Royal Ascot
Today, June 21, 2025FlatClass 21m1fGood Firm
Verdict
Verdict
SERAPH GABRIEL is drawn a bit wider than ideal but is still given the chance to build on the considerable promise of his Sandown reappearance second in the spring. Glen To Glen has switched to Joseph O'Brien since his good second in a warm Leopardstown handicap in March and is a potentially dangerous opponent. French raider Best Secret and London Gold Cup 3-4 Quai de Bethune and Ernst Blofeld also make the shortlist.
Seraph Gabriel
Glen To Glen
Best Secret
1m2f Hcap Stks
1m2f Hcap Stks
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places
- 5. Seraph GabrielJ: Rossa RyanT: Ralph BeckettF: 412-2
- Price History:
- 3.25
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 95
- Days Since Last Run:
- 57
VerdictImproved again when very promising second of 8 in 1m Esher Cup on Sandown handicap debut and reappearance 8 weeks ago. Up in trip. Definitely more to come from him. - 4. Best SecretJ: James DoyleT: S. Wattel, FranceF: 343-21
- Price History:
- 5.50
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 95
- Days Since Last Run:
- 52
VerdictShowed improved when a convincing winner on handicap debut at Longchamp (1¼m, good) at the end of April. Quicker ground now an unknown but he's almost certainly capable of better. - 16. Glen To GlenJ: D. B. McMonagleT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, IrelandF: 64-13
- Price History:
- 7.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 8-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 83
VerdictProgressive for Jim Bolger, winning his maiden over 6f before stepping up significantly in trip to finish third of 16 on 1¼m Leopardstown handicap debut in March. That form has worked out and he's an interesting new recruit for Joseph O'Brien. 
9. Dakota BlueJ: Ben Martin CoenT: John Patrick Murtagh, IrelandF: 242-12- Price History:
- 7.50
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 94
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictCame good in Navan maiden over this trip (good to firm) on reappearance and stepped up on that form when narrowly denied in a handicap back there since. That may not prove his limit.
6. El BurhanJ: Jim CrowleyT: George BougheyF: 4113-1- Price History:
- 8.50
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 95
- Days Since Last Run:
- 44
VerdictUseful effort when edging a bunched finish in 7.5f Chester handicap on reappearance. Stamina on his dam's side so this longer trip should be within range. Likely capable of better again.
11. Ernst BlofeldJ: William BuickT: John & Thady GosdenF: 3134- Price History:
- 9.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-1
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 92
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictHas made good progress in 4 starts, finishing 1¾ lengths fourth of 9 to Saddadd in London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m, firm) 35 days ago. Cheekpieces added. Open to further progress but his draw could have been kinder.
10. Quai De BethuneJ: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew BaldingF: 3-1463- Price History:
- 10.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-2
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 93
- Days Since Last Run:
- 35
VerdictAW maiden winner who made a very good start to his handicap career when 1½ lengths third of 9 to Saddadd in strong London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m, firm) 5 weeks ago. Respected.
3. TycoonJ: David EganT: John & Thady GosdenF: 3-13- Price History:
- 17.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-6
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 97
- Days Since Last Run:
- 28
VerdictKingman colt who is going the right way, winning Windsor maiden over this trip before a creditable 7½ lengths third of 8 to Amiloc in listed race at Goodwood (11f, good, 14/1) 28 days ago. Changed hands for £600,000 earlier in the week. Open to further progress
12. RooseveltJ: Ryan MooreT: Aidan O'Brien, IrelandF: 010- Price History:
- 17.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-1
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 92
- Days Since Last Run:
- 15
VerdictWon 8-runner maiden at Leopardstown (1½m, good) in May. A drop to 7f for his Fairyhouse handicap debut since backfired and he's bettered judged on the Leopardstown win now returning to a more suitable trip.
8. AurelJ: Richard KingscoteT: Ralph BeckettF: 1-41- Price History:
- 31.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 94
- Days Since Last Run:
- 26
VerdictMade it 2 wins from 3 starts when shading a tight finish in 1¼m Leicester novice (good to firm) 26 days ago. While an opening mark of 94 isn't obviously generous it would be no surprise to see this lightly-raced colt take another step forward.
13. Fantazy ManJ: Seamie HeffernanT: John Patrick Murtagh, IrelandF: 09611- Price History:
- 34.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-1
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 92
- Days Since Last Run:
- 23
VerdictHas improved for cheekpieces, winning a Ballinrobe claimer and Fairyhouse handicap at around 1¼m last month. Further progress needed to complete the hat-trick in this ultra-competitive race but he's going the right way.
17. BrindavanJ: C. T. KeaneT: S. P. C. WoodsF: 22142-241- Price History:
- 36.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 8-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 42
VerdictConsistent at 2 yrs and solid start to this season, landing a cosy win over C&D (firm) last month. Should remain competitive off 6 lb higher. RESERVE.
14. War SocksJ: Silvestre De SousaT: Niels Petersen, NorwayF: 5731- Price History:
- 36.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-0
- Gear:
- hood
- Official Rating:
- 91
- Days Since Last Run:
- 31
VerdictNorwegian-trained colt who showed quite useful form when third to 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court at Meydan (1m) in March. Has won a 1m conditions race in Sweden since. Tackles 1¼m for the first time. Probably best watched.
1. Rock Of CashelJ: Sean LeveyT: Aidan O'Brien, IrelandF: 81465-648- Price History:
- 81.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-9
- Gear:
- blinkers
- Official Rating:
- 100
- Days Since Last Run:
- 16
VerdictUseful colt. but has an exposed look about him and will need a really smart performance to defy a triple-figure mark on handicap debut.
7. BasaltJ: Luke MorrisT: Archie WatsonF: 513-5- Price History:
- 81.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 94
- Days Since Last Run:
- 28
VerdictProgressed well at 2 landing 1m Newcastle novice and signing off with a third of 5 in listed race at Pontefract (1m, heavy). His 9 lengths fifth in 11f Goodwood listed on reappearance was creditable and this slightly shorter trip should suit now handicapping. First-time cheekpieces on. Drawn wide.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
2. SallaalJ: Ray DawsonT: Roger VarianF: 1-51- Price History:
- 5.50
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 9-6
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 97
- Days Since Last Run:
- 48
VerdictSecond novice win when landing short odds over 1m at Hamilton (good to firm) 7 weeks ago. Open to improvement for a stable which has already plundered a couple of leading 3-y-o handicaps this season.
18. ArchivistJ: ReserveT: William HaggasF: 4222-21- Price History:
- 6.00
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 8-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 18
VerdictImproved at the second time of asking for his new trainer when easily landing short odds in 1m Leicester maiden (good to firm) 18 days ago. Should stay this longer trip and likely his best days are ahead of him. RESERVE.
15. The Kings FalconJ: Non RunnerT: William HaggasF: 42-21- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 8-13
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 23
19. Dantes LadJ: ReserveT: George BougheyF: 3391-561- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 3
- Weight:
- 8-12
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 89
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictTook a step forward tackling 1¼m for the first time when landing a warm York handicap (firm) 3 weeks ago. A 2 lb nudge shouldn't prevent a prominent showing with further progress on the cards. RESERVE