This Class 4 handicap looks likely to be run at a genuine pace, with City Captain, This Farh and Inside Story all happiest forcing matters. That could create ideal conditions for a closer.The horse emerging with the strongest upgrade is Zarvali, whose York sixth was considerably better than it looks on paper after traffic problems…

This looks a classic Class 5 sprint where improving three-year-olds meet exposed older handicappers. Frantic arrives with the profile of a horse still ahead of her mark after an encouraging Leicester handicap debut, while Taygar brings the strongest course-and-distance credentials after an unlucky defeat here recently.Pull The Rug is another interesting younger runner, especially with…

This looks one of the more interesting races on the Stratford card despite attracting only seven runners. Several arrive with positive profiles, but they arrive from very different directions.Lheur De Gloire is the obvious improver. His Market Rasen chase debut suggested there is more to come and a 6lb rise may not stop him if…

This looks a race where recent evidence and potential improvement collide. Simba’s Pride has done little wrong this spring and his York fifth can be marked up. He sets the standard and is the runner most likely to run his race.The danger may come from the unknown rather than the obvious. U Turn returns after…

The 2026 Copper Horse looks set up for a closer. A strong pace is expected and Ascot’s long straight should reward those conserving energy early.Valiancy possesses the ideal profile of an improving four-year-old stayer and looks the horse most likely to follow recent winners of this race. Daiquiri Bay and Sing Us A Song rate…

The 2025 winner Haatem returns to the scene of his best recent performance and looks primed for another bold bid. Ascot’s fast 10f clearly suits and connections appear to have aimed him specifically at this race.The danger may come from Nahraan, whose form behind Croix Du Nord and Arc hero Daryz gives him fascinating credentials,…

The Ascot Stakes is often won by a horse specifically aimed at the race, and Reaching High fits that profile perfectly after an agonisingly unlucky passage in last year’s renewal. Willie Mullins has an excellent record in these staying handicaps and Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking.Joseph O’Brien appears to hold multiple cards. Puturhandstogether looks…

The St James’s Palace Stakes often confirms the pecking order among the Classic generation, and this year’s renewal looks set to answer one question: just how good is Bow Echo?His Guineas victory was backed up almost immediately by the horses behind him, and on figures he already sits among the strongest winners of the race…

This year’s King Charles III looks set to be decided by race shape rather than reputation. The Australian raider Overpass brings elite credentials but faces a potentially brutal pace scenario. American Affair returns to the scene of last year’s victory and looks primed for another huge run after an excellent Temple Stakes second. The horse…