Royal Ascot

Today, June 20, 2026FlatClass 21m1fGood Firm

Verdict

Wathnan Racing purchased SAHARA KING and Lost Boys after they finished 1-2 in last month's London Gold Cup and that pair might fight out the finish to another top handicap. The former was narrowly denied at Newbury but is seemingly preferred by James Doyle and is taken to turn the tables in new cheekpieces. Folk Pageant, Harmonics and Spyce, another from the London Gold Cup, are a few of many others to consider in this red-hot race.

Sahara King
Lost Boys
Folk Pageant

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places

12. Lost Boys
J: James McDonaldT: David Menuisier
F: 331-11
Price History:
3.75
Age:
3
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Night of Thunder colt who shaded a close finish in 1¼m Sandown handicap on reappearance (good) before improving a good chunk again to get the better of another photo with Sahara King for the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m, good). Since purchased by Wathnan Racing. Will go on improving.
2. Sahara King
J: James DoyleT: Richard Hannon
F: 1-522
Price History:
5.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-7
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
101
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Too Darn Hot colt who is progressing very well, following his 3¾ lengths second to Evanesco on handicap debut with a near miss behind Lost Boys in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m, good to firm) last month. Wears first-time cheekpieces. Even better to come and top of the list.
15. Princling
J: Tom MarquandT: William Haggas
F: 22-14
Price History:
7.50
Age:
3
Weight:
8-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Promising colt who landed short odds in 1m Wetherby novice on reappearance before producing a useful effort when fourth of 14 in rearranged Silver Bowl at Carlisle (1m, good) 3 weeks ago. Shapes as if this step up to 1¼m will suit. One to be interested in.
8. Harmonics
J: Shane FoleyT: John & Thady Gosden
F: 511
Price History:
10.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
15
Verdict
Struck at the second time of asking in 1m Southwell maiden in May and looked potentially smart when a 6-length winner of a 1¼m Doncaster novice (firm) a fortnight ago. Rapid improver for top yard.
3. Evanesco
J: David EganT: Charlie Johnston
F: 52617-41
Price History:
10.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Improved and very useful effort when winning 5-runner handicap at Newmarket (1¼m, good to firm, 9/2) 48 days ago by 3¾ lengths from the reopposing Sahara King, who has gone close in the London Gold Cup since. Has to enter calculations.
14. Perisher
J: William BuickT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
F: 253-311
Price History:
10.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-11
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
42
Verdict
Going the right way now, winning 1m Gowran maiden in April and producing a useful effort to follow up in 6-runner conditions event at Naas (10.4f, good, 11/8) 6 weeks ago, albeit having the run of the race.
11. Amadeus Mozart
J: Ryan MooreT: Aidan O'Brien
F: 1-272
Price History:
15.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Useful colt who was 7 lengths second of 4 to Endorsement in listed race at Leopardstown (1½m, soft) 16 days ago. Drops back in trip for handicap debut off a mark which demands improvement.
4. Spyce
J: Rossa RyanT: Alan King
F: 214-54
Price History:
17.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Useful juvenile, including third in listed race. Fair reappearance fifth in the Classic Trial at Sandown before advancing his form when 3¼ lengths fourth of 10 to Lost Boys (Sahara King second) in London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m, good) 35 days ago, running on after meeting some trouble. Well drawn.
6. Bayaann
J: Cieren FallonT: William Haggas
F: 1-21
Price History:
19.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
98
Days Since Last Run:
12
Verdict
Promising start, making it 2-3 in 1m Windsor novice (good to soft) 12 days ago. Marquand seemingly prefers Princling but he's well drawn and should have more to offer in handicaps for his top stable.
7. Nil Bua Gan Dua
J: D. B. McMonagleT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
F: 435-31
Price History:
15.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Got off the mark at the fifth time of asking when seeing off 4 rivals in a conditions event at Roscommon (10.4f, good) 40 days ago. From a stable among the winners this week but he looks to face a stiff task now switching to a handicap off a mark of 97.
17. Echo Of Stars
J: Jamie SpencerT: Oliver Cole
F: 42-41
Price History:
19.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-10
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Son of Sea The Stars who was fitted with a tongue strap and didn't need to improve on previous form to open his account in a Chepstow novice (1¼m, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Did that cosily enough but pitched in deep on handicap debut. Engaged 5.35 here on Friday. RESERVE.
13. Allegresse
J: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew Balding
F: 2117-49
Price History:
34.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Won back-to-back 1m novices at Kempton as a juvenile. Showed he's trained on when 2½ lengths last of 4 in a useful conditions race at Goodwood (1m) on reappearance and possibly unsuited by soft ground on 1¼m Epsom handicap debut since. Yard won this last year.
16. Folk Pageant
J: Rowan ScottT: Charlie Johnston
F: 2-19111
Price History:
21.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Most progressive, making it 4 wins in last 5 starts when seeing off 8 rivals in 1¼m Epsom handicap (soft) on Derby day. Also a winner on good to firm. Handily drawn in stall 4 and looks capable of even better.
10. Balzac
J: Billy LoughnaneT: Jane Chapple-Hyam
F: 3-1330
Price History:
26.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Useful sort who was third in the Blue Riband at Epsom and Derby Trial at Lingfield (both listed) this spring. Not up to the Derby at Epsom a couple of weeks ago. This is more realistic but it's tough to argue a mark of 97 looks generous.
1. Bourbon Blues
J: Joe LeavyT: Brian Meehan
F: 645312-30
Price History:
41.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
103
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Useful performer. Showed he's trained on well when 2½ lengths third of 7 to Morshdi in listed race at Newmarket (9f, good) on reappearance but well behind a few of these in the London Gold Cup at Newbury since.
9. Sunset On Leros
J: Marco GhianiT: Marco Botti
F: 4143-83
Price History:
67.00
Age:
3
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
50
Verdict
Useful juvenile. Well beaten on 1m Kempton reappearance but ran better with blinkers added (replaced by cheekpieces here) when 6½ lengths third of 14 in Italian 2000 Guineas at Milan (1m, good) last month. Steps up in trip for handicap debut from a mark which isn't obviously generous.
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Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Non-Runners

5. Accredit
J: Non RunnerT: John & Thady Gosden
F: 311-
Price History:
-
Age:
3
Weight:
9-5
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
246
18. Heraldry
J: ReserveT: John & Thady Gosden
F: 5-12
Price History:
-
Age:
3
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
47
Verdict
Kingman colt who built on promising debut to win on 1m Kempton on return, overcoming pace bias and trouble in running to lead late on. Improved again when second of 11 in novice at Windsor (1m, good) 4 weeks later, caught further back than ideal. Up in trip for handicap debut. More to come. RESERVE.
19. Wild Thoughts
J: ReserveT: Richard Spencer
F: 096-11112
Price History:
17.00
Age:
3
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Has proved a different proposition switched to handicaps this year, winning 4 in a row and improving again when narrowly denied at Carlisle (1m, good) 3 weeks ago. RESERVE.

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