Salisbury - Friday 11th September 2026
Andrew Balding has his string in fine form and a big run from newcomer Royal Authority would come as no surprise. A market check is advised, with similar sentiments applying to Iron Curtain, but preference is for experience and BURNINGRINGOFFIRE is expected to have come forward plenty for a pleasing debut fourth at Kempton. Keep an eye on Waaqed too.
Red Snapper arrives in good nick and brings winning C&D form to the table, which makes him of real interest. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if he continued on his merry way and completed the three-timer, but BOLD SHOUT might have something to say about that and he gets the nod boasting an attractive, unexposed profile. His third at Newbury was a solid effort and he broke through here the time before. Pull The Rug also warrants respect.
THE QUIET GENT almost landed a bit of a gamble at Brighton and has been given time to recover. A solid second that day, he's clearly well handicapped at present, gets Callum Rodriguez back in the plate, and has first-time cheekpieces fitted. Safari Dream likes it here and arrives on a three-timer following back-to-back Ffos Las wins so must be on the shortlist. Tenbob Tommy is noted as well.
Courage Best produced a better effort when fourth on her nursery debut at Windsor on Monday and is one to take seriously. However, ABSOLUTE DIAMOND struck by a length over this trip at Chepstow on her most recent outing and it would be no surprise to see her go in again. Persian Land sets the standard with an official rating of 75 and is another to watch out for.
AMILOC failed to land a blow when only seventh in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month, but he doesn't face anything like that opposition today and can take full advantage of this sizeable drop in grade. Lion's Pride is a dual Listed winner who goes for the in-form Gosden team and commands respect, while Quickthorn won this race in 2021 and 2024 and won't go down without a fight.
MISS GUINEVERE showed more when finishing third on her handicap debut at Newmarket and was kindly dropped 1lb for that effort. With the potential for more to come, she looks the one to beat. Scarlet Letter hasn't fired in three starts in maiden/novice company, but it would be no surprise to see her prove a different proposition now tackling a handicap. Next Guilian completes the shortlist.
Burningringoffire showed plenty on his debut at Kempton, settling fine in the hood, and he has a good chance here granted normal progress, but Andrew Balding's ROYAL AUTHORITY has a particularly appealing profile, being a son of Dubawi and out of multiple Group 1 scorer Rizeena. He's related to some smart types and is taken to get off to a winning start. Iron Curtain is one of two newcomers for Ralph Beckett and could easily have a big say also if the market speaks in his favour, while Waaqed, who was second of two on debut, could improve enough to play a part of settling better this time.
The drop to 6f should very much suit BOLD SHOUT, who ran well on his handicap debut at Newbury over 7f. The drop to 6f here is a definite plus and he rates the likely winner with his mark of 70 untouched. It won't be easy, though, as Red Snapper is in fine form and up just 1lb in his hat-trick bid, while Madman remains progressive and did little wrong when coming up shy in his bid for a hat-trick last time.
Safari Dream is hard to knock in his current mood, winning back-to-back, and his new mark remains fair, while the highly consistent Tenbob Tommy can be relied upon to give his running once more. Let's take a chance on THE QUIET GENT instead. He's only had one start in 2026, finishing runner-up at Brighton in August, and now gets first-time cheekpieces. He's on a competitive mark and nice and fresh for the time of year.
This could be another good opening for ABSOLUTE DIAMOND, who won a 7f nursery at Chepstow 13 days ago and holds strong claims at the weights on this drop into a seller. Stablemate Persian Land might emerge as the biggest threat, although he needs to get back to his May/June form as his two most recent efforts haven't been good. Lushill is exposed but might be best of the remainder.
He needs to avoid the bounce, having run a big race back from almost two years off at York last time, but QUICKTHORN won this in 2021 and 2024 and his recent return run suggested he retains a lot of his ability. He can be relied on to make this a thorough test and he could make things tricky for classy rivals Amiloc and Lion's Pride. The first-named retains a bit of potential and holds strong claims at the weights. He's just preferred to Lion's Pride as the danger. That one ran as though something was amiss last time but has long looked as though this trip would suit.
Fanciulla Del West hasn't quite progressed as expected but it's still relatively early days so don't give up on her yet, but it's MISS GUINEVERE who is favoured. Also as 3yo filly, she ran well when third on her handicap debut at Newmarket and could be suited by racing in a bigger field here. Takeitorleaveit wasn't at his best last time, but is usually reliable and should go well if returning to form.
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