Beverley - Wednesday 12th August 2026
TRUE CHARM brings the strongest piece of form to the table after finishing second to a now 90-rated rival on debut at Windsor. He hasn't exactly progressed since that display in two subsequent starts, but the combination of a gelding operation and a first-time tongue tie could see him get back on track. Lexington Boom commands plenty of respect based on a pair of seconds at Musselburgh and over C&D. Newcomer Mugheer appeals most of the remainder.
COCO NOVA shaped with a fair amount of promise when fourth on his racecourse bow at Doncaster, where he showed signs of inexperience before running on nicely in the closing stages. Hugo Palmer's charge can take the necessary step forward in what appears to be a winnable contest. Empire Rising has shown a consistent level of form since his debut and is capable of a decent showing, while Quintillion and You Got Know How are two newcomers of interest.
Mister Sky Blue took a step in the right direction when third at Thirsk on Friday and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a similar effort on this occasion. That said, the vote goes to ALICE'S INFLUENCE. She went close off this mark at Bath in May and the switch of headgear from a visor to first-time blinkers may also yield some improvement. Sir David and The New Bay Pearl can fight it out for the minor honours.
BELL SHOT made all to land the corresponding event from 2lb lower 12 months ago and gave the suggestion he was ready to defend his crown when second at Pontefract. The promising Mason Paetel takes a handy 5lb off the gelding's back once again and he looks primed to repeat the dose, although a wide draw isn't ideal. Alpha Capture went close in a claimer at Chester and is respected, while Style Of Life wasn't without her supporters on her seasonal return at York and may take a step forward.
There are no fewer than five C&D winners to take their chance, and even Sunny Orange is a four-time scorer at this venue. It's quite difficult to split the bunch, but PRINCESS NIYLA shades preference this time. Alan Brown's mare has twice run well over a mile at Doncaster recently, but she will relish the return to further and is now 5lb lower than when scoring over track and trip in May of last year. Newcastle victor Bearwith heads the remainder.
ANGEL NUMBERS made it two from two since joining Ruth Carr when securing a commanding Ripon triumph and is clearly a filly on a steep upward curve. The 6lb penalty makes life tougher, especially because Straight Ahead finished within a neck of her at Thirsk, but the runner-up hasn't shown the same level of consistency of late and might struggle to reverse the form. Kilfrush Desert displayed a decent level of ability in her three qualifying runs and now moves into handicaps with plenty of untapped potential.
A wide draw complicates matters for Lexington Boom, who improved from start one to two to miss out when runner-up over C&D last time. He might well overcome the wide berth, but ARD AS A ROCK might come out on top this time. A promising fifth over 6f at Newbury on debut, he showed lots of speed before fading into ninth at Glorious Goodwood last time and the drop to 5f here should prove right up his street. Karl Burke's newcomer Mugheer is third choice with the market likely to reveal plenty about his chance.
This looks a good opening for COCO NOVA, who shaped really nicely when fourth at Doncaster on debut and is fancied to take this granted normal improvement even though stall 9 is a little higher than ideal. Empire Rising and Real Edition have displayed similar levels of ability and rate the ones most likely to trouble the selection, although the newcomer Quintillion represents good connections and should be feared if the market speaks favourably.
Alice's Influence looks capable of a good run if the first-time blinkers work - she's been in decent nick anyway - while Willowinghurn is another 3yo on a competitive mark who goes in first-time headgear. Success for either wouldn't shock, but KING SHARJA appeals as a better win option. A former C&D scorer, he's had excuses of late and finds himself on quite a decent mark now. Sir David is another to take seriously but stall 14 has made his task much tougher. Still, he rates the danger.
The consistent Tattie Bogle retains the cheekpieces he tried when runner-up over 7f at Lingfield just the other day and must go well once more despite the wide draw, while former C&D winner Bell Shot enters the race on a decent run of form and is actually 3lb below his last winning mark. The top one Alpha Capture ran well in a claimer last time but is 6lb above his last win mark, meaning he could be vulnerable. The selection is HOMESTRAIT, a 7f winner at Carlisle two starts back who was stretched by 1m last time. Dropping back down in distance, she's worth chancing off what remains a fair mark.
Bearwith was back to winning ways at Newcastle last time, scoring with a bit in hand, and he must go well again back over a C&D he knows well with a 5lb rise looking fair. The selection, though, is the 3yo CIAO CAPO, who was firmly on the up until finding Class 4 company at York too much last time. He'd earlier won back-to-back, including over C&D, and can resume his progress here. Another former C&D winner Dr Rio comes in as third choice. He's versatile and quite capable off his current mark.
Hanney Girl is dropping in grade from a reduced mark and could have a say, while the bang in-form Angel Numbers can't be discounted in her bid for a hat-trick despite the penalty. The selection, though, is STRAIGHT AHEAD, who returned to his best form when finishing runner-up at Thirsk last time and must go well again here off 3lb higher. Handicap newcomer Kilfrush Desert is a potential fly in the ointment, with her dropping in trip and representing good connections.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
