Conditions: Listed class for 3-year-olds, £42,532 prize, run over 7f. Going is good (good to soft in places).
Pace Forecast: Strong early gallop expected.
Pace/Draw Angle: Prominent racers tend to be favoured at this trip at Epsom. With no draw bias flagged, forward-goers like Hallasan and Formal may be better positioned than hold-up types such as Diego Ventura or Glamis Road, who could need luck in running.


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Key Contenders and Analysis:

FORMAL – Looked a filly of real potential last year for Sir Michael Stoute, winning both starts before an excusable effort in the Rockfel. Reappeared for Andrew Balding in the Fred Darling when carrying condition and made late headway. Likely sharper now and races prominently, which will suit. (TFR: 115)
→ Strong contender. Improved fitness expected.

DIEGO VENTURA (IRE) – Consistent performer; landed a narrow listed success at Longchamp last time after good efforts at Doncaster and Ascot. Usually held up and might again need things to drop right given the likely pace. Can be ridden cold and produced late. (TFR: 114)
→ Main danger, though needs gaps to appear.

HALLASAN – Has form on good ground and goes forward in his races, which is a plus here. Below form in the Pavilion Stakes last time but that was a hot race and he should be more effective at this 7f trip. (TFR: 117)
→ Tactically suited. Chance to bounce back.

SAQQARA SANDS – Still unexposed, runner-up in a Newbury listed race last time when keeping on steadily. Bred to progress and races handily. Ralph Beckett’s fillies often improve with racing. (TFR: 110p)
→ Interesting improver. Live contender.

REBEL’S GAMBLE (IRE) – Landed a listed race in March but couldn’t land a blow in a deeper field at Ascot next time. Form is solid and he stays the trip, but best form has come on artificial surfaces. (TFR: 112)
→ Can go well from the front but needs to prove it on turf at this level.

GLAMIS ROAD (IRE) – Took a French listed race last year but flopped over further recently. Front runner who may face pressure up front and has something to prove on British turf. (TFR: 114)
→ Likely to be taken on early. Vulnerable in a battle.

THE WACO KID (IRE) – Smart juvenile, beat Diego Ventura in a Group 3 last season. Form has tailed off sharply in 2025 and reportedly lost action last time. Headgear now applied. (TFR: 115)
→ Headgear angle interesting, but recent form a concern. Trainer’s record with first-time headgear notable.

FRANCISCO’S PIECE – Fair performer with good juvenile form. Possibly ran too soon last autumn but still has a bit to find on ratings. Absent since October. (TFR: 111)
→ Layoff of 223 days. Market check vital.


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Trainer/Trends Notes:

Charlie Appleby (trains Hallasan) has a 30% strike rate in 7f–10f races.

Ralph Beckett (Saqqara Sands) and Andrew Balding (Formal) are in hot form.

Hugo Palmer (The Waco Kid) has a profitable record when applying first-time headgear.

Ollie Sangster has returned a positive level stakes profit when sending just one runner (saddles Glamis Road).


Past winners include Olivia Maralda (2023) and Ever Given (2022), indicating that fillies and up-in-class sprinters can be competitive here.


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Runner Ratings (out of 10):

Horse Rating

Formal 8.5
Hallasan 8
Diego Ventura 8
Saqqara Sands 7.5
Rebel’s Gamble 6.5
Glamis Road 6
The Waco Kid 5.5
Francisco’s Piece 5


Note: Runners off 90+ days include Francisco’s Piece, Glamis Road, Saqqara Sands, and The Waco Kid. Market signals should be monitored carefully.


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Private Tissue Estimate:

1. Formal – 3/1


2. Hallasan – 7/2


3. Diego Ventura – 4/1


4. Saqqara Sands – 6/1


5. Rebel’s Gamble – 8/1


6. Glamis Road – 12/1


7. The Waco Kid – 14/1


8. Francisco’s Piece – 16/1




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Summary:

A competitive renewal of the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes, where Formal looks primed to build on her reappearance and could be better suited by Epsom’s sharper track. Hallasan and Diego Ventura both bring listed-winning form to the table, though the former may have the run of things tactically. Saqqara Sands is an improving filly not to be underestimated. With four returning from layoffs of 90+ days, market support or negative movement could be telling. No strong each-way angle given there are only eight runners, but Saqqara Sands makes appeal as a potential improver.