Ascot

Tomorrow, October 17, 2026FlatClass 16f

Verdict

ALMERAQ is perhaps at his best on a softer surface but his win in the Jubilee at the Royal Meeting here proved he's still a top-class sprinter under quicker conditions and he'll be the one to beat again as he bids for a third top-level success of the campaign. Division wasn't seen to maximum effect in the Bengough but still appeals as one who should prove well suited by this stiff 6f and he can get back on track, with Paborus also likely to make the podium behind Almeraq again.

Almeraq
Division
Paborus

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

1. Almeraq
J: Tom MarquandT: William Haggas
F: 1/21F-1191
Price History:
2.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Won 4 of first 6 completed starts, notably Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) in June. Landed a second top-level success in fine style in the 8-runner Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, soft) by 4¼ lengths from Paborus and that form sets the standard, with any rain a plus.
12. Division
J: James DoyleT: William Haggas
F: 15-323524
Price History:
9.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Career best when going down only narrowly in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (6.5f, good to firm) in August. Probably asked to come from too far back when fourth in the Bengough Stakes over C&D (good to firm) 14 days ago and this set-up should still play to his strengths. Choice of James Doyle.
11. Coppull
J: Rossa RyanT: Clive Cox
F: 153-18417
Price History:
11.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket before landing the third pattern success of his career in the Group 3 Hungerford at Newbury, his first attempt at 7f. Looked unsuited by softer ground when 13¾ lengths seventh of 8 to Almeraq in Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f) 42 days ago, so better expected.
15. Samangan
J: Christophe SoumillonT: Francis-Henri Graffard
F: 11-246415
Price History:
10.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
13
Verdict
Seemed to find 6f in Commonwealth Cup on sharp side, but better form since when close fourth in Jean Prat and improved further when off mark for year when winning Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August. Not ideally placed when only fifth in the Prix de la Foret (7f) 2 weeks ago.
6. Kind Of Blue
J: Billy LoughnaneT: James Fanshawe
F: 8320-2051
Price History:
11.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
Smart sort who landed this race in 2024. Showed he's still really smart on his day when second in York Group 2 on reappearance in May and didn't need to be at best when winning 6-runner conditions stakes at Kempton (6f) 17 days ago by ¾ length from Mitbaahy. Can be involved.
3. Great Wish
J: William BuickT: Bent Olsen
F: 15-147611
Price History:
12.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Good sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over C&D at Royal meeting and has since scored in a Klampenborg listed race and a Deauville Group 3, doing so with plenty in hand in the latter. Place claims.
9. Paborus
J: Daniel TudhopeT: Edward Bethell
F: 171/13-182
Price History:
17.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Low-mileage 5-y-o who defeated Marvelman to win 6f Newcastle Group 3 on return in June and looked very well suited by the return to sprinting on testing ground when 4¼ lengths second of 8 to Almeraq in Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, soft) 42 days ago, further clear of the rest. One to take seriously.
10. Prince Of India
J: Pat DobbsT: Marco Botti
F: 50246212
Price History:
21.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Won 4 times over 6f/7f last year and back on the scoreboard down in grade with a dominant performance in 7-runner listed event at Newmarket (6f) in August. Another solid effort in cheekpieces when ¾-length second of 11 to Hidden Force in Bengough Stakes over C&D (good to firm) 2 weeks ago.
13. Poatan
J: Rowan ScottT: George Scott
F: 3513-371
Price History:
19.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Good third in listed race at Sandown (5f) in June and produced a much improved effort on just his second handicap outing when winning 9-runner handicap at Haydock (5f, soft) 42 days ago. This requires much more, though.
7. Marvelman
J: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew Balding
F: 10-926384
Price History:
29.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
13
Verdict
Winless so far in 2026 but looked as good as ever when placed in Chipchase and City of York Stakes in summer. Disappointing in the Sprint Cup and ran just respectably when fourth of 8 in Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f) 2 weeks ago, but now has Murphy back in the saddle.
2. Binhareer
J: Cieren FallonT: William Haggas
F: 361-26494
Price History:
41.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Heritage handicap winner at York last October and got back on track when fourth of 21 in the latest renewal of that race last week. Remains some lingering awkwardness about him, though, and he'll need more to bridge the gap to this level. Cheekpieces on first time.
8. Mitbaahy
J: Saffie OsborneT: Charles Hills
F: 0/2-052392
Price History:
31.00
Age:
7
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
Group 2 winner in his prime and placed efforts in a Newbury Group 3 and the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood this summer show he's still smart on his day. Nearest at the finish when a respectable ¾-length second of 6 to Kind of Blue in conditions stakes at Kempton (6f, 9/1) 17 days ago.
16. Soul Love
J: Pierre-Louis JaminT: K. R. Burke
F: 1-1913121
Price History:
51.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Ground-versatile sort who enhanced her outstanding strike rate (5 wins from 8 starts) when making all in the 7-runner Renaissance Stakes (5/2) at the Curragh (6f, heavy) 20 days ago. More needed again here but she's clearly going the right way.
5. Jasour
J: Hector CrouchT: Clive Cox
F: 6-2660506
Price History:
111.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
hood and tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Runner-up in a Doncaster listed race on reappearance in March. Solid efforts back at minor pattern level next 2 outings but more miss than hit since, only 5¼ lengths sixth of 11 to Hidden Force in Bengough Stakes over C&D (good to firm) 14 days ago. Hood back on. Difficult ask.
4. Jamess Delight
J: D. B. McMonagleT: Clive Cox
F: 5100-6334
Price History:
67.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Won the Group 2 Greenlands at the Curragh last year and creditable third in that race and a Group 3 there this summer. Underperformed in the Sprint Cup at Haydock latest and might be up against it again at the top level.
14. Power Blue
J: David EganT: Robson De Aguiar
F: 1-2744103
Price History:
111.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Phoenix Stakes winner at 2 who bounced back to win a Group 2 at the Curragh over 7f in July. Has struggled at the very top level this year, though, and was below form when only 4¾ lengths third of 7 to Soul Love in Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh (6f, heavy) 20 days ago.
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