go the early gallop so I ended up a little bit further back than I wanted.

“He is still very inexperienced and his first run this year was a bit of a no-show. The second one was very much an educational one to get him to race properly. It was a big ask coming here today and I’m delighted, he’s a lovely animal and I’m really happy for the ownership.

“I was just niggling him along and he’s still a little bit green and inexperienced and the way the race was set up there were a lot of horses around him, but once he got into top gear I was always going to get there a little bit sooner than I would have liked.

“He’s gone clear and when he’s felt the other horses come up to him he’s actually gone on again.”

He added: “It’s great to be riding these winners for the boss. His horses are in great from and we seem to be having nice winners every week and hopefully it continues. Today is a massive achievement, for myself personally and a lot of other people who are involved in the horse and the stable.

“I thought when I picked up I went past them quite easily. He was inclined to go over to the far rail and I probably let him do that to a certain degree, but I thought I was clear of everything.”

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Aalto proves his Bunbury expertise once again

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Aalto obliged favourite-backers to both avenge last year’s narrow defeat and regain the Betway Bunbury Cup at Newmarket.

Ian Williams’ six-year-old has a real affinity with the July course and in particular this contest, having won the seven-furlong event in great style in 2024 and finding only William Haggas’ top-class operator More Thunder a nose too good 12 months ago.

Ridden by William Buick, the 4-1 market leader had a wall of horses ahead of him entering the final quarter-mile but once finding daylight the HQ regular stormed home to score by half a length from chief market rival Back In Black.

Aalto was leading home a one-four for both Williams and the owners, with stablemate Supido fourth.

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Redorange pips the rest in City Walls Stakes at York

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Clive Cox proved the man to keep on side once again in the sprint division as Redorange surged up the Knavesmire to land the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes at York.

The four-year-old has often proven a consistent performer, winning in handicap company already this term and fourth in the Achilles Stakes when last seen, but was still sent off a rather unfancied 12-1 in the hands of PJ McDonald.

After the early pace fell away, it was the Lambourn raider who was finishing best of all, running on strongly to register a neck verdict over James Owen’s Aspect Island and also secure Listed honours for the first time in his career.

Redorange was made 25-1 from 33s by Paddy Power for the Nunthorpe Stakes back at York next month and Cox confirmed the Group One showpiece will come under consideration.

Speaking from Newmarket the Lambourn trainer said: “It was wonderful and he’s clearly talented. I’m over the moon that unlike in his previous visit to York, he had a clearer run through here and in a higher grade of race.

“He’s confirmed the promise he’s been showing and I’m glad we’ve got him in the Nunthorpe and have that choice. I think he has the quality and speed you need for that race and hopefully this will give him a good bit of confidence.

“We’ll see how he is and discuss it with the owner and he’s just affirming the thoughts we’ve always had that he would be a top-class sprinter. I would like to think he is on an upwards curve and that was really satisfying to see today.”

McDonald added: “It’s the first time I’ve been on him and to be fair Clive he was pretty confident the track would suit, so credit to him.

“Everything went smoothly, I jumped and there was a bit of pace on my side and I got into a lovely rhythm and when I let him down to quicken up he’s wanted to go to that side, but he was moving forward so I let him go and join them.

“Obviously he got competitive with the right horse from James Owen and had a nice little battle for a bit and just came out on top.

“For a sprinter he’s very relaxed, very straightforward. Fingers crossed there’s more big days in him.”

Saturday 11th July, 2026 Haffner confirms debut promise with smooth Newmarket success

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Haffner went one better than his esteemed stablemate Constitution River managed 12 months ago in the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes on July Cup day at Newmarket.

The latter was beaten a short head by Distant Storm in the corresponding race last season but has not tasted defeat since, establishing himself as Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old this term with victories in the French Derby and Coral-Eclipse.

Haffner had looked a winner in waiting when making late gains to finish second behind another Ballydoyle juvenile in Abraham Lincoln on his Curragh debut two weeks ago and after being sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore, the 5-4 favourite was always doing enough to keep Al Wathba at bay by a length and a half.

Paul Smith, son of Coolmore partner Derrick Smith, said: “He was very smooth, Ryan was very happy with him. He enjoyed to step up to seven (furlongs) and enjoyed the ground and looks like a stakes horse going forward.

“Aidan was happy to send him across, he’s very laid back and travels well, so we knew that wouldn’t be a problem and he took it all in his stride.

“He’s got a bit of a way to go to get to Constitution River’s level, but it’s a nice start.”