Ascot 25 July 2026

Going: Good to Firm
Stalls: Straight Centre; Round Inside
 
Sunny spells

Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 16.4° - 28.4°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 11.2 mph W

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

13:10 Ascot (Class 2) (2YO only)

Dentakay EBF Crocker Bulteel 'Confined' Maiden Stakes

6f

Winner £27,000 - 9 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

NEVER ENOUGH shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up at Windsor to a rival who had performed well behind Albany winner Libertango on debut. That form sets a decent standard and Ed Walker's colt makes a lot of appeal in his bid to go one better. Tumishi is likely to be in the mix following his fourth at Nottingham at the start of June, while Perfect Strike, a 280,000-euro purchase at the Arqana May Breeze-Up sale, and Izuba are the most interesting of the newcomers.

2

13:45 Ascot (Class 1) (2YO only)

Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (Fillies' Group 3)

6f

Winner £45,368 - 11 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

There was a lot to like about DARK ISSUE's victory on her racecourse bow at Goodwood and she built on that when a fine fourth in the Albany at the Royal meeting, with Dee's Funny Girl back in sixth. She may well have finished closer with a clearer run and further improvement is expected. Alta Regina finished sixth in the Queen Mary and is a fascinating contender now trying 6f for the first time. It will be interesting to see if the second and third from the Windsor Castle, Moonrise and Harlequin Sky, back those big-priced efforts up.

3

14:20 Ascot (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Longines Valiant Stakes (Fillies' And Mares' Group 3) (Rnd)

7f 213y

Winner £53,874 - 8 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

Touleen had a luckless run when runner-up in the Coronation behind Precise and the ease in grade appears to give her the opportunity to get her head back in front. That said, the claims of KON TIKI are difficult to ignore. Beaten three-quarters of a length at Goodwood by Blue Bolt, she finished fourth to the same rival in the Duke Of Cambridge before Andrew Balding's filly improved further to get the better of Precise in the Falmouth. The booking of Ryan Moore is noteworthy and she may prove too strong for the three-year-old brigade. Skydance hasn't run since claiming the scalp of Oaks heroine Thundering On in a Leopardstown maiden in April. However, she kept good company as a juvenile and may have more to offer.

4

14:55 Ascot (Class 2) (3YO plus)

Moet & Chandon International Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

7f

Winner £77,310 - 16 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

Extremely Zain made it three victories from as many starts with a cosy York success and is a colt with lofty ambitions, but Spring Mile winner MEZCALA added the Buckingham Palace to his CV last time and is worth keeping on side. Aalto (winner) and Back In Black (second) were only separated by half a length in the Bunbury Cup. They're both likely to give another good account of themselves, and so might bottom-weight Amazing Journey if he can prove his stamina over this trip.

5

15:35 Ascot (Class 1) (3YO plus)

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

1m 3f 211y

Winner £1,134,200 - 9 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

CALANDAGAN didn't appreciate testing conditions in the Coronation Cup, but the brilliant gelding put that behind him to record a narrow success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Francis Henri-Graffard's charge is arguably a more durable animal than he was when winning this 12 months ago and, despite having to contend with a four-strong Aidan O'Brien assault headed by Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, the son of Gleneagles can emerge victorious. Stable companion and another former winner of this contest Goliath was very unfortunate in the Hardwicke and is more than capable, and so is Japanese raider Masquerade Ball, who was only beaten a head by Calandagan in the Japan Cup.

6

16:10 Ascot (Class 4) (3YO plus)

Ascot Shop Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

1m 3f 211y

Winner £16,042 - 15 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

The in-form Taritino goes in search of a hat-trick following victories at Salisbury and Chester and is one of a few to consider. Masterinthewoods is one of those because he bumped into a subsequent winner when second at Goodwood and so is Akho Mezzna, who continues to run well in defeat. However, it might be worth taking a chance on EDWIN HUBBLE, who kept on into second at Windsor latest and has the potential to do much better over middle distances this term.

7

16:45 Ascot (Class 2) (3YO plus)

Betfred Handicap (Str)

1m (Str)

Winner £30,924 - 11 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

Urban Lion started the season with a bang when taking the Lincoln at Doncaster by a nose but he has disappointed since, although he has won on similar ground and is not without a chance of a place. Asmen Warrior represents the in-form James Owen yard after winning at Newmarket and can go well, despite his new rating, but the hat-trick seeking GRIZEDALE is preferred. An easy winner at Newbury, he has been upped 9lb for that but could still have improvement to come as a lightly-raced four-year-old.

8

17:20 Ascot (Class 2) (3YO plus)

Whispering Angel Handicap

5f

Winner £30,924 - 13 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Rating
Expert View (star rating)

Pilgrim won the Palace Of Holyrood House over C&D on his only previous visit here in 2024 and races off just 2lb higher, suggesting the five-year-old may have a better chance than his forecast odds imply. Desert Cop pulled too hard before failing to see it out when fourth at Epsom and, dropped back a furlong, he could go well. However, BASSENTHWAITE ran out an easy winner at Wolverhampton last November and although he has struggled since, he could surprise them all if allowed to bowl along once more.

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