Royal Ascot
Today, June 21, 2025FlatClass 22m5fGood Firm
Verdict
Verdict
A smart stayer on the Flat in France for Andre Fabre (dual Group 2 winner), SOBER made the perfect start for his new yard when successful over hurdles at Killarney 6 weeks ago. He makes plenty of appeal returned to this sphere for a stable that has won this race 4 times. Samui was an encouraging third in a handicap over shorter here earlier in the week and is feared. Wild Waves and Dallas Star are others in the mix.
Sober
Samui
Wild Waves
2m5f Stks
2m5f Stks
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
- 1. SoberJ: Ryan MooreT: W. P. Mullins, IrelandF: 31/295451-
- Price History:
- 1.83
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-7
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 40
VerdictSmart stayer on Flat in France for Andre Fabre (dual Group 2 winner) and perfect start sent hurdling for new yard when taking 5-runner Killarney novice (20.2f) on return to action 6 weeks ago. Top stable no stranger to success in this race and he's of significant interest. - 3. SamuiJ: C. T. KeaneT: Gordon Elliott, IrelandF: 212330-53
- Price History:
- 3.50
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 4
VerdictUseful hurdler who was progressive in this code last term and he arrives having shaped well when third in the Copper Horse Handicap here 4 days ago, doing good late work behind a pair of thriving 4-y-os. No surprise to see him figure over this markedly longer trip. 
8. Dallas StarJ: David EganT: Adrian Murray, IrelandF: 3/10-14623- Price History:
- 8.50
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 22
VerdictUseful colt. Made winning return at Dundalk in February and largely run with credit since, third of 8 in listed race at Down Royal (2m) last month. Holds claims on these terms if seeing out this longer trip but both career victories on turf have come on soft/heavy.
6. Trooper BisdeeJ: Luke MorrisT: Sir Mark Prescott BtF: 14/11040-5- Price History:
- 9.50
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 29
VerdictWon 6 of his first 9 handicaps at up to 18f but the assessor appeared to catch up with him during second half of last season. Resumed from 7 months off with an encouraging fifth at Goodwood (2m) 4 weeks ago however, and he's got an each-way squeak.- 11. Wild WavesJ: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew BaldingF: 11046-084
- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- hood
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 19
VerdictWon first 2 handicap starts last season and later a strong-finishing fourth in the Melrose at York (13.8f). Gelded over the winter and not kicked on so far this term, last of 4 in listed race at Rome (11.9f) 19 days ago. Still, not one to write off yet now tackling this much longer trip. 
10. Toby TopsJ: George WoodT: Dylan CunhaF: 68611313- Price History:
- 31.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- blinkers and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 32
VerdictRaised his game when landing back-to-back handicaps at up to 2m in March/April. Further progress when taking an apprentice riders' race here (2m) in May and possibly found race coming too soon when last of 3 at Nottingham 32 days ago. However, hard to envisage him playing a part on these terms.
7. Youthful KingJ: Jack DaceT: Luke DaceF: 17-034621- Price History:
- 41.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- hood
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 7
VerdictReacted well to the application of a hood, building on the promise of his Salisbury second when going one place better in 10-runner handicap at Sandown (14f, good to firm) 7 days ago. This will demand a good deal more over this much longer trip, though.
2. King Of The RoadJ: David ProbertT: Ben Pauling- Price History:
- 67.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 31
VerdictFair winning handicap hurdler who got back on the scoresheet at Taunton (19f) in November. Creditable efforts on 2 of his 3 starts since, off 4 months prior to finishing fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f) 31 days ago. This looks a tough enough ask on debut in this sphere.
4. Scottish AnthemJ: Kyle McHughT: Michael KeadyF: 72/634654-- Price History:
- 111.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 94
VerdictIrresolute performer who didn't kick on from a promising start for Simon & Ed Crisford but did at least show some aptitude for hurdling despite being pulled up on stable debut at Huntingdon (19.6f) in March. However, hard to warm to in a race like this and his losing run stretches back to 2022.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
5. TashkhanJ: Callum ShepherdT: Brian EllisonF: 133/05930-- Price History:
- 29.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 265
VerdictSmart performer at his peak (best with plenty of give underfoot) and standout effort of 2024 came when third at Chester (15.9f, soft) in September. Excuses when down the field at the Curragh final start and whilst he boasts a decent record when fresh, conditions may be livelier than ideal.
9. ParadoxicalJ: Warren FentimanT: Jennie CandlishF: 11128698- Price History:
- 126.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictMost progressive on AW this winter, winning 6 times at up to 1½m. However, arrives here having finished well held on his last 2 starts back on turf and he has loads to find on these terms upped significantly in trip.