Beverley - Monday 20th July 2026
KENTUCKY RAIN was out of her depth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot last time but her debut second at Goodwood suggests that she could be hard to beat in a race of this nature. Isca Bay and Concert Pitch are the pick of the remainder with race experience, while any market support for Perryston would have to be noted.
Plenty arrive with strong claims, but none more so than BEERWAH. The son of Mehmas has won two of his last four starts and a 4lb rise for the latest of those victories at Nottingham a month ago may not be enough to stop him here. That said, Dc Cogent was only narrowly denied off this mark when last seen and is an obvious threat, while similar comments apply to Level Up. Great and Toptime complete the shortlist.
All of these have claims, but preference is for A WAR EAGLE. The four-year-old has been running well in defeat in better races than this of late and he was successful over C&D when last seen at this level in April. Glenfinnan hit the crossbar over track and trip most recently and is likely to be the main threat, while It Just Takes Time is next best.
African Spirit showed more when third over a mile at Windsor on his latest outing and has to be considered, but it may pay to side with WALK ON WALK ON. Noel Wilson's gelding finished three lengths clear of the third when hitting the crossbar over C&D earlier in the month and a repeat of that effort might be good enough. Alice's Influence completes the shortlist.
Royal Sizzler arguably pulled her chance away when fourth over 1m2f here last month, but this drop in trip looks a good move and she is noted. Course winner Inspiring Speeches must enter calculations, but the one who appeals most is COPPER AND FIVE. Ruth Carr's veteran could get back in the winning groove in this classified stakes company judged on the pick of this year's form in handicaps.
MWAFAQ and Shimmering Sands are both bidding for hat-tricks, but the former has more scope for improvement and looks the one to be on. The four-year-old won by a nose over a mile at Doncaster at the start of the month and this step up in distance could eke out more. Kitsune Power is another to consider after his C&D success last Tuesday.
This looks a really good opportunity for KENTUCKY RAIN, who was runner-up at Goodwood on debut before finishing 16th in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. This is considerably easier and she ought to get off the mark. Concert Pitch is exposed and it's unlikely he'll be able to see off the favourite. Isca Bay, runner-up over C&D last time, when improving from her debut, comes in as third choice with further progress likely.
This can go to the top weight GREAT, who travelled strongly when winning at Carlisle last time and ought to have no issue with the drop to a bare 5f here. The consistent Level Up is the danger provided he doesn't go too fast, although Bibendum scored with a fair bit in hand in a small field at Leicester last time and needs considering also.
The 8yo It Just Takes Time is on a consistent run of form and should again go well, but it's the top weight A WAR EAGLE who is the selection on this drop in grade - he ran well in a Class 2 handicap at Epsom last time. He's also a former C&D winner, so has plenty going for him. Glenfinnan has been in form, likes it here, and should again go well.
WALK ON WALK ON rates the most likely winner of this with him having come back to his best when runner-up over C&D last time. He's been nudged up 1lb but still looks fairly weighted. African Spirit, third in a new headgear combination at Windsor last time, rates the danger off the same mark here, but King Sharja is on a decent mark if bouncing back from a lesser effort last time and needs considering also.
A weak handicap, it can go to INSPIRING SPEECHES, who has run two good races in a row, including over 10f here two starts back, and he rates the most likely winner on this drop in trip. Top weight Copper And Five has had excuses of late and he finds himself on a decent mark if bouncing back, but it's Royal Sizzler who rates the bigger danger. She was too keen over 10f here last time and should be suited to the drop to 1m here.
Although his new mark asks more, it's tough to go against SHIMMERING SANDS in his current form - he's won both starts this season and did so with plenty in hand at Pontefract last time. The 3yo Enamorus is coming off a decent run tried in cheekpieces and rates the danger although Ziata, the other 3yo, could go well if building on her Ffos Las third tried in blinkers.
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